2021 - December 10th - Kendall's Graduation, Polynesian Cultural Center Lunch

The big day arrived ... the reason we came on this trip: Kendall's graduation from BYU Hawaii! This is a proud time for Kendall and for all of us too! We arrived early to grab excellent seating for the graduation ceremony.

We approached Cannon Activities Center where the ceremony will take place. It is a lovely setting. Outside of the center stands a Pioneers of the Pacific Memorial Statue. Several vendors have set up tables to sell beautiful and fragrant leis.

As the class of 2021 had their final preparations in the Aloha Center Ballroom we entered the Cannon Activities Center. We were surprised to learn from the Commencement Program that Kendall graduates Summa Cum Laude! What an accomplishment! Our hearts are singing!

Commencement was very nice. The speakers really related to the hearts of their students. Kendall was the sixth student to be graduated, walking the stage and receiving her diploma. 

The graduates had a contest between themselves to see who could have the most leis. Kendall enlisted the entire family to make leis ... she really wanted to dominate. All of the family's spare time at Owen's Retreat before commencement was spent making leis of candy and other edible goodies (including individual packages of Spam, mini donuts, Hostess cupcakes and so many others). It paid off --- she had the most! Can you even see her face in most of these pictures?

After mingling with friends and fellow students, we went next door to the Polynesian Cultural Center to have lunch at Pounders Restaurant. As we waited for a table to seat 14, we took advantage of taking some addition graduate-family pictures.

The  2021 Summa Cum Laude Graduate .... Kendall Aurora Facey

Kendall with the boys -- Taelor, Ethan and Evan

Kendall with the girls -- Ruby, Mikayla, Jordan and Ella

Kendall with Dad & Mom

Kendall with Grandma & Papaw

Kendall with Ruby, Ed and Carrie

Kendall with the ladies - Auntie Carrie, Grandma, Mom

The wait at Pounders was well worth it. Just two examples of the lunch entries were Larry's Crispy Whole Sunfish and Kendall's "Char Sui" Porkchop. They were delicious! I didn't know if the Sunfish was the right choice, but it most certainly was. I was able to get through it easily with no bones in any of the pieces. The fish almost dropped off the bones by themselves! 

Photo Album Complete at this link