By Fuana Tmarsel

Let me begin by giving glory to God for the great and wonderful things He has done for us and through us, for it is in Him that we live, and move and have our being. For some the year may be memorable because some of life’s monumental events happened for them like marriage, giving birth, becoming a homeowner or even having achieved great accomplishments. Some of us perhaps look back with sorrow having missed opportunities or lost someone we held dear to our hearts to death or other adversity. Whatever it was, we can be grateful because we still have tomorrow to find new opportunities and to seek to open new doors.

The year unveiled with a new President whose persistence finally paid off when he won the highest office in his third attempt and moved on to a successful negotiation with the United States which resulted in the Compact of Free Association one year extension. Palau became a shark sanctuary, and interesting foreigners also crossed our boarders. In March it was the Burmese of Myanmar and then it was the Uighers of China. Another milestone was the quota on foreign workers and the President’s veto on the Casino bill.

OEK began the year with their eye on the money. In the first week they passed legislation on their salary increase, then on the third week some went on a junket trip to Korea paid by Korean investors interested in Casino. Halfway through the year, HOD ousted Delegate Isechal from Ways and Means Chairmanship. This resulted in a split. I believe this is a good sign. True leaders cannot lead well with too many strings attached to an artificial camaraderie that bites when you refuse to dance to their music.

This year also witnessed a three-way clash between the Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil and Special Prosecutor Micheal Copeland, and between SP and Ombudsman, three top law enforcers of the land. Interestingly, the same SP who briefed the Senate on Code of Ethics, is the very one who acted as the defender and judge for the case of DUI against Minister Steven Kuartei, but failed to carry out his function as the prosecutor leading to case dismissal. Must be nice to be Minsiter Kuartei. Interesting how he is allowed to play any role he desires.

Hats off to the Ministry of Justice for apprehending James Dugan whose money laundering activities would have had great economic repercussions to Palau if he had succeeded. Unfortunately, he found helpers in the upper echelons of our society. Another unfortunate event was the loss of DeWill, the beloved son of Palau, however, in his death many sons and daughters of Palau are safer on the streets because the community had turned this loss to victory.

Global economic depression left its mark on our people as well. Many individuals in dire need of basic necessities turned to robbery to secure their livelihood. Ministry of Justice reported that eighty percent (80%) of theft involved food and food items. The sparse Christmas lights throughout Palau is a clear indication of the depression.
Indeed, 2009 was a year of changes, challenges, struggles, conflicts as well as victories, both individually and nationally. And, oh how much sweeter are the victories when it accompanied the former because they were hard fought and won. Thanks to God.

By Santy Asanuma

After receiving and talking with what seem to be an ocean of people all day long, the children all flocked to him with excitement. Of course they were all scolded and turned away considering that nobody after a full day’s work would like to be bothered by children. But the unexpected reprimand ensued against the grown ups for behaving this way. “Let the children come to me…for the kingdom of God is like these.” Wow we do not have to die to see heaven after all for all we have to do is look at the children. So let’s look at our children.

Last week I sat for two hours in an awe struck (ng di tleu a ngered er ngii) meeting conducted by a 20-something no nonsense young lady who blew our minds on the ABC’s of sex realities that are happening in Palau with elementary and high school students. The unaffected (sumaster) and professional demeanor and speech of this young lady and the kind of information on today’s sex life for our children in Palau made this meeting experience shockingly bizarre. We were told that an eleven year old girl gave birth recently. So much for our belief that our children are innocent and naïve. Sex is more common and even reaching the pre-teen years among school children. And the sexual acts they employ to avoid pregnancy and supposedly maintain vaginal virginity (I have to say it to make sense) is beyond belief. By the way, texting on cell is foreplay for these techy children.

Explicit graphics are readily exchanged while they are attending classes nowadays. Even the most educated parents have no clue how exposed to sex and knowledgeable the youngsters are today. The language used to describe the types of sex acts are enough to make grandma blush and definitely not printable even in a liberal paper like Tia Belau. Midway into the meeting I was convinced that every parents need to go to this meeting at least once. Call PHASAG office.

A public service official in the line of work with juveniles confided in me that it is almost useless to do anything because parents do not care. Jane Doe (not real name) is a fourteen years old girl and on the streets more than she is at home. She sleeps at the PCC track and field with a handful of boys. And you can imagine that the only possession she has power over is her body to use as she pleases. She has nothing else at her age to give but her body for her to feel important if that makes any sense to most of us. Jane wants to go to school but no elementary school can take her since she dropped out at fourth grade. GED and Adult Ed cannot accept her because she is less than 18 years of age.

