The Trumps pay their respects to the fallen: President and First Lady offer solemn floral tribute at Pearl Harbor shrine before departing on Asia tour overshadowed by North Korea crisis

  • President Donald Trump arrived in Hawaii on Friday as he set out on the longest trip to Asia by an American president in more than a quarter century 
  • Trump will be looking for help from Asian allies in pressuring North Korea to stand down from a nuclear crisis
  • Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam late Thursday after a daylong flight from Washington 
  • The First Lady left Washington in a winter jacket in electrifying cobalt blue but changed mid-flight into a sleek white sun dress that bared her arms 
  • After arriving, Trump met with military brass at the US Pacific Command, where the topic of North Korea's nuclear program was at the top of the agenda
  • Trump and the First Lady then took a ferry to Ford Island and visited the memorial for the soldiers who were killed aboard the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 

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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump laid a wreath and threw hibiscus flowers into the sea on Friday at a Hawaii memorial for US soldiers who died at Pearl Harbor nearly 80 years ago.

Embarking on his first official tour of Asia, Trump said he eagerly anticipated a visit to Pearl Harbor, where thousands of service members paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

'Getting ready to land in Hawaii. Looking so much forward to meeting with our great Military/Veterans at Pearl Harbor!' Trump tweeted aboard Air Force One as he neared the end of a 10-hour flight from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took a ferry to a memorial for soldiers killed during the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The memorial for those who died on the USS Arizona is located on Ford Island and is only accessible by boat

A U.S. Coast Guard gun boat protects President Trump and his entourage as he departs by boat from the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu

A U.S. Coast Guard gun boat protects President Trump and his entourage as he departs by boat from the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu

The president and the first lady throw flowers during their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial on Friday  in Honolulu. Admiral Harris and his wife Bruni Bradley accompanied the Trumps

The president and the first lady throw flowers during their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial on Friday in Honolulu. Admiral Harris and his wife Bruni Bradley accompanied the Trumps

Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was decided that the USS Arizona would remain at the bottom of the harbor as the final resting place for those lost

Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was decided that the USS Arizona would remain at the bottom of the harbor as the final resting place for those lost

The president and first lady look down into the water at the wreckage of the USS Arizona

The president and first lady look down into the water at the wreckage of the USS Arizona

The Trumps are seen laying a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial on Friday. The memorial honors the lives of 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed

The Trumps are seen laying a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial on Friday. The memorial honors the lives of 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed

Almost half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor occurred on the Arizona, which was hit four times by Japanese bombers

Almost half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor occurred on the Arizona, which was hit four times by Japanese bombers

There were 37 confirmed pairs or trios of brothers assigned to USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. Of these 77 men, 62 were killed, and 23 sets of brothers died

There were 37 confirmed pairs or trios of brothers assigned to USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. Of these 77 men, 62 were killed, and 23 sets of brothers died

The president's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, attended the wreath-laying ceremony

The president's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, attended the wreath-laying ceremony

Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster, looks on during the wreath-laying ceremony

Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster, looks on during the wreath-laying ceremony

Two US Navy sailors stand beside the wreath laid by President Trump and the first lady at the USS Arizona Memorial

Two US Navy sailors stand beside the wreath laid by President Trump and the first lady at the USS Arizona Memorial

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (right) takes a moment to himself after the wreath-laying ceremony

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (right) takes a moment to himself after the wreath-laying ceremony

Kelly reads the names of the fallen soldiers on the wall of the memorial. A retired four-star Marine general, Kelly's son was killed while serving in Afghanistan

Kelly reads the names of the fallen soldiers on the wall of the memorial. A retired four-star Marine general, Kelly's son was killed while serving in Afghanistan

The monument is run by the US National Park Service. An NPS official is seen above briefing the president and the first lady on their visit

The monument is run by the US National Park Service. An NPS official is seen above briefing the president and the first lady on their visit

Trump toured the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, which marks the resting place of more than 1,000 sailors and Marines who were killed on the battle ship during the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941.

Accessible only by boat, the memorial straddles the battleship’s sunken hull.

