Hawaii Vacation: Michelle Obama Brings Daughters, Sam Kass To MA'O Organic Farms

First Lady has pizza party reunion with Honolulu chef Ed Kenney, hails his cooking as "perfect" and "delicious"...
While President Obama was stuck in Washington on Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama was in Hawaii introducing daughters Malia and Sasha to the wonders of organic farming, Aloha style. Joined by Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass, Mrs. Obama took her girls for a visit to MA'O Organic Farms in the Waianae area, according to Honolulu chef Ed Kenney, a board member for the community farm. Using fresh produce, Kenney and Kass cooked veggie-laden pizzas in a fire oven. Mrs. Obama first visited the farm in November, when she hosted a Let's Move! event there as President Obama hosted the APEC Leaders Meeting in Honolulu. (Above: Mrs. Obama and Kenney during her first visit to the farm)

"Beautiful morning @maoorganicfarms w/ the FLOTUS & her girls. Kiawe-fired pizza w/ White House chef Sam Kass," Kenney tweeted about the First Lady's visit.

The First Lady arrived on island with her daughters, Kass and other aides last Friday night for a 17-day vacation. In November, Kass and Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10, were at home in Washington when Kenney joined Mrs. Obama at the 24-acre, student-run certified organic MA'O for a tour of the crop rows and the Let's Move! round table. The chef/owner of Town and Downtown restaurants, Kenney, 43, also cooked the First Lady's special farm-to-table APEC Spouses Luncheon the next day at Kualoa Ranch, which starred produce from MA'O (more on Kenney here).

Kass routinely accompanies the First Family on their winter vacations in Hawaii and summer vacations on Martha's Vineyard. The First Family is staying in the town of Kailua, in a rented compound along the pristine beaches of Kaneohe Bay, up the street from the house they stayed in last Christmas. Extended family and Chicago friends are reported to be on island for the vacation, too. President Obama's arrival date on island has not yet been announced by the White House.

A thank you letter from Mrs. Obama...
Kenney also received a thank-you letter for the APEC Spouses Luncheon from Mrs. Obama, and he tweeted a photo of the letter, too (above). Mrs. Obama hailed the luncheon for twelve, which starred locally fished mahi mahi as well as MA'O vegetables as "delicious," "the perfect meal," and "simply perfect from start to finish."

Kenney is a bit of a history maker: His starter salad featured MA'O beets, a vegetable that Mrs. Obama once declared to be her "worst nightmare" in food.

"She ate every bite," Kenney told Obama Foodorama. The beets were prominent in the salad, which also had arugula, clementine, and pistachio, with Naked Cow Dairy feta, and poppy seed vinaigrette.

The 24-acre MA'O Organic Farms provides most of the produce for Kenney's restaurant and catering operation, as well as for other restaurants and farmers markets. It is run primarily by students who receive a stipend and college tuition for their work, in which they are trained to be agriculture experts.

"Your passion for educating our children and strengthening our understanding of where our food comes from is an inspiration, and I hope you know how much I value all you do," Mrs. Obama wrote.

The First Family has never actually visited Town, Kenney said, because its location makes it difficult to secure for a Presidential dining outing.

*Top photo by AP; second by Ed Kenney

Behind The Scenes: Presidential Dining Photos

New images from President Obama's socio-politcal events in Hawaii, Australia, New Hampshire...
The White House has posted a new Flickr set for November, covering President Obama's busy month. It includes three previously unpublished photos with behind-the-scenes images from some of the President's dining adventures, taken by his official photographer, Pete Souza. None of the images focus on food, of course, but rather on the event being recorded. In the photo above, President Obama sits with First Lady Obama and leaders of Asia Pacific nations at the dinner for APEC Leaders at the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach, on Nov. 12. The Leaders and spouses dining with the First Couple were not identified.

The menu was created by acclaimed Honolulu chef Alan Wong, who dished all the details to Obama Foodorama. The entree, Twice Cooked Soy Braised Short Ribs with Ko Choo Jang Sauce, is the President's favorite, according to Wong, who has served the President the dish each time he's visited the chef's eponymous restaurant during Christmas vacations in Hawaii. Wong is expecting a Presidential visit this year...if Mr. Obama ever makes it to Hawaii.



In the photo, above, Mr. Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard toast during the Parliamentary Dinner in his honor at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 16. The trip to Australia was the first of the Administration. The three-course menu for a guest list of hundreds, including Cabinet Ministers and Australian luminaries, starred regional favorites: Pan-fried Jewfish, lamb, and a pavlova with wattleseed. The White House previously released a different photo of the President and Gillard toasting.

