Trump begins Asia trip with stop in Hawaii

President Trump landed in Hawaii on Friday night, the first stop in what he called a “very important trip.”

He and first lady Melania Trump were greeted with leis at Hickam Air Force Base by Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) and U.S. Navy Adm. Harry Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command.

Pres & Mrs Trump step off Air Force One in the Hawaii sunshine and receive leis from children on the tarmac. pic.twitter.com/DgcZ6V0wrY

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 3, 2017

Trump left Washington, D.C., on Friday, launching a five-nation, 13-day tour that also represents his first trip to Asia as president.

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The White House decided to extend what was already the longest trip to Asia by an American president since 1991 in order for Trump to attend the East Asia Summit in the Philippines.

“We’re staying an extra day, because the following day is actually the most important day,” Trump told the White House press pool on Friday. His trip was initially scheduled to end the day the forum began for leaders of East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian regions.

North Korea’s nuclear threat is expected to be a key topic under discussion.

Trump will participate in a briefing at Pacific Command on Friday as well as tour the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial to Pearl Harbor. Trump tweeted that he was looking forward to “meeting with our great military/veterans at Pearl Harbor.”

Getting ready to land in Hawaii. Looking so much forward to meeting with our great Military/Veterans at Pearl Harbor!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2017

He will be in Japan on Sunday, and his trip also includes stops in China, South Korea and Vietnam.