HANMI honors Camacho for great contributions

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands has formally recognized the contribution to the local industry of its long-time member, the late Vicente “Ben” Camacho.

In a resolution, HANMI officials led by chair Lynn Knight, described Camacho as “a man of vision and action” and whose membership “was a significant compliment to HANMI and to its activities in that he was active in several of HANMI’s activities.”

Camacho, who died last month, was elected as vice president of HANMI for several terms and served on the HANMI Board of Directors on several occasions.

“The officers and members of HANMI wanted to honor our friend ‘Ben’ with this resolution, which acknowledges him as an entrepreneur and for his long-standing contributions to the hotel industry,” said Knight. “This is the first time in the 20-year history of our organization that we have lost an active member of the association. This resolution is being entered into our archives so our colleague will not be forgotten.”

HANMI said that Camacho’s input by way of advice and consultation “was of benefit to the association in dealing with many local issues that confronted it.”

It said that HANMI’s appreciation for Camacho’s contributions is noted in the official archives of the association.

Further, the association cited Camacho’s admirable venture into the local industry.

It said that Camacho and his family developed and operated the Summer Holiday Hotel, which is “a local success story.”

Camacho was president of the hotel until his death.

The association also recognized Camacho’s significant role in the community.

“Mr. Camacho’s local success story did not stop there, but continued in his role as chairman and a board member of the NMI Retirement Fund, and during his tenure he provided leadership over the funds’ resources. His community activities and positions were many, and he will be remembered as resulting in significant contributions to the betterment of the community,” HANMI said.

HANMI, likewise, expressed its condolences to the Camacho family “on the early passing of Vicente C. Camacho.”

“HANMI [also] declares its appreciation and recognition for the many contributions he made to the association as a past officer and long time member in good standing of the association,” said HANMI in its resolution.

The resolution dated July 21, 2005 was signed by Knight, B.K. Park as vice chair, Yutaka Fujita as vice president, Michael von Siebenthal as secretary, and Kieran Daly, and Alex Sablan as board members. (Liberty Dones)