Tamuning, also known as Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon (Chamorro: Tamuneng) is a village located on the western shore of the United States territory of Guam. The village of Tamuning is the economic center of Guam, containing tourist center Tumon, Harmon Industrial Park, and other commercial districts. Its central location along Marine Corps Drive, the island's main thoroughfare, has aided in its development.
The present and former locations of Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam's only civilian and government operated hospital, are in Tamuning. With Guam's only private birthing center[3] also in the village, most modern civilian births on Guam take place in Tamuning.
Etymology
Houses of Carolininans, possibly in Tamuning, in 1899 or 1900
The ancient Chamorro word for Tamuning was Apurgan or Apotgan. "Tamuning" is a Carolinian word that was given to the area where Carolinians settled after an earthquake on January 25, 1849, near Guam caused a tsunami that devastated Lamotrek and Satawal. It is possibly the name of the clan of a Carolinian chief, though the American administration relocated the Carolinians to Saipan in the early 1900s. The area was also called Maria Christina in the 19th century.[4]
Geography
The Federal government of the United States owns portions of the land in Tamuning; the Government of Guam stated that it was one of several villages that are "characterized primarily by the large proportion of land owned by the federal government".[5]
Beside the tourist district of Tumon, Tamuning is home to the Guam Premier Outlets, one of three major shopping centers of the island. United Airlines is headquartered in the old terminal building at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Tamuning.[6][7] United Airlines, with about 1,400 jobs, is Guam's largest single employer.[8]
As of January 2024, Tamuning is home to one of only six Kmart stores left worldwide.[9]
Demographics
The U.S. Census Bureau has the municipality in multiple census-designated places:
Tamuning,[10]Apotgan,[11]Harmon Industrial Park,[12] Oka,[13]Tumon,[14]and Upper Tumon.[15]
Infrastructure and government
Government of Guam
The Guam Department of Land Management and the Guam Economic Development Authority have their headquarters in the Guam International Trade Center (ITC) Building in Tamuning.[16][17]
Under the Köppen climate classification, Tamuning features a tropical rainforest climate. While the town does experience a noticeably drier season from February through April, it does not have a true dry season as all months average more than 60 mm (2.4 in) of precipitation. Tamuning averages roughly 2,300 mm (91 in) of precipitation annually, while maintaining relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year.
In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Tamuning is in the school transportation zone for Andersen Elementary and Andersen Middle School, while Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school.[24]
The Guam International Trade Center (ITC) building at the southwest corner of Marine Corps Drive (Route 1) and Chalan San Antonio (Route 14)
Five countries maintain consulates in Tamuning,[25] four of which are located in the landmark Guam ITC building at 590 South Marine Corps Drive.[26][27][28][29] They are:
^"Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon (Tamuneng-Tomhom)". Guampedia. October 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
^"North and Central Guam Land Use Plan" (PDF). Government of Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans. September 2009. pp. 2–8 (PDF p. 24/64). Retrieved 2023-07-04.
^Letter Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine. United States Department of Transportation Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings. May 23, 1997. Retrieved on October 4, 2010. "Continental Micronesia Old Terminal Bldg. P.O. Box 8778-G Tamuning, GU 96931-8778."
^Kerrigan, Kevin. "Guam Will Be The Pacific Hub for Merged Airlines." Pacific News Center. Wednesday May 5, 2010. Retrieved on October 5, 2010. "Continental Micronesia is Guam's single largest employer. About 14-hundred jobs here on dependant on the airline."
^Last recorded reliable source quoted the total number of Kmart stores globally as seven, after the planned closure of West St. Croix. This report is from June 2023:
Cobb, Sian (7 June 2023). "One Kmart on St. Croix to Close, Retail Consulting Firm Reports". St. Thomas Source. Retrieved 22 January 2024. Only a handful of Kmarts now remain, including two on St. Thomas, two on St. Croix, one in Guam, and two on the U.S. mainland.
The West St. Croix store was confirmed closed on June 5, 2023: "Kmart West is Closing; Mall Owner Says Redevelopment Plan Will Provide 'First Rate Center'". The Virgin Islands Consortium. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Tamuning CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - See "Tamuning muny"
^"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Apotgan CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
^"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Harmon Industrial Park CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
^"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Oka CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
^"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Tumon CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09. - 1 and 2, and 3.
^"2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Upper Tumon CDP, GU" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
^"DLM%20Contact%20Info.pdf Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine." Guam Department of Land Management. Retrieved on October 21, 2010. "Street Address: 590 S. Marine Corps Drive Suite 733, ITC Building, Tamuning, GU 96913"