Hyatt champions local artists

Hyatt Regency Saipan will officially welcome the Christmas season by unveiling this year’s theme “Tropical Christmas at Hyatt Regency Saipan” to be held at the main lobby tomorrow, Dec. 2, at 3pm.

Hyatt Regency Saipan is also celebrating its 43rd anniversary of service in the CNMI by highlighting local artists that decorated the first tropical Christmas tree.

With these milestones, Hyatt’s commitment of care for guests, community and environment has also grown with the times. According to general manager Simon Graf, “As a global brand, Hyatt keeps increasing its care for the environment, its people, and responsible businesses. These elements have been fundamental in the way we operate. With the aim of creating a more conscious environment, respecting the culture and community, our Christmas tree will try to represent these pillars in a unique way” he said.

“In awareness of the annual, global Christmas industry in combination of our critical location among a sensitive ecosystem, we demonstrate a combination of celebrating the season with a unique center piece, made by local artisans,” he added.

The Hyatt Regency Saipan Christmas Tree is hand-made, sourced from regional, natural materials by Saipan residents Tyler Warwick, and Albert Emanonipiy with accessorized garlands by Pat Mareham.

According to Warwick, the tree was built and designed based on traditional Pacific architecture, and took nearly 50 coconut leaves to complete, harvested from the Northern part of Saipan. “The rest of the materials were locally sourced. No nails, metals, plastics nor electricity were used. After harvest, the leaves were woven into panels and the pattern used was based on traditional coconut thatch,” he said.

Warwick and Emanonipiy started from the bottom and worked their way up, layer by layer. The tree is supported by gagu wood or pine tree wood and young bamboo wood was used to give the tree a round shape. What holds all the pieces of the tree together is approximately 100 yards of rope, lashed together. The hand-made 25-foot garland and accessories around the tree took Mareham seven days to complete and are all made out of coconut leaves.

Graf added “Hyatt’s Tropical Christmas is made up of dedication and commitment by the people in the community—a true inspiration of culture, tradition and love.”

Everyone is welcome to join when the tropical Christmas Tree is being unveiled at the Hyatt lobby on Dec. 2 at 3pm. There will be performances plus cutting of the traditional Hyatt birthday cake. (Hyatt)

Albert Emanonipiy

Pat Mareham

Tyler Warwick