looks like scale to me. I use a spray from a local greenhouse but its controlled. IDK what kind of sprays are out there for the home gardeneer. once there all dead I scratch em off with my finger. there is acually a bug under those pods that sucks the life out of the leaves.

Definitely something that's not good for your palm. I have found that a horticulture oil like Veems will work for scale and other mealy bugs. The oil will kill the eggs too. I haven't lost any plants since I started using it over insecticidal soaps. Make sure you scrub those things off the fronds too.

Its scale. There are a number of pesticides you can use. I use orthene WP when I get them on my orchids. Works great. There are others out there too that work good. My check with your co-op.

This is something I used on my sabal palm last year