Obama in Hawaii

Zoo visit closes first family's stay

By Rob Shikina
Star Bulletin
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 04, 2010

On their last day here yesterday, the Obamas visited the Honolulu Zoo and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where Obama's maternal grandfather, Stanley Dunham, a World War II veteran, is entombed. The zoo closed at 4:30 p.m., so the first family had the park to themselves as the sun set over Waikiki.

Obama squeezed in a round of golf earlier at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on a Marine base near his vacation rental.

During their stay, the family mostly kept a low profile.

Officials said the trip was designed to give the president a break from the political demands of Washington. But Obama could not prevent work from interfering with his vacation. Even before leaving, the trip was delayed a day as Obama waited in Washington for senators to pass a landmark health care reform bill.

While in Hawaii, Obama responded to the failed terror plot to blow up an airliner heading to Detroit on Christmas Day.

He received several briefings and made two statements and a radio address about the United States' efforts to prevent breakdowns in security.

The first family, who arrived in Honolulu on Christmas Eve, stayed at the same rented $9 million Kailua beachhouse as on their last winter vacation.

Each day, the president started his day with a workout at the Semper Fit gym on the Marine base in Kaneohe, often with his wife. He also visited Hanauma Bay and Sea Life Park.

Obama played golf four times during the vacation: twice at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, once at Mid-Pacific Country Club in Lanikai and once at Luana Hills Country Club in Maunawili.

Michelle Obama played tennis with her husband at Kailua Racquet Club. She and the president also greeted Marines on Christmas Day, but she skipped a trip to Sea Life Park, the movie "Avatar" and shave ice at Island Snow in Kailua.

Obama played basketball on two mornings with friends on the Marine base and also enjoyed a closed beach with his family on the base.

The president traveled to the other side of the island, making a one-hour drive to spend a day at the Mokuleia beachfront home of former Punahou Schools classmate Bobby Titcomb.

A dinner outing to Alan Wong's restaurant last week drew crowds as the Secret Service blocked off several lanes of King Street. He also went out to dinner at Lucy's Grill n' Bar in Kailua.

Supporters and protesters gathered and waved signs around the corner from Obama's vacation house a few times during his visit. They included native Hawaiians opposing federal legislation that would treat them similarly to American Indians, and a group of "disaffected Democrats" seeking stronger action on health care and the Middle East.