Saipan Living Relocation Guide PREVIEW

Saipan Living! 1Walt Goodridge, author of Doing Business on Saipan presents:

2 Walt F.J. GoodridgeSaipan Living! Where on Earth is Saipan??? A comprehensive guide formoving to, finding a job, working, living or vacationing in the NorthernMariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.© Walt F.J. Goodridge. All rights reserved.Published by The Passion Profit Company, an imprint ofa company called W, New YorkP.O. Box 618Church Street StationNew York, NY 10008-0618Distributed exclusively byThe Passion Profit [email protected] online atwww.SaipanLiving.comAll rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, ortransmitted in any form, without written permission from the author andpublisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.Paperback Retail Cost: $19.95ISBN-13: 978-1481277297ISBN-10: 1481277294Disclaimer:This guide is NOT written by the CNMI department of tourism. It was writtenby the entrepreneur founder of SaipanLiving.com. The goal is to provide youwith information, inspiration and ideas you can use to make your decision torelocate, live, work or vacation on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Saipan Living! 3 Other Books About Saipan by Walt F.J. Goodridge: Doing Business on Saipan, Jamaican on Saipan,Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan, Dedication Dedicated to Isolene Rebecca Golding, 1907-1988 Acknowledgements I wish to thank Kenneth McRae, for introducing me to Saipan! Also special thanks to: Joe Hill, Tony Pellegrino, Cinta Kaipat, Maria PangelinanSam Joyner, Xiaomei, Cindy (Yun), John Joyner, Willie Brundidge, Angelo Villagomez, Chun Yu Wang, Preeyaporn P. Jompeang, Ron McFarlane, Oscar Camacho, Ashley Moffatt, Jayvee Vallejera on Saipan, as well as Thelma Goodridge, Reina Joa, Ernest Capers, Monica Afesi and Aaron & Stacey Spencer-Willoughby and the usual recurring cast of main characters in this and previous lives. Special acknowledgement to Ruth Tighe, a dear friend and contributor to this volume who shall remain a friend in memory. Credits: All interior photographs: Walt Goodridge, unless otherwise noted. Street Market scene on page 117: Xavier Atalig Book cover image: \"Sunset Bliss\" by Angelo Villagomez Chapter header image: GoogleMaps image of Saipan

4 Walt F.J. Goodridge Courtesy of Google Maps.

Saipan Living! 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS IARRANGED BY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSBREAKING NEWS!• How up to date and thorough is this guide? 13• What's really going on on Saipan right now? 13• Is Saipan a place for me to escape to? 17• How is the global economic crisis affecting Saipan? 14GENERAL QUESTIONS & CONCERNS• It can't all be good! Tell me some of the negatives! 26• Is it safe on Saipan? 71• What languages are spoken there? 49• What time zone is Saipan in? 47• Is Saipan a territory, protectorate, or what? 33• Does that mean Saipan has its own flag? 32• What's Saipan's relationship with the United States? 33• Is there an indigenous culture there? 33• What's the cuisine there? What sort of food do they eat on Saipan? 49• Is there high-speed internet access? cable? 73• What side of the road do they drive on? 43• What currency do they use? What's the exchange rate? 49• What's the weather like? Is it really humid? 22• Is the air clean? How's the pollution? 24• Are there lots of mosquitoes and lizards? 81GETTING THERE• What airlines serve Saipan? 41• How much does an airline ticket to Saipan cost? 41• Can you get me a discount on plane tickets? 41• When is the best time to travel to Saipan? 48TOURIST QUESTIONS & CONCERNS• Do I need a visa to travel to and enter Saipan? 35• As a US citizen, do I need a passport or visa? 37• Is Saipan considered part of the US for \"green card\" holders? 38• What's Saipan’s airport code? 41• Once I actually get to Saipan, what is there to DO? 43

6 Walt F.J. Goodridge• Once I actually get to Saipan, what is there to SEE? 42• Can I reserve a hotel in advance? Can you help me? 42• Do I need a driver's license to rent a car? 43• Does Saipan offer a home stay program for tourists? 42• What was Saipan's role in World War II? 32GUEST WORKER QUESTIONS• How can I transfer money from Philippine Bank to a bank on Saipan? 57• I once worked on Saipan. How can I get proof of residence, birth, etc.? 39VISITING STUDENT QUESTIONS• Does Saipan offer a home stay program for students? 42• I'd like to study English on Saipan. Any advice? 42RELOCATION QUESTIONS• Which is better, Saipan or Guam? 103• How far from Saipan are Tinian and Rota? 31• Can I drink the water on Saipan? 49• Are the communities wheelchair accessible? 68• What are the education system and school system like? 55• Are there storage facilities on Saipan? I want to ship my stuff there. 86• What's the cost of living like? 93• What's the population? 45• How is the shopping there? 58• Is food very expensive? 49• Can I find an apartment easily? What are the rents like? 89• What is the average rent for a 1 bedroom apt, and what can I expect to paymonthly for groceries of moderate consumption? 89• What religions are practiced? Can I find my denomination's church? 98• Are people from MY country welcome? Are there restrictions on us? 100• Can I own property/land on Saipan? 52• What town should I live in? 93• Should I buy a house? Any advice? 95• Should I ship my car, or buy a new/used one there? How are the prices? 9• Can I bring my pets? 62• Can I bring my gun? 67• What's it REALLY like to live there? Tell me the truth! 128• Are there property taxes on Saipan? 75

