By Yuji Chibana, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Returning home to Palau with the knowledge I have gained in university has been very rewarding. Working with scientists that not only are in my field of studies but also based on my home island gave me so much insight into my future career. Due to being in contrasting biospheres, the coral biodiversity and ecology of Palau is particularly different from the corals in Hawaiʻi of which I have been accustomed to. Despite both being pacific islands, there are stark differences between the corals found there, which emphasizes the importance of research done on a global scale.
Within the labs I have taken in regards to science and research, I was trained on the principles, skills, and protocols of a sterile laboratory setting. However, I cannot help but notice a difference in skill sets needed for field work as compared to lab work. Collecting my coral samples proved to be quite challenging in the logistical aspects. Having to free dive with a hammer and chisel to collect the samples from the top, middle, and bottom of a coral colony was a skill set I had to learn outside of a lab setting. Additionally, returning home after some time required me to reintegrate myself back into my culture. Learning to reorient my tone, language, and perception was an unexpected skill I needed to develop being back home.
A message I have learned and want to share is that the only constant you can find in any journey is inconsistency. Almost every aspect of my journey back home has been met with uncertainty. My package with all my research supplies almost did not arrive, weather complications kept on pushing my extraction date, and unexpected fees and expenses came up when exporting my samples. All these situations were not expected, but I knew complications were guaranteed. Your ability to adapt to changing situations and keeping a sound mind despite chaos will be your most valuable asset.
I am Palauan, thus, I hope the research that I conduct in my home island reflects the love and care I have for our oceans. As an indigenous Pacific Islander student, I strive to have my research be beneficial to the cause of my people. The ocean is an integral key aspect of Palauan culture; the reefs within support the biodiversity that feeds our island, thus, we have cultural protocols to conserve these resources. Figuring out how to study corals and figure out how to help them combat changing climate conditions seems to be my way of practicing my culture. I want to emulate the principle “A klengar er a kid el chad er a Belau a ultuil er a daob”; meaning, the existence and the livelihood of us Palauans is reliant on the ocean. I plan to return to UH Mānoa to continue my education and process my samples. Moreover, since my goal is to eventually return home after I receive my degree, I want to use this research opportunity to continue to strengthen my roots and connections in my island to do additional research and further my career.
Figure 1. Picture of myself showing my approval of the Porites lobata skeletal sample in the bag in Ngermid Bay
Figure 2. Picture of myself free diving with a hammer and chisel extracting a sample from the middle of a Porites lobata colony in Ngermid Bay.
