Asan-Maina (Chamorro: Assan-Ma'ina) is a village located on the western shore of the United States territory of Guam. The municipality combines the names of the coastal community of Asan with Maina, a community along the slopes of the Fonte River valley to the east. Asan was the northern landing site for United States Marines during Guam's liberation from the Japanese during World War II. Asan Beach Park is part of the War in the Pacific National Historic Park. The third community comprising Asan-Maina is Nimitz Hill Annex in the hills above Asan and Maina, which is the location of the Joint Region Marianas headquarters. Asan-Maina is located in the Luchan (Western) District.
Asan-Maina Assan-Ma'ina | |
|---|---|
 Location of Asan-Maina within the Territory of Guam. | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Guam |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Frank A. Salas (D) |
| Population (2020)[1] | |
• Total | 2,011 |
| • Ethnic groups | Chamorro |
| Time zone | UTC+10 (ChST) |
| Village Flower | Plumeria rubra |
Etymology
editAsan derives its name from the Chamorro word hassan meaning scarce or rare.
One meaning of the word ma’ina refers to an infant who, between the time of birth and baptism, is taken by the mother to Mass before sunrise. This old ritual was considered analogous to and in imitation of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
History
editOn July 21, 1944, the Americans landed in Asan to recapture the island from occupying Japanese forces during the Battle of Guam. The 3rd Marine Division landed in Asan at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 Landing Vehicle Trackeds, but by 09:00 tanks were ashore at both beaches. United States Marines fought Japanese forces fortified in the hills above the shore after establishing a beach head. During the following week, Americans pursued retreating Japanese forces northward and eventually won the battle.[citation needed]
From April to November 1975 the former Camp Asan was used as a refugee camp for South Vietnamese refugees during Operation New Life.[2]
On August 6, 1997, Korean Air Flight 801 crashed east of Nimitz Hill Annex in Asan. A memorial was later constructed.[3][4]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3,053 | — | |
| 1970 | 2,629 | −13.9% | |
| 1980 | 2,034 | −22.6% | |
| 1990 | 2,070 | 1.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,090 | 1.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,137 | 2.2% | |
| 2020 | 2,011 | −5.9% | |
| Source:[1] | |||
The U.S. Census Bureau counts the following census-designated places in Asan-Maina: Asan,[5] Maina,[6] and Nimitz Hill Annex.[7]
Education
editGuam Public School System serves the island. Southern High School in Santa Rita serves the village.[8]
In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Asan is in the school transportation zone for McCool Elementary and McCool Middle School, while Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school.[9]
Parks and recreation
editEvery year the island's largest Easter egg hunt is at the War in the Pacific National Park with over 10,000 eggs. The village also hosts the yearly International Kite Flying Competitions with people from South Korea, Japan, China, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands competing for the championship.
Government
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| Commissioner of Asan-Maina | ||
| Name | Term begin | Term end |
|---|---|---|
| Enrique S. Cruz | 1927 | 1931 |
| Santiago A. Limtiaco (1st term) | 1931 | 1938 |
| Joaquin L. Jesus | 1938 | 1941 |
| Santiago A. Limtiaco (2nd term) | 1944 | 1957 |
| Joaquin S. Santos | 1957 | January 1, 1973 |
| Mayor of Asan-Maina | |||
| Name | Party | Term begin | Term end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jose S. Quitugua | Democratic | January 1. 1973 | January 5, 1981 |
| Daniel L. Guerrero | January 5, 1981 | January 7, 1985 | |
| Frank A. Acfalle | Republican | January 7, 1985 | January 2, 1989 |
| Vicente L. San Nicolas | Democratic | January 2, 1989 | January 7, 2013 |
| Joana Margaret C. Blas | Republican | January 7, 2013 | January 2, 2017 |
| Frank "Frankie" A. Salas | Democratic | January 2, 2017 | present |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Population of Guam: 2010 and 2020, U.S. Census Bureau.
- ^ Dunham, George R (1990). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Bitter End, 1973–1975 (Marine Corps Vietnam Operational Historical Series). History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. pp. 222–6. ISBN 9780160264559.
- ^ "Korean Air Flt 801 - Official Guam Crash Site Information Web Center". Archived from the original on 2004-08-06.
- ^ "CBC66010_008.pdf." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on September 19, 2009.
- ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Asan CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Asan muny"
- ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Maina CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Asan muny"
- ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Nimitz Hill Annex CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Asan muny"
- ^ "Guam's Public High Schools Archived 2006-05-19 at the Wayback Machine." Guam Public School System. Accessed September 8, 2008.
- ^ "DoDEA Guam School Boundaries and Bus Transportation Zones". Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Guam. Retrieved 2023-07-07.