Palau’s relationship with the United States began in 1944 during the Battle of Peleliu and became a U.S Territory in 1947. 30 years ago on October 1st, 1994 Palau became independent, formally becoming a sovereign nation. Palau has a rich maritime history that goes back hundreds and hundreds of years. Voyagers from around the world had found their way to this island paradise and brought with them influences in culture, religion, and food.

Last weekend, I had the joy of participating in the 30-year anniversary celebration at the Humble Civic Center in Houston, Texas. It was an incredible 3 days of fun, filled with cultural dances, baseball, and a sense of community among Palauans from all across the U.S.

One of the highlights of the event was that the vice president of Palau, Honorable J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, joined us in Humble right after addressing the United Nations in New York City the day prior. I encourage you to watch her entire speech. She speaks on Palau’s role as a member of the Small Island Developing States, the nationwide moratorium on deep sea mining, women and entrepreneurship in Palau, and Palau’s commitment to ocean conservation. She is awesome!

During this event, I was excited to set up the Olokoi tradeshow booth. It was a privilege to share with everyone how far we have come along. The last time I set it up was last year in Chicago when I attended the KeHE summer tradeshow. The booth was set up to sell our shirts and sauces, and it became a great way to talk about Olokoi with all that attended.

I unfortunately had to miss day 2, but day 3 did not disappoint! On the third day we set up our popup tent at the baseball tournament. This event drew Palauan baseball teams from across the country, with games that were both competitive and fun. The energy was great, with crowds cheering as teams battled it out on the field for the ultimate prize—a WWF-style championship belt! Who needs a trophy, when you could have a sweet belt!? It was amazing.

This celebration was not just a time to remember Palau’s independence—it was also a reminder of the courage and resilience of our ancestors. Palauan’s are descended from voyagers who took great chances, navigating the vast Pacific in search of new islands and opportunities. Those brave explorers embraced the unknown and discovered new worlds, including Palau. In the same spirit, I believe we all have the same strength and ability to explore uncharted territory in our own lives.

For me, participating in this event as a business owner meant so much more than just setting up a booth. It was a chance to show other Palauans that we, too, can take bold steps in life—whether it's starting a business, pursuing a dream, or doing something that feels brave and a little scary. Just like our ancestors who set out into the ocean with faith and determination, we have the power to take on new challenges and create something meaningful.

Starting Olokoi was a leap of faith, and like any journey, it has had its ups and downs. But being able to share my experience and encouraging others to pursue their dreams, made it all worth it. It reminded me that taking risks, stepping outside our comfort zones, and believing in ourselves can lead to amazing discoveries and opportunities.

The entire weekend was a beautiful reflection of community. Being able to share Olokoi’s story and celebrate Palauan independence with so many people was an unforgettable experience.

Below is an incredible shot on independence day on Koror, taken by Alpert Pictures. Jesse is a professional photographer that does a phenomenal job capturing the beauty of Palau.