The Dalai Lama arrived in Honolulu on Friday and was greeted at his hotel by high school seniors from Kamehameha Schools. They chanted, sang and danced hula for him.

The Dalai Lama cracked some jokes. He shook hands. Before anyone could give him lei, he grabbed an orchid and a maile lei and threw them over his own head and grinned, drawing laughter from the crowd.

His visit is sponsored by the Hawaii Community Foundation and marks the launch of the organization’s new initiative called “Pillars of Peace Hawaii: Building Peace on a Foundation of Aloha.” He plans two public talks this weekend and a series of conversations with local leaders.

Here’s a slideshow capturing his first day on Oahu.

Civil Beat is live blogging the Dalai Lama’s visit. You can follow along here.