First Lady Shows Off Hawaii's Organic Foods At 2011 APEC Spouses Luncheon

At Kualoa Ranch, Mrs. Obama's farm-to-table menu by chef Ed Kenney spotlighted the work of student farmers...
In Hawaii on Sunday, First Lady Michelle Obama treated the spouses of leaders attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to an organic farm-to-table luncheon at Kualoa Ranch, an historic agritourism venue on the windward side of Oahu. Held beneath a white pavilion overlooking Kaneohe Bay, the event was intended to "introduce" the guests to Mrs. Obama's signature Let's Move! initiative, according to the East Wing. Thus Honolulu chef Ed Kenney's menu was anchored by fruit and vegetables harvested on Saturday when Mrs. Obama visited MA'O Organic Farms for a tour and discussion with student farmers. President Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, was included on the luncheon guest list, which numbered just eleven. She also accompanied Mrs. Obama on Saturday. (Above: Mrs. Obama was seated between Mrs. Laureen Harper of Canada and Ms. Lynda May Babao of Papua New Guinea; Soetoro-Ng is at far left)

The First Lady dined with many of her guests on Saturday evening when she and the President hosted the APEC Leaders Dinner in Honolulu. But there was a formal arrival ceremony for the luncheon, and Mrs. Obama, clad in a bright yellow silk sleeveless dress printed with an island pattern, greeted each spouse individually, reaching out to clasp their hands and exchange pleasantries, and then posing for formal photos.

The lone male spouse on hand for the lunch was Mr. Tim Mathieson, the "domestic partner" of Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia. Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok, First Lady of South Korea, was also in attendance; she was at the White House just last month for a State Visit. (Above: Mathieson presented Mrs. Obama with a photo during their greeting)

At the start of the luncheon, Mrs. Obama stood at the head of the single, long table, and spoke of her fondness for Hawaii, which she said essentially sealed the deal with her husband.

"I have to tell you that this state, as you know, has a very special place in my heart. As many of you know, my husband was born and raised here," she said. "Our family has the privilege of coming here--the burden of coming back here every year...And that's really one of the reasons I married Barack."

"When I realized that this is where we'd be spending the holidays, I said, "Yes -- I love you!" Mrs. Obama added, to laughter.

The First Family now spends the Christmas holiday each year on island; during the President's time in office this has been at a beachfront rental compound in the town of Kailua, which also has a view of Kaneohe Bay. Mr. Obama is referred to locally as kama'aina, a child of the land, someone who is not a Native Hawaiian but who was either born on the islands or has spent much time there.

"He has always talked about how growing up in this place has shaped his character," Mrs. Obama said. "There is a special spirit here, a spirit of openness and tolerance."

"In many ways, Hawaii is really the perfect place for this APEC summit," she added, echoing the President's toast at Saturday night's dinner, when he called on the APEC Leaders to adopt the spirit of Hawaii and act as ohana--family--when pursuing their goals.

"Folks here view their differences as strengths--not as weaknesses," Mrs. Obama said. "And people of all different backgrounds live together and work together and seek to learn from each other."

The menu...
The First Lady then introduced Kenney to her guests, hailing him as "a great Hawaiian chef." He owns the restaurants Town and Downtown, and sources much of his produce from MA'O Organic Farms, a 24.5-acre certified organic operation in the Waianae area, which is run primarily by students interns who work in exchange for college tuition and a monthly stipend. Kenney sits on the farm's advisory board, and has been working with it for a decade. He held a wood platter with fresh vegetables as he explained the menu and farming practices (above).

"I had the pleasure of spending a very cool afternoon with many of these young people yesterday, and I can tell you that they are some amazing, positive people who will have an impact not just on the state of Hawaii, but on the rest of the world," Mrs. Obama said.

Ninety percent of the produce for the luncheon was grown at MA'O, Kenney said, and harvested on Saturday by the two young farmers who joined him to prepare the lunch, Ku’u Samson and Manny Miles.

The luncheon began with a salad of MA'O beets with arugula, clementine, and pistachio, with Naked Cow Dairy feta, and poppy seed vinaigrette. The entree was freshly caught mahi mahi with limu sauce, which was made with basil, parsley, capers, and shallots.  The accompaniment was MA'O root vegetables--carrots and rutabaga; as well as pa'i 'ai, a hand-pounded taro; and pickled limu--seaweed sourced from Heeia fishpond--"right down the road" from the Kualoa Ranch.  Dessert was a Meyer Lemon Tart and fresh Liliko'i--passion fruit plucked from Kenney's own backyard, he said.

Kenney said the fish had been caught the day before off Heeia, and since they didn't know what it would be, its name wasn't on the printed menu that accompanied each place setting.  The menu noted fresh fish from Kaneohe Bay.

