Holiday cleanup shows Pagat some love
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They could have been at home enjoying breakfast in bed with their sweethearts.
Instead, they came bearing trash bags to show some love for their island.
The Guam Boonie Stompers Association and We Are Guåhan arranged a hike and cleanup of the trail to Pagat Caves yesterday.
According to the two groups, the hike was more than just an opportunity to inform the public on how the area will be affected as a result of the military buildup. It also was a demonstration of the different groups of people who care about their island.
"One of the things I do know is growing up here, every weekend there are a lot of formal hikes organized and which are led, and usually a very specific demographic goes on those," said Desiree Ventura of We Are Guåhan.
"With me and my friends and family, I know that sometimes we just roll down in groups of ones or twos or threes and we don't really get to see the other groups of people who enjoy it," she said. "So there's a big misconception about who's using it, and I thought this was a great opportunity to show that we all value it, and we can all take care of it and work together."
The Pagat caves once were a source of fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and are now one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and latte stones dating back over 3,500 years, according to the two organizations.
But access to the caves may soon be limited if the Defense Department places a firing range on part of it -- one of the options outlined in the department's draft Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.
That's one of the reasons 45-year-old Roy Geary of Tamuning was out cleaning the trail on his way down to the caves yesterday. He hadn't visited them before but had always wanted to, he said.
"This is kind of like payment for the hike," said Geary, as he stacked wood strewn across the trail into a pickup truck.
Sonny Cruz, 41, of Sinajana said it was his first trip to the caves as well. He hadn't been to the Pagat caves before and wanted to explore them with his kids while he still had a chance.
In response to those who may have said it's too late to be cleaning up the trail now -- just as access is on the cusp of being restricted -- Cruz said he feels the cleanup hike actually demonstrates local residents' desire to keep their natural sites clean and that they do care about it.
"I guess they want to do this to try and clean it up and show that we're trying to take care of this area so that they can keep doing their boonie stomps," he said.
Plus, according to Dave Lotz, a hiker with the Guam Boonie Stompers, this isn't the first time his group has orchestrated a beautification project like this.
"The Guam Boonie Stompers has had an interest in the Pagat Cave area for some time and has been doing regular cleanups on the island," he said.
"We've cleaned up the area, trying to concentrate on the trash in the cave area and also in (the) Chamorro village, but with increased usage and with illegal dumping, we feel we need to make a major community effort to cleaning up the area that goes through one of our major cultural assets on the island," Lotz said. "(It's) certainly received increased attention with the possibility that this could be closed due to the military buildup, and we just want to show that there's community support for this, which is what we're seeing right now on a Sunday morning."
In the meantime, the Guam Preservation Trust is trying to get Pagat on a list of the the country's Most Endangered Historic Properties, a designation program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which could possibly prevent the Defense Department from constructing the firing range there.
Showing posts with label Ancient Chamorro Village. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ancient Chamorro Village. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
We Are Guahan leading Pagat cleanup
We Are Guahan leading Pagat cleanup
Posted: Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - The We Are Guahan Coalition is inviting the public to take part in a cleanup for Valentines Day tomorrow at the Pagat Caves in Mangilao. Coalition member Victoria "Lola" Leon Guerrero says because it's a day to celebrate love, the group decided to show to others how much they love their land and that cleaning it up will benefit the people of Guam.
The organization is partnering up with the Guam Boonie Stompers. "We really are doing this in direct response to a quote from a JGPO official that says if they put a firing range there, that they will actually clean up the site and we want to show them that we can clean up our own land and that we don't want Pagat to turn into a firing range and we want to appreciate the ancient Chamorro villages, the fresh water caves and that's also what we'll be doing tomorrow as well. After the clean up, everyone that shows up we'll go down to the caves and swim and just enjoy the beauty of the area and pay tribute to the historic significance of it."
