Diving equipment and operator

I will go to Palau on Dezember 2009 for diving.
I'm usually diving in southeastasia e.g. Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia,... and there you dont need to pay for diving equipment e.g. mask, fins, ...

But as i read at the internet and guidebooks, i have to rentthe equipment for 5-10 US$ for each item.
This will be additional 20-50 US$ per day. Do i really need to pay for the equipement when i book a daytrip with 2 dives with an diving operator?

Which diving operator in Palau can you recommend?