Leilani Reklai

Who is Leilani Reklai?

Leilani Reklai is a Palauan politician and businesswoman. She has served as the chaiperson of the board of directors of the Palau National Communications Corporation.

Leilani Reklai was tentatively elected the governor of the state of Aimeliik in the state elections of November 13, 2007. Early results showed Reklai leading her opponent, Abina Etpison, by just 35 votes. Reklai had 218 votes while Etpison, a Palauan legislator, had 183 votes. A total of 468 were cast in the Aimeliik election. 58 absentee ballots were still to be counted to determine the winner.

Leilani Reklai became the first female governor of Aimeliik and only the third female governor in Palau's history. Palau's other two women governors were Governor Vicki Kanai of Airai State and Governor Akiko Sugiyama of Ngardmau.