Saipan Living! 7SETTLING IN• What's the dating & singles scene like? 121• Is there organic produce? a farmer's market? Are pesticides used? 80• What's the daily lifestyle like? 128• What's the landscape like? 128• What kind of animals are on Saipan? 49• Is there a gym or fitness center? 74• Are there libraries and bookstores? 56• What sorts of clubs and organizations can I join? 120• What about restaurants? 49• What kind of radio, television and newspapers are there? 73• What kind of events and entertainment can I expect? 115• Is there prejudice, discrimination and racism there? 26• I want to get married on Saipan! What's the process? Will it take long? 44• What's the garbage pickup and sanitation situation? 51GETTING A JOB• Is it easy to find a job there? 102• Which is better for job hunting, Saipan or Guam? 103• Can I find work as a lawyer? doctor? dentist? teacher? nurse? 102• What's the going rate for my profession? 149• What's the minimum wage? 13• What sort of taxes will I pay? 104• What tax forms will I need to complete? 104• How will the new labor laws affect me? 104STARTING A BUSINESS• What sort of investments are needed? 122• How easy is it to start a business? 122• What's the current climate for small businesses? 122• What industries are thriving or potentially profitable? 122• Can I start a home-based business? Are there any zoning restrictions? 124• Have others been successful starting businesses on Saipan? 123REALLY SETTLING IN• What's the health care situation on Saipan? 94• Will I lose touch with friends and family being so far away? 69• Will I experience \"Island Fever\" living on such a small island? 69

8 Walt F.J. Goodridge• How long does mail take to between Saipan and other countries? 60• Can I get certain food items that I'm accustomed to?• Am I allowed to vote? Can I still vote in the mainland US elections? 71• What are the local politics like? 125• What's the distance from Saipan to Guam? 31• What are the good, the bad, the beautiful and ugly aspects of life there? 26ESCAPE, SURVIVAL, HOMESTEADING, FARMING, HEALTHYLIVING QUESTIONS• Can I raise my own honeybees for honey and money? 77• Can I live a healthy lifestyle on Saipan? Is there a food co-op? 75• Can I get a plot of land to plant my own crops? 78RETIREMENT CONCERNS• I receive $2,000 per month in social security. Can I retire comfortably? 100MISCELLANEOUS INTERESTS AND QUESTIONS• Are the garment factories still operating? 126• Are there a lot of World War II artifacts?• Is it true there are actual Japanese Shinto shrines on Saipan? 23• Is there a National Guard on Saipan? 67• What do current and past residents think about Saipan? (all throughout!)• Got any pictures I can look at? 156• Where can I get a detailed map of the island? 159• What's the topography of the island? 143-145• Any info about the Northern Islands? Can I live on those islands, too? 159• How has westernization affected the indigenous culture? 146• Can you tell me more about the guy who wrote this guide? 160• What are the cia.gov facts on Saipan? 131• Where else can I find facts about Saipan? 131• What resources did you use to compile this information? 155• What online resources exist for me to learn more? 156• Bottom line: Do you recommend I move there? 17

Saipan Living! 9 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S II BY GENERAL TOPICLATEST UPDATE 13INTRODUCTION 19• Why I Wrote This Guide 19• The Truth About Saipan 20• The good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly 26CHAPTER 1: General Knowledge 29• CNMI Official Name 29• Where on earth is Saipan? 29• And, where are Tinian & Rota? 30• Saipan Geography 31• CNMI Flag 32• CNMI History, including WWII 32• CNMI Political Status 33• The Host Culture 33CHAPTER 2: Entry, Visas & Immigration 35• Foreign Nationals/Tourists 35• US Citizens 37• US Permanent Residents 38• Former and Current Guest Workers 39CHAPTER 3: A Tourist's Life 41• Airlines 41• Hotels & Accommodations 42• Popular Scenic and Historic Sites and Sights! 42• Activities 43• Car rentals 43

10 Walt F.J. Goodridge 45 45CHAPTER 4: An Overview of Saipan Life 47• Population/Demographics 48• Time Zone 49• Weather 49• Animals 49• Languages 49• Currency 49• Water 50• Food/Cuisine 50• The Saipan Economy 51• Industries 52• Infrastructure• Land Ownership 53 53CHAPTER 5: Home Life 54• Cost of Living 55• Housing 55• Schools 57• Libraries & Bookstores 58• Banking 59• Shopping 61• Mail Delivery 62• Churches & Religions 66• Pets 68• Military Matters (including guns) 71• Support Systems 71• Policing & Crime 72• Voting 72• Hospitals 72• Restaurants 73• Transportation & Driving 73• Internet access & cable 74• Media & News 75• Health & Fitness 75• Property Taxes 88• Farming & Natural Living 97• Relocation Scenarios• Retirement Scenarios

Saipan Living! 11CHAPTER 6: Work Life 102• Job Hunting on Saipan 102• Salaries 104• Labor Laws 104• Tax Scenario #1 105CHAPTER 7: Social Life & Entertainment 115• Entertainment 115• Fairs & Festivals 116• Community Activities 117• Nightlife 118• Sporting Events 118• Miscellaneous Events 118• Museums 119• Networking Organizations & Groups 120• Dating 121CHAPTER 8: Business Life 122• Investments 122• Zoning 124• Saipanpreneur Success Stories 124CHAPTER 9: Miscellaneous 125• Local Politics 125• Garment Factories 126• Comparison with other islands in the region 127• Testimonials about life on Saipan 128• Lifestyle and Summary 128APPENDIX 131• Saipan Facts from CIA.gov 131• Saipan, Tinian and Rota Topography Maps 143• The 10 Commandments of Paradise 146• Wage & Salary Survey 149• Research & Bibliography 155• Further Reading 155• Online Resources: Websites, bloggers, etc. 156

12 Walt F.J. Goodridge 157 158• Saipan on DVD 159• Saipan Reading 160• More Saipan Reading 161• About the Author• Free for joining

Saipan Living! 13 LATEST UPDATES! As of January 1, 2013; For previous updates, visit www.saipanliving.comTourism UpdateTourism arrivals have been increasing! To take into account normalseasonal fluctuations, tourism arrival numbers are typically compared to thesame month of the previous year.Sep 2012: 30,472 UP compared to Sep 2011: 25,408Oct 2012: 26,630 UP compared to Oct 2011: 24,693This is always a good thing as Saipan’s economy is inextricably linkedto tourism.Industry Update Business owner and serial entrepreneur, Tony Pellegrino, has launchedArctic Circle Air, a local cargo service intended to ship produce from Saipanto Guam and neighboring islands. This, too, is great news as it helps Saipanto begin to develop export of its agricultural products as a means to improvethe local economy. The public is invited to invest, participate and supportthrough the purchase of shares. According to Tony: “Hi, Walt, Thanks for your offer to help. Pleasetell anyone to just contact me at [email protected] or call me at 670-287-8310 and I will explain the whole deal. Per share is $1.00. Can buy asmany or as few as one wishes.”Minimum Wage Update The current minimum wage on Saipan is $5.55/hour. The nextscheduled increase of $0.50cents is Sept 2013. It is mandated to increase 50cents each year until it is in line with federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.

