“Spotlight on OEK” Interview Series: Vol.1 Hon. Speaker Gibson Kanai

A Life of Public Service and a Shared Future Between Palau and Japan
 
The Embassy of Japan had the honor of speaking with Hon. Speaker Gibson Kanai and his wife, Mrs. Elsie Kanai, to learn more about their personal and professional journeys, their ties to Japan, and their hopes for continued cooperation between our two nations.
 
A Commitment to Community
When asked why he began his political career, Speaker Kanai spoke about the difference he observed between development in Koror and his home state of Ngaraard after returning from college. “I felt the need to help my community,” he shared. He began as a state legislator and later served as a staff member in the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK).
 
Over the years, he carried out small but meaningful projects — from securing funds to providing simple equipment like an ice machine for the community. These efforts gradually built his confidence and drive to run for a higher position. With the support of Ngaraard residents, he became the state delegate, served three terms as Floor Leader, once chaired the Health Committee, and is now serving his first year as Speaker of the House of Delegates.
 
Climate Resilience: A Long-Term Concern
When asked if he had any messages or requests for Japan, Speaker Kanai emphasized a pressing issue: climate change. He spoke of the visible impact on Ngaraard’s coastlines, where rising sea levels and strong currents are eroding the beaches.
 
“Long ago, the community gathered rocks to build a barrier to protect our coastline,” he said. “But that barrier has eroded over time. Now, waves crash directly onto the shore, washing away the beaches. It’s affecting the natural beauty, but more importantly, it’s hurting marine life and our ability to fish close to shore.”
 
He proposed building a buffer-like wall or placing tetrapod-style concrete structures offshore to reduce the impact of wave pressure. “Or at the very least, I ask that Japan assist us by sending a professional engineer to assess the problem and help us come up with a solution,” he said.
 
A Japanese Name — with a Local Story
Though his last name, Kanai, may sound Japanese, Speaker Kanai explained it has a different origin. “My father was a full-blooded Palauan. He was named after Kanai-sensei, a Japanese teacher who taught at Ngaraard Elementary School. My father went to that school during the Japanese era.”
 
He also recalled a memory shared by his father: “Every morning, the students would bow toward the east near the monument as a sign of respect and discipline to begin the day.”
 
Mrs. Elsie Kanai: Ancestral Ties to Japan
Mrs. Elsie Kanai shared her own unique connection to Japan. Her maiden name, Uherbelau, is a well-known Palauan name tied to the island of Angaur — a place with strong historical ties to Japan. “My great-grandfather on my mother’s side was Japanese,” she said. “His name was Miozawa.”
 
She acknowledged this ancestry with pride and appreciation, noting that she is aware of the shared history between Japan and Angaur, where Japanese remains an official language in the state’s constitution.
 
Though she did not elaborate further in this interview, Mrs. Kanai’s background is a reflection of the deep and enduring bonds that exist between Palauan and Japanese people, especially in communities with long-standing cultural exchanges.