KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

There is no participation of traditional leaders in the national legislature (OEK).
In contrast to the national government, the state governments are constitutionally
mandated to follow both “democratic principles” and “traditions of Palau,” and chiefly
power is consequently much greater at the state level. Nearly all the state governments
integrate titled leaders into their executive and/or legislative branches.
The amount of real authority granted to such leaders, however, varies widely among the
states. In the executive branches, for example, three states give complete decisionmaking
power to their chiefs or high chief. At the other extreme, six states include no
participation of traditional leaders in their executive branches. The remaining seven
states have opted for an intermediate participation level by their chiefs, giving them
limited decision making power or merely advisory functions. This range of power is
similar in the states’ legislative branches. The legislature of two states contains only
titled leaders. Seven have a mix of elected and titled members. One has two houses –
one elected and one titled. The remaining six states have legislatures that are entirely
elected.
1.2.2 Governance in Koror
Koror State is the center for economy and commercial infrastructure for the nation and is
the host of about ninety percent of Palau’s tourism related activities that is concentrated
around the Rock Islands – Southern Lagoon Area. It is important to understand the
governance that constructs the laws and government of Koror.
The primary responsibility for the administration of Koror State is vested in the Governor,
who is voted in office every four years. The Governor’s duties include enforcing the laws
of Koror State. The legislative branch of government consists of representatives elected
by each of Koror’s twelve hamlets and five members elected at large. The legislature
enacts laws and has the power to levy and collect taxes. The House of Traditional
Leaders (HOTL), consisting of Ngarameketii (absolute chiefs representing the four main
hamlets of Koror) and Rubekul kledeu (chiefs representing the other seven hamlets of
Koror) is the supreme authority of Koror State for all matters relating to traditional law.
The HOTL advises the Governor on matters relating to traditional law and may propose
bills to the Legislature.
The Koror State seal features three bai, representing the House of Traditional Leaders,
the Governor and the Legislature. The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Area is a
successful example of a state resource that has been governed and actively managed
under both traditional and constitutional law.
The Rock Islands – Southern Lagoon Area is owned by Koror State and regulated by the
Koror State Government, who have appointed the Koror State Public Lands Authority
and the Koror State Planning and Zoning Commission to oversee all land and designate
land use and zoning, respectively. The Koror State Department of Conservation and
Law Enforcement is responsible for day-to-day management and coordination of
activities within the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Management Area (referred as
Management Area) as well as enforcing all State laws. (please see Environmental
Regulations for details).
The Traditional Leaders had always taken responsibility for the Management Area, but
they have recognized in recent years that the increasingly intensive and varied use of
the area has resulted in greater and more complex challenges for management.
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