2009 Internet Guide Web site Reviews
By Melanie Mendiola

Carmen’s Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant
www.carmenschachacha.com
If you have ever stepped in to this well-known Hagatna restaurant, you will find that the Web site looks and feels just like being there. About the only thing missing is the calamansi margarita to enjoy while you browse. The main page has links to the menu, reservations/catering, special events and contact information, in addition to the history of the restaurant and the story of its namesake, Carmen Leyva. The Web site gives a complete menu — including the catering menu and information about reserving one of Carmen’s two large dining areas.

The sidebar of the Web site features the latest restaurant promotions, which include both food and beverage specials of the month and the live musical acts that will be appearing. According to Big Fish Creative’s Jenevieve Sablan, the team behind the creation of the site, Carmen’s also has a Facebook site to keep customers up to date on the happenings at Carmen’s.

PacAir Properties
www.pacairproperties.com
In August 2009, PacAir unveiled its 100,000-square-foot integrated air cargo facility in Tiyan. A brand new Web site was built to go with the brand new facility; the PacAir Properties Web site welcomes visitors with a short video clip about the features of the facility. The site further breaks down the types of space available for rent — cargo space and executive office space.

In addition, there is a link to a discussion of the facility’s state-of-the-art security system — no doubt an attractive feature particularly as Guam prepares for the military buildup. The Web site also indicates future plans for an ATM machine and food court.

Able Industries of the Pacific
www.ableind.org
Able Industries of the Pacific is Guam’s largest employer of people with disabilities. It says on the Web site that it is a “Nonprofit Community Rehabilitation Program dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with severe disabilities” through job placement.

The Web site has links to some of the major customers Able serves such as the military’s Base Service Stores as well as the ComNavMarianas Supply Department, along with services available for hire through the organization such as water blasting and cashier services. The Web site shows a number of its employed workers contributing in various ways to the island work force, and offers information on upcoming events such as job fairs and other information for those seeking employment.

Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort
www.myguamresort.com
The hotel’s homepage shows a dusk backdrop of the resort against the ocean, and pulls colors from the night sky for the slide show playing at the bottom of the webpage. The links on the Web site show various images of the 311 guest rooms, various restaurants and other resort facilities. Prospective guests can fill out reservation requests online and all information is available in English, Japanese and Korean. The Web site is mainly meant for off-island visitors, as there is no information regarding local specials beyond general banquet and meeting information.

Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association
www.ghra.org
The Web site was recently revamped by Ideal Advertising and now boasts more vibrant island images taken by Mary Torre, the organization’s president, as well as more information for members and non-members alike. As a resource for local businesses, the Web site provides a listing of all current members and affiliates, and a calendar of events. There is an extensive “Resources” link with economic as well as political information, such as legislative issues affecting the hotel and restaurant industry. The Web site also has links to related organizations such as the Tourism Education Council, Guam Contractors’ Association and Guam Farmers Cooperative.

I Recycle Guam
www.irecycleguam.org
The Web site is dedicated to the initiative sponsored by local businesses to implement an islandwide aluminum-can recycling program. Proceeds from the program go to Guam schools. There are 40 bins islandwide at various public and private schools, and the Web site outlines the process by which cans are collected and disposed. The Web site further outlines how businesses, organizations and government agencies can participate by “adopting” a school.

The I Recycle Guam program was created by Guam Business Partners for Recycling, a association of eight local businesses, to help the local schools raise money and reduce waste. Collections are recorded on a regular basis, schools are ranked and the money raised goes back to the corresponding schools based on the cans collected there. The Web site also has educational notes about waste statistics on Guam and ways to recycle various materials.