Blue skies and lots of sunshine made for a picture perfect day at Kualoa Ranch for First Lady Michelle Obama to meet with the spouses of 11 countries here for APEC.
All, but one of the eleven spouses were women, Tim Mathieson who is the boyfriend of Australia’s Prime Minister also attended the luncheon.
First Lady Michelle Obama shared how special Hawaii has become to her over the years.
"There’s a special spirit here a spirit of openness and tolerance and I have experienced it myself I feel like this is my home away from home," she said.
She also joked about how it’s been a burden to come back every year to visit Hawaii during the holidays.
"And that’s really one of the reasons why I married Barack," she joked. "When I realized this is where we’d be spending our holidays I said yes, I love you."
MA’O Farms prepared the lunch – the menu included fresh fish, fruits and vegetables grown on the Waianae Coast.
"You will be eating now what people have been eating for centuries and I hope that it will connect you to this incredible place," said Chef Ed Kenny, who worked with MA’O Farms to prepare the meal.
After they ate and mingled, members of the Honolulu boys choir performed several songs along with a paniolo dance finale.
"This is huge I mean really wonderful this is the world stage to be able to showcase Hawaii through Kualoa Ranch is an honor and an opportunity," said Kualoa President John Morgan.
A private ceremony will dedicate a garden here to the first lady. Eleven trees will also be planted representing each dignitary spouse that attended the luncheon on Sunday.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
