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Governor of Peleliu

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    Minister: Gustav Aitaro

The governor of Peleliu is the head of government of Peleliu. The position was established in 1983 and a new governor is sworn in on 1 January unless they resign during their term.[1][2] It is the only state in Palau to have elections every three years instead of every two or four years.[3]

Regulations

Article VII of the Peleliu constitution states that to be eligible for governor a person "must be a citizen of Palau and a person of Peleliu".[4] They must also be at least 35 years old, must not have been convicted of a felony at the time of an election, unless pardoned, and can not be employed by the state government, national government or serve in the Palau National Congress concurrently whilst governor.[4]

Furthermore, it states that the governor shall be elected in a state-wide election for a term of 3 years and that a person can not serve as governor for more than 3 consecutive terms.[4] Additionally, the governor must reside in the state during their term.[4] The governor may be impeached and removed from office for treason, bribery or other serious crimes by a vote of no less than two-thirds of the members of the state legislature.[4] If the office becomes vacant and there is more than 180 days remaining in the unexpired term, the speaker of the house becomes governor and must call a special election within 30 days to fill the vacancy.[4]

List of governors

No. Picture Name Term of office
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Yukio Shmull
(died 2018)[1] 		1 January 1983[1] 1 January 1986[1] 3 years, 0 days
2 Timarong Sisior 1 January 1986[1] 1 January 1992[5] 6 years, 0 days
3 Hinao Soalablai 1 January 1992[6] 1 January 1995[7] 3 years, 0 days
4 Jackson Ngiraingas 1 January 1995[7] 1 January 2001[7] 6 years, 0 days
5 Timarong Sisior 1 January 2001[8] 1 January 2004[8] 3 years, 0 days
6 Jackson Ngiraingas 1 January 2004[9] 14 February 2009[10] 5 years, 44 days
- Kalbesang Soalablai (acting) 14 February 2009[11] 17 March 2009[11] 31 days
7 Kangichi Uchau 17 March 2009[12] January 1, 2013[13] 3 years, 290 days
8 Temmy Shmull
(1947–2025)[14] 		1 January 2013[13] 1 January 2022[2] 9 years, 0 days
9 Emais Roberts 1 January 2022[2] Incumbent 3 years, 108 days

See also

Notes

A This is most likely an error as according to sources, he was governor for just over 11 years.[6][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Times, Island (22 June 2018). "Peleliu's first governor dies at 78". Island Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023. The late Uchelsias Yukio Shmull served as the first governor of Peleliu State from 1983 to 1985.
  2. ^ a b c "State governments organized, Hideo as Ngchesar governor, Ngirakamerang, Ngaraard Speaker". Island Times. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  3. ^ "State/National Election Schedule". palauelection.org. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Peleliu State Constitution". Pacific Digital Library. pp. 5–6. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  5. ^ "In re Tabkusik, 18 ROP 16 (Land Ct. 2010)" (PDF). www.palausupremecourt.net. December 29, 2010. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024. PSPLA claimed the rock islands of Peleliu through a claim filed by former Governor Timarong Sisior on December 21, 1988.
  6. ^ a b Branigin, William (7 October 1994). "From WWII Battleground to Peacetime Pot Producer". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Hinao Soalablai, the governor of Peleliu, disputes that view.
  7. ^ a b c "Peleliu to elect Governor and Legislatures today". Marianas Variety. 2 December 2009. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Uchau was the successor of Jackson Ngiraingas who was the Governor of Peleliu for 12 years...[A]
  8. ^ a b c "Elections Begin in Palau's Peleliu State". Pacific Islands Report. 9 December 2003. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Incumbent Gov. Timarong Sisior decided not to seek reelection.
  9. ^ Abrau, Agnes M. (10 December 2003). "Ngiraingas Wins Peleliu Governor's Race". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2024. The new officials will be sworn in on Jan. 1, 2004.
  10. ^ Villahermosa, Cherrie Anne E. (2 December 2009). "Peleliu Voters to Elect New Governor". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2023. Ngiraingas was sworn-in as Minister on February 14.
  11. ^ a b "Peleliu Club of Guam Lease Application Packet Table of Contents" (PDF). guamlegislature.com. 27 March 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  12. ^ Haruo, Philip N. (23 March 2009). "Peleliu State, Palau Has New Governor". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2023. The Palau Election Commission Board on March 17 certified and declared Kangichi Uchau to the Office of the Governor of Peleliu State.
  13. ^ a b Times, Island (14 December 2018). "Shmull secures Peleliu gubernatorial seat for third time". Island Times. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  14. ^ Reklai, Leilani (28 March 2025). "Temmy L. Shmull". Island Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.