States of Palau
Note: The Constitution of Palau designated the 16 traditional municipalities of Palau as states. The adoption of the constitution gave the states the authority to formulate their own constitutional conventions and elect their respective legislatures and governors which they did between 1981 and 1984. In 1984 Status of the divisions of Palau changed from municipalities to states. Aimeliik 1 Jul 1983 Aimeliik state government established. Governors 1983 - 1991 Simer Eriich (b. 1932 - d. 1997) 1991 - 1995 Meruk Rengulbai (b. 1920 - d. 1998) 1995 - 1999 Paul Reklai 17 Dec 1999 - 11 Dec 2007 Demei Obak (1st time) (b. 1948) 11 Dec 2007 - 8 Dec 2015 Leilani Ngirturong-Reklai (f) (b. 1966) 8 Dec 2015 - 10 Dec 2019 Demei Obak (2nd time) (s.a.) 10 Dec 2019 - Browny Simer Airai 1 Jan 1981 Airai state government established. 5 Apr 1990 Constitution in force. Governors 25 Jan 1981 - 1990 Roman Tmetuchl (b. 1926 - d. 1999) Apr 1990 - Apr 1998 Charles I. Obichang Apr 1998 - Apr 2006 Tmewang Rengulbai (1st time) 5 Apr 2006 - 5 Apr 2014 Victoria "Vicky" Ngiratkalk- Kanai (f) 5 Apr 2014 - 5 Apr 2022 Tmewang Rengulbai (2nd time) Dec 2020 - Dec 2021 Collins Takeo (b. c.1973) (acting for incapacitated Rengulbai) 5 Apr 2022 - Norman H. Ngiratecheboet Angaur (Ngeaur)
8 Oct 1982 Angaur state government established. Governors 1982 - 1989 Esteban Augustine 1989 - 1990 Abel Suzuki (b. 1941? - d. 2019) 1990 - 1993 .... 1993 - 1997 Theodosia Faustino Blailes (f) (b. 1936 - d. 2022) 1997 - 1999 Arkagius Orak Yamada 2000 - 2002 Vincent Ben Roberto (b. 1943 - d. 2008) 2002 - 31 Dec 2008 Horace N. Rafael (b. 1959 - d. 2013) 1 Jan 2009 - 31 Dec 2010 Steven Salii 1 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2014 Maria Gates-Meltel (f) 1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2016 Marvin Ngirutang 1 Jan 2017 - 31 Dec 2018 Kenneth "Ken" T. Uyehara (b. 1957) 1 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2022 Kennouske "Ken" A. Suzuky 1 Jan 2023 - Steven R. Salii Hatohobei (Hatobohei) 10 Jul 1984 Hatohobei state government established. Governors 1984 – 1988 Nemecio Andrew 1988 – 2000 Crispin H. Emilio (1st time) (b. 1954 - d. 2013) 2000 – 2004 Sabino Sackarias 2004 - 2008 Crispin H. Emilio (2nd time) (s.a.) 2008 - 2009 Dominic Emilio (acting) Jan 2009 - 29 Jul 2015 Thomas Mereyaro Patris (b. 1954) 29 Jul 2015 - 16 Oct 2015 Jacqueline Victor (f)(acting) 16 Oct 2015 - 10 Jul 2024 Huana Kyoshi Nestor (f) 10 Jul 2024 - Ray Marino Kayangel 1 Jul 1984 Kayangel state government established. Governors 1984? - 1986? Sngebard Lluul (b. 1926) 1986? - 1988? Oikang Sebastian 1988 - 1994 Ngiraked Bandarii (b. 1930 - d. 2014) 1994 - 2006 Harris Melemalt Kambalang (b. 1953 - d. 2013) 2006 - 1 Jul 2006 Jeffrey Titiml (acting) 1 Jul 2006 - 1 Jul 2012 Edwin Chiokai 1 Jul 2012 - 1 Jul 2016 Jeffrey Titiml 1 Jul 2016 - 6 Jul 2020 Midas Ngiracheluolu 6 Jul 2020 - 10 Jul 2020 Vacant 10 Jul 2020 - Richard Ngiraked Koror