Jane was adopted by her mother’s sister and her husband. Palau cultural wisdom dictates that one only adopts girls from the husband side. As you can guess, Jane was violated by her adopted father possibly before her fourth grade year. When Jane reported it to her mother, she was immediately disowned and sent to her natural mother. Her natural mother eventually did not want to do anything with her and rejected her. At this point onwards, Jane cannot trust anyone and we cannot blame her. Jane finds the track and field safer than home and the boys more fun because she gets to decide when to give her body for sex unlike at home. Jane like many young children you see on the streets is nobody’s child.

Regardless whose children they are, Palau and all of us are responsible for anyone child (Jane) left behind for our kingdom is in our own hands to raise or break.

By Jackson M. Henry

In 1938, Koror was a thriving metropolitan city boasting modern Japanese retail stores, theaters, bicycle shops, Geisha Houses and Sushi Bars. The proprietor of Koror’s most popular Sushi Bar, named Tanaka San, out sourced the supply of fresh fish to a Palauan fisherman named Ngirangol. Ngirangol provided steady supply of fish caught in the lagoon around Koror for the insatiable appetite of the local Japanese for fresh Sashimi. Everyone was happy.

After several years, the stock of fish in Koror’s lagoon started to run low. Ngirangol had to purchase a larger boat to fish outside the reef where fish is still plentiful. After a few days, Tanaka complained that Ngirangol’s catch was not fresh and the quality was not fit for his Sushi Bar. Tanaka suggested that Ngirangol bring ice to keep his catch fresh. So Ngirangol brought ice to chill his fish. The next day, Tanaka complained again because this time, his catch was stored in ice too long and his regular customers cursed at the bad fish taste. Ngirangol said to Tanaka, “Simpai nai, Tanaka San, I will bring a tank to store live fish so they stay fresh for you”. This time Ngirangol placed a large tank on his boat to store live fish. After thrashing in the tank, the fish became dull and did not move. A day after delivery, Tanaka San complained again. “The fish taste horrible. We want lively fish, not dull and half dead fish”.

Ngirangol was stuck. The survival of his fish business is now in jeopardy because he cannot meet Tanaka’s demand for quality fish. Ngirangol spent days and nights wandering in the villages seeking solutions. The question now is, if you were a fish consultant, what is your recommendation to Ngirangol to keep his fish fresh.

Like Ngirangol’s fish problem, L. Ron Hubbard found an answer to similar problem in 1950 when he said, “Man survives, oddly enough, only in the presence of a challenging environment”. The more competent, persistent and intelligent you are, the more you enjoy a good problem.

My economics teacher, Dr. Barnes, once told me, “The highest thrill of self accomplishment comes after you have scaled the highest mountain to reach your goal”. Challenges bring you energy, excite your senses and make you come alive and enthusiastic. Yes, Challenges brings out the best of people.

After several weeks of meditating, Ngirangol exclaimed, “I got it”. He placed a small shark inside his fish tank. The shark ate some of the fish but kept the rest swimming and alive so they reached Tanaka San’s Sushi Bar fresh and delicious. The problem was solved.

The moral of Ngirangol’s fish story is, instead of avoiding challenges, jump into it with both your feet, beat it and enjoy the game. Enjoy the thrill of victory. But do not languish in your success. When you attain your goal, move on to bigger goals for yourself, your nation and even for mankind.

The term “swimming with the sharks” has a special meaning for those who take on the challenge to make Palau succeed economically and to reach new heights in their lives.

An entrepreneur once said, “I do not seek life in a clam state of utopia where the state feeds and looks after me. Instead, I seek challenges and the thrill of accomplishments”.

For the silent majority in Palau who seek to bolster our depressed tourism industry with new legislations, I say “put a shark in our tanks”, like Ngirangol did. Invigorate your visions and ignite the fire in you. No challenge is too big if you have the determination to face it boldly. Like a proud businessman once told me, “I do not trade my freedom for benevolence or sell my dignity for handouts”. Persistence will cure our ailing economy.

By Fuana Tmarsel

Ever wonder why God started with the heavens and the earth before he created Adam and Eve. The Bible says that the earth was formless and empty and darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and then he said, “Let there be light.” And there was light which separated it from darkness. And so he called light day, and darkness, he called night.

And again he said, “Let there be an expanse between waters to separate water from water. And so it was, and he called the expanse sky. Then he said, “Let the water under the sky gather to one place and let dry ground appear.” And so it did and he called the dry ground land, and the waters he called seas.

