Awards, media coverage and recognition for local businesses making names for themselves in the region and beyond

Blue, Hong Kong’s first digital life insurer celebrates its 6th anniversary
Photo courtesy Taiwannews.com

Blue to award round-trip tickets to Saipan as part of 6th anniversary

Blue, Hong Kong’s first digital life insurer is celebrating its 6th anniversary, launching a new product, promotions, and rewards. One of the rewards offered in Blue Rubik’s Cube competition is three round-trip tickets to Saipan for two.

Photo courtesy University of Guam

UOG Civil Engineering program receives ABET accreditation

The University of Guam’s bachelor of science in civil engineering program earned six years of accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In 2025, the School of Engineering will have a new $7.9 million building and has entered an agreement with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas to provide internships for students.

GMHA recognized for quality of healthcare

The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority was awarded a bronze medal for the Health Quality Innovators through the Health Quality Improvement Contractors Recognition Program for the safety and quality of its healthcare.

Hernandez and Manglona named Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leaders

Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez and Thomas Manglona are among 35 leaders in the 2024 to 2025 Obama Foundation Leaders Asia-Pacific program. Hernandez is the deputy executive manager for the Guam International Airport Authority and Manglona is the chief regional correspondent at KUAM News.

Additionally, Hernandez was appointed chairman of the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies.

Other members of the board of APAFS are Patrick U. Tellei, president of Palau Community College, vice chairman; Raaj Kurapati, executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, treasurer; Anna Mendiola, CEO, FSM Development Bank, secretary; Randall V. Wiegand, vice president, Administration & Finance/chief business officer at the University of Guam; Mary A.Y. Okada, president of Guam Community College; Phillip Mendiola-Long, CEO and managing director of Sherman Consulting LLC, chairman of the Marianas Public Land Trust;; Frankie M.  Eliptico, vice president for administration and advancement, Northern Marianas College; Dwight Heine, managing director, Marshall Islands Development Bank; Francis Carlos Domnick, CEO, Office of Commerce and Investment for the Marshall Islands; Dennis Momotaro, board member, Social Security Administration of the Marshall Islands; Leon Panuelo Jr., administrator, FSM Social Security Administration; Kaleb Udui, Jr., Minister of Finance, Palau; Sen. Rukebai Kukio Inabo, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means and Financial Matters of the Olbiil Era Kelulau or Palau Congress; Emais Roberts, chairman, College of Micronesia board of regents and College of Micronesia-Land Grant representative; Lisa R. Andon, acting executive director, Micronesia Conservation Trust; and Lindsay Timarong, president and CEO, Pacific Islands Development Bank.

Photo courtesy Guam Community College

GCC Culinary Graduate completes training at Le Cordon Bleu

Guam Community College alumna Selah Chong became the first Guamanian to complete training at the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris. She received her Pâtissière diploma on June 18 and Boulangerie diploma on Sept. 20.

GCC will host weeklong Academy for Women Entrepreneurs training in April

The Guam Community College will host 30 women entrepreneurs from across the Pacific for a one-week training session as a part of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program, under Young Pacific Leaders managed by the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand. The participants will discuss their business plans and conversate with community leaders as well as tour businesses on the island.

Photo courtesy East-West Center

Heine receives Women of Impact Award 

The East-West Center recognized President Hilda C. Heine of the Marshall Islands with its 2024 Women of Impact Award. She is the first woman to lead an independent Pacific Island nation in modern times and was the first in the Marshalls to earn a doctorate degree.

Heine became president of the Marshall Islands in 2024, having previously served from 2016 to 2020. Her studies took her to the University of Southern California, the University of Oregon, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

(From left) Daniel Rangamar, program assistant of GLE; Mark Mendiola, interim chief of staff; Carlos Taitano, director of GLE; and Anita Borja Enriquez, president, all from UOG; Mitsugi Motoyama, president; Naoko Tei, project officer; Dennitza Stefanova Gabrakova, professor, and Kazue Nakamoto, specially appointed international coordinator, all from Wakayama University.
Photo courtesy University of Guam

UOG and Wakayama University sign MOU

The University of Guam and the Wakayama University signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept. 4. The MOU will allow faculty and student exchange programs as well as collaborative research, cultural, and instructional programs.

(From left) Joseph M. Brown, owner and CEO, and Ann-Marie S. Flores, project manager, both from Set Point Solutions.
Photo by Skyler Obispo

Set Point Solutions receives Small Business Innovation Research grant

Set Point Solutions, a technology development company became the first company on Guam to receive a U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Innovation Research grant. The company received $246,858 from SBIR for the research and development of a communications device to extend the range of handheld communications devices in austere environments.

Photo courtesy Marianas Visitors Authority

Northern Marianas island ranked among satisfying destinations worldwide

Consumer Insight announced its 2024 Overall Satisfaction with Domestic and Overseas Travel destinations, in which Saipan was ranked ninth in the rankings. Last year, the island was ranked 23rd, making this year the largest jump in year-on-year increase amongst all destinations.

Photo courtesy University of Guam

UOG team rescues endangered orchids

A team from the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability Island Sustainability Lab rescued a threatened species of native orchids. The team retrieved 12 clusters of the orchids and now are in the care of the UOG CIS and Sea Grant’s rare plant nursery.

Photo courtesy Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan

Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan named Micronesia’s leading resort

The World Travel Awards recognized Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan as Micronesia’s Leading Resort. This marks the second consecutive year the hotel has received this award and are given to hotels and resorts that deliver exceptional hospitality, guest experiences, and amenities.

Photo courtesy The Guam Brewery

Local brewery wins gold in Asia

The Guam Brewery’s ‘Hu Gose Hao’ Pineapple Sour took home the prize in the gose beer category at the 2024 Asia Beer Championship. The calamansi infused beer was launched in March 2022 as one of their limited release beers.