The group is scheduled to meet at the trail at the back road to Andersen AFB at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Posted: Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - The We Are Guahan Coalition is inviting the public to take part in a cleanup for Valentines Day tomorrow at the Pagat Caves in Mangilao. Coalition member Victoria "Lola" Leon Guerrero says because it's a day to celebrate love, the group decided to show to others how much they love their land and that cleaning it up will benefit the people of Guam.
The organization is partnering up with the Guam Boonie Stompers. "We really are doing this in direct response to a quote from a JGPO official that says if they put a firing range there, that they will actually clean up the site and we want to show them that we can clean up our own land and that we don't want Pagat to turn into a firing range and we want to appreciate the ancient Chamorro villages, the fresh water caves and that's also what we'll be doing tomorrow as well. After the clean up, everyone that shows up we'll go down to the caves and swim and just enjoy the beauty of the area and pay tribute to the historic significance of it."
The group is scheduled to meet at the trail at the back road to Andersen AFB at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hikers to mark love day in Pagat Caves
Hikers to mark love day in Pagat Caves
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 03:34
Variety News Staff
(GBM/WAG) -- The Guam Boonie Stompers and the We are Guahan organization are leading the public in a free-of-charge Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Feb. 14.
On the popular holiday associated with romance, the coordinating organizations are encouraging residents to show love to their island and enjoy the diverse collection of individuals in support of efforts in the island's best interest.
Located on Guam's eastern coast, Pagat caves is one of Guam's most significant historical sites. The caves once provided fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and is one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and lattes dating back over 3,500 years.
While organized hikes are often led to the caves, local families and individuals also frequent the site in less formal groups to enjoy the water and take part in one of the many activities that make life on Guam unique. The joint effort to organize the clean-up seeks to provide an opportunity for education, constructive action and friendship.
The draft environmental impact statement plans identify the recreation spot and cultural site as an area needed to accommodate a Marine firing range, which would restrict both civilian and non-civilian access to the site.
Currently, the Guam Preservation Trust is advocating to have Pagat included on the list of the country's most endangered places. Many worry that the presence of a firing range will damage the ancient artifacts, injure efforts to preserve and share Chamorro culture with locals and visitors and will further limit options for outdoor recreation.
Those interested in attending the clean-up are asked to meet at 9 o'clock am, in front of the trail entrance on Route 15 (immediately North of the Anderson South gate).
Hikers and volunteers should bring their own cleaning materials, such as trash bags, gloves or tools. Clean-up organizers welcome volunteers capable of providing trucks, backhoes or equipment that could assist volunteers in removing larger materials.
Those who would like to provide trucks or backhoes in order to remove larger pieces of debris are asked to contact Dave Lotz of the Guam Boonie Stomper's association for additional details. All attending are asked to bring water, appropriate shoes, gloves, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a snack and swimming attire.
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 03:34
Variety News Staff
(GBM/WAG) -- The Guam Boonie Stompers and the We are Guahan organization are leading the public in a free-of-charge Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Feb. 14.
On the popular holiday associated with romance, the coordinating organizations are encouraging residents to show love to their island and enjoy the diverse collection of individuals in support of efforts in the island's best interest.
Located on Guam's eastern coast, Pagat caves is one of Guam's most significant historical sites. The caves once provided fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and is one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and lattes dating back over 3,500 years.
While organized hikes are often led to the caves, local families and individuals also frequent the site in less formal groups to enjoy the water and take part in one of the many activities that make life on Guam unique. The joint effort to organize the clean-up seeks to provide an opportunity for education, constructive action and friendship.
The draft environmental impact statement plans identify the recreation spot and cultural site as an area needed to accommodate a Marine firing range, which would restrict both civilian and non-civilian access to the site.
Currently, the Guam Preservation Trust is advocating to have Pagat included on the list of the country's most endangered places. Many worry that the presence of a firing range will damage the ancient artifacts, injure efforts to preserve and share Chamorro culture with locals and visitors and will further limit options for outdoor recreation.
Those interested in attending the clean-up are asked to meet at 9 o'clock am, in front of the trail entrance on Route 15 (immediately North of the Anderson South gate).