The Honolulu Boy Choir entertained after the luncheon, singing traditional songs. After, a garden of native trees at the Ranch was dedicated in Mrs. Obama's honor, in a ceremony closed to press. (Above: Mrs. Obama introduces the choir)

The other guests joining Mrs. Obama were Madam Mai Thi Hanh, First Lady of Vietnam; Mrs. Nadine Heredia, First Lady of Peru; Mrs. Laureen Harper, spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada; Mrs. Fang-Yui Lien, spouse of the Representative of Chinese Taipei; Ms. Lynda May Babao, spouse of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea; Mrs. Kristiani Herawati, First Lady of Indonesia; and Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, spouse of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Mrs. Obama presented the APEC spouses with diplomatic gifts created by Hawaiian artists from natural materials that represent Hawaii, including orchids and Koa wood. These were atop each place setting, in small woven presentation boxes. The women received one-of-a-kind brooches cast from real orchid blooms selected by Mrs. Obama; Mr. Mathieson received Koa and sterling cuff links, with the inscription "Made exclusively for Michelle Obama." Read more about the gifts here. (Above: One of the brooches)

The family-owned Kualoa Ranch was founded in 1850, purchased from King Kamehameha III, and the dramatic terrain encompasses mountains and sea. It has been much used by Hollywood, most notably for the "Jurassic Park" films and the "Lost" TV series. It also includes a grass-fed cattle operation.

Mrs. Obama has hosted two previous farm-to-table events for spouses of world leaders. In 2010, she welcomed the spouses of UN General Assembly members to New York's Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture Center, where they took a farm tour and had lunch at Blue Hill resturant, cooked by chef Dan Barber and the White House chefs. During the 2009 Pittsburgh G20 Summit, Mrs. Obama hosted a farm-to-table dinner for spouses at Teresa Heinz Kerry's Rosemont Farm. Both events spotlighted local, organic and sustainably grown ingredients. (Above: Mrs. Obama walking with her guests)

*The full transcript of Mrs. Obama's remarks.

*Pool photos by AP and Honolulu Star Advertiser

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First Lady's Gifts For 2011 APEC Leaders' Spouses

Crafted by Hawaiian artists with island materials, and “Made Exclusively for Michelle Obama"...
As she hosted a special luncheon on Sunday in Hawaii for the spouses of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders, First Lady Michelle Obama presented each with a diplomatic gift, "representing the natural beauty and rich culture of Hawaii," the White House said. The gifts were created by Hawaiian artists, who used natural materials from the islands. Female spouses received brooches made from real orchid blooms, with the flowers being personally selected by Mrs. Obama, according to the White House. Male guests received cufflinks made of sterling silver and Koa wood, with an engraving that reads “Made Exclusively for Michelle Obama.” The gifts were presented in special boxes. (Above: The brooches and their presentation boxes)

Orchid artist Wayne Keeth "grows orchids himself, handpicks each at the height of their beauty, and then casts the individual blossoms without a mold, creating a one-of-a-kind piece," said the White House of the brooches. "This distinctive gift allows each recipient to leave Hawaii with a special and meaningful part of the islands. The blossoms were specially selected for First Lady Michelle Obama on the occasion of APEC 2011."

Each brooch was "presented in a Lauhala style box adorned with a fresh orchid blossom," the White House said. "Ubiquitous on the islands and often used to create leis, the orchid and its colorful blossom elegantly symbolizes the inherent beauty of the islands and the gracious, welcoming nature of the Hawaiian people."

The cufflinks were created with wood from Hawaiian woodturner Keith Maile from Oahu, and designer Kara Ross. (Above: The cufflinks, center, with the presentation box)
"Ancient Hawaiians had a deep spiritual connection to the native Koa forests, and used the wood of the Koa tree in many aspects of life. In ancient times it was said, “E ola Koa,” live long, like the Koa tree in the forest," the White House said of the gift.

The cufflinks were presented in a Lauhala style box adorned with a carved coconut decoration.

The First Lady's luncheon was held at at Kualoa Ranch, an historic, 4,000-acre agritourism venue that is also a working grass-fed cattle operation. Honolulu chef Ed Kenney prepared the luncheon, using organic fruit and vegetables harvested on Saturday, when Mrs. Obama visited MA'O Organic Farms in Waianea, for a tour and a roundtable discussion with the student interns who run the farm. The young farmers got a special gift from the First Lady, too. More on Kenney is here.

On Saturday night, President Obama and Mrs. Obama hosted a dinner and reception for APEC leaders and spouses, at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu.

*White House photos

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President Obama Toasts To Ohana And The Future At 2011 APEC Leaders Dinner

"A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia...no task is too big when done together by all"...
Standing at a podium under a dramatically lit tent on the grounds of the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, President Obama on Saturday night welcomed the leaders and representatives from 20 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations with a luau, dinner and a hula performance. He was clad in the same dark suit he'd worn all day for his meetings, and greeted his guests in Hawaiian and English as he toasted with a glass of water, as is his habit. (Above: Mid-toast)

Earlier in the day, the Honolulu-born President said he felt "a little odd" wearing a business suit for the very first time during a visit to Hawaii. As he made his toast, First Lady Michelle Obama sat to the President's right at the Head Table, clad in a pewter and silver strapless cocktail dress, with a bright pink bodice. The dinner, prepared by chef Alan Wong, began after an Arrival Ceremony that was delayed by security issues and lasted close to an hour. The President in his toast spoke of 'ohana, family, and the theme of the weekend summit: Cooperation. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama at the arrival ceremony)

The President anchored his toast with a Hawaiian proverb, and opened with the traditional Hawaiian greeting. Guests included Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen Harper; Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her "domestic partner" Tim Mathieson; South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok; China's President Hu Jintao; and President Demitry Medvedev of Russia.

