President Surangel Whipps of Palau, front (blue shirt), poses for a group photo while attending an executive level joint committee meeting at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration building in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, March 20. Under the 1994 Compact of Free Association agreement, the U.S. and Palau sustain deep ties and cooperation on a broad range of matters. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class John Bellino)