Hikers and volunteers should bring their own cleaning materials, such as trash bags, gloves or tools. Clean-up organizers welcome volunteers capable of providing trucks, backhoes or equipment that could assist volunteers in removing larger materials.
Those who would like to provide trucks or backhoes in order to remove larger pieces of debris are asked to contact Dave Lotz of the Guam Boonie Stomper's association for additional details. All attending are asked to bring water, appropriate shoes, gloves, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a snack and swimming attire.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Firing range key to buildup: Raceway may not need to move
Firing range key to buildup: Raceway may not need to move
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • January 23, 2010
A plan to build a small-arms firing range on Guam's northeast coast has been one of the most commonly protested components of the coming military buildup, but it is also one of the most essential.
There is no buildup without a firing range, retired Marine Corps Col. John Jackson, director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said yesterday.
None of the existing ranges on Guam could be expanded to handle 8,500 Marines and the military's original plan to put a firing range on military property by Double Reef was shot down by the public, he said.
But Marines who transfer to Guam in the next few years will need a place to maintain their skill and certification with weapons, Jackson said. The Pagat area is the only suitable place left, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Regardless, some of the loudest voices against the buildup during the last two months have been opposed to the military's plans for this land.
Some of these conflicts -- including the relocation of the Guam International Raceway -- may be resolved, Jackson said. Others, such as concerns about access to Pagat Cave, are misunderstandings, he said.
Raceway
When racers arrived at the raceway last night, buildup protesters were waiting for them.
GovGuam has invested about $7.3 million in the Guam International Raceway since it was built on Chamorro Land Trust land in 2001, but the draft EIS states that the raceway must be relocated.
Joe Naputi Jr., who has been volunteering his time as track manager for about four years, said many volunteers have worked hard to detour illegal drag racing onto the legal track.
"We spent a lot of money already to build this racetrack and we don't know if we have enough money to go and build another one elsewhere," he said.
Even if the military offers to pay for a replacement track of equal value somewhere else, it won't be the same place volunteers have poured their lives into, Naputi said.
Although the military's original plan for the firing range does require the raceway to move, this might change, Jackson said.
He said the Department of Defense is looking for a way to reorganize the gunfire trajectories and safety zones in the firing range so the raceway can stay put without Marines endangering each other.
It is possible the range and the raceway will become neighbors, he said.
Last night, Naputi said this possibility was a step in the right direction, but he wonders if racers would be safe next door to a firing range.
He also said the Department of Defense's indecisiveness didn't inspire a lot of confidence, and asked if it was that easy to change the plan, what is to stop them from changing it back?
"Which one is it?" Naputi said. "They are changing things left and right and we want to know the real truth. It's kind of senseless to tell us you are going to move us out of the way and then later on (say) we are neighbors. That's two different stories."
Opportunity
If the firing range is an essential part of the buildup, then protesters must realize they are objecting to a lot of new jobs, tax dollars and opportunity. Guam can't have one without the other, Carl Peterson said yesterday.
Peterson is a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce board of directors who has high hopes for the buildup. He said many of the "emotional" protests to the firing range aren't worth jeopardizing the economic boom of the buildup.
Guam needs this, he said.
"We are in debt up to our ears and this income is going to help us (pay off) that debt," he said.
Peterson said the simplest benefit from the buildup will be additional tax dollars, which will help improve the troubled state of Guam's schools, health care and roads.
If the buildup brings $15 billion in spending to the island, GovGuam will make $600,000 from the gross receipts tax alone, he said.
After that, the federal government will dump tax dollars from the mainland into Guam's civilian roadways and infrastructure. And if GovGuam and the military share the island's new landfill, trash service will cost less for everyone.
These are just some of the benefits the buildup could bring, he said.
If there were no buildup, Guam would have to rely on a fading tourism industry and the future will be dark, he said. Japan's aging population is traveling less and competition from cheaper destinations -- such as Singapore and Bangkok -- is strong.
"In the long term, without additional investment of capital from the buildup, it can only mean our standard of living goes down," Peterson said.
Conflicts
If the Guam International Raceway doesn't have to move, some of the civilians who object to the firing range will be satisfied.
But there are still more conflicts out there.
•Cultural activists, such as Joe Quinata of the Guam Preservation Trust, have taken steps to draw national attention to the plight of the Pagat area, where the remains of an ancient Chamorro village are buried;
•Landowners such as Gloria Nelson have said they want to keep their land and the military should not be confident it can be bought; and
•Hikers such as Dave Lotz have said the public deserves access to natural beauties such as Pagat Cave.
Yesterday, Jackson said anyone who wants access to Pagat Cave will be able to during the 13 weeks a year when the firing range is not in use, and that it might be open to the public some weekends too.
This is "not very well articulated" in the draft EIS, he said.
The document suggests Pagat Cave will be off limits all the time, but this was never the plan, Jackson said.
Limited access may actually help protect the cave and the cultural remains, he said.
"There won't be any of the destructive activity going on down there that takes place today. I don't know if you've been down there, but there is a lot of trash down there," Jackson said. "... We would have people that would go down there to make sure it is kept clean."
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • January 23, 2010
A plan to build a small-arms firing range on Guam's northeast coast has been one of the most commonly protested components of the coming military buildup, but it is also one of the most essential.
There is no buildup without a firing range, retired Marine Corps Col. John Jackson, director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said yesterday.
None of the existing ranges on Guam could be expanded to handle 8,500 Marines and the military's original plan to put a firing range on military property by Double Reef was shot down by the public, he said.
But Marines who transfer to Guam in the next few years will need a place to maintain their skill and certification with weapons, Jackson said. The Pagat area is the only suitable place left, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Regardless, some of the loudest voices against the buildup during the last two months have been opposed to the military's plans for this land.
Some of these conflicts -- including the relocation of the Guam International Raceway -- may be resolved, Jackson said. Others, such as concerns about access to Pagat Cave, are misunderstandings, he said.
Raceway
When racers arrived at the raceway last night, buildup protesters were waiting for them.
GovGuam has invested about $7.3 million in the Guam International Raceway since it was built on Chamorro Land Trust land in 2001, but the draft EIS states that the raceway must be relocated.
Joe Naputi Jr., who has been volunteering his time as track manager for about four years, said many volunteers have worked hard to detour illegal drag racing onto the legal track.
"We spent a lot of money already to build this racetrack and we don't know if we have enough money to go and build another one elsewhere," he said.
Even if the military offers to pay for a replacement track of equal value somewhere else, it won't be the same place volunteers have poured their lives into, Naputi said.
Although the military's original plan for the firing range does require the raceway to move, this might change, Jackson said.
He said the Department of Defense is looking for a way to reorganize the gunfire trajectories and safety zones in the firing range so the raceway can stay put without Marines endangering each other.
It is possible the range and the raceway will become neighbors, he said.
Last night, Naputi said this possibility was a step in the right direction, but he wonders if racers would be safe next door to a firing range.
He also said the Department of Defense's indecisiveness didn't inspire a lot of confidence, and asked if it was that easy to change the plan, what is to stop them from changing it back?
"Which one is it?" Naputi said. "They are changing things left and right and we want to know the real truth. It's kind of senseless to tell us you are going to move us out of the way and then later on (say) we are neighbors. That's two different stories."
Opportunity
If the firing range is an essential part of the buildup, then protesters must realize they are objecting to a lot of new jobs, tax dollars and opportunity. Guam can't have one without the other, Carl Peterson said yesterday.
Peterson is a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce board of directors who has high hopes for the buildup. He said many of the "emotional" protests to the firing range aren't worth jeopardizing the economic boom of the buildup.
Guam needs this, he said.
"We are in debt up to our ears and this income is going to help us (pay off) that debt," he said.
