Community First, Mangilao Mayor’s Office, and UOG Create New Mangilao Mural

Community First Guam Federal Credit Union recently dedicated a new mural in the village of Mangilao. The mural was created through a collaboration between Community First, the Mangilao Mayor’s Office, and the University of Guam’s (UOG) Creative Alliance of Tritons. The mural is located in front of the Mangilao Mayor’s Office and basketball court on Route 10.

The mural project was completed after years of planning by Community First’s Student-Run Credit Union (SRCU) interns. SRCU interns undertake various projects throughout the course of their internship, including community outreach projects. The mural project was by Community First and the SRCU and was created as a symbol of the credit union’s commitment to the village of Mangilao.

According to the artists from the Creative Alliance of Tritons, the mural is a celebration of Mangilao’s heritage, identity, and community spirit. Drawing from both historical and contemporary symbols, the design weaves together the cultural elements that define this village and the island of Guam.

The central wave motif, inspired by the Community First logo, reimagines the circle of people holding hands as ocean waves, a reflection of Guam’s deep connection to the sea. The ocean has shaped the island’s history, from the first navigators who arrived in flying proas to the generations who relied on these sailing canoes for fishing, travel, and inter-island connection. The waves and sails honor this legacy, symbolizing resilience, unity, and the enduring relationship between the people of Guam and the ocean.

Embedded within the mural are symbols unique to Mangilao: the donne’ sali (hot pepper) celebrated each September, the ko’ko’ bird featured in the village seal, and the bright rock flowers that color the landscape. The inclusion of the Hasso Mangilao Memorial honors the village’s World War II history as a reminder of the strength and survival of the community through hardship.

Together, these elements tell a story not of separate pieces, but of a whole. A community rooted in tradition, connected by shared history, and moving forward with the strength of its culture. This mural is a visual tribute to Mangilao’s identity, a reminder that the waves of the past continue to shape the shores of the present.

Photos courtesy of Sophie Forsyth, University of Guam Triton's Call, and Community First Guam FCU.

About the SRCU: Community First launched its SRCU in January 2018 in the heart of Mangilao, strategically located near the UOG and GCC. This student-run service center, the first of its kind in Guam, is operated by college students enrolled at UOG and GCC. The service center is open to serve all existing and new Community First members.  The SRCU has trained and developed more than 50 interns since 2018.