Last Day on the Islands Sunday, January 1
President Obama is wrapping up his 16-day winter vacation with dinner at Buzz’s in Lanikai with the first family and friends. He also made some stops at a few of his regular goodbye locations earlier in the day.
He started at the University of Hawaii Manoa.
According to the White House, his daughters and sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, joined him at the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii, where he met with the incoming East-West Center president, Richard R. Vuylsteke. The East-West Center was a finalist for his presidential library.
He then visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where his grandfather Stanley Dunham is buried. The president often visits the cemetery before leaving.
He spent the afternoon with his family and friends at Bellows Beach for a perfect Hawaiian, sunny afternoon.
He is scheduled to depart Hawaii at 10 p.m. HT, or 3 a.m. ET.
Gone Golfing
Saturday, Dec. 31
President Obama spent the final hours of 2016 golfing at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course at the Kaneohe Marine with golfing buddies Darrell Harrington, Mike Ramos, and Bobby Titcomb.
Around 3 p.m., he returned to his Kailua vacation rental, where he rang in the new year.
As the motorcade entered the neighborhood where he’s been vacationing, some people held up a sign saying « Thank you President and Mrs. Obama. «
But the day was not all R&R.
Following the deadly nightclub attack in Turkey, principal deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said in a statement, « This afternoon the President was briefed by his National Security Team on the attack in Istanbul. The President expressed condolences for the innocent lives lost, directed his team to offer appropriate assistance to the Turkish authorities, as necessary, and keep him updated as warranted. «
A Late Start and a Luau
Friday, Dec. 30
After a late night dinner Thursday night, President Obama skipped his usual gym routine and opted for a late start to the last Friday of the year. The Obamas attended a luau on Oahu’s North Shore at the home of the president’s childhood friend Bobby Titcomb, spending more than six hours at the gathering. The first family has attended Titcomb’s annual luaus in the past.
Obama Hits Russia, the Gym and the Beach
Thursday, Dec. 29
Aside from imposing various sanctions against Russia for its alleged cyberassault on Democratic political organizations during the 2016 presidential campaign, President Obama today hit the gym, the beach and a trendy Honolulu restaurant.
He kicked off the day with a workout at the Semper Fit gym on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, arriving around 8 a.m. In the afternoon, the entire Obama clan a group of friend headed to the beach at Bellows Air Force Station in the Oahu town of Waimanalo.
Toward the end of the day, the Obamas spent downtime at their vacation rental, before the president and the first lady had dinner with friends at Honolulu hotspot Mahina & Sun’s.
Family Night Out
Wednesday, Dec. 28
After President Obama started his day with his ritual gym time, he spent the afternoon on the links at Kapolei golf club, joined by Hawaii regulars Mike Ramos, Bobby Titcomb and Greg Orme.
This evening was reserved for some family time. According to the White House, the first family and their friends toured Shangri La, a center for Islamic art and cultures built by heiress Doris Duke. The Honolulu home is a « center for Islamic arts and cultures offering guided tours, residencies for scholars and artists, and programs for the purpose of improving understanding of the Islamic world, » according to its website.
The family capped the evening with a dinner at famed sushi restaurant Nobu near the Ala Moana mall area. According to the pool traveling with him, at least a hundred people stood across the street from the restaurant cheering and taking photos and videos as he exited.
Earlier today, the White House confirmed Obama called trump from Hawaii and that the call was « positive and focused on continuing a smooth and effective transition. «
Pearl Harbor Reconciliation
Tuesday, Dec. 27
President Obama was joined by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe honoring the lives lost at Pearl Harbor. The two leaders met this morning for a bilateral meeting, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the USS Arizona and remarks.
The two leaders praised peace over war, offered condolences for the lives lost, and remembrance for their sacrifice.
« It is here that we remember that even when hatred burns hottest, even when the tug of tribalism is at its most primal, we must resist the urge to turn inward, » Obama said.
Following the historic meeting, Obama headed to Hanauma Bay, where he met up with the first family and friends for snorkeling.
Golf and Fine Dining
Monday, Dec. 26
After more than five hours at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, President Obama and his golf partners wrapped up their round.
His usual group joined him for the foursome: Bobby Titcomb, Mike Ramos, and Greg Orme.
This is the second time this trip that Potus has golfed here.
This evening, Obama along with the first lady and some friends dined at a Honolulu favorite: Alan Wong’s.
Christmas Greetings
Sunday, Dec. 25
The President and his family stayed in this Christmas morning. According to the White House they opened Christmas gifts and played games.
This afternoon, the President and the First Lady went to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii – Kaneohe Bay to visit with service members and their families and thank them for their service to the country. Obama reiterated his thanks to the troops saying their sacrifice can never be fully repaid. He thanked the families who serve alongside them and joked he plans on continuing his use of the gym & golf course as ex-president.
He tweeted out a holiday greeting earlier this morning.
Obama selecting a photo from a state dinner.
The best part of the holidays is the time we share with those we love. On behalf of Michelle, Malia, and Sasha, Merry Christmas everyone. pic.twitter.com/EznGyxluS8
While the First Lady went with a throw-back photo.
May your home be filled with peace and joy. Merry Christmas! pic.twitter.com/ZfJKus2SsV
Obama also made calls last night to troops stationed overseas.
According to Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz: « Last night, the President made telephone calls to US service members from each branch of the military who are currently stationed around the globe. The President expressed his gratitude on behalf of all Americans for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families. «
Merry Christmas, everyone! Yesterday, President Obama made Christmas Eve calls to U. S. Troops stationed overseas. Go to JoiningForces.gov to see how you can honor and support the service members, veterans and military families in your community – not just during the holidays, but all year round.
A photo posted by The White House (@whitehouse) on Dec 25, 2016 at 10:16am PST
Shaved Ice and ‘Live-Action Escape:’ Obama’s Dad-Daughter Day Out
Saturday, Dec. 24
After President Obama enjoyed a roughly two-hour lunch with daughters Sasha and Malia Friday at Waikiki’s Side Street Inn, the trio, along with the daughters’ friends, headed to Breakout Waikiki, which bills itself as « Hawaii’s first live-action escape room. «
The venue allots guests roughly 60-minutes to escape from a room using codes and « your gut » by solving riddles.
The President and his daughters spent an hour-and-a-half inside the room, so whether they made it out, is unclear.
Afterwards, the group visited the president’s favorite shaved ice spot, Kailua’s Island Snow. According to the travel pool, Malia passed on partaking in the frozen dessert, but Sasha opted for a blue shaved ice treat.
The president exited Island Snow with a large-sized shaved ice treat. He was sporting a white polo, khakis, flip flops, and wearing sunglasses, while he chatted with bystanders and small children before making his way down the ropeline, making eye contact with a toddler and proceeding to pick up the child, prompting an audible « awww » reaction from the crowd.
The first lady was noticeably absent, but spent time answering phone calls received by the Santa NORAD tracking center.
