ITEP: Welcome to Hawaii & Tonga

On December 12, 2008 we were welcomed to Hawaii by Elder and Sister Jensen ITEP missionaries on their way home to Hyrum, Utah, and Elder and Sister Salvensen, BYU-Hawaii ITEP coordinators for the South Pacific. We paused in the Haiku Gardens near a Banyan tree: A delicious dinner was served on the veranda at Haleiwa Joe's above the Haiku gardens: We stayed in this lovely cottage the first day in Laie near Hukilau Beach:

From the cottage looking left towards Hukilau Beach:Our 2nd house (top floor) for the rest of the week was directly across the street from Hukilau Beach.

To the right of our beach house is Laniloa Point:The Lizard Story: Lailoa, The Mo'o Laniloa Point BYU-H Education Department where we were trained by the Salvesens and BYU-H faculty The original Hukilau Cafe, where Elvis Presley came often while filming in Hawaii, is a favorite with the locals just off campus. Try the scrumptious mahi-mahi burger! The night before flying to Tonga we had dinner at Jamesons by the Sea with the Salvesens, his assistant Lisa and her husband Joseph. Lisi's entire village of Samoa joined the church when she was a little girl. The baked shrimp and crab with cheese as well as the Mahi-Mahi were exceptional.Christmas time at the Visitor's Center and the Laie Temple

A day at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) in Hawaii: Sunrise over Honolulu from the airport window as we depart for Fiji 3000 miles away.

The first sign of land since leaving Hawaii 6 hours and 40 minutes later. Arrival in Fiji: Departing from Fiji for TongaFirst sightings of Tongatapu, Tonga:

Christmas Trees in Tonga

Our duplex is directly in behind the large palm tree. The Sings are on the right of it behind the small palm tree. Note the temple spires.

These kinds of beautiful trees welcomed us to Tonga on December 21.