The term Pacific PALM is a combination of two words, NIPA and PALM. NIPA is a four-letter word which stands for the NIPA PALM, a species of PALM tree native to the coasts, estuaries, mangroves and swamps of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The NIPA PALM is an important source of food, shelter, and materials for many coastal communities in the region. The PALM part of the term Pacific PALM refers to the PALM trees found in the Pacific region, which are also an important source of food, shelter, and materials for many coastal communities.