Mañagaha reopens under S.A.I., vows upgrades and community focus

Government and business leaders gathered on Mañagaha Island last Feb. 15 to mark the official transition to new management, with new operator Sea, Air, and Island Leisure promising upgraded facilities, improved service, and a stronger focus on both tourists and residents.

Lt. Gov. Dennis C. Mendiola led the program, congratulating the Tan family and partners for what he described as much-needed renovations and renewed stewardship of the CNMI’s top tourist draw.

“I just wanted to make sure I get to see the island and the wonderful work that the Tan family has done with it all,” Mendiola said, noting he was given a tour before the ceremony. “On behalf of the administration and the people of the CNMI, congratulations on your renovation and upkeep of Mañagaha.”

He said he was encouraged by the improvements already made and those still planned.

“I believe that Mañagaha will be our gem—the gem of the CNMI, the gem of Saipan,” Mendiola said. “We’ve always talked about how do we bring our tourists here, and I think this is our avenue.”

He added that the investment was about more than profit. “It’s not about money. It’s about the longevity, the continuity of the CNMI. On behalf of the people of the CNMI and the Governor, we want to thank you for this work.”

Jerry Tan, president and CEO of TanHoldings, said the group assumed full responsibility for operations at 8 a.m. that day, calling the reopening “the door opening.”

“For many, many years, decades, we had a very, very good operator,” Tan said, referring to the previous concessionaire that ran Managaha for 30 years before ceasing operations in 2020. “For the last five years, there have been some changes. So we are very grateful for the opportunity.”

“We all live here. I think we all agree that this is our land. It has been and it will continue to be our land,” he said.

Tan emphasized that Mañagaha is not just for visitors.

“Mañagaha is not just for tourists,” he said. “Our job is not just to take care of the tourists. Our job is to take care of our people who want to come here.”

He noted that during the pandemic, residents flocked to the island when travel was restricted. He also pointed to the diversification of visitor markets, citing recent guests from Australia and New Zealand.

“Not a single one would tell me anything negative about how much they enjoyed the island,” Tan said. “I want to bring them back, because we’re going to continue to improve not just the infrastructure, but also the service.”

Jennifer Tan, executive vice president of Sea, Air, and Island Leisure, said the team had only slightly more than a month to prepare after gaining access to the island.

“What you see today is approximately slightly more than one month since we had access,” she said. “We tried to get a lot done in a very short amount of time.”

Calling it a collective effort, she thanked agencies including the Department of Public Lands, Department of Public Works, the fire and health departments, and regulatory offices for expediting permits.

“It’s not a Jennifer Tan show. It’s really teamwork,” she said.

She described the vision for Mañagaha as simple.

“It’s beautiful here. We don’t need to overcomplicate it,” she said. “What CNMI has is natural beauty. We have a great ocean. We have a great culture. We have a great history. I don’t need to overcomplicate it. The only thing I need to do is improve the service and improve the quality.”

Plans include new furniture, new parasols, and a brand-new kitchen, among others.

“We want this not just to be a tourist option,” she said. “This is something that the locals can feel proud of, feel proud to come.”

She said the current reopening represents “phase one,” with a larger grand opening planned later.

As part of its public benefit program, the company each presented a $12,500 check donation to the Indigenous Affairs Office and Carolinian Affairs Office during the event and pledged to collaborate with existing water sports operators.

Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho praised Jerry Tan for what he described as long-standing support for sports and community initiatives.

“When I was riding on the boat down here, I was thinking how they are going to run this thing,” Camacho said. “But when I landed out there, I said he is a type of person who will not back off. He is not just looking for the money for his pocket, but he is looking for the wealth of the people here.”

Camacho said the reopening signals renewed collaboration among government, private business, and nonprofit groups.

“We have been disconnected for so many years. Now I start to see government agencies, private business, non-profit groups connecting to each other,” he said. “Continue to operate. Continue to look for the people of this island.”

Guests were treated to a welcome drink and menu samplers before returning to Saipan by boat later that afternoon, marking what officials hope is a fresh chapter for the CNMI’s most visited offshore attraction.