E-Land properties assess Sinlaku damage, map reopening plans

Shattered glass, flooded elevator systems, and ceiling damage across multiple floors were among the main impacts of Super Typhoon Sinlaku on Kensington Hotel Saipan, according to general manager Ted Jung, even as guest rooms largely escaped major destruction.

“Kensington… mostly is safe,” Jung told Marianas Press in an interview last April 23, noting that guest rooms sustained minimal damage. “But… ceilings are mostly got damages on each of the floor. And we also got damaged like a lot of glass—broken glasses… everywhere.”

The hotel’s elevators remain under inspection after floodwaters affected their systems, though one service elevator is operational. Contractor Fujitec is currently assessing safety before restoring full service.

Despite the storm, Kensington maintained power, water, and Wi-Fi through generators and its reverse osmosis system, allowing it to continue housing about 70 to 80 stranded tourists at the height of the typhoon.

“We don’t want our in-house customer to get uncomfortable,” Jung said. “So we try to offer as much as we can.”

Many of the guests—mostly from Korea—have since left on rescue flights, leaving the hotel now primarily occupied by first responders and recovery personnel from agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

Jung said the property continues limited operations, with only its East Moon restaurant open while amenities like the pool remain closed due to debris and lack of tourist demand.

“There’s no reason to open the swimming pool yet,” he said, adding that some gym and recreational facilities may reopen for frontliners.

No reopening date has been set for regular tourist operations at Kensington.

At Pacific Islands Club Saipan, damage was largely confined to landscaping and outdoor facilities, including fallen trees and minor wear to poolside furniture and umbrellas.

“We also got a lot of damage on the outside of the property… but it’s not like seriously,” Jung said.

The water park and slides remain intact, while minor roof damage was reported in some restaurant areas.

PIC is targeting a reopening in May, initially to accommodate government and recovery workers.

“Without the frontliner to come in and stay… we cannot recover the CNMI as soon as possible,” Jung said, adding that the hotel is charging only federally approved rates for official personnel.

Coral Ocean Resort also reported limited structural damage, mainly from fallen trees on the golf course and issues with golf carts. Guest rooms are still under inspection, but Jung expressed confidence in a near-term reopening.

“I think that we can open pretty soon,” he said.

Ohas Boulangerie & Café, meanwhile, announced on social media that it reopened last April, but operations are limited to take-out and from 8am to 4pm only.

Jung said the popular bakery among residents, sustained only minor flooding.

He said a full damage estimate across the properties is still being finalized, pending insurance assessments.

Operations remain constrained by staffing shortages, as many employees are dealing with damage to their own homes.

“Even though we wanted to open more… a lot of employees, they got damages by their house. So they’re not able to come to work,” he said.

Still, he emphasized the company’s commitment to the CNMI, underscored by a $100,000 donation from the E-Land Foundation to support recovery efforts.

Through its subsidiary Micronesia Resort Inc., E-Land Foundation announced a $100,000 cash donation to support recovery efforts following the recent impact of Sinlaku.

The donation was formally shared during a meeting with the Gov. David M. Apatang and leaders of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., reinforcing a strong public-private partnership in response to the disaster.

“We believe it is our responsibility to stand with the CNMI community during this difficult time,” said Jiwoon Lee, CEO of E-Land Park who immediately flew to Saipan after Sinlaku. “We hope this contribution will support urgent recovery needs and help the community return to normal as quickly as possible.”

E-Land Park is the hotel and resort arm of the South Korean conglomerate E-Land Group.

In addition to the financial contribution, E-Land Foundation is preparing to provide further assistance in the form of relief supplies. The company plans to coordinate additional shipments once logistics and transportation arrangements are finalized.

“As a long-term investor and operator in CNMI, we are deeply committed to supporting the community not only in times of growth, but also in times of hardship,” Jung added.

The company is also planning to send additional relief supplies, including food and other essential items.

“We really thanks for [everyone] to come to CNMI to recover the disaster,” Jung said. “We are not only doing the business here. We also [are] part of the community.”

As cleanup continues, he said the priority is restoring rooms and basic services to support ongoing recovery efforts—before eventually welcoming tourists back.

“We will never leave,” Jung said. “We are here… not only doing business, but also supporting the community.”