14 Walt F.J. GoodridgeGuest Worker Update There are currently approximately 16,000 foreign workers on Saipanwho have applied for CW (Contract Workers) status as part of the CNMITransitional Worker Program. The processing of these applications by theUSCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Service) is experiencingcontinued delays. These delays are causing uncertainty on the part of thefamilies of the applicants as well as the employees through whom theapplications have been filed. Updates: http://unheardnomore.blogspot.comThen, there’s talk:There’s talk of a federally-funded bus transportation system for Saipan!There’s talk of a new airline called Air Papaya!There’s talk of impeaching the governor!A Land in Transition: A view from the ground The following is my overview of the Saipan situation as of January2013. Note: When I say \"Saipan,\" I’m usually referring to Saipan, Tinian andRota--the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. With the 2009 federal takeover of Saipan's immigration and labor,the foreign workforce is being pushed out,therefore, the population is decreasing,therefore, demographics are changing,therefore, businesses are closing as a result of less customers,therefore, certain services (while stable for now) are likely to decrease,certain prices (while stable for now) are likely to increasetherefore, inbound container shipments As a result of various factors, there's been a drastic drop in the numberof visiting Japanese tourists, and on Saipantherefore, airline revenues are decliningtherefore, less money is being spent on island by touriststherefore, hotels are cutting employees some of whom are leaving island As a result of the global economic situation (collapse), and the declineof Saipan's garment industry taking their toll on Saipan, inbound andoutbound trade has been affected,therefore, the frequency of OUTgoing container shipments has declinedtherefore, the frequency of INcoming container shipments has declinedtherefore, the cost of incoming container shipments has increased (whilesome routes have been stopped entirely.)

Saipan Living! 15How it affects you... However negative all of this may seem on the surface, it will have bothpositive and negative ramifications for different sets of visitors to or residentson Saipan:For retirees Saipan's warm weather, slower pace and less congestion may make itan ideal location for retirees whose fixed incomes can still go a long way witha moderate lifestyle.For tourists Saipan remains a nice vacation for Japanese, Korean, Chinese andRussian tourists who seek a tropical getaway from the cold or congestion oftheir homelands. The beaches remain beautiful, the sunsets spectacular andthe climate ideal. There will be just enough of a local work force on hand toman the hotels, entertain the visitors, and provide tours and activities.However, from a marketing standpoint, as a result of the decliningpopulation, Saipan's \"selling point\" may need to be modified to appeal toindividuals who are seeking a real \"vacation\" of peace, serenity and naturalbeauty rather than to party with hoards of other screaming tourists.For expats Saipan is still a great destination for people looking to get away whohave sources of income that come from off island. Apartment rent and home purchase prices are likely to decrease aslandlords get more motivated to rent and lease. However, utility and gasprices are likely to increase as less customers use these services while the costof delivery of these services remains the same.For job-seekers The existing minimum wage ($5.55/hour as of this writing) makes itan impractical place for non-professionals seeking employment. For manyyears, Saipan's economy, its job market and thus, the island's prevailingwages have been structured around a foreign workforce who employers havebeen able to pay at lower rates than are allowed on the mainland. With theslow departure of this workforce, as well as the federally mandated annualincrease in the minimum wage, there will hopefully be a change in the typesof businesses that spring up, as well as the mindset of employers who own

16 Walt F.J. Goodridgethem. All of this is contingent, however, upon an influx of residents and/ortourists who can jumpstart the consumerism and sustain any new businessesthat emerge in this transitional period.Singles Single males looking for dating & marriage are not likely to find theabundance and diversity Saipan once boasted when the garment factories andguest worker program brought ladies from China, Vietnam, Thailand,Philippines, and neighboring islands. Recent estimates put the number offoreign workers still on island at about 16,000. The majority of these are fromthe Philippines. It should be noted that the goal of the recent \"federalization\"of Saipan's immigration and labor is to phase out the guest worker programby 2014.For business owners While the remaining foreign workers will provide an eager and willingworkforce for the remaining employers, the key component of any business:willing customers with the ability to pay, remains the uncertain element ofany consideration to open a business on Saipan. What happens next? There is always hope on the horizon. Any numberof known and unknown developments could serve as catalysts to Saipan'seconomic resurgence. Where the hope resides:New Tourism With the extension of the Visa Waiver Program, Chinese and Russiantourists could begin to increase in numbers helping to offset the decline inJapanese tourists.New residents With unrest on the US mainland and around the world (i.e. the OccupyMovement) fueling concerns for safety, survival and thus escape, moreAmericans (including retirees) could relocate to Saipan sparking an upturn inthe population that could begin to offset the departure of the foreignworkforce. Saipan is small enough that a few individuals can make a bigdifference.

