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War Survivor: Ignacio Mendiola Reyes
In the footsteps of Saint Andrew. After teaching, Ignacio “Ray” Mendiola Reyes (1923 – 2018) opened a pool hall and then a mom and pop store. After that, he went into politics and was elected mayor of Merizo in 1952, but he didn’t care for the dishonesty of the trade.
War Survivor: Helena James Aflague Crisostomo
Simply blessed. She arrived a few months early, the size of her mother’s palm, but survived and flourished decades to live a blessed and fulfilled life.
War Survivor: Jose Rosario Alvarez
Moved to the ranch with cousins. At the onset of the Japanese invasion of Guam during World War II, Jose “Joe” Alvarez (1931 – 2021), a 10-year-old boy, and his family were alarmed and unprepared. They quickly left their home in Hagåtña on foot and made their way to his uncle’s ranch in Mangilao, where they lived for majority of the war.
War Survivor: Cleotilde Mendiola Bamba
Moved north to Machananao. Cleotilde Mendiola Bamba (1931 – ) was only 10 years old when the Japanese occupation of Guam began. Her family was forced to leave their house. Like most CHamorus on Guam during that period, the Mendiola family was displaced from their life in Hagåtña.
War Survivor: Vicente and Jesusa Arceo
A tale best told together. Vicente (“Ben”) Gogue Arceo and Jesusa (“Susie”) Reyes Arceo are no strangers to the senior citizen community on Guam. They are part of a musical group that provides dance music to entertain Guam’s manåmko’ at the senior centers. But to know them is to know that they do not do things apart; thus, their memories of World War II will be told together in this tale of survival.
War Survivor: Ana Atoigue Muna
They had God and each other. During the war, Ana “Ann” Anderson Atoigue Muna (1934 – 2022) and her family had two things: God and each other. They knew despite the difficulties of war, God had a reason. He had a plan. Together, through routine, they lived. Together, through prayer, they survived.
Tuninos: Dolphins and Their Cousins in Guam Waters
Classification, appearance and local distribution. Pilot whales are in the dolphin family (Delphinidae), which is part of the oceanic dolphins. The name “pilot” was came from the thought that one whale piloted the group. They are widely distributed and are currently recognized as two types: short-finned and long-finned. Although there is some evidence that the short-finned type may be two or more species, they are still classified as one type. The long-finned pilot whales are usually found in colder temperate conditions, while the short-finned live in warm tropical waters.
Bayena: Whales in Guam Waters
Whales are mammals. Cetacea is an order of marine mammals that includes both whales and dolphins. They are clearly identified by their streamlined bodies and fins, which make them very fast and agile swimmers. Some species are able to reach speeds up to 35 mph. They are best known for their dramatic leaps or “breaching” out of the water.
Hafula’ yan Halu’u: Rays and Sharks in Guam Waters
Large diverse family of fish. Sharks or halu’u in CHamoru, and rays or hafula’ in CHamoru, belong to a family of fish referred to as Elasmobranchs. It is a very diverse group of fish that includes approximately 1,000 species. They are found in all of the world’s oceans and in many types of marine environments, from shallow sandy banks to 5,000 ft. deep in the open ocean. Elasmobranchs are characterized by having a skeleton comprised of cartilage (like human ears) instead of bone.
Tourism’s Effect on Guam Reefs
Importance of coral reefs to Guam. Coral reefs are important to Guam for many reasons, but the primary reason is the protection of the island. Reefs help to protect the beaches that draw in local residents and tourists. They are a natural coastline protection against storm surges, coastal erosion, and high waves, especially during tsunamis, tropical storms, and typhoons. Coral reefs form a barrier that buffers coastal areas from severe weather events, protecting human lives, economic activities, and coastal properties.