More than 2,300 sailors, soldiers and Marines died as a result of the attack, as well as 68 civilians, according to the National Park Service. 

Trump saluted after entering the memorial following a short boat ride with the first lady. 

They approached a wreath of white flowers - a gift from the couple - and watched as two sailors placed it near a wall of names of those who died after a surprise attack by Japan that plunged the US into World War II.

The Trumps then tossed white flower petals into the water above the battleship's sunken hull.

Trump did not speak publicly at the memorial. He said during an earlier meeting with military officials that he eagerly anticipated the visit. 

Trump landed in Hawaii on Friday as he set out on the longest trip to Asia by an American president in more than a quarter century, looking for help to pressure North Korea to stand down from a nuclear crisis. 

Trump and his wife arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam late Thursday after a daylong flight from Washington.

President Trump is welcomed by US Navy Admiral Harry Harris, commander of United States Pacific Command, at its headquarters in Aiea, Hawaii

President Trump is welcomed by US Navy Admiral Harry Harris, commander of United States Pacific Command, at its headquarters in Aiea, Hawaii

The US Pacific Command oversees US military operations in the region. Recent tensions with North Korea have kept American military commanders preoccupied

The US Pacific Command oversees US military operations in the region. Recent tensions with North Korea have kept American military commanders preoccupied

A key discussion topic likely will be North Korea's nuclear threat, a crisis that will shadow Trump's trip

A key discussion topic likely will be North Korea's nuclear threat, a crisis that will shadow Trump's trip

Trump will also tour the USS Arizona Memorial, part of the Pearl Harbor site dedicated to the attack that drew the US into World War II

Trump will also tour the USS Arizona Memorial, part of the Pearl Harbor site dedicated to the attack that drew the US into World War II

Also accompanying Trump on his trip is White House chief of staff John Kelly, who is seen left looking on during the president's meeting with Admiral Harris (second from left)

Also accompanying Trump on his trip is White House chief of staff John Kelly, who is seen left looking on during the president's meeting with Admiral Harris (second from left)

Trump looks on during a meeting with military brass at US Pacific Command (PACOM) in Aiea, Hawaii. PACOM covers more of the globe of any of the other geographic combatant commands and shares borders with all of the other five geographic combatant commands

Trump looks on during a meeting with military brass at US Pacific Command (PACOM) in Aiea, Hawaii. PACOM covers more of the globe of any of the other geographic combatant commands and shares borders with all of the other five geographic combatant commands

He departs Friday for Japan, the first stop on the five-nation, 11-day Asia journey.

The First Lady left Washington in a winter jacket in electrifying cobalt blue but changed mid-flight into a sleek white sun dress that bared her arms.

Upon landing, the Trumps were both handed traditional leis, the wreath of flowers worn around the necks that are presented upon arriving or leaving Hawaii as a symbol of affection.

Just after 1pm local time, Trump and the first lady were greeted on the Hickam Air Force base tarmac by Hawaii Governor David Ige and his wife Dawn Amano-Ige.

President Trump and his wife arrived in Hawaii on Friday as he set out on the longest trip to Asia by an American president in more than a quarter century, looking for help to pressure North Korea to stand down from a nuclear crisis. The Trumps are seen at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on Friday

President Trump and his wife arrived in Hawaii on Friday as he set out on the longest trip to Asia by an American president in more than a quarter century, looking for help to pressure North Korea to stand down from a nuclear crisis. The Trumps are seen at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on Friday

Trump departs Friday for Japan, the first stop on the five-nation, 11-day Asia journey. The first couple is seen after disembarking Air Force One

Trump departs Friday for Japan, the first stop on the five-nation, 11-day Asia journey. The first couple is seen after disembarking Air Force One

The First Lady left Washington in a winter jacket in electrifying cobalt blue but changed mid-flight into a sleek white sun dress that bared her arms
The First Lady left Washington in a winter jacket in electrifying cobalt blue but changed mid-flight into a sleek white sun dress that bared her arms

The First Lady left Washington in a winter jacket in electrifying cobalt blue but changed mid-flight into a sleek white sun dress that bared her arms

Also on hand to welcome the president and the first lady were Admiral Harry B. Harris and his wife, Bruni Bradley, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

Nine-year-old Mikayla Webb, a fourth-grader from a local school, gave the couple lei and received a hug from Melania Trump.

