Unveiling of the Henny Eman Boulevard on Tuesday, January 6, 2026
ORANJESTAD – At the request of the Henny Eman Foundation, the Aruban government has decided to rename a section of the L.G. Smith Boulevard as the Henny Eman Boulevard.
The newly designated stretch of road runs from the Mahuma roundabout to the roundabout at Sun Plaza, where Avenida Nelson Orlando Oduber begins. This decision serves as a lasting tribute to Jan Hendrik Albert (Henny) Eman, Aruba’s first Prime Minister and one of the principal architects of the modern Aruban state.
The choice of this particular section of the boulevard is not a coincidental one. This road represents, as it were, a living timeline of Aruba’s modern history and reflects at various points the vision, policies, and major works of Henny Eman, as well as the commitment of generations of his family to Aruba’s development.
Along this boulevard, the development of Aruba’s modern tourism industry is clearly visible—a sector in which Henny Eman is recognized as a pioneer. In connection with the expansion of hotel capacity following the introduction of Status Aparte, the international airport was also modernized and significantly expanded under his leadership. This process included a strategic innovation for Aruba: the implementation of the United States pre-inspection service, which significantly strengthened Aruba’s international position and competitiveness as a tourist destination.
Major projects in territorial and economic development also emerged during this period and were realized along the boulevard, including the expansion of the area where Harbor Town was developed and the construction of that complex. Today, the Renaissance Convention Center & Ocean Suites and the Sonesta Hotel—now part of the same complex—are located there.
Moreover, this boulevard constitutes the administrative heart of Aruba. Located along this road are, among others, the Aruban Parliament, several key government institutions, and the Office of the Governor. These institutions symbolize Aruba as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a constitutional reality that took shape under the leadership of Henny Eman.
Henny Eman guided Aruba through an exceptionally difficult period shortly after the closure of the LAGO refinery in 1984. Introducing Status Aparte while simultaneously restoring a severely affected economy was an enormous challenge. Through courage, vision, and determination, he succeeded in providing direction for Aruba and creating a new perspective of autonomy and economic resilience.
The official opening of the Henny Eman Boulevard will take place on January 6, exactly one year after the passing of Henny Eman. The unveiling and recognition are given additional meaning in the year that Aruba commemorates forty years of Status Aparte.