Palau’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Ngirai Tmetuchl, has requested additional funding to support the Palauan delegation attending the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPac) in Hawaii.
In a letter to congressional leaders, Tmetuchl said $40,000 is needed to cover accommodation costs and daily stipends for the 93-member delegation.
According to the letter, delegates need to make upfront deposits to secure lodging and will require a daily living allowance of at least $50 for the duration of their stay in Hawaii, which is expected to be at least 14 days.
FestPac is a cultural exchange event hosted by a different Pacific island nation every four years. The upcoming Hawaii edition is slated for June 6-16 and is expected to draw over 2,500 participants from at least 28 Pacific nations.