'I’m going to give the president and his wife a lei,' Mikayla said before Air Force One landed. 

When asked what she would say to the Trumps, Mikayla said, 'Aloha and welcome to the islands.'

'They wanted a Hawaiian, military girl to offer lei,' her mother, Tanya Webb, said.

After receiving lei, the Trumps then greeted some of the roughly 150 people who gathered to welcome them to Hawaii.

Several of those who waited to see the Trumps were wearing red 'Make America Great Again' hats.

While Trump greeted supporters, there were also protests planned for his visit.

The president is deeply unpopular in Hawaii, a state that leans heavily towards the Democrats.

Large crowds of protesters were expected to line the streets as the presidential motorcade made its way around the island on Friday, according to The Los Angeles Times

It is Trump's first visit to Hawaii as president. 

After his arrival, Trump met with leaders of the US Pacific Command, which oversees US military operations in the region.

A likely discussion topic was North Korea's nuclear threat, a crisis that will shadow Trump's trip.

He'll also meet with the governors of Alaska, Hawaii and Pacific US territories. 

President Trump waves to the gathered crowd at the military base as he and First Lady Melania Trump deplane from Air Force One

President Trump waves to the gathered crowd at the military base as he and First Lady Melania Trump deplane from Air Force One

The Trumps are expected to stay overnight on the island of Oahu before continuing on their way to Asia

The Trumps are expected to stay overnight on the island of Oahu before continuing on their way to Asia

The first couple appeared fresh after a nearly 10-hour flight from Washington, DC to The Aloha State

The first couple appeared fresh after a nearly 10-hour flight from Washington, DC to The Aloha State

The Trumps are seen holding hands as they descend the steps from Air Force One while a supportive crowd waits to greet them

The Trumps are seen holding hands as they descend the steps from Air Force One while a supportive crowd waits to greet them

Upon landing, the Trumps were both handed traditional leis, the wreath of flowers worn around the necks that are presented upon arriving or leaving Hawaii as a symbol of affection

Upon landing, the Trumps were both handed traditional leis, the wreath of flowers worn around the necks that are presented upon arriving or leaving Hawaii as a symbol of affection

The Trumps are seen shaking hands with a throng of supporters after their arrival at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam

The Trumps are seen shaking hands with a throng of supporters after their arrival at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam

US servicemen and women were eager to shake Trump's hand and snap a picture of the president up close on Friday

US servicemen and women were eager to shake Trump's hand and snap a picture of the president up close on Friday

Trump gives a high-five to a young supporter on hand at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam just after his arrival

Trump gives a high-five to a young supporter on hand at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam just after his arrival

President Donald Trump bends to receive a flower lei as First Lady Melania Trump (far right) and Dawn Ige, the wife of Hawaii's governor, David Ige, look on

President Donald Trump bends to receive a flower lei as First Lady Melania Trump (far right) and Dawn Ige, the wife of Hawaii's governor, David Ige, look on

Nine-year-old Mikayla Webb, a fourth-grader from a local school, gave the couple lei and received a hug from Melania Trump

Nine-year-old Mikayla Webb, a fourth-grader from a local school, gave the couple lei and received a hug from Melania Trump

President Trump's chief of staff, John Kelly (center), shares a laugh with Hawaii Governor David Ige (far left) and his wife, Dawn Ige

President Trump's chief of staff, John Kelly (center), shares a laugh with Hawaii Governor David Ige (far left) and his wife, Dawn Ige

Security and trade will loom large during Trump's first official visit to Asia.

North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs are likely to be the issue dominating the first part of his trip, which includes stops in South Korea's capital and Beijing as well as Tokyo.

Trade will figure throughout, both in North Asia and at his stops in Southeast Asia for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders' meeting in the Philippines. 

Trump’s 12-day trip to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, ending on November 14, takes him out of Washington at a time when he has been beset by several issues.

