NO REST FOR THE AWAKE - MINAGAHET CHAMORRO

  In 2018, our island community was re-introduced to a place called Magua', located behind US military fences on what is today known as NCTAMS (Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam). This re-introduction was bittersweet however, since it also was coupled with the news that the remnants of the area had been destroyed by construction for the US military buildup. Since that time however, more and more information has been unearthed about the CHamorus who once lived in Magua', from ancient settlements up until those displaced by the post-World War II US military land-takings. These revelations indicate that Magua' and its destruction may represent a failure on behalf of federal and local governments to protect Guam's cultural and historic sites. For the first HITA Talk of 2022, author, veteran and advocate for environmental and cultural preservation on Guam Dave Lotz will be presenting "Searching for the People of Magua'," on Thursday (2/24) from...

  Fanachu! was first started by Manny Cruz in 2016 as part of the media committee of Independent Guåhan. When he left island for graduate school, it was taken over by Lawrence "Signezama" Lizama. Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, I've been taking over hosting duties. I've always been a part of Fanachu! but since last year, I've taken over much of it, with help in producing or organizing and hosting episodes from others every once in a while.  Several things helped me get through the pandemic and all its sort of low fi craziness. One thing was Fanachu! Having something to focus on each week, to bring people into conversation, to learn more about things I'm interested in. It was a nice way to focus my life and feel like I was still having an impact, albeit small one, at a time when things were being delayed or cancelled.  Earlier this month Fanachu! reached 100 patrons! An exciting milestone, I never thought it would reach.  As part of finally get...

Despite the social distancing lockdown and remote work for my office over the past month, it has been difficult to find the mental brain space needed to write regularly. I mean this in terms of creative writing, but also political writing. So much of my brain space has been taken up by worrying about so many different things, I've found it hard at times to focus or give myself the space to take on the many other writing projects I have waiting for me. Thankfully I have been able to work through some of the thoughts I have on the COVID-19 pandemic and Guam's political status in my weekly column for the  Pacific Daily News. This hasn't gotten me many new fans, in fact the columns that I published for three weeks at the start of the lockdown phase have been some of my most hated since I started writing for the newspaper a few years ago. I won't get into way people seem to take particularly gleeful hate in my columns lately, but I felt compelled to share them here. Afte...