Saipan Living! 17New industry Some sort of new industry or several (to offset the departure ofgarment industry, and the instability of tourism) could emerge to sparkeconomic self-sufficiency and jobs. Is it agriculture? Is it aquaculture? Is itsome sort of manufacturing?The unknown, random factor There are random elements that will play into the unfolding of Saipan'sfuture. Those in the know are not talking, and the rest of us can merelyspeculate. However, people are aware that Saipan's (as well as Guam's)strategic geographic location in relation to China and the rest of Asia, make itan ideal location to focus military intentions and implement strategies in thename of \"national security.\" In fact, the forced reduction in the foreign laborforce is seen as just one early step in securing the borders of this UScommonwealth. Whether this will lead to the militarization of the island andsurrounding region in general, and an influx in more military personnel,remains to be seen. However, given the recent placement of US troops inAustralia (Saipan is approximately 3,000 miles from Sydney, Australia), thisaspect of influence in Saipan's future cannot be ignored.(Check out SaipanLiving's New Saipan Agenda Manifesto for my own ideasof what's needed on Saipan. [see Appendix] )The Ultimate Test Despite its challenges, many who come to Saipan, stay. Many who leave,miss it terribly. And many who travel the world over, come back to enjoy away of life they can't find anywhere else. Those of us who actually live andwork on Saipan know this to be truth. Here are two recent emails: Nov 12, 2011 Walt this is S.O., I spoke to you through email toward the beginning of the year. I moved to Saipan shortly after and have only been back to the mainland US for about 3 months but I can't take it here anymore I have to go back to Saipan. I was renting an apartment in the white building beside the old MG Garment factory in San Antonio, across from the school. Rewatching your [Youtube] videos brings back the feelings of the home i found there and the need to return. Thanks again, S.

18 Walt F.J. GoodridgeHe continues in a subsequent email: Yeah, that [the Occupy Movement] is a big part of the reason I want to get back also. There is a lot of talk here on the underground about military law and such as that. It may just be rumors, but its not something I want to wait to find out sitting here inside the mainland. I rather be on Saipan than anywhere else if it all comes down to that. Too many things happening to be here.S., back statesideAnd another… i'm in China now, since i left saipan last year, i really miss saipan, you're so lucky while staying in Saipan, this beautiful island is so many people's dream paradise. i wish you have a good life there, and have a good health.\"T., back in China This, to me, is the ultimate test of what Saipan living is all about!

Saipan Living! 19 INTRODUCTIONWhy I Wrote This Guide My name is Walt F.J. Goodridge, founder of the SaipanLiving.comwebsite. I first discovered Saipan after a friend who had visited the island toldme about it one winter night in December 2005. Two months later, inFebruary 2006, I was on a one-way flight to escape from America and liveout my dream of being a nomadpreneur! After living here for a while,SaipanLiving.com was one of several sites I launched in order to share withothers my experiences, observations, research, as well as the facts andopinions (my own as well as those of others) of what Saipan living is allabout. [See appendix for more] While I didn't realize it at the time, this guide was being compiled overthe past five years via the many email questions, inquiries andcorrespondence I receive almost every day from people who are consideringmoving to Saipan to live, work, start businesses, rent property, escape the ratrace, retire or simply live a different lifestyle. I wrote this book version of the SaipanLiving.com website as acomprehensive (but not quite exhaustive) collection of everything I've learnedduring this time. (It's comprehensive in that it touches on nearly all theaspects of life on Saipan, but not exhaustive, in that it does not provide thefull scope of details of each subject. There's enough left out to allow you thethrill of discovery of your new life!). It is presented along with the wisdomand experience of others who've lived here longer than I have, and all withthe same purpose and mission as its web namesake....Saipanliving™ Mission Statement SaipanLiving.com is a website for people who live or plan to visit orlive on the islands of the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands). We provide up-to-date information, as well as products and servicesto facilitate living, working, raising a family, or starting and operating abusiness on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

20 Walt F.J. GoodridgeThe Truth About Saipana message from the founder If you're like me, a title like \"The Truth About [Anything]\" is acompelling one that makes you want to read more. I believe we all, on somelevel, yearn to know the truth. Especially if you've heard contrasting thingsabout life on Saipan, it would be nice, once and for all, to get to the truth of itall, wouldn't it? The truth, however, is that there is no single truth about Saipan. In anyattempt to uncover truth, what we find are subjective perspectives, opinionsand observations determined by individual agendas. Some agendas aresimple: (e.g. \"I want to make everyone as miserable as I am\"). Some agendasare complex. (e.g. \"We will organize a federal takeover, reshape it in ourimage, and make this a military R&R spot for the troops.\")Even the news media has an agenda. People often joke that the media's mottois \"never let the truth get in the way of a good story!\" A \"good\" (readsalacious) story sell papers, sells magazines and sells advertising. Yes, truthchanges based on who is speaking and what they want out of life. So, whether Saipan is a paradise or a den of corruption is all based onone's agenda. If you are a pessimist who wants people to wallow in yourmisery, then Saipan is one thing. If you're an optimist, bent on helpingimprove conditions it's another. If you call yourself a \"realist\" (generally apessimist who can't see or doesn't like to admit his/her pessimism), thenthings generally tend toward the negative with the disclaimer that you're \"justbeing real.\" But that's all okay, because if you know a person's agenda, theneverything they say and do makes sense (unless their agenda is specifically toconfuse you about what their agenda is; or unless they're just crazy). And, ifyou know a person's agenda, then you won't be unduly misled by their claimsof truth.Walt's Agenda So, with that said, what's MY agenda? As the author of several\"passionpreneur\" books, and as evidenced by the title of my weekly column(\"The Saipanpreneur Project\"), my agenda is to encourage people to starttheir own businesses based on their passions. However, I have other agendasas well. One is to help ALL people optimize their assets, achieveempowerment, and maintain control over the things that matter to them. Hereon Saipan, for my own selfish reasons, I'd like to maintain the cultural

