FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Some 160 new student grantees arrived recently at the East-West Center from about 50 Asian and Pacific countries. Part of their weeklong orientation to studying in Hawaii was a kind of crash course in "local style" living yesterday at the center's outdoor Friendship Circle. To open the program, participants gathered in a "yurt circle," grasping arms and alternately leaning back and forward, trusting each other to hold them up. Asal Baragchizadeh of Iran, left, Riana Agnesia of Indonesia and Dolores Cui Tongco of the Philippines took part.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Takena Redfern of Kiribati helped American Nicole Milne tie the wrist lei she had strung.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sampling local foods, Minako Yoshida of Japan tried a chocolate-filled malasada.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
During a short workshop about local pidgin, Shakeel Makarani from India learned about the shaka sign.