Northern Marianas respected 'Mr. Lee'
Lincoln Emeterio Delos Santos / 1954-2006
Hawaii-born Lincoln Emeterio Delos Santos, a Saipan businessman and active community member and a former Republican Party officer in the Northern Marianas, died Christmas Eve at his home in Saipan. He was 52.
Known as "Mr. Lee," Delos Santos served from 2004 to 2006 as treasurer for the Republican Party of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and was elected by the party's general membership.
"He's the first non-Chamorro who actually got involved in local politics," said Juan Reyes, former Republican Party chairman who served through December.
"The community is pretty small," Reyes said. "To get somebody elected to hold that kind of position is pretty hard.
"Since he came here 16 years ago, he pretty much proved himself," Reyes said. "He's a unique guy, the first Hawaiian accepted by the locals."
Northern Marianas legislator Arnold Palacios said, "He was very effective in getting the party finances straightened out, very effective in the fundraising for the party."
Palacios described him as hard-working and amiable, sacrificing personal time for the party.
Delos Santos, part-owner, general manager and co-founder of No Ka Oi Termite and Pest Control (Saipan Inc.), left Maui in 1990 to help start the business on Saipan.
The local boy from Hawaii helped build a successful business "just with good honest business practices," said Joey Lopez, corporate manager for No Ka Oi Termite and Pest Control (Guam Inc.) (Saipan Inc.).
He was heavily involved in fundraising activities for schools including the Northern Marianas College, serving on its board of directors, and supporting local sports teams and community projects.
Born in Honolulu, Delos Santos was a 1973 Farrington High School graduate.
He is survived by wife Elena; son Christian; daughter Savanah L.; brother Alika of Maui; sisters Evelyn Lee Kogler of Oahu, Tee Borabora of Maui, Lana Kaolelopono of Oahu and Janai Kealoha of Maui; and hanai brothers and sisters of Maui: Maui Bartolome "Pops," Angeline, Tina, Herman, Janis, Clifford, Jane, Randy, Stacey, Callie, Val, Gordon, Jill, Willie, Julie and Bobby Casco.
Celebration of life: 9-11 a.m. Jan. 27 at Calvary Chapel of Honolulu, 98-1016 Komo Mai Drive, Aiea.
Delos Santos was buried in Saipan, where services were held.