Then again God said. “Let the land produce vegetation, seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed on it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation of all kinds: from taro and rice in swampy lands to potatoes, cucumbers and then to those red succulent Palauan mangoes that’s to die for. Then on the fourth day, God commanded the seasons, and he also made the stars and moon to mark the evening and morning.

The Lord God continued into the fifth day when he said, “let the water teem with living creatures;” that is fish and sea cucumber and urchins and all. And then he said, “ let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky. And that was when pigeons, bats, and hummingbirds began to fly over the trees and at times perching themselves on the boughs to rest and chirp. Beyond them are the eagles and the hawks that soar over trees and mountains. God also included a reservoir of gold, onyx and those diamonds that have become some girls’ best friend.

And then God said again, “let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds, livestock and wild animals. And of course it was done and cows, buffalo, sheep, hogs and many other animals began to roam the earth. This was the sixth and before the sunsets, God said, “Let us (God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit) make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” And so it was that God formed a man out of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

One day as I was meditating on this scripture, a thought came to mind. God was making preparation and provisions for his beloved Adam and Eve. You know, kind of like when a man is wooing a woman and he invites her over for dinner. He sets the table with the best china, silver cutlery, candles and then he brings out the treat – the aromatic, scrumptious food and drink. God furnished it all for Adam; trees for shade and shelter, birds and animals vegetables and fruits for food, water for drink, gemstones and flowers and the list is endless. And when Adam came to realization that he was meant for fellowship, friendship, and intimacy, God gave him Eve and there the love triangle was complete for them. Of course with God.

When they wandered away, it became harder to link up with God and so he sent his Son, Jesus to bring us back to that Love. Once again, ‘tis the season to celebrate the birth of Jesus who came to show us the love of the Father, those 2,000 plus years ago. May his love penetrate every heart in Palau and may the beauty that surround us reminds us that because he loved us so much, he had created this great grandeur for us to enjoy and to steward for today and always. Merry Christmas to one and all. Remember, Christ’s love is the real thing!

By Jackson M. Henry

It is fortunate that in our lifetime, many Palauans witnessed history’s greatest economic transformation occur before our eyes, thanks to CNN. Yes, just 30 years ago, Deng Xiaoping turned this backward state controlled peasant country into an open and market driven tiger economy. Its 8% annual growth has defied the gravity of global downturn and remains the forerunner of industrialization and wealth creation. Its economic engine has freed over 500 million people from the bondage of poverty. This turn of event is one of humanity’s most inspiring saga and a profound story of economic liberalization the mind finds bewildering.

Prior to its transformation, China’s over 6,000 years of civilization has been closed to the world. It was referred to as “the mysterious land of the East”. After several dynasties, Mao’s communist take over, brutal civil wars, purges, famine that decimated over 30 million people and cultural revolutions that set the country back, China’s turning point finally occurred under Deng in 1978. Deng’s “truth from facts” policy became the nation’s guiding principle for reform and marches toward capitalism. Deng was the engineer of China’s real “great leap forward”.

Today, China is the third largest economy in the world and boasts the largest national savings in the tune of $2.1 trillion. Obama’s $800 billion bail out program would have failed without the loan from China. Once a big recipient of World Bank grants, China is now a donor nation. Its global investment have spread to oil in Africa, gas in Kazakhstan, mines in Australia, electronics in Japan, petroleum in Brazil and banks in the US. Some estimate that in 25 years, China will be world’s #1 economy. An analyst once said, “You need another planet Earth to fulfill China’s appetite for raw materials”.

Despite China’s new wealth, no money can buy the courage and vision of Deng. His quotation “To be rich is glorious”, was a 180 degrees turn around from his inflexible and hard core communist predecessor, Mao Zedong. Even with criticisms from his party claiming that he has strayed from Socialism, Deng proceeded to create Special Economic Zones in Shenzhen to draw foreign investments and new money into China. I first visited Shenzhen in 1998 and saw Deng’s billboard on the exact site where he stood and planted a tree to symbolize the new economic era for China. The billboard site is now a tourist attraction drawing millions of visitors to be inspired where one of humanity’s greatest transformations took place. What once a sleepy rice farmland, Shenzhen is now a modern metropolis boasting luxurious hotels and modern shopping malls.

ROC-Taiwan’s President Ma has even abandoned his predecessor Chen Shui Bien’s policy of isolation in favor of close commercial ties with China, despite the two counties opposing political views. The world applauds President Ma’s courage and vision.

