Guampedia Newsletter, May 2020 | Page 6
• At 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time on May 15 (10:30 a.m. May 16 Guam time), watch the documentary “Racing Extinction” and participate in a live Q&A with the filmmakers. To participate, RSVP here. The film is also streaming on The Internet Archive (for free!), Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play. May 22: • Harvey Milk Day – Harvey Milk Day is organized by the Harvey Milk Foundation and celebrated each year on May 22 in memory of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and San Francisco city supervisor assassinated in 1978. Harvey Milk Day came about as a day to remember and teach about Milk's life and his work to stop the discrimination against gays and lesbians. Stream the movie “Milk,” starring Sean Penn, here. LGBTQ public servants on Guam include Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio; Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority Director Lasia Casil; and former judge, senator, and current Public Auditor Benjamin J.F. Cruz. Learn about LGBTQ rights on Guam here and here, and about Guam’s LGBTQ community here. May 23: • World Turtle Day – It’s time to shellebrate! Watch this short video to learn more, and download the World Turtle Day party pack here. May 25: • Memorial Day • Santa Rita village fiesta for Santa Rita Continued on Page 7
Green sea turtles can live to be about 80 years old. They were once common in Guam’s waters and played a significant role in the lives of ancient CHamorus. Shawn Wusstig, Department of Agriculture
Haggan: The green sea turtle Green sea turtles were once a common species of sea turtles found in Guam’s waters. They can still occasionally be seen around the island where rich sea grass beds are found, including channel areas, harbors, lagoons and also in shallow reef areas while the turtles are foraging for sea grass and marine algae. Green sea turtles can grow to approximately four feet in shell length and can weigh up to approximately 300 pounds. Being marine reptiles, the green sea turtles have slow growth rates. In the wild, the green sea turtles grow approximately 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) per year until maturity, then 0.2 inches after. These turtles can live to be about 80 years old. Learn more at Guampedia about the green sea turtle’s importance to ancient CHamorus and what’s being done to help it on Guam today.
Chalani: Guampedia’s mascot leads the way Guampedia’s logo depicts a dynamic green sea turtle named Chalani. The Guampedia team chose a turtle to represent our organization because it is a native species to our region, has a long life and it always comes home to nest. We named her Chalani, in honor of the CHamoru word meaning to lead, guide, instruct, give advice, or give counsel, as we hope that is what Guampedia serves as – a guide to learn about Guam history and CHamoru culture.
