Why Our Focus Must Be on Palau

Dear Editor,

It has become increasingly difficult to ignore the pattern: our President spends nearly three weeks every month outside of Palau attending global meetings, a question arises that every Palauan is asking: are there domestic issues that are being left unattended in his absence?

Leadership is not measured by how many international conferences one attends or by the number of off-island trips logged. Leadership is measured by the ability to see clearly the challenges at home and act decisively to address them. There is an old saying: ‘we can’t tell others how to clean their homes until our own house is clean’. Palau’s house, in many ways, is not clean. Our people struggle with rising costs of fuel, food, water, and medicine. Our paychecks remain stagnant, yet daily living becomes increasingly unaffordable. Our health system continues to face non-communicable disease challenges, our schools and youth programs require urgent attention, and our infrastructure is in constant need of maintenance and improvement. ‘The Struggle is Real’, yet the attention given to these issues is often overshadowed by off-island commitments.

It is worth asking: are all of these off-island meetings truly necessary? Could some of the responsibilities be delegated to ministers or other representatives? Are they even available to do so, or are they themselves frequently off island, caught in the same cycle? Leadership does not require constant international travel. It requires a keen awareness of domestic realities and a willingness to make the difficult decisions that prioritize the people’s welfare over protocol, prestige, or international visibility.

We have heard about Palau’s role in regional discussions, about conferences with foreign nations, and the positioning of our country on matters beyond our borders. While engagement with the world is important, it must not come at the expense of local governance. What good is a robust international presence if our citizens are struggling to afford necessities? If PGST revenue increases, yet the burden falls disproportionately on ordinary Palauans while businesses benefit from credits and refunds, we must question the focus of our leadership. Our votes, our trust, and our expectations are for a government that runs effectively at home, not one that operates primarily on the global stage while neglecting domestic realities.

Leadership requires presence. It requires being visible where there is struggles, where the problems are tangible, and where action can produce meaningful change. Every off-island trip should be measured against the pressing demands at home: education reforms, drug prevention and treatment programs, healthcare accessibility, infrastructure development, and economic stability. Palau cannot wait while leaders chase prestige abroad. Our people cannot wait for visibility or international recognition; they need tangible solutions, responsive governance, and leadership that is engaged in their daily realities.

To our leaders, this is a call to action: stop measuring success by the number of trips, meetings, or signatures collected overseas. Measure success by how the lives of your people improve. Focus on reducing the daily struggles that Palauans face. Engage with our communities, understand their challenges, and make decisions that prioritize their welfare. International diplomacy is important, but it is secondary to the fundamental duty of government: to serve the people effectively at home. Our house must be clean before we advise others on how to clean theirs. It is time for leadership to turn its attention inward, to act decisively on the domestic front, and to demonstrate that governance is more than appearances—it is responsibility, accountability, and service to the citizens who elected you. Until that happens, all else is merely noise.

Your Humble Servant

Al Kahalic