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Suicide Cliff

Adopted by Rotary Club of Saipan and Emon Masonic Lodge 179

PPP Site:

Suicide Cliff


Village:


PPP Partners:

Rotary Club of Saipan & Emon Masonic Lodge 179


About this project:

Suicide Cliff is a cliff above Marpi Point Field near the northern tip of Saipan, which achieved historic significance late in World War II. Rotary Club of Saipan and Emon Masonic Lodge 179 joined forces to work on the Suicide Cliff site. They push to enhance natural environment with yellow flowers and bougainvillea to more visual appeal. The yellow flowers signifies friendship and peace while inviting butterflies to serve as reminders of the spirits of the lost souls. The first phase of the project includes the following: 1) planting three Golden Shower Trees, 2) repainting and repairing the sign, 3) planting bougainvillea and yellow decorative ground flowers, 4) planting bougainvillea with yellow decorative flowers at the lookout, and 5) planting around the second lookout and the parking area.


About this site:

An indentation off the coastline between Puntan Sabaneta to the west and Puntan Lagua Kattan to the east, the cliff sits 30 meters high on an area called Banaderu, a Chamorro word for muddy or wet place, suggesting a prior existence of wetland.

During the final days of World War II, hundreds of Japanese and Okinawan civilians, rather than face capture, jumped off the high sea cliffs, due in no small part to Japanese propaganda that described enemy troops as beasts. Soon after, this stretch of shoreline became known as Banzai Cliff, a designation that is still used today. In 2005, Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Banzai Cliff to pray for the souls of those who perished in the Battle of Saipan. (Courtesy of the Marianas Visitors Authority)


Engage with us:


All PPP projects are made possible by the support of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s public benefit fund with the Dept. of Public Lands.

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