By Ron Rocky Coloma
Cultural activists and environmentalists are mourning the loss of Guam's last mature Håyun Lågu tree, which was destroyed by a combination of deforestation and the devastating effects of Typhoon Mawar.
A ceremony will be held this weekend to "honor the memory" of the Håyun Lågu, scientifically known as Serianthes nelsonii, a sacred symbol of resilience and cultural heritage for the CHamoru people.
Serianthes nelsonii was endemic to Guam and Rota and stood as a connection between the islands' past and present.
Maxx Phillips, Pacific Islands director for the Center for Biological Diversity, described the Serianthes nelsonii's demise as a "devastating loss," which "underscores the urgent need to address the environmental harm caused by militarization, which disproportionately affects Indigenous communities and species.”
The center sued the U.S. Navy last year over the ecological impact of construction activities at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, where the Marine Corps is building a firing range.
Cultural practitioners, environmental advocates and community leaders had warned of the risks posed by military development in the area where the tree stood.
Major Diann Rosenfeld, spokesperson for the Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, last week disclosed that Guam's remaining Serianthes nelsonii "succumbed to severe damage sustained during Typhoon Mawar in May 2023."
"By September of 2024, there was no living tissue observed on the decomposing remains of the tree. Leading up to the typhoon, the Ritidian tree was already in very poor condition due to a split trunk that led to heart rot (a type of fungal infection) that worsened over two decades and had insect infestations," Rosenfeld added.
Besides typhoons, Rosenfeld the Serianthes trees were also harmed by insect predators and herbivores. Sucking insects can defoliate young trees within 24 hours.
"Deer eat the seedlings, and pigs can uproot or disturb the seedlings, causing them to dry up and die. Loss of habitat through urban growth and habitat degradation by ungulates (pigs and deer), fire, forest fragmentation, and human activities all contribute risks to the Serianthes tree’s long-term viability," Rosenfeld said.
Guam activists, however, said the construction of the U.S. Marines' live-fire training range, which required clearing of portions of the surrounding limestone forest, left the tree vulnerable to environmental threats.
“This loss is more than the death of a tree,” said Maria Hernandez May, co-executive director of the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance. “The Håyun Lågu was an elder, a silent witness to our history and a reminder of our connection to the land. Its loss is a stark reminder of the fragility of our environment and the balance we must maintain to protect it.”
For years, local groups fought to protect the tree, raising concerns about the environmental and cultural damage that could result from clearing the area.
In 2019, Guam senators adopted a resolution urging a pause in the firing range construction to assess its potential impact. However, federal agencies denied the request.
Despite efforts to mitigate damage, the tree suffered significant harm when Typhoon Mawar struck in May 2023. Without the protection of the forest canopy, which had been cleared for the machine gun range, the tree could not withstand the storm’s force.
Its death was recently confirmed by the U.S. Marines, marking what some believe may be the extinction of the species.
The memorial, organized by MCCA and allied groups including Hita Litekyan and Independent Guåhan, will take place Saturday at Ritidian Overlook.
The event will feature cultural ceremonies, a reading of "Mother Tree" by Olympia Terral and presentations on the tree’s ecological significance. Community members will also have the opportunity to share stories and participate in movements designed to release collective grief.
“This gathering is about more than mourning,” said a representative of Independent Guåhan. “It’s about reaffirming our commitment to protect what remains of our natural and cultural heritage. Håyun Lågu’s loss is a call to action for all of us.”'
The Håyun Lågu’s death highlights the broader consequences of militarization and environmental degradation on the island. Prutehi Litekyan, a local advocacy group, has long warned of the dangers posed by the live-fire training range, which they say has led to the loss of vital habitats, desecration of ancestral lands and increased risks to the island’s water resources.
In a statement, Prutehi Litekyan board member Joni Kerr said, “The military’s activities have not only destroyed one of the most pristine limestone forests but have also compromised cultural knowledge and Indigenous healing practices. The Håyun Lågu was more than a tree—it was a symbol of our identity and resilience.”
The military has initiated efforts to grow seedlings of Serianthes nelsonii, but none have yet reached maturity. Environmentalists remain skeptical about the survival of the species in the face of continued habitat loss.
The loss of the Håyun Lågu has galvanized local and international advocates to push for stronger environmental protections.
Prutehi Litekyan has also renewed its calls for diplomacy and disarmament, emphasizing the role of militarization in exacerbating the climate crisis. The group’s chair, Jessica Nangauta, said, “The U.S. military is the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuels, and its activities directly contribute to the climate disasters that make our islands more vulnerable.”
Saturday’s event aims to inspire continued advocacy for Guåhan’s environment and culture. Organizers encourage participants to bring reusable water bottles and carpool to the memorial as part of their commitment to sustainability.
“Our grief for Håyun Lågu can fuel our fight to protect what’s sacred,” said Hernandez May. “We owe it to future generations to honor our ancestors and safeguard the land they entrusted to us.”
The event, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., will include reflections on the tree’s legacy and a call to action for preserving Guåhan’s natural and cultural resources.
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