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BYUH Alum Elected to Congress of Palau

"A son of Palau has returned" are the words of Delegate-elect Rebluud Kesolei [pictured at left], who has won a seat in the House of Delegates for the National Congress of the Republic of Palau. Upon graduating from BYU-Hawaii in June 1998, Rebluud made his way back to Palau a month later and immediately started knocking on doors and introducing himself.

People quickly responded, "Weren't you that Mormon missionary?" He replied, "Of course I was that kid, but I am here to work for Palau."

Ten years later, Kesolei has served as a congressional staff member in the National Congress, worked in the private sector, learned how to build hotels, develop golf courses, and he said he also started up an airline. Doing the latter at the young age of 30 is one he often brags about, but he attributes his success in the political arena to his experience at BYUH.

"BYU-Hawaii helped me to think things through, to work hard, and to do my very best," Kesolei said.

Reflecting on his academic career, he noted he was especially grateful to Sister Debbie Hartman, Dr. Dale Robertson, and Dr. Jon Jonassen. They all saw potential in him, taught him how to think, and to consider the "original politics of the Pacific."

When asked what his short-term goals are as a newly elected delegate, he said his first priority is to work on improving the scholarship opportunities for his fellow Palauans, both for professional and skilled labors. "Palau is developing. We need Palauans to get involved…to help build this nation."

Agriculture is also a priority for our delegate-elect. "You have to be able to feed yourself," Kesolei said. For example, he has made several trips to Taiwan where he has learned that country's priority is to feed and educate its people.

Just recently, Kesolei was informed of his selection to chair Palau's standing committee on Foreign Affairs, a major committee in the House, which is a job he said BYU-Hawaii has prepared him to do. "The interaction with all those international students and learning about their cultures [at] BYU-Hawaii . . . by having that under my belt [enables me to] relate and associate with the people of [other] cultures and their countries here in Palau at a national and international] level. I am comfortable in dealing with people of different cultures and able to communicate with them."

When asked what his long range goal is, he replied, "To be President of Palau."

This ambitious young man is also the Latter-day Saint branch president for Palau, a calling he's held four years. The branch includes five other BYU-Hawaii Alumni. They are Mona Carlson and her husband Eric Carlson, Marjorie Towai, Evangline Andrews and Rilang Roberto.

"From the branch president all the way down to our young people's leaders…[BYU-Hawaii alumni] are the backbone. They have remained active, have strong testimonies, and they are here in Palau with a goal as well to help build the Church," Kesolei said.

"Mona Carlson is the Relief Society president, and Eric just got back. We have him teaching Sunday School right now. Marjorie Towai just got released as the Young Women's president. Rilang Roberto is our Seminary teacher as well as the first counselor to the Young Women's presidency. Evangeline Andrews is our Gospel Doctrine teacher. She was just released a couple years ago as our Relief Society president. She was a Relief Society president under three different branch presidents. She was there a long time. That included me, too. She did a great job."

Mona Carlson and Towai work at the U.S. State Department's Palau office. For several years, Andrews was an instructor at the Palau High School. Recently, she received her master's degree in Education Management from San Diego State University, and she now teaches at the Palau Community College. Eric Carlson teaches at Palau Community College as well and is an entrepreneur. Roberto works as a social worker in the Palau government.

"That's the by-product of BYU-Hawaii," said Kesolei.

BYU-Hawaii alumni in Palau (left-right): Rebluud Kesolei, Rilang Roberto,
Rayda Remasch (a potential student), Marjorie Towai, Mona and Eric Carlson (Evangeline Andrews is missing).

— Photos by Rose Ra