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Benavente suggests giving items either to the HPO or NMI Museum
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Posted on Jan 21 2005
Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente said yesterday he would meet with officials of the Historic Preservation Office and the NMI Museum of History and Culture to determine which agency could best keep the memorabilia being donated by two elderly Japanese visitors.
“I can see, though, that the Historic Preservation could really benefit from your contribution,” he said while flipping through the historical items, which included photographs, journals, and blueprints of the Saipan Girls’ High School, which was demolished during World War II
Cousins Takahisa Aoyagi and Takao Fukushima want the CNMI government to have the items, which are related to the Nanyoji Temple and the Saipan Girls’ High School.
The Japanese Consular Office arranged the meeting with the acting governor at their office yesterday morning. Japanese consul Takeo Saito invited Benavente to help them decide to which office these memorabilia will be given to. The meeting was also attended by public information officer Pete Callaghan. Marianas Visitors Authority board of director Yoichi Matsumura and Kumeharu Okada and his wife were also present.
After the meeting with the acting governor, the two Japanese visitors met with the Historic Preservation Office and the NMI Museum of History and Culture. MVA also gave the two elderly visitors a half-day tour of the island yesterday afternoon.
The two Japanese visitors thanked the generosity of Okada and wife. They said that, had it not been for Okada’s invitation, they would not be here. (Marconi Calindas)
