Gov. Arnold Palacios Mourned by Leaders Across the Islands

07/24/2025 - The following statements were issued by leaders across the region after news of the passing of CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios:

“I’m shocked and heartbroken by the news of Governor Palacios’ passing. It’s hard to find the right words. This news is still too fresh, and my emotions are too raw to fully express what a loss this is for our Commonwealth. What I do know is that Governor Palacios was a good man. He was our Governor and served the people of the Marianas with honor. But more than that, he was a husband, a father, and a grandfather who loved his family deeply. My heart is with First Lady Wella and their family in this incredibly difficult moment.”

• CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds

"I am saddened to hear of the passing of Governor Arnold Palacios. My sincere condolences and prayers to the First Lady,their children, and their family. Governor Palacios served honorably.  May he Rest In Peace."

• House Speaker Edmund Villagomez

"I share my heartfelt sadness with the entire Commonwealth on the sudden passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios. A man of wisdom who dedicated his life to public service, always striving to uplift the people of the Northern Mariana Islands with integrity and compassion. His legacy will be remembered in the many lives he touched and the countless contributions he made to our islands. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Wella, and the entire Palacios family during this time of great loss."

• Saipan Senator Celina Babauta

“We lost a great man today. To the family of our late Governor +Arnold Palacios, we extend our deepest condolences for your loss. We pray that our former Governor find eternal peace and that the perpetual light shine upon him. The late Governor did not have to help Rota the way that he did but he saw that our island and our people were in need. He extended his hand and opened his heart to us. For that, I will be forever grateful to him for his service to our island community and our Commonwealth. We will miss you.”

• Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog 

"It’s a sad day for our commonwealth, a leader and a public servant for many years has passed away. On behalf of the Municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan we extend our deepest condolences to First Lady Auntie Wella and the family."

• Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan 

"It is with great sorrow that we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Governor Arnold I. Palacios. To his beloved wife and First Lady Wella, his children, and the entire Palacios family—our hearts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Governor Palacios was a good and humble leader who served our people with grace, integrity, and a deep love for the Marianas. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the progress he championed for our islands. May he rest in eternal peace."

• Rota Rep. Julie Ogo

“He was more than just our governor—he was my mentor, my boss, and like family to me. His dedication to our community and his kindness touched so many lives. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts as we remember his legacy and the positive impact he made on all of us. Rest easy, my friend. You will be deeply missed.”

• Glen Hunter, Special Assistant for Broadband Policy and Development

"It is with deep sorrow that the CNMI Department of Corrections mourns the passing of our beloved Governor, the Honorable Arnold I. Palacios.

His steadfast leadership, determination, compassion, and unwavering dedication to public service have left an indelible mark on our Commonwealth and our agency.

We extend our sincerest condolences to Lady Wella and their families, and we honor his legacy of integrity, accountability, courage, and service.

May he rest in peace."

• CNMI Department of Corrections

"He’s a real nice person full of respect to me…I appreciate that. His legacy would probably be facing monumental and serious financial and organizational issues in government and at the same time trying to grow the economy."

• Jose "Joe" C. Ayuyu, owner/operator and president of McDonald's of Guam and Saipan

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of a good friend in Governor Palacios. He is a longtime family friend, and he was a friend to American Samoa over the years. I’ve known him since his youth, and he was a close friend to my brothers. I send my heartfelt condolences to the people of the Northern Marianas, and to his dear family in this time of grief, who will be in my prayers. We think especially of First Lady Wella Palacios, their children, and entire family. Condolences also to my brother Milton Coleman, brother-in-law to the Governor’s father, and my niece, Marie, who worked closely with him as a Chief of Staff within his government. He was a dedicated public servant, and his memory will be honored in CNMI and across the Pacific. Governor Palacios was a sincere leader, who desired the best for CNMI and the territories, and he led with purpose, compassion, and dignity as a statesman. He will hold an important place in CNMI’s history. Remarkably, he led at various times all the major roles, serving as Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate. He worked for good fiscal decisions, promoting responsible caretaking of the islands, upholding values, and preserving the culture for the future. He set an excellent example for future leaders in the region. I thank God for his exceptional life and his friendship over the years. He was a man of faith and belief in God, and we can take comfort in that. He will be deeply missed. God bless his family and the people of the Northern Marianas.”

• Del. Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa)

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more than 30 years, Governor Palacios dedicated his life to serving his people with integrity and compassion. On behalf of the people and Government of Palau, First Lady Valerie and I extend our heartfelt condolences to First Lady Wella Palacios, their family, Acting Governor David Apatang, and the people of the CNMI during this difficult time. Governor Palacios’ legacy of leadership and his commitment to strengthening the bonds among our island communities will continue to inspire us all. May his memory be a blessing and a guiding light for future generations."

• Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.

"My condolences to the people of the CNMI on the loss of an honorable man. Governor Arnold Palacios was a good man and strengthened the bond between the CNMI and Guam. Despite the challenges facing his government, he maintained his optimism for the CNMI’s potential and worked hard to improve the future of his people. My prayers are with First Lady Wella and the Palacios family. I offer my support to Governor David Apatang as he assumes his responsibilities of leadership."

• Guam Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio

“I am truly saddened by the news of the death of my friend and CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios. I extend my condolences to First Lady Wela and their family, Lieutenant Governor David Apatang and to the citizens of the Commonwealth. Before I was elected Senator, I had the privilege to work with Governor Palacios and his administration in support of Center for Homeland Defense and Security Programs in both Hawaii and Saipan. He was such a good person and a great leader of Micronesia. Governor Palacios will be missed.”