Peterson said the simplest benefit from the buildup will be additional tax dollars, which will help improve the troubled state of Guam's schools, health care and roads.
If the buildup brings $15 billion in spending to the island, GovGuam will make $600,000 from the gross receipts tax alone, he said.
After that, the federal government will dump tax dollars from the mainland into Guam's civilian roadways and infrastructure. And if GovGuam and the military share the island's new landfill, trash service will cost less for everyone.
These are just some of the benefits the buildup could bring, he said.
If there were no buildup, Guam would have to rely on a fading tourism industry and the future will be dark, he said. Japan's aging population is traveling less and competition from cheaper destinations -- such as Singapore and Bangkok -- is strong.
"In the long term, without additional investment of capital from the buildup, it can only mean our standard of living goes down," Peterson said.
Conflicts
If the Guam International Raceway doesn't have to move, some of the civilians who object to the firing range will be satisfied.
But there are still more conflicts out there.
•Cultural activists, such as Joe Quinata of the Guam Preservation Trust, have taken steps to draw national attention to the plight of the Pagat area, where the remains of an ancient Chamorro village are buried;
•Landowners such as Gloria Nelson have said they want to keep their land and the military should not be confident it can be bought; and
•Hikers such as Dave Lotz have said the public deserves access to natural beauties such as Pagat Cave.
Yesterday, Jackson said anyone who wants access to Pagat Cave will be able to during the 13 weeks a year when the firing range is not in use, and that it might be open to the public some weekends too.
This is "not very well articulated" in the draft EIS, he said.
The document suggests Pagat Cave will be off limits all the time, but this was never the plan, Jackson said.
Limited access may actually help protect the cave and the cultural remains, he said.
"There won't be any of the destructive activity going on down there that takes place today. I don't know if you've been down there, but there is a lot of trash down there," Jackson said. "... We would have people that would go down there to make sure it is kept clean."
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
We say "NO!" now!
Spanish Occupation, Japanese Invasion and Being Owned by a Nation. The Chamorro people are struggling to save whats left of their language, their culture, their blood and their land.
Videographer - Cara Flores
Editor - Jason Triplett
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Buildup raises access worry: Some fear blocking of cultural site
Buildup raises access worry: Some fear blocking of cultural site
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Sunday News • January 3, 2010
Access concerns: Michael Bevacqua, right, explains the lusong to Dylan Guerrero at a cultural site on the Pagat trail, yesterday. Some residents are worried access to the site may be restricted if the military uses the area for a live-fire range. (Vuong Duong/For Pacific Sunday News)
Stones once used for grinding are strewn on the ground of an ancient village that once neighbored Pagat Cave.
Yesterday, a group of Guam residents trekked about 1.3 miles over rocky terrain to see the site, fearing those few remaining vestiges of a civilization that once was may soon be swept away.
"It really opened my eyes," said 25-year-old Crystal Nelson. "I felt really disappointed in myself, being one of the countless number of locals who don't take the time out to really appreciate what we have on the island."
The Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice yesterday arranged the "We Are Guahan" hike to raise awareness about the Pagat freshwater caves and the ancient Chamorro village and archaeological burial grounds near it. The coalition wanted give local residents a chance to visit it before it's too late, according to hike leader Kie Susuico.
The Defense Department's draft Environmental Impact Statement shows the military wants to put three live-fire ranges on a large portion of that area, and some Guam residents worry that may bar access to the pristine caves and cultural site.
Susuico, who's been hiking to cultural sites for three-and-a-half years, said out of perhaps 130 hikes, he's only seen Chamorro people on about four of them.
"The rest of the time, it's all military. So for me, it seems like our people, the Chamorros, don't even know what's down there which is pretty sad," he said.
He wants the local population to stand up for the historical and cultural importance of the site, since the Defense Department doesn't seem to respect it, he said.
"I think it's crazy. Pagat is on the National Register of Historic Places, just like Arlington National Cemetery or Mount Rushmore," he said. "They wouldn't put a firing range there, you know? To me it seems like they don't even care about our rights, our history, our culture or anything like that."
