Obamas' Hawaiian getaway wraps up
- |
KAILUA, Hawaii - President-elect Barack Obama yesterday bid his native Hawaii "aloha" after a 12-day vacation.
Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters were set to fly to Chicago and expected to arrive early today. He planned to fly on Sunday to Washington, where 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia start school on Monday.
The Obamas kept a low profile while vacationing on the island of Oahu. Aside from daily trips to the gym and golf courses, the president-elect seldom left his vacation retreat, a rented $9 million home near Honolulu. When he did venture out, it usually was to grab some shaved ice, a local treat, look at baby tigers at the zoo, or take some other child-friendly excursion.
Obama joked to onlookers yesterday morning at the gym that he was reluctant to return to Chicago, where temperatures were in the 20s.
"I wish I could hang out with you, but I've got to go home," said Obama, leaving the Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Semper Fit center in 70-degree weather.
While on vacation, Obama tried to take advantage of his last break before taking office on Jan. 20. Other than make small talk with residents and pose for pictures with babies, he has done little in public. That, aides said, was the idea.
During the visit, Obama played golf three times, twice at the private Mid-Pacific Country Club and once at Olomana Golf Links, a public course he knew as a youth. On Tuesday he played basketball at his alma mater, the private Punahou School.
Michelle Obama also remained largely out of sight, other than the occasional trip to the gym. She did not join Obama and the girls when they went to an aquatic park or to the zoo, nor when he visited the nearby Marine base on Christmas Day.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Officials said yesterday that tickets for the Jan. 20 military-only ball will be free to guests. The formal event will be at the National Building Museum in Washington.
"It is a privilege to honor our men and women in uniform during our inaugural festivities by continuing the tradition of the Commander in Chief's Ball. Our troops represent the best America has to offer, and without their dedication and sacrifice we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we are coming together to celebrate on January 20," Obama said in a statement released while he vacationed here in his native Hawaii.
"They deserve our thanks and our gratitude. Michelle and I look forward to attending the Commander in Chief's Ball and sharing this special evening with representatives of our armed forces," his statement said.
Aides say most of the guests will be enlisted personnel and junior officers. Others will be active duty military members, active duty National Guard and National Guard Reserve members.
The guest list also will featured those injured in military actions, families of those killed in combat, and spouses of those deployed.
Obama and wife, Michelle, are scheduled to attend 10 official inaugural balls.
President George W. Bush first had a ball to specifically honor the uniformed services.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
