Protection for Guam’s water and the land in the area the military plans to build a live firing range - that’s the mission of one group who invited dozens to take part in their "Cruise For A Cause" event from Hagatna to Litekyan. KUAM News got the exclusive joining them on a trip to the northernmost point of the island to see where our water could potentially be in danger.

Showing respect for our island, Protect Guam Water organizers Isabella Olalia and Ha’ani Sanchez led a group of others this past Saturday, pushing-off from the Hagatna Boat Basin heading to the most northern part of the island.

Sanchez said, "We are going down to the north in front of the firing range to show people what’s being harmed and how it’s going to be harmed in the future, and what we can do to stop it."

Protect Guam Water and Inspire Marianas officials loading two boats to let anyone who was interested see for themselves. And the moment we arrived, more exhibitions of respect and pride were given.

The military plans to build a massive firing range in this pristine part of Guam. Many that call Guam home continuously pushed back, as the range complex is over the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer. The group saying it provides 85 percent of the island with its fresh drinking water, adding the military would be firing millions of lead bullets over the aquifer each year.

Olalia is trying to stop that from happening.

"Because honestly," she described, "who wants to live in a community or home that doesn’t have clean resources? Our resources here as a CHamoru people are inherently us because we believe that they are our ancestors. So one there is an obligation to protect that, but then there is a health aspect to it. Of course, I want to drink clean water and the future generations to have clean water – for my family, friends, and loved ones to have clean water."

Her message is clear as she admits she does not have confidence the federal government has the local community’s best interest at heart. "There’s a history with the federal government, specifically with DoD and contamination of natural resources. For example, Red Hill (fuel leak) in Hawaii. That’s a really huge impact that it had on their people and that’s not something I want to happen here," Olalia said.

Sanchez chimed in with, "It matters to me because I just want a safe future for me, if I have any kids, for my siblings, for my family. I don’t want our island to be harmed by outside people."

"What I hope they can learn from this is just how severely this will impact us. Not just the CHamoru people and the people currently living here, but also the visitors, the military and their families, and I hope what we say can truly impact them so that it can impact others and it will be like a domino chain."

Since the event, Protect Guam Water’s online petition highlighting their mission received more than 6,300 signatures. The petition addressed to the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Secretary of Interior, and the Guam Legislature.