Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were greeted by paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) following a cattle roping demonstration today at Parker Ranch on the Big Island. The royal couple spent three days in the state following an 11-day tour of Canada
before returning to Japan later today.

As the royal couple left Oahu this morning, they met briefly with Gov. Linda Lingle and received lei from the governor before moving to a reception line at Hickam Air Force Base that included Honolulu police officers who served on the security detail.
The royal couple then boarded their plane, a specially-equipped Boeing 747 that serves as the emperor’s version of Air Force One.
The plane, solid white with the rising sun emblazoned on its tail, took off shortly before 10 a.m.
The emperor and empress — who laid a wreath honoring America’s war dead at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific yesterday — toured areas of Kona, Waikoloa and Waimea this morning before heading back to Japan in the afternoon.