Sinajana (Chamorro: Sinahånña) is the smallest of the nineteen villages in the United States territory of Guam by area. It is located in the hills south of Hagåtña (formerly Agana). The village's name may have come from the word "china-jan," cookware used to cook wild yams that once grew in the area.[2]

Sinajana
Sinahånña
Location of Sinajana, Guam within the Territory of Guam.
Location of Sinajana, Guam within the Territory of Guam.
CountryUnited States
TerritoryGuam
Government
 • MayorRobert R.D.C. Hofmann (D)
 • Vice mayorVacant
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
2,611
Time zoneUTC+10 (ChST)

Urban renewal

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Sinajana is one of a few villages that was urbanized as a result of a federal urban renewal program. Afami, Agana Springs, and Didigue are a few non-urbanized areas within this same village. There are over 75 homes in Afami, most of which are built below a high cliff, with a few homes high atop a ridge overlooking Hagatna and Mong-Mong. Agana Springs is located below the cliff line of Sinajana and contains a natural spring with small living creatures like frogs and turtles. Didigue is located at the other end of Agana Springs and is accessible by taking a steep single lane road through Afame. Although called Didigue, it is named Spring Lane.

Census

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19603,842
19703,506−8.7%
19802,485−29.1%
19902,6587.0%
20002,8537.3%
20102,592−9.1%
20202,6110.7%
Source:[1]

As of the 2000 census, the village of Sinajana was reported as having a total population of 2,853. Of that number, 1,433 (50.2%) are male, and 1,420 (49.8%) are female. Of the total population in Sinajana, a little less than 10% were under 5 years old, and 2% were 75 years or older. The median age was found to be 28.7 years. Of the total, 65% were Guamanians, 11% Asian (including Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, other Asian), 4% Chuukese, and at little less than 4% White. Of the total that are enrolled in school, half were enrolled in elementary school, a little less than a quarter were enrolled in highschool, and a little more than 15% were enrolled in college or graduate school.

Of the total population of 2,853, 1,604 attained an education. The difference of these numbers may be as a result of children that are not of school age qualification. Of the 1,604 people that have attained an education, 35% are high school graduates, 19% earned some level of college with no degree, 15.6% have attained a high school education, 12.5% have earned an undergraduate degree, and 6.5% have earned a graduate or professional degree. Of these numbers, 77.2% attained a high school diploma or higher, and 19% have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Of the total population in Sinajana, 193 grandparents reported being responsible for at least one grandchild. With respect to veteran status, 13.5% of the adult civilian population 18 years and older were veterans.

The U.S. Census Bureau counts it under multiple census-designated places: Sinajana,[3] and Afame.[4]

Education

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Baumgartner Catholic School, a private school

Guam Public School System serves the island. George Washington High School in Mangilao serves the village.[5]

In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Sinajana is divided between two school transportation zones. People living north of Guam Highway 4 are zoned to Andersen Elementary and Andersen Middle School, while people living south of Guam Highway 4 are zoned to McCool Elementary and McCool Middle School. Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school.[6]

Bishop Baumgartner Memorial Catholic School, a private Catholic school, is in Sinajana.[7]

Notable residents

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  • Valentino Perez - Local entrepreneur
  • Peter R. Onedera - Writer, Author and Playwright
  • Flora Baza Quan - Singer, Author, Musician
  • Dr. Bernadita Camacho-Dungca - Educator, Researcher, Author
  • Rev. Fr. Eric E. Forbes OFM Cap. - Catholic Priest, Author, Historian,
  • Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio

Government

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Commissioner of Sinajana
Name Term begin Term end
Manuel G. Sablan 1953 1957
Luis C. Baza 1957 1965
Francisco R. Santos 1965 1968
Alfonso M. Pangelinan 1968 January 1, 1973
Mayor of Sinajana
Name Party Term begin Term end
Ignacio N. Sablan Republican January 1, 1973 January 5, 1981
Francisco N. Lizama January 5, 1981 January 6, 1997
Daniel E. Sablan Democratic January 6, 1997 January 3, 2005
Roke B. Blas January 3, 2005 January 7, 2013
Robert R.C. Hofmann January 7, 2013 present

Deputy Commissioner

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  • Luis C. Baza (1944–1957)
  • Vicente S. Iriarte (1957–1961)
  • Jacinto B. Calvo (1961–1965)
  • Alfonso M. Pangelinan (1965–1967)
  • Ignacio N. Sablan (1969–1973)
Vice Mayor of Sinajana
Name Party Term begin Term end
Francisco N. Lizama Republican January 1, 1973 January 5, 1981
Daniel E. Sablan January 5, 1981 January 6, 1997
Roke B. Blas Democratic January 6, 1997 January 1, 2001
Vicente S.A. Lizama January 1, 2001 January 3, 2005
Robert R.C. Hofmann January 3, 2005 January 7, 2013
Rudy Don Iriarte January 7, 2013 January 3, 2024 (died)
Office vacant January 3, 2024 – January 30, 2024
Office disestablished January 30, 2024[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Population of Guam: 2010 and 2020, U.S. Census Bureau.
  2. ^ http://www.guampdn.com/communities/maps/sinajana.html [dead link]
  3. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Sinajana CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Sinajana muny"
  4. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Afame CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Sinajana muny"
  5. ^ "Guam's Public High Schools." Guam Public School System. Accessed September 8, 2008.
  6. ^ "DoDEA Guam School Boundaries and Bus Transportation Zones". Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Guam. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  7. ^ "Home." (Direct image link Archived 2011-06-25 at the Wayback Machine) Bishop Baumgartner Memorial Catholic School. Retrieved on October 26, 2010. "281 Calle Angel Flores, Sinajana, GU 96910"
  8. ^ Gilbert, Haidee Eugenio (30 January 2024). "New law removes Sinajana vice mayor post, special election canceled". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

13°27′38″N 144°45′07″E / 13.46056°N 144.75194°E / 13.46056; 144.75194