Aloha to a New Year

If you were to ask Emerald Skye from Oahu (see pages 18–19), she would tell you that in Hawaiian “aloha” means hello or welcome. You can say “aloha” to a new year by making a colorful lei.


Construction paper in different colors

Plastic drinking straws




Hole punch


  1. 1.

    Draw the outline of a flower onto different colors of construction paper.

  2. 2.

    Cut out the flowers and punch a hole in the center of each flower.

  3. 3.

    Cut the straws into 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) pieces.

  4. 4.

    Cut a piece of yarn that is 30 inches (76 cm) long.

  5. 5.

    Slide three different colors of flowers onto the yarn; then slide on a straw. Repeat until about 2 inches (5 cm) of yarn are left on both sides. Tie the ends of the yarn together into a knot.

If you want to give your lei to someone special, place it on their neck, give them a kiss on the cheek, and say, “Aloha!”

Ask Yourself …

What are some blessings that remind me of Heavenly Father’s love?

Pineapple Delight

Your friends and family will want to say “mahalo,” or thank you, after you give them this Hawaiian dessert.

  • In a large bowl, mix one can of fruit cocktail and 2 cups (475 ml) of fresh, chunked pineapple together.

  • Divide the mixture into smaller individual serving bowls.

  • Top each serving with a scoop of watermelon sorbet and a scoop of coconut sorbet.

I Love to See the Temple

Most of the Laie Hawaii Temple was built with concrete made from crushed lava rock. But the builders also needed wood, which was hard to get in Hawaii because of World War I. One day one of the builders prayed and told Heavenly Father that they needed more lumber, or wood, to continue construction. After his prayer, a ship got stuck in a reef on its way to Honolulu. The owner said the local Saints could have his cargo if they would take it off of the ship. Guess what the ship was carrying? Lumber! (From Gerry Avant, “Building a Temple in Laie, Hawaii,” Church News, Nov. 18, 2010.)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  •   *

    “Point of Safe Return,” Ensign, May 2007, 101.

  • Following Jesus

    Be Giving

    Jesus Christ said, “Give to every man that asketh of thee” (Luke 6:30).

    Jesus gave sight to the blind and health to the sick. He gave us Heavenly Father’s teachings. He gave His life when He was crucified. And He gave us the Atonement, so we can be forgiven and return to live with Heavenly Father after we die. Jesus’s entire life was one of giving.

    This Month’s Challenges:

    Challenge 1: Give one sincere compliment to each member of your family.

    Challenge 2: Help a family member by doing a chore for them.

    Challenge 3: Give your time to someone who needs a friend.