Deng once said, “Wade across the river by feeling the rocks” which translates to China not having experience in Capitalism will learn as it progresses forward, despite problems. But his most famous quote was, “It does not matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it catches the mouse, it is a good cat”. This quote translates to China turning to capitalism to deliver the good life to the people because strict devotion to communist ideals has failed.

The legacy of Deng is one that inspires us all, especially those on the frontline of nation building. We all in Palau can learn a lot from that soft spoken, short and chain smoking man who lived to see his 92 birthday and created the largest economic explosion man had ever seen. I think the greatest lesson is, it is never too late to make positive changes. Moreover, there is no need to be obsessed with failed ideologies. If they do not work, try something new. Courage and vision will place a leader on the right side of history.

By Santy Asanuma

About this time of year for jubilation with only few days before Christmas in 2007 a boy in his innocence at a tender age of 14 and full of life’s promise was excited to ride his bicycle from downtown to his home in Ngesaol as the sun was setting to end another beautiful day. The joy of seeing the front lawn of the house he grew up in and seeing colorful Christmas bright lights inside the house and outside by the time he reached home. If only he was given a chance to reach this destination he thought was there all the time and easy to reach as he had always done before. And like all children, the sight and sound of a home beacon for the young to come to safety after sundown. And the voices of other siblings going about inside the house before dinner represent life as he knows it. And finally the call of his mother for him to leave his bicycle and come inside is a sound of love that cannot be mistaken. But this day was going to be different.

The DeWill (deuil a renguk) in Palauan means jubilation. This trip on that particular day was not to be completed nor was it going to be a happy one like other days. DeWill, who was free and unsuspecting of anything remotely evil, pedaled his bicycle enthusiastically on the roads of Koror only thinking of his home destination. But in a twilight moment, DeWill was mortally hit by a speeding car and his trip home was instantly terminated. He was denied the comfort of his home and love that he was trying to reach that day forever.

If only he was a minute slower or faster to have missed that collision. That was the worst Christmas ever not only for Dewill’s family but the rest of Palau to see such innocence shattered because of senseless intoxication and loss of control of an over speeding car. How can you make any sense out of this to DeWill? His answer to any explanation to his tragic end must have been, “but I have to reach home.” As the sun set and sent its rays into the sky that day, DeWill rode off on the wings of thousand angels to a much better place we can only wish for.

But we are left behind and have to deal with the hard realities of this world. DeWill has to touch the hearts of our lawmakers in OEK to continue to fight the senseless taking of innocent lives on our public roads. He has become the voices on the side of Koror roads promoting “the will to live” to all drivers passing by. See those children who are asking to at least reach their home destination to the love and safety of their homes unharmed. However, Senator Diaz says that the penalty and punishment for a drunk driver is too harsh. He grossly fails to see the loss of DeWill. How can you explain that to DeWill? Or the next dying kid on the side of the road? The only sensible thing for our lawmakers to do is amend the law to be named DeWill Act to promote the will to live instead of making excuses for the drunk to continue to drive on our roads.

By Fuana Tmarsel

It’s on the lips of our political leaders. Lips that quickly summon ideals of democracy, yet seemingly possessing minds devoid of its notion, indeed not the understanding to practice it.

Speaker Noah Idechong in a recent deliberation on a bill, was heard to say, “we say what we want to say and then we will vote, for that is how democracy works.” A few weeks prior, the speaker and his posse comitatus were on public television ineffectively attempting to preclude Senator Oilouch from performing his duty to the people of Palau by asking questions regarding the Uighers. The Speaker in attempt to regain his posture was heard to regard the discussion as low-level to the amazement of many people.

Senator Hokkons Baules joined in the strive and said, “President, President, nguaisei engdi we are not here for the benefit of one person.” What one person? – the exchange was necessary as it divulged much needed explanation to the people of Palau, thus alleviating their anxiety regarding these new people who were suspected of terrorism. Shouldn’t questions be asked? Thankfully, we have a brilliant President who does not consent to such petty arguments.

Again, in the House deliberation on casino bill, Delegate Celestine Yangilmau put forward a request to the Speaker to discontinue the discussion and just vote, “since we already know where people stand,” he reasons. Others such as Delegate Gibson Kanai insisted that the bill contains provision for state referendum, when it did not. What bill was he reading? This feint seemed regular in both houses for a time.