Saipan Living! 21diversity, natural beauty, and uncomplicated lifestyle that I've come to loveabout living here. But wait, there's more. There's also a part of my agenda that some mayconsider subversive, and that is to reveal the underlying deception of mostmodern ideals and belief systems, encourage a lifestyle that values simplicityand minimalism instead of consumerism, and excess, that favors the naturalover the artificial, and at the same time honors everyone's right and freedomto choose whichever lifestyle works for them. My goal is to help people arrive at a set of choices that creates a cleanenvironment, promotes optimal health, safeguards the rights and freedoms ofall, and offers an effective understanding of reality.Every column I write, every website I launch, every project I embark uponincludes a combination of some or all of those agendas. But don't be misled.Remember my agenda. It's not my nature to focus on the negative, however\"real\" the realists say it is. People who harp on doom won't start businesses orsee the opportunity in the \"doom.\" Even my \"facts\" are selectively offered based on my agenda and whatI want you to see. I strive for a 50-50 balance, but even then, I'll always tendto give at least 51% (accentuate the positive, and eliminate the negative, asBing Crosby sang) to aid the possibility of victory and the triumph of hope. Inother words, despite how it may appear at present, I want Saipan to prosper.My truth About Saipan So, with that said, here is my truth about Saipan: Saipan is overcoming a branding challenge. In other words, whatcomes to mind when people think of \"Saipan\" isn't always what those of uswho actually live and work here think are its best assets. We are emergingfrom the shadow of an era tainted by a controversially perceived garmentindustry, and other bad (accurate or not) press. Like the rest of the world, there's an economic transition taking placeon Saipan. In addition, there are agendas for federalization, immigration andlabor reform, which make this an island \"on the verge.\" However, even with these and other changes and challenges, there area multitude of assets which make this a great place to visit, vacation, live,learn and love!

22 Walt F.J. Goodridge• Great Weather Saipan holds the Guinness World Record for most consistenttemperature. The average difference between night and day is greater than theaverage difference between winter and summer. Those of us who actually liveand work here on Saipan enjoy tropical weather year round with temperaturesof about 79° F at night to about 89° F during the hottest point of the day!• Natural beauty There is natural, pristine beauty here in the form of beautiful sunrises,beaches, foliage, fruits, sunsets, rock formations, aquatic life and more!• Proximity to the Marianas Trench (the deepest part of the world's oceans) While no one actually goes diving that deep, our proximity to such arich, bio-diverse, unexplored region of the world's oceans has blessed us withunderwater life that makes Saipan one of the best places for diving.• World class diving World class shore diving, \"Eagle Ray City\", and the Grotto are justsome of the activities and locations those who dive our waters rave about.Since 2004, the island has also received six acknowledgements at the annualMarine Diving Fair in Tokyo, including being named \"Best Beach &Snorkeling Spot\" at the 7th Dive & Travel Awards 2008.• Discovery of Ecological significance Scientists and students of ecology can learn much about life on ourplanet from our coral reefs (estimated value comparable to Hawaii), and thepristine, biodiversity of our waters. At the admission and pressure of amovement spearheaded by a group of activists on Saipan, the US Governmentrecently created the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (an area ofover 12,000 square nautical miles) in recognition of its biodiversity andecological significance.• Cultural diversity Life on Saipan has been influenced by the Spanish, Germans,Japanese, and Americans! The indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people,immigrants, guest workers, tourists, investors and students from Asia, thePacific, and America, make this a place of unprecedented cultural/ethnicpotential.

Saipan Living! 23• Historical significance Without needing to glorify war and violence, it stands as fact thatSaipan was key battle site during World War II. It's been said the cold warstarted in Tinian, the island just 3 miles south of Saipan. That's where theatomic bombs dropped on Japan were launched.• Archeological significance Ancient artifacts of some of the earliest civilizations are found here.• Unsolved Mysteries The case could be made that there are stories waiting to be told aboutthe Amelia Earhart Mystery, sunken Spanish treasure ships, World War IIdisappearances, ancient civilizations in which Saipan figures prominently.What might you discover on your own?Fantastic Facts Here's a list of some more fantastic facts that fall under the heading ofThe Beautiful and The Good....from www.bestofsaipan.com[excerpt]...For such a little island in the middle of the Pacific, Saipan has a lotof unique things going for it. Bet you didn't know on Saipan, you can find:• a World Class Golf Course! The Greg Norman Golf Course Design company has completed morethan 70 golf courses on six continents. Norman's golf courses have garnerednumerous prestigious awards for design, with many of the projects beingawarded the coveted Audubon Society Award for environmental stewardship.Saipan's Lau Lau Bay Golf course is a 36-hole destination resort coursedesigned for Shimizu Corporation. It features a number of ocean holes, andopened early in 1995.• an actual Shinto Shrine! (three, actually) Shinto is the native religion of Japan and Shinto shrines (Japanese:jingu) are the dwelling places of the kami. Kami are gods or spirits thatrepresent objects or concepts like trees, rivers, the sun, rocks, food, andfertility. Humans also become kami after they die, and are revered asancestors by their surviving family. Important people, like emperors, arerevered as kami by many. There are over 100,000 Shinto shrines in Japan, butless than fifty outside of Japan.

24 Walt F.J. Goodridge Saipan was a Japanese colony between World War I and World WarII, and along with Tinian has one of the few Shinto shrines located outside ofJapan. [See also Churches & Religions]• The cleanest air in the United States!(Media-Newswire.com) - ( 12/08/09 ) HONOLULU -- Four facilities in theCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) reported a total of5,570 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in 2008,according to new data released today by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency. Overall, at 55, CNMI ranks among the lowest of 56 states andterritories in total chemical releases in the nation.• The best beaches You'll find that Saipan's Managaha island is ranked among the world'sbest beaches on internet forums, bulletin boards, blogs, and travel sites aswell as travel magazines. At various times it has earned:#1 best place for snorkeling#3 on Yahoo Japan's \"must-see ranking\" of Best Beaches in the World.#6 of the world's best beaches in Vogue Magazinehttp://www.mvarietynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18599:yahoo-japan-names-managaha-3-top-beach-in-the-world&catid=1:local-news&Itemid=2• Historical accounts that Saipan may be Amelia Earhart's final resting place[EXCERPT] By Ken McKinney \"I lived in Saipan for 13 years through the 90's and into mid 2000.Having lived there so long, I heard stories about Amelia Earhart beingexecuted on the Island of Saipan. I have also been to the old Japanese jail onmany occasions. One story I heard and have never seen in print, was a storytold to me by a WW II Veteran who spoke of his experiences during the war. The year was 1994 and I had attended a veterans reception party forreturning Vets for the 50th Commemoration of the Invasion of Saipan. I metone Veteran, however I don't recall his name or the exact branch of serviceshe served in, but I believe it was with the U.S. Army. This man related hisexperiences to me and was quite adamant about a story of the U.S. ArmedForces capturing the airfield. As he continued his story, he stated that he waswith one of the first squads to arrive at the airport. As he and his squad wereinspecting the airport looking for the enemy, they came across a hanger thathad been damaged, but not too heavily, by the bombing that had occurredduring the invasion.

Saipan Living! 25 This Veteran told me that as he looked inside the hanger, hediscovered a silver, two-engine aircraft hangered inside. The plane had someminor damage but looked to be in relatively perfect condition. He and othersin the squad said they had recognized the plane as the same type of aircraftthat Amelia Earhart had been piloting when she was reported missing. I recallthat I must have been looking at him in disbelief and he said that he wastelling 'the gods honest truth.' Then he added more to the story. After runningaround the airport and finally securing-in, he reported to his CO and told himof the plane they had found in the damaged hanger. At about that time, a man'in a suit' who was near or in the command post asked to be taken to thehanger. The Veterans CO told him to take man in the suit to the hanger to seethe airplane that they had found, AND to follow his orders. After the Veterans squad had taken the man to the hanger, the manwalked around the damaged plane, and then came out of the hanger. He thenordered the squad to burn the hanger. This Vet told me that he and his squaddid as they were told and burned the hanger and aircraft to the ground and tokeep quiet about what they had seen. The Vet told me that he had beencarrying that story around in his head since the war and that on occasionwhen mentioning it, nobody would listen to him. I asked him if he was sureof what he had seen and he said, 'It was the middle of the invasion battle,don't you think I would remember a man-in-a-suit and his insistence that theyburn the hanger and a perfectly good airplane, and never tell anyone what wesaw? I agreed, as it might be pretty hard to forget something like that. In the end, the Vet who told about many things, including the bigBanzai attack, seemed happy and relieved to tell someone who would listen,that story. Over the years I have misplaced his contact information, but I havenot forgotten that story. I eventually stayed on Saipan for another 12 years. As far as excavation of the area near the prison, I believe if there wereany graves from that prison they were paved or bulldozed over long ago andwould be difficult if not impossible to locate. However, I did hear of a placewhere Amelia was supposedly interred. I had hoped to someday do someinvestigating there but upon a visit to the Island last June 2009, that area wasdestroyed by construction and totally gone with any evidence that might havebeen there, under asphalt. I was very upset about that. Damn progress. As a final note, I do remember seeing the letters AE carved into one ofthe prison cell walls. The jail itself is still standing, and as far as I know willnever be torn down but just left to deteriorate. There was a Japanese hospitalnext to the jail (50 or so yards North) that was converted into the Island’smuseum.\" [end excerpt][http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/earhart/article.asp?id=1149]

26 Walt F.J. GoodridgeThe Good, the Bad, the Beautiful and the Ugly Here is a very subjective quick overview of the pros and cons ofSaipan Living: [See also Lifestyle & Summary]The Good• Friendly people & Island hospitality• Warm weather & sunshine• Laid back lifestyle• Close-knit community• World Class diving• Cleanest air among the US & Territories• Low crime rateThe Bad*• Poker Halls• Political favoritism & corruption• Crimes (thankfully rare) against tourists• low minimum wage and exploitation of foreign workers• Red-flagged beaches• Retirement Fund depletionThe Beautiful• Natural Landscape• Spectacular sunsets• Beautiful beachesThe Ugly*• Abandoned garment factories• Power lines being erected in pristine tourist areas• Betel nut spittingNOTE: Some things are best left undiscussed to be discovered by theadventurous! However, you can feel free to email me [email protected] to discuss any of the above!Racism It seems an unavoidable outcome of our fractionalized, brainwashedsociety that people are inclined to identify and separate themselves accordingto arbitrary and meaningless national, ethnic, and racial delineations. The

Saipan Living! 27differences among individuals are perceived as threats to each one's identity,control, autonomy, income and survival and thus fear leads to a false sense ofelitism, then to bias, prejudice, preferential treatment, discrimination, andattacks of psychological, verbal and even (but rarely) physical nature. Depending on where you fall within the totem pole of societyarguments could be made that racism is alive and well in the perceptions andtreatment of one group by another. Depending on if you are (were) a Chinesegarment factory worker, a Bangladeshi taxi driver, a Chamorro governmentemployee, a Thai masseuse, a Korean poker hall owner, a Japanese tourguide, an American teacher, a Filipina nurse or house worker (note thesestereotypes of professions associated with each nationality), your experienceon Saipan might be vastly different. I suggest, however, that what you'll be struck by about Saipan living,with its unique mix of worldviews, cultures, and aspirations is how peacefulthe society is. It would behoove you, however, to recognize, respect thateveryone has a different reality, and that your tolerance and the quest to trulyunderstand the motivations for each person's behavior and how it may beinterpreted in the wider society will go a long way. One thing that may be helpful to remember, however, is that Saipan isNOT the mainland USA. The normal \"rules\" don't apply. Americans \"expats\"(not technically expats since Saipan is technically the US), are oftensurprised, humbled and enlightened by the experience of living in a society inwhich the dominant power structure is not as it is in the mainland. Adjustingto those differences can be the source of great conversation and learning!*These negatives exist everywhere, but it's my observation that they appear toloom larger given how small the island is, and how vigilant and protectivepeople are of maintaining both the perception and the reality of paradise thatSaipan was, is and could be.\"Come See For Yourself!\" Ultimately, the only way to discover the truth about Saipan, is to comesee for yourself! First, however, it would be wise to read and heed the moralof this story: Once upon a time, a person moved into a new town and asked one ofthe town residents, \"What are the people in this town like?\" \"What were the people like in the town you just left?\" The residentasked in reply.