Also new is the photo, above, snapped when the Presidnt stopped by Julien's Corner Kitchen in Manchester, New Hampshire, to have a 20-minute "lunch" with the Corkery family on November 22. The President sat with Chris Corkery and his wife Kathy, and their two sons, Andrew and Nicholas, before giving a speech at the local high school about middle class tax cuts.

Mr. Corkery introduced the President at Central High School, where he was greeted by an audience of more than 1,200 as he warned Congress that failing to act on tax cuts "will hurt middle-class Americans." Almost a month later, President Obama is still issuing the same warning.

*Photos by Pete Souza/White House

Alan Wong Dishes On Cooking For The Obamas

President Obama's favorite hometown chef discusses his menu for a crucial diplomatic event...and cooking at the White House...
By Marian Burros

When President Obama entertained leaders of Asia Pacific nations at the 2011 APEC conference earlier this month with a dinner at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, he chose his favorite local chef for the honor of literally serving his country. Alan Wong’s eponymous restaurant, located close to the apartment complex where the President lived as a boy, gets a 28 out of a possible 30 in the Zagat guide. (Above: The President toasts his guests at the dinner)

Wong, who prepared a luau on the South Lawn for the first Congressional Picnic the President and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted in 2009, has served the First Couple and a group of their friends each Christmas since Mr. Obama was elected. Wong expects them back this year.

“The Obamas,” Wong said, “are adventurous eaters.”

Those adventurous eaters tend to dine at restaurants owned by chefs who are committed to local and organic sourcing, and Wong is no exception. He worked for Andre Soltner at New York’s famed Lutece in New York for three years, and uses French techniques with primarily organic ingredients gleaned from local farmers, and the catch of local fisher folk, to produce Hawaiian regional cooking. Like the Obamas, the first White House residents to install a beehive, Wong is a major beekeeping enthusiast. He used his own honey for the APEC menu, and has also started an “Adopt-a-Beehive” project in Honolulu. (Above: Wong harvesting pineapples)

The dinner was the diplomatic social centerpiece of a weekend designed to strengthen America's relationships in the crucial Asia Pacific region, and Wong served dishes that are Obama favorites. The entrée was Twice Cooked Soy Braised Short Ribs with Korean chili sauce, Ko Choo Jang Sauce, topped with gingered shrimps--something the President has enjoyed during his visits to Wong's restaurant. Sautéed eggplant was served to mop up the sauce.

Wong said it was OK to “call it surf and turf.” (Above: The Short Ribs)

Both White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard and Chief of Protocol Patricia Penavic Marshall were on hand to ensure all went off to perfection.

The President and First Lady's guests included President Demitry Medvedev of Russia; President Hu Jintao of China; Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her partner Tim Mathieson; President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok of South Korea; and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen Harper, among others. The party was held beneath a dramatic tent in the Luau Garden at the Hale Koa, which fronts Waikiki Beach.

“Security was very tight,” Wong said, noting that White House staff “usually dictates a lot of the details regarding the President and APEC Leaders dinner."

“We were notified of all the dietary restrictions ahead of time,” Wong said. “Usually they have a chef from the Navy assigned to the kitchen to oversee us and make sure everything is good to go. In addition, the State of Hawaii assigned four Board of Health inspectors, probably a directive from someone, to oversee our food preparations and service the entire time.”

The first course was a butter poached lobster tail served with a green onion sauce and Hamakua mushrooms.

Wong served the Obamas’ favorite dessert, known as The Coconut. It looks like a half coconut that has been cracked open, but it is actually a sweet trick. The secret is to blow up a balloon, coat it with chocolate and while it is wet roll it in coconut. When the chocolate hardens, the balloon is popped and removed, and coconut sorbet takes its place inside. The plate is decorated with an extravaganza of tropical fruits: Mangoes, papayas, star fruit, pineapple, and berries, served with passion fruit sauce. (Above: The Coconut)

Even though only one hour was allotted for the dinner, the pre-dinner cocktail reception took more than two hours, because there were long delays between each leader’s arrival, picture taking, and greeting from the President and First Lady. There was a security glitch: Leaders' spouses had not been properly credentialed, and this caused the delay as aides scrambled to get clearances.

Guests may not have cared, thanks to Wong's offerings. Drinks, including one non-alcoholic beverage made of ginger and honey tea were served, using the chefs’s own honey. There was also an elaborate assortment of hors d’oeuvres, including Big Island Baby Abalone with Yuzu Miso; Ho Farms Tomato with Li Hing Dressing; “Local Style” Yellowfin Ahi Poke, Hanakoa Farms Lilikoi Shots on ice; Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Kalua Pig; and Greek Sausage with Sriracha Yogurt. (Above: A long view of the Presidential dinner)

The dinner service went off without a hitch, Wong said. There was one non-food related issue: Makana, a local musician, managed to croon his own pro-Occupy Wall Street ballad while he was ostensibly entertaining the President's guests with traditional Hawaiian tunes. The move went unnoticed until the singer posted about his victory the next day on social media, complete with blurry video.

