News - Editorial

When the Journal was launched in 2003, one of its first stories that year was about the potential site for a new Guam Memorial Hospital, and the earthquake fault at that location.

In our coverage of the latest developments, the stories in this paper cover a variety of updates on industry sectors, and the latest developments.

According to Journal files, there were more than 3,600 business licenses filed in Guam as of the beginning of 2023. Melanie Mendiola, CEO and administrator at the Guam Economic Development Authority; told Guam Chamber of Commerce members on Sept. 27 at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa that GEDA estimates there are 2,500 small business licensed in the island.

With just more than 10,000 digital residents, Palau has raised a significant amount in fees since the country launched its digital residency program in 2022.

During the press briefing for Environmental Impact Study Scoping Meeting on Aug. 2, the Journal asked about housing for the 700 personnel and 200 support staff that will be required for the missile defense system planned for Guam.

Guam underwent its first typhoon in 20 years with Typhoon Mawar on May 24. However quickly water and power has been restored and however hard utility employees are working, that isn’t quick enough for the businesses and homes that are without utilities.

The stories will continue to roll out about Typhoon Mawar. As will the numbers.

A new Guam Memorial Hospital for Guam’s residents is inevitable and must and will happen. 

The Journal has published many stories through the years on the challenges that continue to beset the hospital, to include the physical defects that have been patched and have also been ignored. 

Economies are fragile. 

This issue of the Journal encompasses information in our stories about tourism and stories of airlines, issues of labor for our construction industry, taxes and what can be done to leverage relationships in Washington, D.C. to improve our economy. 

We thank Douglas B.K. Moylan, Guam’s attorney general for his efforts so far to eradicate crime and situations that threaten the safety of our island.