Overview:
Palauan youth paddled through mangroves, explored ancient corals and uncovered deeper connections to culture and conservation during a special Rengelekel Belau experience that blended adventure with identity. Their reflections reveal a powerful shift toward pride, stewardship and future leadership.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau (December 4, 2025) — “The participants were genuinely taken aback,” said organizer Sylvester Alonz, describing the moment he realized the day’s experience had shifted something in the young Palauans gathered before him. “It reminded me why we do this — to make our youth feel valued.”
That sense of purpose shaped the November 29 Rengelekel Belau event, which invited Palauan youth to step away from routine outings and immerse themselves in an experience designed to strengthen cultural identity while deepening their relationship with the natural world.
Organized by Alonz, Mia Kuartei and a team of volunteers, the day offered what Alonz described as a “premiere, tourist experience” through the Rock Islands — but one tailored with Palauan youth in mind. It was a chance, he said, for them to feel a sense of pride and belonging in their homeland’s beauty, not just show it to visitors.
Their kayak journey through winding mangrove forests became a defining moment. When debris unexpectedly blocked their route, the group didn’t hesitate. Participants paddled around obstacles, climbed out of their kayaks and began clearing trash as they went. What was meant to be a peaceful coastal paddle shifted into an act of stewardship.
“I am incredibly proud of the young women and men who showed genuine interest in exploring their Palauan identity through both nature and culture,” Alonz said. “We’ve identified current and future leaders, which is so exciting.”
Reflections from the youth highlighted how the trip connected them to traditions often overshadowed by modern routines. One participant noted that conservation was not new to Palau, but rooted in ancestral practice. “This trip reminded me that sustainable practices have always been part of our culture,” she said. “Instead of searching for new methods, we need to revive the traditions our ancestors practiced to maintain balance and respect for the land and ocean.”
Another participant, amazed by the ecosystems they encountered, said learning about coral species thousands of years old — and found nowhere else — reframed conservation as a cultural duty. “Ocean conservation is not just environmental — it’s cultural. I want to help raise awareness and support conservation efforts to protect our waters.”
The group’s visit to Ngermiich Lake left a strong impression. For many, the quiet, crystalline lagoon underscored the depth of Palau’s natural heritage. One young woman said the experience encouraged her to pursue a future in environmental conservation so that the island’s next generation could experience the same sense of wonder.
Others reflected more broadly on the connection between caring for Palau’s environment and upholding cultural values like respect, sharing and community responsibility.
“I’ve learned that in order to protect the ocean, we must first understand and love it,” one youth participant said. “Our people’s well-being is intertwined with the health of our waters. Marine conservation must include our communities.”
Still, she pointed to an imbalance in national priorities: “There’s plenty of funding for natural science and environmental causes, but social challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and financial opportunities receive far less attention. Palau is a global leader in ocean conservation, but our people are being left behind. We need to advocate for protecting our ocean, our land and our people.”
For Rengelekel Belau, the event served as both a cultural reconnection and an affirmation that youth engagement in conservation is not only possible — it is already taking root.