Lt. Gov. Mendiola Meets Team King Manager

CNMI Lt. Governor Dennis Mendiola met with Team King manager Dr. Kiroshi Kaneko on Monday on Capitol Hill.

“I had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Hiroshi Kaneko of Team King to engage in a constructive dialogue on collaborative strategies aimed at enhancing opportunities and advancing the CNMI,” Lt. Governor Mendiola said in a social media post.

As Marianas Press previously reported in August, Team King Investments closed the $12.95-million purchase of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC's casino properties. In August, Team King attorney Louie Yanza told Marianas Press in a phone interview, “I'm very happy about the closure of this [sale] and Team King intends to bring back the hotel and bring back tourism to the CNMI.”

Meanwhile, in response to constituents on his social media post, Lt. Governor Mendiola said that Team King’s focus is now to complete the IPI development and begin operations in Saipan.

“This investment has the potential to generate a significant and much-needed revenue stream for our community,” Mendiola wrote.

He added, “To make this vision a reality, we must work to streamline the process. That means providing support with permitting and regulatory requirements, ensuring full compliance with the law. This effort began under the leadership of the late Governor Palacios and continues under Governor Apatang. Now, it’s our responsibility to help see it through to completion.”

Marianas Press met Kaneko before he met with Mendiola, but Kaneko declined to make any comment to the press.