These include an intensifying federal investigation into Russian meddling in last year’s election, New York’s recovery from an attack earlier this week that killed eight people, and debate over a Republican tax-cut plan that if approved by Congress would be Trump’s first major legislative victory.

The trip began just days after Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort was indicted in the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and after his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, faced Democratic calls to appear before Congress again to clarify his previous testimony about the campaign’s Russia contacts.

Amid the furor caused by the revelations, the Kremlin said on Friday that a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Asian economic summit next week was being discussed, and Trump said it might happen.

Trump¿s 12-day trip to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, ending on November 14, takes him out of Washington at a time when he has been beset by several issues

Trump’s 12-day trip to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, ending on November 14, takes him out of Washington at a time when he has been beset by several issues

The president and first lady walk away after Trump briefly spoke to reporters just before his departure on Marine One at the White House on Friday

The president and first lady walk away after Trump briefly spoke to reporters just before his departure on Marine One at the White House on Friday

Trump left the capital on Friday as the nation was focused on an intensifying federal investigation into Russian meddling in last year¿s election, New York¿s recovery from an attack earlier this week that killed eight people, and debate over a Republican tax-cut plan that if approved by Congress would be Trump¿s first major legislative victory

Trump left the capital on Friday as the nation was focused on an intensifying federal investigation into Russian meddling in last year’s election, New York’s recovery from an attack earlier this week that killed eight people, and debate over a Republican tax-cut plan that if approved by Congress would be Trump’s first major legislative victory

Before their departure, the first lady stopped to take a selfie with a supporter just moments before she and her husband stepped aboard Marine One

Before their departure, the first lady stopped to take a selfie with a supporter just moments before she and her husband stepped aboard Marine One

'We may have a meeting with Putin,' Trump told Fox News. 

'And, again – Putin is very important because they can help us with North Korea. They can help us with Syria. We have to talk about Ukraine.'

Court documents made public on Monday also disclosed that a Trump campaign foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty early last month to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

The documents cited a March 2016 meeting, when Trump was campaigning for the presidency, and attended by Trump and Sessions, in which Papadopoulos offered to help arrange a meeting between Trump and Putin. 

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ASIA TRIP ITINERARY

On Saturday, President Trump will embark on a grueling 12-day tour of Asian countries. His first stop will be Japan, followed by South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines 

On Saturday, President Trump will embark on a grueling 12-day tour of Asian countries. His first stop will be Japan, followed by South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines 

After an overnight stay in Oahu, President Trump will depart Hawaii on Saturday for Asia.

His first top will be Tokyo, where he is scheduled to stay for two days beginning on Sunday. 

In Japan, Trump will have lunch with the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe. The two men will then play nine holes at a fancy golf club that just recently allowed women to become full-fledged members, according to The Washington Post.

Trump plans to spend 48 hours in Japan - a sign of warm personal ties between him and the Japanese premier.

His next stop, however, won't be as festive. Trump is scheduled to travel to another key ally - South Korea.

In Seoul, Trump will spend one day there on Tuesday. Observers say this is a deliberate slight at the South Korean leader, President Moon Jae-in.

While Abe shares Trump's view that a hard line needs to be taken against their common enemy, North Korea, Moon is considered a liberal who favors diplomacy with Pyongyang.

The South Korean government was even opposed to American plans to station an anti-missile battery on the peninsula.

Trump, in turn, has been annoyed at what he views as South Korea's 'talk of appeasement.'

The South Koreans are also wary of the close relationship between their former colonial ruler, Japan, and Washington.

On Wednesday, Trump will travel to China. According to Vox, the Chinese plan on lavishing Trump with a welcome reserved for royalty.

The state visit will include a military honor guard, a formal banquet, and other 'special arrangements' that haven't been revealed.

China hopes to flatter Trump as a negotiating tactic ahead of difficult talks on contentious issues like North Korea and trade.

The president will also have significant one-on-time face time with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

On Friday, Trump is scheduled to travel to Da Nang, Vietnam, which is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

APEC is an organization made up of 21 countries, including the United States, that seeks to promote free trade in Asia and the Pacific region. 

On Sunday, November 12, Trump makes his last stop on the tour - the Philippines. 

Manila is hosting a summit of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

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