21 Oct 1983 Koror state government established. Executive Administrators Oct 1983 - 1985 Yutaka Miller Gibbons (b. 1944) 1985 - 13 Jan 1998 John C. Gibbons (b. 1947 - d. 2021) Governors 13 Jan 1998 - 2006 John C. Gibbons (s.a.) 2006 - 9 Jan 2018 Yositaka Adachi 9 Jan 2018 - 11 Jan 2022 Franco B. Gibbons 11 Jan 2022 - Eyos Rudimch Melekeok (Melekeiok) 13 Jan 1984 Melekeiok state government established. c.1994 Spelling changed to Melekeok. Governors 1984 - 1992 Thomas Tellei (d. 1996) 1992 - 9 Mar 2010 Lazarus Kodep (b. 1948 - d. 2012) 9 Mar 2010 - Jun 2010 .... (acting) Jun 2010 - 8 Jan 2016 Aloisius "Along" Tellei (b. 1957) 8 Jan 2016 - Henaro Polloi Ngaraard
12 Jan 1982 Ngaraard state government established. Secretary of State 12 Jan 1982 - 1986? John Obeldabl Ngiraked (b. 1932 - d. 2003) Governors 1986 - 1989 Kaleb Udui (b. 1934 - d. 1989) 1990 - 1994 Omengkar Rubasch 12 Jan 1994 - 12 Jan 2006 Tadashi Sakuma (b. 1945 - d. 2010) 12 Jan 2006 - 12 Jan 2014 Laurentino Ulechong 12 Jan 2014 - 12 Jan 2018 Isaac Bai 12 Jan 2018 - 12 Jan 2022 Benjamin "Ben" Iskawa 12 Jan 2022 - Sharp Sakuma Ngarchelong 8 Oct 1982 Ngarchelong state government established. Governors 1982 - 1992 Remoket Tarimel 1992 - 1994 Tobias F. Aguon (1st time) 1994 - 1998 Rudimch Jack Titiml (b. 1945 - d. 2000) 1998 - 2002 Tobias F. Aguon (2nd time) 2002 - 12 Oct 2018 Browny Salvador 12 Oct 2018 - 14 Oct 2022 Richard Ngiratrang 14 Oct 2022 - Dwight Ngiraibai Ngardmau
1 Oct 1984 Ngardmau state government established. Governors 1984 - 1985 Sadang Silmai 1985 - 1986 Aisamerael "Aichi" Kumangai (b. 1936 - d. 2014) 1986 - 1988 John K. Rechucher 1988 - 1992 Sadang Ngiraecherang Silmai (b. 1925 - d. 1998) 1993 - 1997 John K. Rechucher (b. 1948? - d. 2024) 1997 - 2001 Aichi Kumangai 2001 - 2002 Albert Ngirmekur 2002 - 2004 Masao Sabo Esebei 2004 - 2006 J. Schwartz Tudong (b. 19.. - d. 2016) 2006 Demei Obakrairur (acting) 2006 - 5 Jan 2013 Akiko C. Bedor Sugiyama (f) 5 Jan 2013 - 5 Jan 2017 Renguul Victor Masahiro 5 Jan 2017 - Johnston Blesoch "Jahbles" Aderkeroi Ngatpang 25 Jan 1982 Ngatpang state government established. Governors 1982 - 1989 Ngiratkel Etpison 1989 - 6 Apr 1990 Beches Etpison (b. 1954? - d. 1990) 15 Apr 1990 - 1997 Ngirboketereng Merep (b. 1927 - d. 1998) 1997 - Nov 1998 .... Nov 1998 - May 1999 Mason Whipps (acting) 1999 - 2001 .... 