Hågat (formerly Agat) is a village in the United States territory of Guam. It is located south of Apra Harbor on the island's western shore. The village's population has decreased since the island's 2010 census.

The village is southwest of Hagåtña,"." Pacific Daily News. Retrieved on October 11, 2010. with most of the residents ethnic Chamorros, the indigenous people of Guam. Some of Agat's most notable sites are Mount Alifan, the Agat Marina, the Spanish Bridge, and War In The Pacific National Historical Park.

History

In 1565, the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi claimed Guam for Spain. Agat was founded between 1680 and 1684, by the Spanish Governor Don Jose Quiroga, as a military garrison for the purpose of controlling the Chamorro people and converting them to Christianity. Many of its first citizens were brought from the internal village of Fina which was destroyed while the Spanish pacified the island. It was one of six such settlements on Guam in the 18th century. During the 1830s, the Spanish Governor, Captain Villalobos, began constructing facilities in Agat planning to make it the island's new capital. Lack of funds prevented him from completing the project.

In 1898, Guam was transferred from Spain to the United States following the Spanish–American War. Under U.S. Naval administration, Agat was incorporated as a township with an American style municipal government.

During World War II, Japan occupied Guam from 1941 to 1944. During the Battle of Guam in 1944, Agat was one of the two landing sites for U.S. Marines. These sites are now part of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. The old village was destroyed during the invasion. After capturing Guam, the U.S. military constructed a new residential community in Agat for Guam residents made homeless by the war south of the original village.

In August 2021, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed a bill officially changing the name of the village.

Climate

Demographics The U.S. Census Bureau counts it under the Agat census-designated place.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools Guam Public School System serves the island. Marcial Sablan Elementary School and Oceanview Middle School are located in Agat. Southern High School in Santa Rita serves the village."Guam's Public High Schools ." Guam Public School System. Accessed September 8, 2008. Oceanview Middle School was originally Oceanview High School; the campus became a middle school in 1997.http://www.gdoe.net/rpe/annual_grad_ratesSY96_02.htm

In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Hågat is in the school attendance zone for McCool Elementary and McCool Middle School, while Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school. DoDEA school material describes the DoDEA school bus services going to Hågat as "limited".

Private schools

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School is located in Agat and accommodates students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Public libraries Guam Public Library System operates the Agat Library at 165 Follard Street.

Government Commissioner of Hågat Name Term begin Term endAntonio P. Carbullido (1st term)19301937Tomas C. Charfauros19341937Francisco R. Chaco19371940Francisco C. Sablan19411944Antonio P. Carbullido (2nd term)19451956Juan L.G. Leon Guerrero19561963Jose B. Guevara19631965Thomas F.P. Muña19651969

Mayor of Hågat Name Party Term begin Term end Jose S. San Nicolas Republican January 1, 1973 January 3, 1977 Antonio R. Terlaje Democratic January 3, 1977 January 5, 1981 Antonio C. Babauta Republican January 5, 1981 September 30, 1996 Joaquin G. Topasna October 1, 1996 January 6, 1997 Johnny M. Reyes Democratic January 6, 1997 January 3, 2005 Carol S. Tayama Republican January 3, 2005 January 2, 2017 Kevin J.T. Susuico January 2, 2017 present

Deputy Commissioner Jose Pereda (1898–1903) Jesus Carbullido (1903–1908) Pedro C. Charfauros (1931–1933) Vicente M. Salas (1934–1937) Jose S. San Nicolas (1970–1973)

Vice-Mayor of Hågat Name Party Term begin Term end Vicente Q. Guerrero Republican January 1, 1973 January 3, 1977 Antonio C. Babauta Democratic January 3, 1977 January 5, 1981 Jose R. Reyes January 5, 1981 January 2, 1989 John A. Quidachay Republican January 2, 1989 January 4, 1993 Joaquin G. Topasna January 4, 1993 September 30, 1996 Jessie S. Pendon Democratic October 1, 1996 January 6, 1997 Jesus B. Chaco January 6, 1997 November 11, 2009 colspan=4 Agustin G. Quintanilla Republican December 23, 2009 March 19, 2015 colspan=4 Kevin J.T. Susuico Republican June 8, 2015 January 2, 2017 Christopher J. Fejeran January 2, 2017 present

Notable people

Michael Cruz (born 1958), surgeon and former 8th Lieutenant Governor of Guam Walt Nauta (born 1982 or 1983), valet to Donald Trump Dwayne San Nicolas, politician Nerissa Bretania Underwood (born 1955), politician

See also Villages of Guam List of census-designated places in Guam

References

Further reading Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press. Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan, Guam: The History of our Island: Sanchez Publishing House.