And then there is Senator Diaz, the politician radio disc jockey who sits at the congress to make laws, gets cues from his cabal of radio listeners, and by his assertion has traveled the world three times only to return to the studio in the mornings, to promote himself, his ideas, and his friend’s ideologies, while at the same time casting aspersions on those who find fallacies in his worldview. Furthermore, by virtue of his office, he has been granted control of the films of the Senate sessions, not to mention that he attends events while displaying himself as cameraman (both locally and internationally) generating contents for his own broadcasting station. Are these actions in line with democratic ideals or exploitation of it for personal gain?

Tragically, these brazen exhibitions of impropriety and mediocrity with our Congress are common. But, the greater iniquity is in the bill handling. Instead of taking time to read the bill and conduct research, necessary to consider the benefits and drawbacks, they depend on others to study for them and then they vote by their relationship to the introducer of the bill, instead of the bill’s substance. It was appalling to watch Speaker Idechong’s handling of Delegate Isechal’s questions regarding the purse seining bill. Debates are necessary to sculpt a nation. Why then it seems there is acquiescence to prevent expressions of ideas, especially those holding varied sentiments, in a democratic Congress?

It appears their interest is maintaining political leverage amongst themselves.

Lest they have forgotten, they are not there for themselves. They are there for the government of the people, by the people, and for the people of Palau, and as such they enjoy seats of honor and call each other “honorable” and so it follows they must do the honorable thing both overtly and covertly toward prosperity of our nation, instead of scratching each other’s backs as evident by the recent handling of some important bills.

By Jackson M. Henry

Of all the capital required for production, Human Capital (HC) stands out above the rest. For resource stricken countries like Palau, HC remains the strongest engine for economic growth. HC is defined as talent, skills and knowledge gained from education and experience that produces economic value. The higher the investment in HC equals the bigger the national economic output. Former Prime Minister Badawi brought this issue to President Toribiong during his visit to Palau, emphasizing the need for Palau to invest in its HC as the foundation for our economic development.

Adam Smith, regarded is the father of economics, described HC in 1776 as one of the key factors of production. The others are land, building, money and machines. The combination of these factors produces value and marketable products that creates income and jobs. They also improve our standard of living and advance technologies for life’s convenience and enjoyment. Thanks to America’s highly seasoned HC, the world enjoys cellular phones, the internet and various hi-tech products. Today, online communication has made business move at lightening speed and made life a bit more manageable than 20 years ago.

Ancient Palauans also understood the value the HC. Talents were treasured in the villages. Skilled fishermen, Abai builders and canoe carvers did not only bring wealth but also pride and honor to the villages. Palau refers to talented individuals as Dachelbai.

The role of HC in economies is particularly visible in developed countries like the US and Germany. American HC is the forerunner of inventions which have placed the US on the frontier of modern discoveries and technology. Take the case of the Wright Brothers and their discovery of flight. Today, jetliners have made the world smaller and have connected Palau to the rest of the world. Thomas Edison and his discovery of the light bulb have changed that way we live and conduct business. Bill Gates and Steven Jobs’ contribution to computers have revolutionized how we obtain and disseminate information worldwide right here in Palau.

HC is self generating. Skilled and talented people continue to improve in time because information can be shared and transferred worldwide. For example, a medical doctor will become more valuable through increased training, education and sharing of the latest medical break through from advanced countries. Claudia Goldin calls the 20th century as “the century of human capital” because of the mass movement of people transiting to acquire new skills and education in order earn higher wages.

However, there is also “human capital flight” which we dub “brain drain” due to out migration of skilled people to greener pastures where money is in abundance. With limited opportunities at home, many Palauans are voting with their feet. Locals are moving to greener pastures in Guam and the US where their HC can be marketed. Far flung states like Kayangel and Angaur are the hardest hit.

Human Capital is synonymous to Knowledge Power and Brain Power. Even Karl Marx referred to workers as Labor Power. To have a strong economy, nations must harness the power of knowledge and HC to maximize their limited natural resources. Investment in quality education and the retention of skills workers at home must be a national priority.

In this stage of our development, Palau must be nurtured and cultivate its human capital as the foundation of our economic growth.

— Jackson M. Henry is Palau’s Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to the Republc of China. He contributes a weekly column, “The Economic Footnotes” to Tia Belau. —

By Kambes Kesolei

Last Monday, President Johnson Toribiong vetoed the bill designed to open Palau to gambling activities. A bill hailed by few in OEK as solution for jobs and increase of minimum wage. Yet, no one is willing to answer where did the bill come from or who drafted it.

The casino bill is dead – for now, at least.

