Honolulu Advertiser: Presidential Candidate to Spend Time Off Campaign Trail with Family on Oahu

[flpoljunkie]

Posted on: Saturday, August 9, 2008

Obama connects with the plate lunch spirit on Hawaii vacation


Barack and Michelle Obama welcome the crowd at Keehi Lagoon Park in Honolulu, Hawaii August 8, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry

Presidential candidate to spend time off campaign trail with family on Oahu

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama had his Hawai'i homecoming yesterday, telling a sun-drenched rally at Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park that he plans to enjoy a plate lunch, shave ice and body surfing on his vacation but also inviting them to join him in his campaign for change.
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"How's everybody doing today?" he asked. "Howzit?"

Dressed in a short-sleeved, black polo shirt and khaki pants, Obama made it clear he was on vacation and that he was in the Islands for the first time since December 2006 to see his grandmother and sister and spend down time with his family.

Obama introduced his wife, Michelle, by calling her, "my partner, my love and the person that knocks sense into me every once in a while."

The Hawai'i-born Democrat described some of what he has been missing on the campaign trail: "I'm going to get a plate lunch. I might go to Zippy's. I might go to Rainbow Drive-In. I haven't decided yet. Get some Zip Min. I'm going to go get some shave ice. I'm going to go body surfing at an undisclosed location. I'm going to see my tutu — my grandma — and I'm going to watch my girls play on the beach, and once in a while I might go into the water. But mostly I'm going to watch them."

A flushed but enthusiastic crowd estimated at 4,000 by city officials pushed up toward the stage.

Obama, speaking to local reporters earlier at a private hangar near Honolulu International Airport, where he landed about 45 minutes behind schedule, said he may do some work on his speech to the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month. He said he would not be making any announcements about his vice presidential choice.

Photo Galleries on Link below, as well...

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080809/NEWS01/808090343

[Frances]

1. Thanks for the link

Loved the pix

[flpoljunkie]

2. Here's another of Obama flashing a goodbye 'shaka' as he leaves the rally...

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves as he leaves a welcome to Hawaii rally at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park in Honolulu, Hawaii Friday, Aug. 8, 2008. Sen. Obama is in Hawaii for a vacation. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

[Patsy Stone]

3. Good

Take a rest and then come back fightin'.