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Two groups help clean up latte sites
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Posted on Jun 23 2005
Two of Saipan’s newly opened historic sites are getting a hand from the caring community.
Laulau Kattan Latte Site and another latte site south of Kagman High are receiving facelifts, thanks to Hawaiian Rock Products and MOVERS, a Filipino community organization.
Hawaiian Rock Products is filling in and leveling the land adjacent to Laulau Kattan Latte Site in order to allow secure footing in accessing the site, said HPO director Epiphanio Cabrera Jr.
A quarter mile away, the MOVERS have invested two days in clearing the vegetation at another site and bringing the lattes to light.
HPO intends to eventually develop the two sites into cultural parks.
According to Hawaiian Rock, their efforts are intended to benefit their employees and others living in the Kagman community.
“It feels good,” Cabrera said of the preservation efforts. “Their heart is in it, and it’s another example of how the private sector and government can work together for the benefit of the community. We thank them for their appreciation of indigenous culture.”
The Office of Lt. Governor Diego T. Benavente and local resident Cleofe Cabrera have also contributed to the effort by providing breakfast and lunch for the MOVERS on days they’ve helped clear the property.
The Laulau Kattan Latte Site consists of a 10 stone latte set and a six stone latte set located on the eastern edge of the Hakman Peninsula, Saipan. Also present at the site are three ballast grinding stones, a surface scatter of ceramics and subsistence remains, and stratified subsurface cultural deposits.
The latte sets and associated cultural materials are surviving elements of a former Latte Phase (circa 1,000 to 1,690 AD) village site that was disturbed by pre-war agricultural activities and earthmoving events associated with World War II.
Businesses or organizations interested in supporting historic preservation in the Northern Mariana Islands are invited to contact the Historic Preservation Office at 670-664-2120 or cnmihpo@vzpacifica.net. HPO is a division of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
