Asan-Maina
Assan-Ma'ina
Village
Location of Asan-Maina within the Territory of Guam.
Location of Asan-Maina within the Territory of Guam.
CountryUnited States
TerritoryGuam
Government
 • MayorFrank A. Salas (D)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total2,011
 • Ethnic groups
Chamorro
Time zoneUTC+10 (ChST)
Village FlowerPlumeria rubra

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.

Etymology

Asan 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

On 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.

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

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19603,053—
19702,629−13.9%
19802,034−22.6%
19902,0701.8%
20002,0901.0%
20102,1372.2%
20202,011−5.9%
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

Guam 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

Every 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

View of the Asan Beach Unit of War in the Pacific National Historical Park and buildings in Asan from the highlands of Nimitz Hill Annex
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

References

  1. 1 2 Population of Guam: 2010 and 2020, U.S. Census Bureau.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Korean Air Flt 801 - Official Guam Crash Site Information Web Center". Archived from the original on 2004-08-06.
  4. ↑ "CBC66010_008.pdf." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on September 19, 2009.
  5. ↑ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Asan CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Asan muny"
  6. ↑ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Maina CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Asan muny"
  7. ↑ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Nimitz Hill Annex CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Asan muny"
  8. ↑ "Guam's Public High Schools Archived 2006-05-19 at the Wayback Machine." Guam Public School System. Accessed September 8, 2008.
  9. ↑ "DoDEA Guam School Boundaries and Bus Transportation Zones". Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Guam. Retrieved 2023-07-07.

13°28′17″N 144°42′50″E / 13.47139°N 144.71389°E / 13.47139; 144.71389

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