Hyatt lights up giant Christmas tree

Hyatt Regency Saipan welcomed the Christmas holiday with the lighting of its giant Christmas tree in a well-attended ceremony Friday night.

As in the past, the Christmas tree is located at the hotel lobby’s entrance.

Visitors from the community as well as tourists crowded the lobby as 70 students from the Saipan International School held a Christmas caroling. The students’ parents and teachers were also present to give their support.

Hyatt General Manager Nick Nishikawa said this year’s lighting of the Christmas tree is a more casual event and, for the first time, they invited the community to participate.

“This is our way of saying thank you for the community,” Nishikawa said.

He said this is the culmination of the hotel’s involvement with community projects like the Make-A-Wish Foundation golf tournament and the cleanup drive and other activities.

Hyatt’s message for the holidays, Nishikawa said, will always be about peace.

“Peace means happiness for the children,” he said.

The SIS students, who are from 6th to 10th grade, were later treated to dinner at the hotel’s open grounds.

Music teacher Celia Jang said they are glad to be invited to the event.

“Thank you so much. The kids really love to perform,” Jang said.

The students will also perform at the Saipan Grand Hotel tonight.