Its death is triumphant news. Not because it settles the debate on casino industry, but brings to fore what was feared lost in the Republic’s social and political development. The veto proved that the grassroots, the traditional leadership, and social organizations could still play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the nation. Indeed, the moral and intellectual fiber of this young Republic survives and well.

By exercising his veto power, the president sent a clear message that gambling bill is no trivial matter and must be treated with due diligence. “The bill reveals that it appears to have been rushed,” said Toribiong in a blunt veto message. It is such kind of unambiguous statement that serves to regain public trust of the political process.

As expected, the veto caused hysterics among the proponents of gambling, which seem to have started the next morning without fail. The public, however, takes the rejection of the bill as a welcome relief, an indication that all is not lost in the top echelons of policymaking. In a three-page statement that the president wrote himself, showed a cerebral president who believes in the robust and effectual deliberation that intellectual discourse contributes to solid policies. Something that is less evident in this current congress.

Despite ethical concerns and open disregard of respectable behavior, influential OEK members used their positions and public megaphone to disparage and intimidate citizens and organizations from presenting their side of the debate. The strong-arm tactic employed to force the public to swallow the bill after a junket trip to South Korea has been brought to an embarrassing end. Stopped dry on its tracks by successful effort of citizens defiantly refused to leave their future at the hands of a few, so blinded by selfishness and interested only in the game of power and not in the welfare of the country.

And more to the point, there is flowing optimism once again that the future of the Republic will not be made based on instinct decisions but by wisely taking time and deliberately listening to all of the arguments, pro and con, and open to dissenting views and pushing for more details with fair treatment to everyone. On that line, the president’s veto is a mark of an intellectual that have been sorely missed through out the entire political deliberation.

With the veto, the first of his presidency, the president summed up the sentiment of the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Palau. “The innate image that people have of casino gambling will tarnish the wholesome image that Palau has been cultivating…the future success of our tourist industry hinges on our strengths – our environment and culture – rather than get-rich-quick schemes such as this bill,” added Toribiong. Great job, Mr. President!

By Santy Asanuma

The notion that early Palauans had no sense of time before introduction of Seiko and Timex wrist watches goes to show our lack of appreciation and knowledge of how advanced and organized our society during pre-westerners era. “Ongebitelulengall” is about from 5:45 pm to 6:00 pm to mark the sun as it sinks on the surface of the ocean at the horizon. If you listen to our modern weather broadcast from National Weather Service, it announces the time for sunset in clock time but does not have a name for this particular occurrence.

“Ongebitelulengall” in literal terms means dumpsite for food scraps. How in the world can this be used in telling the time of day? Palauan wisdom dictated that food scraps are unpleasant and should not be seen by other people. The most practicable time to dispose food scraps then is this time of day with just enough light to see your way far from the house and back. Dumpsite for food scraps was usually farther from the house than dumpsite for other rubbish without odor so that foul smell would not be detected at the abode (blai). More important is that at this time of day it is almost dark so one is not seen while in the act of disposing food scraps.

Palauan decorum (ungil blekerradel) without western education took great length to make sure that anything that would cast the slightest ill-repute (a ikel demerur re ngii) is avoided at all cost. This mentality promoted a culture of humbleness and uprightness (kldung). Today belligerence (sekokuad), obnoxiousness (olturkerreng), aggressiveness (sokaiuribech), loudness (meteteu a ngerel), and unrestraint behaviors (ulekeiangel el omeruul ma omelekoi) seem to be increasing among us and the irony is these personalities are somewhat becoming acceptable. People are now led to believe that to succeed in today’s world here in Palau one has to endorse one or mix of these asinine (klebelung e mekngit) qualities. And the young people are the ones most impressed because at the pinnacle of our society we see some senators, delegates, and even traditional chiefs who behave this way and have become quite successful.

This trend has created a culture and social screening more tolerable of people who fringe on saying inaccurate statements in public. Lying in blunt language has become the norm and no longer rebuked by society as it used to be once upon a time. I guess we have become educated and have no more shame on ill-repute as a society. We have entered an era where we are confused and can no longer tell the difference between the upright (a re mekedung) and the culpable (a re medengerenger).

Palau is at “Ongebitelulengall” not at sundown but in broad daylight for all to see. Submit (Ke kosang) is may be the right word to describe our attitude towards this social development for Palau. And as if in acceptance, the electorate in the latest state elections has consistently voted for people with less or no credentials. Furthermore, people with criminal records are preferred, as one senator proudly announces that he is qualified because he is now a convicted felon. And more than once. “Ongebitelulengall” culture was meant to clean our act and not the opposite.