A buffet for hundreds...
While the APEC Leaders were at the seated Presidential dinner, the 350 other delegates were treated to a taste of Hawaii, a multi-stationed buffet, the tables manned by all the farmers who supply Wong’s restaurant. The menu was elaborate, and included Wong's signature Kalua Pig. During the weekend, Mrs. Obama toured MA’O Organic Farms in the Waianae area, and their freshly harvested vegetables were on Wong’s menu, too.

In a recent conversation Wong laughed about his experience trying to dig a traditional cooking pit in the South Lawn for the White House luau in 2009. He was attempting to do the Kalua Pig, and some of those stern-looking men who can be seen all over the White House grounds came to him and said: "You can’t dig up the lawn."

"The luau became a modified luau," Wong said. He cooked his dish without disturbing the historic dirt.

No matter the kind, “it was a once in a lifetime event so I brought as many of my staff as I could. There were 14 of us.”

The First Family will return to Hawaii in late December, after the busy White House holiday season.

Related: During the weekend in Hawaii, The First Lady hosted a farm-to-table luncheon for APEC Leaders spouses.

*Dinner photos by AP/pool; others courtesy Alan Wong

2011 APEC: Walmart Touts Let's Move! Partnership, Local Farm Sourcing

White House-Walmart partnership is "delivering results," says CEO...
Global grocery giant Walmart, First Lady Michelle Obama's largest private sector partner for the Let's Move! campaign, put out a press release from the APEC summit in Honolulu, touting its partnership with the White House. CEO Scott Price attended the APEC CEO Summit, and the press release highlights two of the commitments Walmart has made to the Let's Move! campaign: Sourcing from local farmers and dropping prices for healthier foods. Price notes the two initiatives in the press release. (Above: Mrs. Obama toured an organic farm during her visit to Hawaii)

"In the U.S., in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign, Walmart efforts to make food healthier and healthier food more affordable are delivering results," Price said. "It will save customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables."

"Walmart's Direct Farm program procures directly from over 800,000 farmers, offering higher incomes for farmers and lower prices for customers," noted the release.

Mrs. Obama spotlighted Let's Move! and local sourcing during her visit to Hawaii, with a tour of MA'O Organic Farms, and a farm-to-table luncheon for APEC Leaders' spouses at Kualoa Ranch.

Walmart's drop in prices for consumers due to its Let's Move! commitment has not yet been tracked. The company has also pledged to build 275-300 stores in food deserts by 2016, to help Mrs. Obama reach the Let's Move! goal of eradicating all US food deserts by 2017.

The full press release:

HONOLULU, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart Asia CEO Scott Price today reiterated Walmart's focus on contributing to the communities in which the Company does business in APEC economies. Price made the comments during the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held in Honolulu, USA, Nov 11-14, 2011.

Price said, "Walmart is a strong contributor globally to the communities in which we operate and this is especially true in APEC economies. These include great examples in the U.S., China, Japan, Mexico and Chile. In the U.S., we announced a $2 billion commitment through 2015 to help end hunger in America. In China, we are working closely with the China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) on poverty alleviation for women. Walmart's Direct Farm program procures directly from over 800,000 farmers, offering higher incomes for farmers and lower prices for customers."

Price continued, "In Japan we are committed to helping with the recovery efforts of the earthquake-affected region. We've committed well over $5 million to these efforts. We have just announced two new programs. One, in partnership with Save the Children to get children back into school, and the other with Mercy Corps to support women engaged in the harvesting of Wakame seaweed. We were also very active after the earthquake in Chile through a $1.9 million donation to provide emergency housing in different regions as well as to rebuild small businesses. In Canada, Walmart donated over CA$8 million as a key sponsor of the Children's Miracle Network that raises funds for children's hospitals across Canada. Finally, in Mexico, our Indigenous Product Commercialization Program, which offers training and funding to boost production processes of marginalized communities and indigenous groups living in isolated regions to improve their income and quality of life, was recognized by the United Nations Development Programme with its World Business and Development Award."

According to Price, these programs and their impact were possible only because of the collaboration between governments, the private sector and social sector.

"In most instances, high impact is possible because there is a strong alignment between the priorities of that government and the private sector. Both the U.S. and China have strong examples of this. In China, we have really benefitted from working closely with the China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) on a key national priority – poverty alleviation of women," Price said. "The program is now in full execution and is making a big difference in the three pilot provinces in which we are working. In the U.S., in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign, Walmart efforts to make food healthier and healthier food more affordable are delivering results. It will save customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables."

