The Obama Diary

Star Advertiser: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the leaders and representatives from 20 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations with a luau, hula and a Hawaiian proverb at the Hale Koa Hotel….

…. “We have music. We have song. We have celebration and we have hula dancing,” Obama said. “Now, Michelle doesn’t think I’m a very good dancer so I will not be performing,” which drew laughter from the crowd.

… Obama talked about the lessons he had learned from his Hawaii upbringing, concepts he hoped will guide the work of APEC leaders. “We are 21 leaders from across the Asia-Pacific who represent close to 3 billion people … men and women of every faith, color and creed,” he said. “Whatever our differences, our citizens have sent us here with a common task: to bring our economies closer together, to cooperate, to create jobs and prosperity that our people deserve so they can provide for their families, so they can give their children a better future.

“And we’ve learned that we’re more likely to realize our aspirations when we pursue them together,” 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.”

Obama then raised a glass of water and proposed a toast in Hawaiian. “Aohe hana nui ke alu ia,” he said. “That means, ‘No task is too big when done together by all,’” Obama said. “Cheers. Salud.”

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… with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

…. with Linda, the wife of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill

… with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yoon-Ok

…. with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tim Mathieson

… with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen