Dededo

Dededo (Chamorro: Dedidu; formerly in Spanish: Dededo Spanish: [dededo], in Japanese: デデド, Dededo) is the most populated village in the United States territory of Guam.[2][3] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Dededo's population was just under 45,000 in 2010. The village is located on the coral plateau of Northern Guam.

Dededo

Dedidu
CountryUnited States
TerritoryGuam
Government
  MayorMelissa B. Savares (D)
  Vice MayorFrank A. Benavente (R)
Area
  Total30 sq mi (80 km2)
Population
 (2010[1])
  Total44,943
  Density1,498.1/sq mi (578.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC+10 (ChST)

Etymology

The origin of the village name Dededo, Dedidu in Chamorro, may come from the practice of measuring using fingers. The Spanish word for finger is dedo. It can be theorized that someone measured out the original village this way. Another possibility is that the word “dededo” is a version of the word “dedeggo,” which means “heel of the foot,” or that it comes from the word “deggo” which means to “walk on tiptoes.”[4]

History

Micronesia Mall, Guam's largest shopping mall

Before World War II, Dededo Village was at the bottom of Macheche Hill. Dededo grew into a major village after the war when the U.S. Navy constructed housing for displaced Guamanians and for laborers coming from off-island to help in Guam's development.

Following Typhoon Karen in 1962, Kaiser Subdivision in Dededo was constructed for islanders displaced by the storm. Further housing subdivisions were constructed increasing the village's population.

In 1984, the Northern Community Health Center opened. In addition to traditional health services provided by the village clinics, this center offered communicable disease control services and dental health as well as chronic disease care and crippled children services.[5]

In October 1988, the island’s first large-scale and fully enclosed shopping mall, the Micronesia Mall, opened.[6]

Economy

Micronesia Mall is the largest shopping mall in Guam and serves as a cultural and recreational venue as well, with movie theaters and an amusement park.[7]

There is also a popular weekend flea market in town which attracts large crowds of vendors.[8]

Geography

Dededo is situated on a relatively flat limestone plateau in the northern part of the island.[9] It is located at the north central part of the island roughly at the center of population. It encompasses an area of about 30 square miles (78 km2) of Guam's 209 square miles (540 km2). The headquarters for the Guam National Wildlife Refuge are in Dededo.[10]

Tourist sites in Dededo include the Ritidian Unit of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, the Micronesia Mall, Two Lovers Point, as well as parks, trails, and beaches. Beaches include Tanguisson Beach, Shark Cove Beach, Haputo Beach, and Urono Beach. Haputo and Urono Beaches are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[11] The South Finegayan Latte Stone Park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Climate

Climate data for Dededo, Guam
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 82
(28)
82
(28)
84
(29)
86
(30)
86
(30)
86
(30)
86
(30)
86
(30)
86
(30)
86
(30)
84
(29)
84
(29)
85
(29)
Average low °F (°C) 69
(21)
69
(21)
71
(22)
71
(22)
73
(23)
71
(22)
71
(22)
71
(22)
71
(22)
71
(22)
73
(23)
71
(22)
71
(22)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.7
(140)
4.8
(120)
3.8
(97)
4.0
(100)
5.2
(130)
6.4
(160)
11.1
(280)
15.3
(390)
14.3
(360)
13.0
(330)
9.4
(240)
6.5
(170)
99.6
(2,530)
Source: Weatherbase[12]

Education

Dededo has several public and private schools to accommodate the growing number of residents of the island's most populous village including Guam Department of Education institutions. The village is served by six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.

  • Astumbo Elementary School
  • Finegayan Elementary School
  • Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School
  • Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School
  • Wettengel Elementary School
  • Liguan Elementary School
  • Vicente S. A. Benavente Middle School
  • Astumbo Middle School
  • Okkodo High School
  • Santa Barbara Catholic School
  • St. Paul's Christian School
  • Pacific Christian Academy

Government

Mayor

  • Melissa B. Savares, 2005–present
  • Scott D. Duenas, 2001–2005

Commissioner

  • Jose A. Rivera, 1989–2001
  • Patricia S. Quinata, 1985–1989
  • Martin C. Benavente, 1981–1985
  • Jose M. Garrido, 1977–1981
  • Prospero C. Zamora, 1976–1977
  • Vicente S. A. Benavente, 1952–1976
  • Ramon S. San Agustin, 1944–1951
  • Hector Sgambelluri, 1941–1944
  • Juan Pangelinan, 1940–1941
  • Ignacio A. Santos, 1934–1940
  • Jose F. Lujan, 1932–1934

Vice mayor

  • Frank Benavente, 2017–present
  • Andrew A. Benavente, 2005–2016
  • Melissa B. Savares, 2001–2005

Assistant commissioners

  • Doris S. Palacios, 1989–2001
  • Patricia S. Quinata, 1981–1985
  • Martin C. Benavente, 1978–1981
  • Erwin F. Flauta, 1977–1978
  • Prospero C. Zamora, 1973–1976
  • Teresita B. Umagat, 1971–1974
  • Manuel M. Lujan, 1934–1941
  • Ignacio A. Santos, 1918–1934

Sports

Wettengel Rugby Field and GFA National Training Center are located in Dededo. Guam Track and Field Association is also located in the village.

Notable people

References

  1. "2010 Guam Statistical Yearbook" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2014.
  2. "Guam Population slightly up, latest census says". Marianas Variety. July 12, 2012. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  3. Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Pages 70 and 152. ISBN 9781533672735.
  4. "» Dededo (Dededu)". www.guampedia.com.
  5. Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 152. ISBN 9781533672735.
  6. Rogers, Robert F. (1995). Destiny’s Landfall: A History of Guam. University of Hawaii Press. Page 286. ISBN 9780824816780.
  7. Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 24. ISBN 9781533672735.
  8. Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 70. ISBN 9781533672735.
  9. Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 70. ISBN 9781533672735.
  10. "Welcome to Guam National Wildlife Refuge". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. May 3, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2012. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 70. ISBN 9781533672735.
  12. "Historical Weather for Dededo, Guam". Weatherbase. November 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2011.

Further reading

  • Rogers, R. F. (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam. University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-1678-1.

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