The Dalai Lama visited the Bishop Museum this morning for a tour (see Civil Beat story on what museum officials hoped to accomplish.)

He arrived in his motorcade about 9:15 a.m. and stayed about 45 minutes. 

Watters Martin, vice chair of the museum’s board of directors, said: “It’s wonderful that he’s able to come to the Hawaiian Islands and is making a point to meet with Hawaiian leaders.”

Martin had met the Dalai Lama once before, about 15 years ago. “He has this amazing aura.”

Kealoha Kelekolio, a Bishop Museum staff member, said he felt someone tugging on his hair during the Dalai Lama’s tour. It was the Dalai Lama.

Kelekolio said the Dalai Lama took his long white hair and put it over his own bald pate.

“So basically, I’ll never wash my hair again,” he said after the Dalai Lama had left.

 ”It was just magical,” he said. “I never thought I’d ever be in his presence. We were just blessed.”

— Nathan Eagle

Kealoha Kelekolio at the Bishop Museum.