• Guam Senator Eulogio Shawn Gumataotao 

“I extend my deepest condolences to the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and to the family of Governor Arnold I. Palacios. News of his sudden passing is heartbreaking. As a journalist, I had the privilege of interviewing Governor Palacios during the COVID-19 pandemic while he served as Lieutenant Governor. More recently, I had the honor of reconnecting with him in Saipan as I began my term in the 38th Guam Legislature. While in Saipan, Governor Palacios and I spoke about his plans to help rebuild the CNMI’s economy. He was focused, optimistic, and deeply committed to creating more opportunities for the people of the Marianas. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the people of the CNMI during this difficult time.”

• Guam Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane

“I am saddened to learn about the passing of Governor Arnold Palacios, a dear friend whom I had the opportunity to meet with this past June on my first visit to the CNMI. We shared ideas on how best we can address the pressing needs of the islands. We had just spoken again a week ago when we convened the 902 Consultations, and I was looking forward to meeting with him again soon. He was very passionate about the CNMI and an advocate of national security and defense. The values of courage, curiosity, gratitude and humility are the pillars of our work at Interior and I can say that Governor Palacios’ work also exemplified these same values. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Wella, their family and the people of the CNMI during this difficult time.”

• William “Bill” Hague, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs

“As a native of the CNMI, I join my community in mourning. Governor Palacios was a dedicated public servant whose lifelong commitment to the people of the CNMI will be remembered with great respect. His leadership and decades of public service has left an enduring legacy. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him over the past several years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family and our Marianas community during this time of great loss and grief. He will be sorely missed.”

• Angel A. Demapan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs

We are saddened by the sudden passing of Governor Arnold Palacios and join our Commonwealth community in mourning and reflection.  He leaves us with many wonderful examples from his public life of the values and leadership that define who we are as a community.  We are grateful for his unyielding commitment to protecting our fragile democracy and seeking ways to improve the functions of our government.  Governor Palacios was an enthusiastic champion of the humanities, particularly as it relates to civic discourse, storytelling, and the preservation of our history and cultural heritage.  We will miss our partnership and extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to First Lady Wella Palacios and his family.

• Northern Marianas Humanities Council Board of Directors

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and the entire community of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) following the passing of +Governor Arnold Indalecio Palacios. We join in mourning this profound loss and extend our deepest condolences to First Lady Wella Palacios, their children, grandchildren, and the extended family. Governor Palacios dedicated over three decades to public service, championing good governance, fiscal responsibility, and the preservation of the islands' culture and environment. His legacy of unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the people of the CNMI will be remembered. We offer our prayers for the soul of Governor Palacios and for the people of the CNMI during this difficult time.  Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the soul of +Governor Arnold Palacios through the mercy of God, rest in peace. The Clergy, Religious men and women, the faithful of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa expresses our sorrow and offer our prayers for the repose of his soul.

• Bishop Romeo Convocar, Diocese of Chalan Kanoa

Today, we join the rest of the CNMI in mourning the untimely passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios. As Senate President, Governor Palacios played a key part in the creation and development of Senate Bill 20-02, which became CNMI Public Law 20-20 in 2017 and established the CNMI Office of Planning and Development (OPD). Throughout his governorship, he maintained a deep and vested interest in OPD and its premier projects for the CNMI and was a steadfast advocate for these projects moving forward. May he rest in peace.

• CNMI Office of Planning and Development

“It is with a heavy heart that I offer my deepest condolences to the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on the passing of Governor Arnold Palacios, a devoted leader, a steadfast advocate, and a dear friend. On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and my administration, I extend our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to First Lady Wella Palacios, their children and grandchildren, and the extended Palacios family during this time of profound loss. Governor Palacios was a pillar of public service in the Pacific. His deep love for the people and culture of the Marianas was evident throughout his remarkable career. For more than three decades, he served with humility, grace, and a firm belief in the role of government to uplift its people. Whether as Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor, or Governor, he led with conviction, compassion, and courage. I had the honor of working closely with Governor Palacios on many of the challenges facing America’s island territories. I will always remember the time we spent together in Washington, where we stood side by side before the Department of the Interior and the White House, united with our fellow territorial governors to advocate for our communities. Governor Palacios understood that although our islands are separated by geography, we are united by shared struggles and a common purpose—to build a better future for those we serve. As the people of the Northern Mariana Islands mourn the loss of their beloved leader, we remember a man whose legacy was defined by integrity, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to public service. May his memory inspire others to lead with the same heart, honor, and hope that guided him throughout his life.Rest in peace, Governor Palacios. Your legacy endures in the islands and people you so deeply loved.”

• USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr.

"Governor Palacios' passing leaves a deep void in our community. I am grateful to have worked under a servant leader who always had the CNMI's best interest at heart. My deepest condolences to Auntie Wella, the family, and the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."

• Alfreda Camacho Maratita, Special Assistant for Public Transportation

"I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios — a leader I deeply respected, and someone I was proud to call a friend.

Governor Palacios led with quiet strength, tremendous humility, and a deep love for the people of the Marianas. His service was never about recognition; it was always about doing what was right for our islands and our future. I saw that firsthand in the way he supported education — not just in words, but in action.

He believed in Northern Marianas College and its role in shaping lives and strengthening communities. From helping secure critical support for our rebuilding efforts, to standing with us as we broke ground on a new student center, to launching the CNMI Green Growth Initiative with NMC at its core — he was always thinking ahead, always asking how we could do better for the next generation. More than anything, Arnold showed us that leadership means listening, caring, and showing up — especially when it matters most. I will miss his wisdom and his kindness. My deepest condolences to First Lady Wella, his entire family, and to everyone feeling this loss. We lost a good man — but his legacy lives on in the people and the islands he loved so deeply."

• Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Northern Marianas College President

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