Drive through the North Shore town of La'ie and you are sure to notice a few things. The Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii's #1 tourist attraction. The Brigham Young University Hawaii campus which hosts students from over 60 countries. And lastly it's hard to miss the beautiful Mormon Temple standing on the hill.
Look even closer and you will notice something else. Something that speaks loudly about the community and what it cherishes most. CHILDREN! Everywhere! Playing on playgrounds, in yards, and in the streets. Through the eyes of these children we will see the unique beauty of La'ie.
Sam
Q. Favorite thing to do?
A. Sam: "I like to play with my family at the park."
Mom: "But we never go to the park as a family"
Sam: "Well I have my babysitters take me
because I think that would be fun... I like to play outside with my family."
Q. Favorite toy?
A. "I like my bike and 4-wheeler."
Q. Favorite food?
A. "I like uh... toast spread with butter and honey." Front door opens, "Oh bummer, Dad is home."
Q. What happened to your knee?
A. "When I ran on the black street I slipped and scraped my knee."
Riley
Q. Favorite food?
A. "I like everything except for carrots... and... um... I don't
like to eat rocks and not pears either."
Q. Favorite thing to do?
A. "Play in the rocks and
with my friends at school, oh and on my bike... I like that a lot"
Q. What is your favorite thing about living in La'ie?
A. "I like to shoot real guns...
and I like to um... playing with my brother with toys inside the house."
Q. Coolest thing ever?
A. "Going to school!"
Q. Favorite primary song?
A. "Um, out in a rainbow la la la la, that one."
Kahili
Q. What do you like about La'ie?
A. "I like that we can play and go up Laie trail and get dirty."
Q. What does Laie look like?
"Laie looks like a little town or village that has cars, big gigantic houses and friends."
Q. What is your favorite toy?
A. "My favorite toy is magic wands because we can pretend that you are turning them
into something like a frog!"
Q. Why do you like bicycles?
A. "I like bicycles because we get to ride around to places with it like to the Temple and school."
Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. "I want to dable, that's when you do more than one job. I want to be a movie maker,
tennis player, and a police girl."
Nalani
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. "Orange noodle and green bread."
Q. Who is your best friend?
"Wailea and Tu'ua and Lisa and Anau. Lisa and Anau's mom let me come inside the house to play."
Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. "A teacher who teaches numbers."
Q. What animals do you see outside?
A. "A small dog at Tu'ua's house and it's white. I like to pet it. I see chickens
at Lisa's house."
Q. What is your favorite word?
A. "Love"