"We want to be a part of the solution to a better life for the communities in which we operate. We want to work with governments and the social sector to ensure that," concluded Price.

##

*Pool photo

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

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

Transcript: First Lady's Remarks At 2011 APEC Leaders Spouses Luncheon, Kualoa Ranch

In Hawaii on Sunday, as President Obama continued his Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a luncheon for the APEC spouses. The event was held 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. More on Kenney is here.

Mrs. Obama welcomed the APEC spouses in a formal receiving line before the luncheon, and each received an official diplomatic gift. Kualoa Ranch, founded in 1850, has dramatic terrain that encompasses mountains and sea. It has been much used by Hollywood, most notably for the "Jurassic Park" films and the "Lost" TV series.

On Saturday evening, the President and Mrs. Obama hosted the APEC Leaders Dinner at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2011

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY
AT APEC SPOUSES LUNCHEON

Ka’a’awa, Hawaii

11:49 A.M. HAST

MRS. OBAMA: Well, first of all I just want to say welcome and good afternoon. It is such a pleasure to see each of you again today. I hope you enjoyed last night. I hope that you got some rest. And if you still feel a bit tired, then our hope is that this spectacular view will wake you up, as well as this wonderful lunch. I am thrilled to be with all of you today, as I am every time we have an opportunity to meet.

I know traveling for our spouses can be difficult, but for me, one of the things that makes it worthwhile is getting to know each one of you. Over the last several years, I've had an opportunity to talk and share stories, and learn more about your lives and your children and your family. And I can say that this is one of the greatest benefits of being a First Lady, is sharing this experience with each and every one of you. So from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for your friendship, and I look forward to spending more time with each of you in the years to come.

I am also thrilled to have a chance to welcome you all here to Hawaii at this year’s APEC Summit. And 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. Our sister, Maya, is joining us here today, and she still lives here with our two nieces. She's working with the University of Hawaii, doing some great outreach education, training of teachers, and just being an overall great professional and wonderful mother. And I'm glad that she could be here today.

And our family has the privilege of coming here -- the burden of coming back here every year. (Laughter.) And that's really one of the reasons I married Barack. (Laughter.) When I realized that this is where we'd be spending the holidays, I said, "Yes -- I love you!" (Laughter.) So Barack and I, we have a tradition: Over the last 20, maybe -- more than 20 years, because we started coming back even before we were engaged; every year we come here for two weeks and spend time getting to know this wonderful island and spending time with our families. So it is a unique privilege to be able to share this special place with all of you. And ever since I first met Barack, he’s always talked about how growing up here, in this place, has shaped his character and his perspective -- and it's true. He is a very calm, focused individual, and much of that comes from his upbringing here, and the connection to the community here as well.

As he said, Hawaii is an incredibly diverse place; it's home to people of all different cultures. And 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, a place where I feel welcome and open and optimistic. Folks here view their differences as strengths –- not as weaknesses. And people of all different backgrounds live together and work together and seek to learn from each other.

So in many ways, Hawaii is really the perfect place for this year’s APEC Summit, because that is precisely what our spouses are working towards here during their time together. They’re coming together to address our shared challenges. They are finding ways to boost our economies so that we can all prosper. And they’re working to ensure -- most importantly -- that our young people will have every opportunity to fulfill their dreams. And I know that all of you and your spouses also share that hope and goal for the young people in our country and in our world.

So we thought that this last point actually brings me to one of the reasons why we came here, and why you're about to eat the meal that you're going to have. Because we're working with young people -- they've helped us make this afternoon possible. The fresh fruits and vegetables that you’ll be eating today were grown and prepared by some phenomenal young people at a local organic farm under the guidance of a great Hawaiian chef, Chef Ed Kenney.

And 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. Through the work that they're doing, they're not only interning and learning about farming and learning how to reconnect with one of the important cultural aspects of their heritage, but they're also working, earning a living, gaining an internship -- and the program is paying for many of them to finish their education. All of these young people are either getting -- going to community colleges in the area, or they're pursuing their graduate or undergraduate educations at the University of Hawaii and other institutions here. I love these kids. I love this program. And I am just pleased that they decided to come and spend a little more time with us today. So it is now my pleasure to introduce to you Chef Kenney and two of the great students who work with Ma'o Farms -– Manny Miles and Ku’u Samson. You guys ready to talk some more?

MS. SAMSON: Yes. (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA: They pretend to be shy, but they're not really. So they're going to tell you a little bit more about the meal that they've prepared for you -- for us today, and anything else that you want to share with us. So, Chef Kenney, take it away.

END 11:56 P.M. HAST

#

Related: 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 Theresa Heinz Kerry's Rosemont Farm. Both events spotlighted local, organic and sustainably grown ingredients.