28 Walt F.J. Goodridge The new person answered, \"They were unfriendly and nasty.\" And the town resident said, \"I think you'll find the people here are justabout the same.\" Later, the same town resident was approached by another new arrival,who asked the same question. Again, the town resident asked, \"What were thepeople like in the town you just left?\" This new arrival's answer was \"The people were warm and friendly.\" And the town resident answered, \"I think you'll find the people hereare just about the same.\"

Saipan Living! 29 CHAPTER 1: G e n e r a l K n o w l e d g eCNMI Official Name• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The official name of the group of islands of which Saipan is a part isThe Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or C.N.M.I., for short. While you may see print references to \"NMI,\" \"The Marianas,\" \"TheNorthern Marianas,\" this (the CNMI) is typically how residents on any of thepermanently populated islands (Saipan, Tinian and Rota) will refer to it, as in\"....here in the CNMI...\" or by individual island names, as in \"I miss Rota!\" As the largest, most populous of the islands, and also the capital of the CNMI, Saipan is where the majority of population, commerce (and where I live), and thus is the primary focus of this guide. Where on Earth is Saipan?????? • Latitude: 15° 7' 13\" N • Longitude: 145° 43' 49\" E Saipan is an island in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is the capital of The Commonwealth of theNorthern Mariana Islands (\"the CNMI\"). The CNMI is a fifteen-island chainof islands (an archipelago) that stretches 400 miles (north to south) along theedge of the Marianas Trench. Saipan, just 5 miles wide by 12 miles long, andis the largest and most populated of these 15 islands*.

30 Walt F.J. Goodridge*Various publications refer to the CNMI as encompassing 14 islands or even13. Typically, some of these sources do not include the submerged ZealandiaBank in their count. Others may not include Aguijan (\"Goat island\") a smallisland off the coast of Tinian. FYI: Managaha, a favorite tourist spot off thecoast of Saipan, is also usually not counted as there are many similar \"islets\"along the chain of Mariana islands.• Also, Maug only gets counted as one (1) entity even though it is a collectionof 3 smaller islands: North Island (Kita), East Island (Higashi) and WestIsland (Nishi).

Saipan Living! 31Getting to Saipan By plane, Saipan is• about 30 minutes from Guam• about 3 hours from Japan,• 5 hours from Shanghai, China,• 4 hours from Korea,• 15 hours from California,• 6.5 hours from Sydney, Australia,• 8 hours from Tuluksak, AlaskaSaipan GeographyQUESTION: How big (or small) is Saipan?ANSWER: As mentioned, Saipan is about 12 miles long by 5 miles wide. It isapproximately 46.5 square miles in total land area. To put that in perspective,here are some relative references:- Saipan is approximately the size of San Francisco.- Saipan is slightly larger than Hong Kong but smaller than the Wash. DC.- Saipan is smaller than Barbados (CNMI's 14 islands = Barbados’ total area)- Manhattan island is 59.5 sq km (23 sq mi)= exactly half the size of Saipan!- Staten Island is 151.5 sq km (58.5 sq mi)= little larger than Saipan- The Bronx is 109 sq km (42 sq mi)=a little smaller than Saipan.- Queens is 282.9 sq km (109.2 sq mi)=a bit more than twice Saipan.- Brooklyn is 182.9 sq km (70.6 sq mi)--just 1.5 times the size of Saipan- Brooklyn has 2.5 million people compared to 48,000 who live on Saipan- Paris (incl. parks) is 105.39 sq km (41 sq mi)=a bit smaller than Saipan.- Cairns, Australia is 488.1 sq km (188.5 sq mi)- and, for the record: Jamaica is 4,411 square miles=a lot bigger than Saipan! Saipan, Tinian, and Rota topography maps are available in theAppendix, and at usgs.govQUESTION: What other islands are close to Saipan?ANSWER: Other islands in the Micronesian region and their distances fromSaipan in miles: Guam (120) (Guam is NOT part of the Northern Mariana Islands. ) Pago Pago, American Samoa (3,220)

32 Walt F.J. Goodridge Fiji (2,870) Kosrae (1,330) Majuro, Marshall Islands (1,780) Palau (900) Pohnpei (1,000) Taipei (1,484) Chuuk (610) Wake Island (1,210) Yap (630)CNMI FlagThe CNMI flagis blue, with a white,five-pointed starsuperimposed on a graylatte stone (thetraditional foundationstone used in building)in the center,surrounded by a wreath;blue symbolizes thePacific Ocean, the starrepresents the Commonwealth; the latte stone and the floral head wreathdisplay elements of the native Chamorro cultureCNMI History The islands that make up the CNMI have experienced invasions by,and have been the \"possessions\" of Spain, Germany, Japan and now theUnited states. More details of the CNMI's various occupations as well as itsUnited Nations Trust Territory status may be found online.(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Mariana_Islands)• Saipan was the site of a significant battle during World War II.• Tinian was the takeoff point for the Enola Gay bomber. The Enola Gay wasthe name of the bomber that carried and dropped a nuclear bomb onHiroshima during World War II.

