Deep Dive Reunion: How We Found Ourselves Aboard an Exploration Vessel in the Palau National Marine Sanctuary

After hosting a ship-to-shore interaction with students in Palau, three Lebuuʻs Voyage explorers who each graduated from high school ten years ago began reflecting on their paths from the studentsʻ seat to the ship.  Read on to learn how the journeys took these three explorers from Palauʻs classrooms in the class of 2014 to fulfilling careers and deep ocean exploration journeys. 

Elchung “El” Gladys Hideyos

Alii! Being here on the E/V Nautilus, interning as a Science Communications Fellow, feels like a dream. Thinking back to how I got here, my journey really began with my mom, who inspired my passion for conservation. From a young age, I joined her in fieldwork, meeting people from all over the Pacific and learning about our island’s precious natural resources. Growing up on a small island where conservation was embedded in our Palauan culture and traditions, I learned early on the importance of respecting nature and how it provides for our livelihoods. Those experiences planted the seed for my lifelong commitment to the environment.

Credit

Ocean Exploration Trust

After studying environmental studies in Hawaiʻi, I returned home to Palau and worked with the Ebiil Society, raising awareness about conservation in our local communities. Later, I earned a master’s degree in global environmental studies in Tokyo, where my research focused on women’s roles in fisheries management in Palau. I came back, ready to apply my knowledge and give back to my Palauan community. Then, in 2022, my journey was interrupted in a way I could never have anticipated. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and for the better part of a year, I had to step back from my work to prioritize my health. If you had told me two years ago that I’d be here on the E/V Nautilus, exploring the depths of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here I am, stronger and more passionate than ever, learning to live with this condition while continuing to do what I love.

Being on this expedition with my classmates Ayla and Imade feels surreal. We’ve come a long way since high school, each of us taking our own unique path to arrive at this point. The ocean has brought us together again, allowing us to inspire others with our shared passion. Standing beside them as we dive into the unknown depths of our beautiful sanctuary, I am so grateful I never gave up, even when the road got tough.

To young people and everyone back home: never give up! Embrace challenges and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Incredible experiences are out there, waiting for you. Take the chance and keep pushing forward—you’ve got this!

Meangeldil Ayla Azuma Malsol

Alii and Hello from the PNMS! It has been such a blessing to join the E/V Nautilus as an Ocean Science Intern. If you asked me 10 years ago, I would have never believed that the ocean would play such a big role in my life. Growing up in Palau, the ocean surrounds us, and we rely so deeply on its resources. With these resources, we’ve learned early from our elders the traditional ways of conserving them, through practices such as Bul- a traditional method of ecosystem and resource conservation. I believe that being exposed to this way of life planted a desire in me to eventually want to pursue an education and career in marine science and conservation. 

Credit

Ocean Exploration Trust

After high school, I moved to California for college. To be honest, I didn't immediately get started on the path to marine science because I felt intimidated by the field. So I took some detours by studying Psychology, Sociology, and the Social Sciences at Lassen Community College, which only helped me realize what I didn't want to pursue. Eventually, I went to Simpson University to take the first step closer towards my dream of studying marine science, by enrolling in the biology program. After graduating in 2020, I went back home for a summer internship, which turned into a full-time job at the Palau Conservation Society as I couldn't immediately fly back to the States due to the pandemic. This worked out for the best because while gaining experience in the conservation field, the opportunity came to pursue even higher education in Japan, and this time, for marine science. I then studied marine science at the University of the Ryukyus where I focused on marine debris and its impact on the coral reefs of Okinawa, hoping to contribute to local conservation efforts.

My path to marine science was winding, and every detour taught me valuable lessons and experiences that ultimately led me to where I am now. And now that I have returned back home, I am currently working as a Marine Lakes Research Assistant at the Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF), where I am excited to keep learning and gain the experience I need, and hopefully do my part in giving back to the environment that has given me so much. I am most grateful for the opportunity to sail aboard the E/V Nautilus with friends, colleagues, and experts in the field as we explore the vast Palau National Marine Sanctuary, learning more about it and from each other as well. Sharing this experience with lifelong friends, El and Imade, who are also my former high school classmates, makes it all the more meaningful. We’ve all come so far since leaving high school, growing through our own journeys and challenges. Being on board E/V Nautilus not only deepened our bond but also reminded us of how our shared love for the ocean and our island has shaped us. It has also challenged us to step out of our comfort zone, reminding us that we are contributing to something greater, and that we are keeping alive the traditions that inspired us to work to protect the ocean for the future. Working alongside them as we explore the mysteries of the PNMS, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. 

To the young people back home and everyone reading along, don't be afraid to chase opportunities and step out of your comfort zone, it's where the best experiences and lessons are. Don't be afraid to try something new. And it's also okay to take your time, and make those detours. Every detour and challenge will bring you closer than you are meant to be. 

Adeeshia Imade Tellei

My love for the ocean began at a very young age. I can still recall the early memories of swimming with my cousins and family at the rock islands of Palau. The feeling of cool, salty water surrounding me and the vibrant marine life that greeted us underwater left an indelible mark on my heart. My father, a fisherman, taught me something invaluable: to never take more from the ocean than what we truly need. These lessons shaped not only my respect for the ocean but also my sense of responsibility toward its preservation.

After graduating from high school in 2014, I left Palau to pursue higher education in international affairs and diplomacy. I had big dreams of making a difference on a global scale, but life has a way of redirecting your path. When I returned back home in 2020, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when job opportunities were scarce, and the world was dealing with unprecedented challenges. Still, I didn’t let that deter me. I saw an opportunity in a field that was close to my heart—ocean conservation.

Credit

Ocean Exploration Trust

I applied for a position at the Palau International Coral Reef Center, a leading organization dedicated to marine research and conservation. That was when my passion for ocean conservation was truly ignited. Working with scientists and experts who were dedicated to protecting our reefs and marine ecosystems made me realize that this was where I was meant to be. I became deeply committed to the Center’s mission and vision, understanding how vital it was to protect not just our local waters, but oceans everywhere.

Today, I find myself aboard the E/V Nautilus, a research vessel exploring the oceans in ways I never dreamed possible. As a Science Communication Fellow in Lebuu’s Voyage I, my role is to share the knowledge and discoveries we make on board with the world. It’s been an incredible experience—one that allows me to learn firsthand about Palau’s deep sea marine ecosystems, the creatures that inhabit them, and the importance of our conservation efforts.

Currently, we are exploring the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, a large-scale marine protected area that covers about 80% of Palau’s exclusive economic zone. It’s one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world and a testament to the forward-thinking vision of our leaders who understand the critical importance of preserving our ocean resources for future generations. Being part of this mission has been both humbling and inspiring.

What makes this experience even more special is that I get to do it alongside some of my closest friends, Elchung and Meangeldil. We’ve known each other for years, and watching them pursue their degrees in marine science has always been a source of inspiration for me. To now be working alongside them as we contribute to the conservation of our Sanctuary is a dream come true. Their dedication and passion for science and ocean conservation have motivated me to push further, strive harder, and learn more each day.

To students and everyone else who is reading this, my advice is simple: pursue what you’re passionate about. Find the things that ignite a fire in you, and follow them with everything you’ve got. When you do what you love, it never feels like work. Every day brings a new opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference.