The Dalai Lama holds the koa wood paddle given to him by Nainoa Thompson (left). Also pictured is Pua Kanahele. - John Hook for Civil Beat

By Chad Blair 04/15/2012

The Dalai Lama received the gift of a koa paddle not once but twice on Sunday, but in very different arenas.

The first was at an invite-only talk titled "Native Intelligence in Modern Times," held at the East-West Center. The second came at the Dalai Lama's only public talk, called "Advancing Peace Through The Power of Aloha," held at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The public talk was much like Saturday's before an audience of high school students, held at the same center, with the Dalai Lama sharing much the same message — i.e., "compassion, compassion, compassion," as he described it himself in a gently mocking fashion.

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The talk also included easily the funniest moment of his Hawaii trip. Asked if there ever was a time when he didn't smile, he mentioned using the bathroom. That prompted a big laugh.

More: http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2012/04/15/15577-one-paddle-two-paddle-for-the-dalai-lama/