7 Apr 2001 - Mar 2003 Ngiltii Idesemang (b. 1934 - d. 2013) Mar 2003 - 2007 Shallum Etpison (acting) (b. 1956) 17 May 2007 - 31 Aug 2007 Constantino Ngiraked (acting) 31 Aug 2007 - 19 Dec 2012 Takemura Erungel (acting) 19 Dec 2012 - Feb 2014 Jersey Iyar (1st time) (acting) Feb 2014 - 20 Jan 2015 Francesca Ruluked Otong (f) (1st time) 20 Jan 2015 - 4 Jan 2019 Jersey Iyar (2nd time) 4 Jan 2019 - 23 Jan 2023 Francesca Ruluked Otong (f) (2nd time) 23 Jan 2023 - Jersey Iyar (3rd time) Ngchesar 1 Jan 1982 Ngchesar state government established. Governors 1982 - 1986 Omelau Tanaka 1986 - 1994 Moses Ymal Uludong 1994 - 1998 Bonifacio S. Basilius (b. 1941 - d. 2003) 1998 - 2002 Duane Hideo (1st time) 2002 - 2006 Florencio Adelbai (1st time) Jan 2006 - Sep 2007 Duane Hideo (2nd time) Sep 2007 - 5 Jan 2010 Florencio Adelbai (2nd time) 5 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2012 Romana F. Anastacio (f) (b. 1942) Jan? 2013 - 7 Dec 2013 Zacheus Kotaro (b. 1959 - d. 2013) 7 Jan 2014 - 2 Jan 2018 Duane Hideo (1st time) 2 Jan 2018 - 5 Jan 2022 Florencio Adelbai (3rd time) 5 Jan 2022 - Duane Hideo (2nd time) Ngeremlengui 29 Aug 1983 Ngaremlengui state government established. c.1994 Spelling changed to Ngeremlengui. Governors 1984 - 1992 Maidesil Rechuld (b. 1927 - d. 2001) 1992 - 6 Jan 2008 John Bullong Skebong (b. 1947) 6 Jan 2008 - 6 Jan 2016 Wilson Ongos 6 Jan 2016 - Mary Frances Ilolang "Sisca" Remengesau-Vogt (f) Ngiwal 11 Apr 1983 Nigwal state government established. Governor 1984 - c.1987/88 Elia Tulop (b. 1945 - d. 2008) 19.. - 19.. Elmis J. Mesubed 1992 - 1996 August Ngirameketii (b. 1937 - d. 2012) 19.. - 2000 Krispin Termeteet 2000 - 2006 Elmis J. Mesubed 11 Sep 2006 - 17 Nov 2006 Gregorio Decherong (acting) 17 Nov 2006 - 4 Sep 2012 Masasinge D. Arurang 4 Sep 2012 - 1 Sep 2020 Ellender Ngirameketii 1 Sep 2020 - Cisco Melaitau Peleliu 1 Jan 1983 Peleliu state government established. Governors Jan 1983 - 1989 Uchelsias Yukio Mengirarou Shmull (b. 1939 - d. 2018) 1989 - 1992 Timarong Sisior (1st time) (b. 1929 - d. 2001) 1992 - 1995 Hinao Soalablai (b. 1944 - d. 2014) 1 Jan 1995 - 2000 Jackson R. Ngiraingas (1st time) (b. 1949) 2001 - 2004 Timarong Sisior (2nd time) (s.a.) 2004 - 10 Feb 2009 Jackson R. Ngiraingas (2nd time) (s.a.) 10 Feb 2009 - Mar 2009 Kalbesang Soalablai (acting) Mar 2009 - 1 Jan 2013 Kangich Uchau 1 Jan 2013 - 1 Jan 2022 Temmy L. Shmull 1 Jan 2022 - Emais Roberts Sonsorol 1 May 1984 Sonsorol state government established. Governors 1 May 1984 – 1992 Flavian Carlos 1992 – 2000 Kurterbis Kurtermalei 2000 - 2004 Laura I. Ierago (f) (1st time) 2004 - 2012 Damian B. Alvis (1st time) 4 May 2012 - 12 Mar 2015 Jacob Yangilmau (b. 1978) 12 Mar 2015 - 29 Apr 2016 Damian B. Alvis (2nd time) 29 Apr 2016 - 1 May 2020 Laura I. Miles (f) (2nd time) (= Laura I. Ierago) 1 May 2020 - May 2024 Nicholas Aquino May 2024 - Lucy Pedro (f) © Ben Cahoon |