The Guam governor’s office reported Thursday that the sinahi taken from the Chief Kepuha statue in Hagåtña has been returned.
The sinahi – donated by master carver Greg Pangelinan - was reported missing on Tuesday, a year after the statue was reinstalled at Paseo Loop. Typhoon Mawar toppled the statue in May 2023.
On Wednesday night, a motorist noticed the sinahi dangling from the statue’s right hand and contacted police. Officials confirmed it was the sinahi that was removed from the statue.
“The sinahi carries deep cultural meaning for our people. Its absence was felt, and its return matters,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a news release. “I want to thank our community for staying vigilant and our agencies for acting quickly to ensure it is returned to where it belongs.”