Saipan Living! 33CNMI Political Status The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), iscurrently a commonwealth in political union with the United States. TheCNMI has the same political relationship with the United States as doesPuerto Rico.The Host Culture The indigenous population on Saipan--what we refer to as the \"hostculture\"--are the Chamorro and Carolinian people. Archeologists arediscovering that some of the oldest civilizations on the planet are in thisregion of the world known as Micronesia. According to the book, Ancient Chamorro Society by Lawrence J.Cunningham,...the customs, beliefs, and attitudes [of Chamorro society] were as intricateand well-developed as any insular Pacific society. Of particular interest iswhat the author describes as Chamorros' core value: \"Inafa'maolek, orinterdependence within the kinship group, is the key or central value inChamorro culture\" (p.86). Cunningham state s that inafa'maolek within thefamily is based on mutualism rather than western individualism. To illustratethe Chamorro value system, inafa'maolek permeated all levels of society,operating on the basis of chenchule' (reciprocity), ayuda (help), emmok(revenge), mamahlao (deference), and gupot (celebration) in seeking generalharmony within the family or village.Saipan may be Pacific's oldest archaeological siteSource: Saipan Tribune (10 November 2005) Sediment cores taken from Saipan's Lake Susupe in 2002 have yieldeda continual record of plant pollen and other materials for the past 8,000 yearsthat could make the island one of the oldest archaeological site in the Pacific,according to the Historic Preservation Office. HPO director Epiphanio E.Cabrera said that scientists who have been working with the CNMI recentlyannounced new evidence that could push the date for the earliest humansettlement in Micronesia back to nearly 5,000 years ago. Cabrera said researchers J. Stephen Athens and Jerome Ward from theInternational Archaeological Research Institute Inc. noted a series of abruptshifts in Saipan's ancient environment, some of which appeared to have beencaused by humans. Charcoal particles and an abundance of grass pollen andpollens from betel nut palm and coconut trees that appeared around 6,860

34 Walt F.J. GoodridgeBCE were analyzed. Cabrera said the discovery predates the earliestarchaeological sites on Saipan by more than a thousand years. \"This is someof the earliest evidence for human settlement ever found in Micronesia,\" hesaid. Dr. Richard Knecht, acting staff archaeologist, said the recent findingssuggest that sites 5,000 years or older existed on Saipan. \"The challenge nowis to use what we know about ancient shorelines, which will likely revealmore early sites and possibly the first movement of early humans into thePacific from Asia,\" Knecht said. Cabrera said that future studies and coring of lakes and sinkholes inthe Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are required torefine the \"very promising, though still preliminary\" findings. Other studiesof ancient sites also revealed early occupation of the CNMI. The HPO director said a core from Lake Hagoi on Tinian revealedcoconut pollen and charcoal particles dating back to 5,444 BCE There werealso similar finds at Tipalao Marsh in Guam and a sinkhole in the KagmanPeninsula on Saipan's east side also shows major changes in vegetation byabout 6,520 BCE. \"It probably took years for humans to alter the environmentto the point where it leaves a signature in the sediment cores. Therefore, theactual dates of initial human settlement could be decades or centuries beforethose taken from the cores,\" he said. The earliest sites in the CNMI are Saipan's Unai Achugao site from1,800 B.C. and Tinian's Unai Chulu site dating to 1,500 B.C. Cabrera saidHPO's search to find the earliest site in the CNMI will continue as long asfunding is available. \"It seems safe to assume that our ancestors were here onthese islands 5,000 years ago,\" Cabrera said.Visit here for more on Chamorro culture

Saipan Living! 157Saipan on DVD (More at BestofSaipan.com) Lieweila: A Micronesian Story: Narrated by Cinta Kaipat, a descendant of the first migrants, \"The film tells the history of Refalawasch beginning with details of the early migrations and ending with the current situation in which the people from the northern islands now live on a Saipan that has become a Mecca for tourism, cheap Asian labor, and land developers. In this environment, it is difficult for the story of Refalawasch to remain relevant, and yet, as the film shows, there is a continuing effort to keep the story alive. The Underwater World of Saipan is a 105-minute DVD showcasing the incredible beauty and bio-diversity of Saipan's underwater world. More than just a highlight reel of Saipan's amazing diving this DVD takes you on 7 distinctly different dives including The Grotto, Obyan, Banzai Cliff, Ice Cream, Managaha, Naftan Point and Lau Lau Bay. The interactive map menu makes it easy to select individual dives or to play them all in succession. Dan Shor is an award-winning television/film actor, director, writer and teacher-living here on Saipan-whose performing credits include such popular films as Air Force One, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Tron, as well as such television series as The X Files, Judging Amy, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: The Next Generation and many, many others. (see wikipedia.org) State of Liberty: Looking for America, is the pilot episode of a not-yet-created television series Shor and Ben Salasenvision as being Saipan's gift to the world of entertainment.

158 Walt F.J. GoodridgeSaipan Reading Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan by Chun Yu Wang, as told to Walt Goodridge It took a lot of courage for a 25-year-old girl from Wu Xi City in Jiang Shu province, China, who had never flown on a plane, and who had never left home before, to travel 2,000 miles to a foreign country in search of work. It took even more courage to stay once she discovered what life was really like for a factory girl on the island of Saipan in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). (196 pages; 5.5 x 8.5 ISBN: 978-0974531342)Jamaican on Saipan! The true, on-going story of oneman's escape from the rat race to live anomadpreneur's dream life...a unique travel guide forthe rest of us!The paradise-inspired island of Saipan in the Pacificmight be just the ideal setting for a nomad's adventure,except that few people are familiar with this furthesteast American commonwealth just 150 miles north ofGuam. However, Jamaican in Saipan, which chroniclesthe author's escape from the rat race in search of aprivate dream, may yet change that fact.... (176 pages;5.5 x 8.5 ISBN: 978-0974531397; Includes Walt'sexciting adventures, insights, emails back home, andjournal entries, PLUS over 140 photographs of life on Saipan! ) Doing Business on Saipan. How to start a business on Saipan, Tinian or Rota; How to get your business license, zoning permit, incorporation etc; How to hire employees; How to file taxes, and much more... PLUS: How the new zoning law will affect business opportunities An insider's view to what to expect on Saipan What's needed on these islands Opinions of veteran entrepreneurs and business owners on the island, How Federalization of Saipan's immigration and labor will affect business on the islands, and much, much more! (166 pages; 7 x 10 ISBN: 978- 0974531359! )