"Aloha," President Obama said to his guests, who were seated around four large tables.

Hawaii, the President said, is "a melting pot" that could inspire the work of APEC, which represents 3 billion people of every race, faith and creed.

"Here, we’re a single ‘ohana -- one family. We remember that beneath the surface, behind all the different languages and some very long names, we all share the same hopes, the same struggles and the same aspirations. And we’ve learned that we’re more likely to realize our aspirations when we pursue them together," President Obama said.

"That’s the spirit of Hawaii. It’s what made me who I am. It’s what shapes my interactions with all of you. And it’s the spirit that I hope guides us in our work this weekend."

He raised his glass.

"And so I’d like to propose a toast with the words of a traditional Hawaiian proverb: A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia. And that means, no task is too big when done together by all," President Obama said. "Cheers. Salud. Everybody enjoy the evening."



Chef Wong has cooked at the White House, and President Obama has visited his Honolulu restaurant, Alan Wong's, the last five times he was on island.

After dinner, during a reception that included more guests, the President and Mrs. Obama watched a cultural performance in the hotel's amphitheater. Manu Boyd and his hula halau entertained the larger, post-luau gathering, as did singer Makana, who also performed during the dinner. They performed on a stage lit with fire torches, and the evening ended just before midnight local time.

The First Lady earlier in the day had her own event, visiting MA'O Organic Farms in Waianae, and hosting a roundtable with the students who run the farm. She was joined by Hawaiian chef Ed Kenny, who will prepare her luncheon for APEC Leaders' spouses on Sunday at Kualoa Ranch.

*AP photos

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President Obama, First Lady At 2011 APEC Leaders Dinner Arrival Ceremony

Security issues delay arrivals of APEC Leaders for Power Luau...
On a warm, breezy evening in Honolulu, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greeted the APEC leaders arriving at the Hale Koa Hotel for the 2011 APEC Leaders Dinner, prepared by chef Alan Wong and served in a dramatically lit tent on the vast lawn of the military hotel. The Arrival Ceremony was delayed by security issues: Spouses/companions had not been properly credentialed for the dinner. Beginning at 6:45 PM, the arrivals lasted almost an hour, due to delays with getting the spouses through. Above: The President and Mrs. Obama recive applause as they arrive lead the way into the dinner.

To greet their guests, the First Couple stood under the spreading branches of a rubber tree, with the President in the same dark suit and striped tie he wore earlier for his day of meetings. Mrs. Obama wore a strapless dress that appeared to be made of raw silk. It was pewter colored from the waist down, with a lighter silver bodice, separated by a beaded belt. The dress was topped with a pink sash that wrapped asymmetrically around the top of her dress, over one arm and under the other.

Long waits between Leaders' arrivals...
While the names of APEC Leaders' souses were on a list, they did not have proper security tags, and there was a mad scramble among officials to rectify this, reported Honolulu Civil Beat. So the President and Mrs. Obama would greet a few leaders, and then wait for the next set to appear, as the spouses slowly received security clearance. Above: Posing with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen Harper.

The greetings were casual.

"Guys, how are you?" The President said to the Harpers.

APEC Leaders attending the event without dinner dates obviously got through the line immediately.

Each Leader was announced by a military aide, and then walked forward to the Obamas, who each offered greetings and in some cases hugs. They all then turned to the gathered photographers and posed for a photo. Above: Greeting Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her "domestic partner" Tim Mathieson; they are not married.

First in line was the leader of Taiwan and his wife, followed by Singapore, Thailand (both stag) and New Guinea.

The President and Mrs. Obama then stepped away for a few minutes. They returned to greet more leaders, taking breaks after a every handful of leaders, due to the security SNAFU.

Above: Greeting South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok, who were honored with a State Visit and State Dinner at the White House in October.

Pool reported President Hu Jintao of China looking "somewhat stiff" as he approached and greeted the Obamas. A translator came over to facilitate conversation. Earlier in the day, Hu had a bilateral with President Obama, their first meeting since Hu was honored with a State Visit and State Dinner at the White House last January, and their ninth visit overall.

Thanks to the security issues, the Arrival Ceremony took nearly an hour. Above: President Demitry Medvedev of Russia got a slap on the arm as a welcome from President Obama.

After the arrivals, the guests were seated under the tent, and the dinner began with the President making a welcoming toast.

The arrivals, and the President's toast:



*AP photos

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