As much as he is frustrated with the military's proposed plans, his message is intended for the local residents as well: Wake up.
If we don't reclaim our history, protect our heritage, our culture, our language, I think we'll truly be lost. To me, right now it's on the verge of going, and I really wish people would start to care more about it," he said.
Joshua Dunn from Chalan Pago certainly answered that call.
Dunn has lived on the island for 14 years. Until yesterday, he hadn't visited the Pagat Cave area. The chance the island may soon lose a valuable resource inspired him to join the Guahan hikers yesterday.
"I had a lot of invites from people to go do it before, but I just never really had the time to do it," he said. "But I'm free today."
And even former military members in the group expressed disappointment the military may restrict access to some of Guam's most beautiful sites.
"I believe they've taken all the (best) spots." said Devorah Covington, who served in the Air Force. "They don't need to get rid of the historical sites. This is our island. At least give us access."
'Sacred site'
University of Guam adjunct history professor and former senator Hope Cristobal guided the hikers through the ancient Chamorro burial grounds, a "sacred site," which dates back to the pre-latte period, she said. There, she demonstrated a 17th-century-style funeral ceremony.
Inarajan resident Manny Chong said hikers saw latte stones at the village, and stones used by the ancient Chamorros for grinding.
"It's been worn down by the weather, but it's still obvious that used to be an ancient village," Chong said. "If it's given to the military, they're going to destroy that. We want to see it in its natural state. We want the younger generations to see it."
Cristobal gave the hikers a history lesson on life since the time explorers landed on Guam. She described the brutalities the Spaniards imposed on Guam's ancestors, Nelson said after the hike.
Land worries
But for Nelson, there's more at stake than the loss of cultural and natural assets.
Nelson owns property near Pagat, and the military's proposal may mean a chunk of her land will be taken.
"It's disheartening that people think that they can just come and take the land, without any consideration to (the people living there)," she said. "They come and they just want to strip its natural assets for national security."
However, according to the latest statement released by JGPO public information officer Capt. Neil Ruggiero, the Defense Department has tried to utilize its own property for the military realignment. But it must follow federal environmental laws and planning processes to determine the best locations for the facilities and ranges necessary for the buildup.
"We have also learned that it may be wise to develop property near existing bases to allow functions to be grouped together in one location and eliminate the need to travel from one range or training area to another," Ruggiero said. "This will ease impacts, such as traffic, on the surrounding community."
Barrigada resident Robin L.G. Marquardt feels otherwise.
"The federal government on Guam probably has enough land to do their activity as it is now, so taking more land than they already have may be unnecessary or may be thoughtless," he said. "It needs to be measured, not just a decision made like buying a cup of coffee."
Marquardt joined yesterday's hike to support the community and to see with his own eyes the beauty of what could possibly be lost, he said.
He and the other hikers agreed on one thing: local residents need to visit these sites now.
"We want the locals, the people who are here, to see it. (Those) who have never seen it, they should go and learn about their island, go check it out," Chong said. "Get in touch with the past."
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Sunday News • January 3, 2010
Access concerns: Michael Bevacqua, right, explains the lusong to Dylan Guerrero at a cultural site on the Pagat trail, yesterday. Some residents are worried access to the site may be restricted if the military uses the area for a live-fire range. (Vuong Duong/For Pacific Sunday News)
Stones once used for grinding are strewn on the ground of an ancient village that once neighbored Pagat Cave.
Yesterday, a group of Guam residents trekked about 1.3 miles over rocky terrain to see the site, fearing those few remaining vestiges of a civilization that once was may soon be swept away.
"It really opened my eyes," said 25-year-old Crystal Nelson. "I felt really disappointed in myself, being one of the countless number of locals who don't take the time out to really appreciate what we have on the island."
The Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice yesterday arranged the "We Are Guahan" hike to raise awareness about the Pagat freshwater caves and the ancient Chamorro village and archaeological burial grounds near it. The coalition wanted give local residents a chance to visit it before it's too late, according to hike leader Kie Susuico.
The Defense Department's draft Environmental Impact Statement shows the military wants to put three live-fire ranges on a large portion of that area, and some Guam residents worry that may bar access to the pristine caves and cultural site.
Susuico, who's been hiking to cultural sites for three-and-a-half years, said out of perhaps 130 hikes, he's only seen Chamorro people on about four of them.
"The rest of the time, it's all military. So for me, it seems like our people, the Chamorros, don't even know what's down there which is pretty sad," he said.
He wants the local population to stand up for the historical and cultural importance of the site, since the Defense Department doesn't seem to respect it, he said.
"I think it's crazy. Pagat is on the National Register of Historic Places, just like Arlington National Cemetery or Mount Rushmore," he said. "They wouldn't put a firing range there, you know? To me it seems like they don't even care about our rights, our history, our culture or anything like that."
As much as he is frustrated with the military's proposed plans, his message is intended for the local residents as well: Wake up.
If we don't reclaim our history, protect our heritage, our culture, our language, I think we'll truly be lost. To me, right now it's on the verge of going, and I really wish people would start to care more about it," he said.
Joshua Dunn from Chalan Pago certainly answered that call.
Dunn has lived on the island for 14 years. Until yesterday, he hadn't visited the Pagat Cave area. The chance the island may soon lose a valuable resource inspired him to join the Guahan hikers yesterday.
"I had a lot of invites from people to go do it before, but I just never really had the time to do it," he said. "But I'm free today."
And even former military members in the group expressed disappointment the military may restrict access to some of Guam's most beautiful sites.
"I believe they've taken all the (best) spots." said Devorah Covington, who served in the Air Force. "They don't need to get rid of the historical sites. This is our island. At least give us access."
'Sacred site'
University of Guam adjunct history professor and former senator Hope Cristobal guided the hikers through the ancient Chamorro burial grounds, a "sacred site," which dates back to the pre-latte period, she said. There, she demonstrated a 17th-century-style funeral ceremony.
Inarajan resident Manny Chong said hikers saw latte stones at the village, and stones used by the ancient Chamorros for grinding.
"It's been worn down by the weather, but it's still obvious that used to be an ancient village," Chong said. "If it's given to the military, they're going to destroy that. We want to see it in its natural state. We want the younger generations to see it."
Cristobal gave the hikers a history lesson on life since the time explorers landed on Guam. She described the brutalities the Spaniards imposed on Guam's ancestors, Nelson said after the hike.
Land worries
But for Nelson, there's more at stake than the loss of cultural and natural assets.
Nelson owns property near Pagat, and the military's proposal may mean a chunk of her land will be taken.
"It's disheartening that people think that they can just come and take the land, without any consideration to (the people living there)," she said. "They come and they just want to strip its natural assets for national security."
However, according to the latest statement released by JGPO public information officer Capt. Neil Ruggiero, the Defense Department has tried to utilize its own property for the military realignment. But it must follow federal environmental laws and planning processes to determine the best locations for the facilities and ranges necessary for the buildup.
"We have also learned that it may be wise to develop property near existing bases to allow functions to be grouped together in one location and eliminate the need to travel from one range or training area to another," Ruggiero said. "This will ease impacts, such as traffic, on the surrounding community."
Barrigada resident Robin L.G. Marquardt feels otherwise.
"The federal government on Guam probably has enough land to do their activity as it is now, so taking more land than they already have may be unnecessary or may be thoughtless," he said. "It needs to be measured, not just a decision made like buying a cup of coffee."
Marquardt joined yesterday's hike to support the community and to see with his own eyes the beauty of what could possibly be lost, he said.
He and the other hikers agreed on one thing: local residents need to visit these sites now.
"We want the locals, the people who are here, to see it. (Those) who have never seen it, they should go and learn about their island, go check it out," Chong said. "Get in touch with the past."
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