Lai'e Hawaii LDS Temple Rededicated

The Laie temple was the first finished Mormon temple outside of Utah. The building has stood as a community landmark on Oahu's north shore for many decades. The temple has been closed since late 2008 for remodeling (second time since the temple's construction) and was rededicated by President Monson on November 21, 2010.

For more information about the Laie temple, please visit: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/laie/

Mufi Hannemann one of earliest supporters of Obama

President-elect (until 22 hours from now) Barack Obama received early support from the mayor of his hometown, Honolulu: Mayor Mufi Hannemann, an LDS Democrat who has served in several presidential administrations, including Carter, Clinton, and Reagan.

Mayor of Honolulu and Samoan heritage

As the first Samoan-American to graduate from Harvard University, Mayor Mufi Hannemann honors his Samoan heritage at an event in Hawai'i.  Mayor Hannemann is the second Mormon to serve as mayor of the city of Honolulu.  He has served as a high councilor in the Honolulu West Stake.  

He recently participated in a celebration honoring Samoan culture and heritage.  

BYU-Hawaii Devotional

John Muaina gave a great talk at a recent BYU-Hawaii Devotional.

Following his mission in Samoa, Muaina enrolled at BYU-Hawaii and began working at the PCC, where he met his wife. Like many young couples here, the Muainas

"loved our experience at TVA [Temple View Apartments married student housing]. It embraced the true spirit of fellowship and being with the Saints. It would solidify my feelings about this BYUH campus of destiny and the Polynesian Cultural Center."

Sri Lankan Mormon student hopes to effect peace and stability

Student Asala Wickramaarachchige came to the United States from Sri Lanka to study at Brigham Young University - Hawaii (BYU-H).

His is a very interesting story, featured on his university's news website.

(BYU-H is a school located in Laie, on the beautiful northern coast of Oahu.  The school is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Nearly two thirds of students at the school are not U.S. citizens.)

"Aunty" Genoa Leilani Keawe passes away

"Aunty" Genoa Leilani Keawe passed away yesterday. She was a famous LDS musician, known for her beautiful Hawaiian-style music.  NPR covered this story briefly today.  

Known as the "Hawaiian Lady of Song," she regularly performed at Church events, and many public venues.  Her first claim to fame was her designation as an official performer for the soldiers stationed in Hawaii prior to the second world war.  Until recently she even played every week at the Marriott hotel on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.  Aunty Genoa and her music will be missed dearly.  She was just about 90 years old when she passed away at home in Oahu.

Visit her official website (and turn on your speakers to hear the music that automatically plays).

Barack Obama's Mormon Strategy

Latter-day Saints are a significant constituency in many Western states, like Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, California, Washington, and obviously Utah.  Understanding the importance of this significant group, Barack Obama's campaign has plans to attract Mormons in the general election, that is if Governor Romney does not receive his party's nomination. Please check out this article.  Although the Church does not support any political candidate, including Mitt, a large number of Church members in the West have pledged to support Mr. Romney.  But other Mormons are supporting other candidates in both major parties.  There are, in fact, a number of LDS groups caucusing for Barack Obama around the country.  Examples of such support are groups on Facebook, entitled, "Mormons for Obama", or "White Mormon Men for Obama".

 According to some pundits and political strategists, Mormons in general are less likely to support Huckabee or McCain if Romney loses.  The Obama campaign hopes to capitalize on that.

Among elected officials, one of Obama's earliest supporters was Mayor Mufi Hannemann, a Mormon Democrat and mayor of Honolulu, Obama's city of birth.

Mormons Dancing in Hawaii

The Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii (an hour northeastnorth of Honolulu) and is a beautiful place to visit. This is hands down one of the best tourist sites in Hawaii. 

I was there a couple of days ago and took lots of pictures. 

The exhibits, activities, lectures, boat rides, parades, evening luau, and dance show are all amazing! The food is great!!

Anyway, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is owned and operated by the LDS Church and the Church's university there, BYU-Hawaii.  All the dancers and hosts and performers are LDS students at that school. 

Follow this link for photos!