CNMI DPL reports on state of public land leases

10/15/2025 - CNMI Department of Public Lands Secretary Sixto Igisomar urges public land lessees to review the terms of their lease at least every three months. 

“I just want to be clear. It is not my job to tell you what is on the lease,” Igisomar said during a Senate Standing Committee on Resources, Economic Development, and Workforce meeting yesterday.

Igisomar provided a report on the state of public land leases after Sen. Corina Magofna, who chairs the committee, called the meeting to get an update on 12 major hotel leases. He said most are in “good compliance.”

CNMI DPL told Senators that Marianas Beach Resort is currently under notice of violation. However, they plan to meet with its leadership this week after scheduling conflicts prevented an earlier meeting. 

As for Kanoa Resort, Igisomar said the lease expired, and a Request for Proposal will be issued by the end of the month. He disclosed that DPL was approached by the Northern Marianas College to potentially use the former resort for classrooms while major construction is taking place in As Terlaje. However, he noted that due to challenges with the budget, the proposal was not finalized.  “Right now, I am at a crossroad, whether we are going to entertain that concept,” he said.

Igisomar also acknowledged a request from a senator to require the next lease holder to partner with an airline company to assist in bringing in tourists. However, he said, while they can encourage that partnership, they cannot unilaterally require that in the application. 

Igisomar noted that the Kanoa Resort property can be used for other purposes, like an assembly line or education. 

The secretary also revealed that lease renewal negotiations with the Pacific Islands Club Saipan are 90% complete as their lease expires next year.

“We have a lot of gaps. There are things that they are demanding. There are things we can’t do, but they’re demanding. So, we hope to iron that out soon,” he told lawmakers.

He described it as a “normal negotiation argument between big hotels and Public Lands.”

Report by Thomas Manglona II