Every Day Is Special: October 1 - Independence Day in Palau

October 1 - Independence Day in Palau

Posted October 1, 2019

Spain. Britain. Germany. Japan. The United States.

Palau is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. So why did so many other far-away nations have so much interest in visiting and/or ruling it?

Even in the expanded view on the map above doesn't
indicate to me that there are hundreds of islands
that make up the Palau Republic!

The map below gives you a feel for just how
vast the Pacific Ocean is!

Spain started off with missionaries who converted as many Palauans as possible to the Christian (Catholic) religion. Later trade became more important. Since Palau is perched in ocean waters near the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, it offered a strategic location for Germany in its pre-World-War empire building stage. Japan seized the islands from Germany at the beginning of WWI but lost them to the Allies near the end of WWII. The U.S. administered Palau and other South-Pacific territories after the Second World War ended - but with the promise to improve Palau's infrastructure (roads, power supplies, bridges, etc.) and education system so that it could achieve independence.

Achieving independence was a multiple-step process. In 1981, the people of Palau wrote and adopted a constitution, and in 1982 Palauan representatives signed a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. the Compact went into effect on this date in 1994.

Palau has what I think of as a triple system of government:

(1) The official government is similar to that of the U.S., with a president the head of the executive branch, lawmaking and judicial branches, checks and balances.

(2) There is also traditional law, with 10 chiefs from Koror, the largest city, and 7 more chiefs from rural areas all gathering in the House of Traditional Leaders. They review all the legislation passed by the official legislature and can defeat a new law if it is found to conflict with traditional laws, and the chiefs can also introduce bills of their own into the legislature!

Bilung Gloria Salii, the female leader of
Koror's clans and the highest ranking
woman in Palau (as of 2016, at least).

(3) The position of chief is hereditary and, I gather, male. BUT the matriarchs can replace a chief if they are not satisfied with his performance. Also, the Matriarchs of the Chiefs form the Kerngab, which deals with traditional laws that relate to women and children.

Because Palau is in Free Association with the U.S., Palauans don't have to have a visa to visit the U.S. and don't have to get a work permit to work in the United States. Also, the U.S. has committed to provide Palau's defense and also funds certain infrastructure projects, a portion of the government's operation costs, and a portion of the social services.

Check out Palau: