Saipan — The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is honoring the life and legacy of Carolinian leader and author Lino Olopai, remembering his contributions to cultural preservation and literacy in the Commonwealth.
The library highlighted Olopai’s book, The Rope of Tradition: Reflections of a Saipan Carolinian—written with assistance from cultural anthropologist Juliana Flinn which was selected as the 2024 Official Adult Book Selection for the Northern Mariana Islands through the Library of Congress affiliate NMI Center for the Book. The title was also included in the “Great Reads from Great Places” list featured during the 2024 National Book Festival hosted by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C..
In its tribute, the library described Olopai as a familiar and valued presence at JKPL who shared Carolinian heritage with youth through chants and stories at the Children of Our Homeland Center, also known as the Children’s Library. The library said a special display featuring The Rope of Tradition is now showcased in JKPL’s Pacific Room and invited the public to visit and reflect on his enduring contributions.
