Obama’s Hawaii
The 44th President of the United States has put his hometown on the traveller’s map, and not just because of those pictures of him bodysurfing, says Sallie Brady Photography by Marco Garcia
It’s easy to see why Barack Obama loves going home. Hawaii totally lives up to its reputation as a year-round paradise with reliable sunshine, gentle trade winds and temperatures that hover in the 80s (Fahrenheit). The five main islands that make up the 50th state – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and Molokai – also all have their own wonderfully distinct personalities. But as Obama’s native island, it is Oahu – the state capital and home of bustling Honolulu with its fabled Waikiki sands – that has been thrown into the limelight.
Not surprisingly, the island has been awash with Obama-related tourism, from T-shirts to tours (obamatourhawaii.com, polyadtours. com). The Obama trail – which incorporates Punahou School, the Makiki neighbourhood, and even the Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlour where he got his first job – is now well trodden.
When Obama himself visits, he rents an ocean-side house in Kailua. He flashes locals a shaka, a Hawaiian hand signal that’s a kind of peace sign, meaning hang-loose, and things are cool. He is also known for his bodysurfing, photos of which were splashed across papers worldwide mid-election. You can copy the President by taking a lesson from one of the famous Waikiki Beach Boys (waikikibeachboys. com) or from the Hans Hedemann Surf School (hhsurf.com). Obama surfs at Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay, but despite being left-handed, locals say he doesn’t surf ‘goofy foot’, which means with your right foot forward. If you want to watch the pros take on the waves, head up to the North Shore, known for its massive rip curls and pipe waves.
After a surf at sunrise – which is the thing to do here – hit the links. Hawaii is home to some of America’s top golf courses, and Obama favours courses played by locals, such as the challenging Luana Hills Country Club (luanahills.com) and the Olomana Golf Links (olomanagolflinks.com) set against the dramatic backdrop of the Koolau mountains. Turtle Bay Resort (turtlebayresort.com) on the North Shore has one of the island’s top courses, the four-mile Arnold Palmer Course, designed by the pro golfer. Ko Olina Golf Club (koolinagolf. com), on the island’s west coast, is another must-play championship course with tricky tiered greens and lots of water to encourage you to stay in the fairway. Some courses, with advance booking, will arrange transport from your Waikiki resort for a nominal fee. And if you bogie too many holes, don’t despair – locals say that Obama needs to trim his handicap.
When Obama goes home, he craves the comfort food that he grew up with. On the golf course he’ll grab a Spam musubi, a local favourite that’s a slice of the rather-questionable meat product, sushi-style on a bed of rice.
Or he’ll order a plate lunch, such as stewed meat or fried fish served with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad. They’re a Hawaiian passion and one will hold you for days.
The Rainbow Drive-In (3308 Kanaina Avenue, +1 808 737 0177, rainbowdrivein.com) and Zippy’s (various locations, see zippys. com) are where the President gets his fix. He also likes the avocado burgers at Kua Aina Sandwich Shop (66-160 Kamehameha Highway, +1 808 637 4858). For dessert, he can’t resist a ‘shave ice’, a local ‘delicacy’ that is like a super-sweet snow cone – a passion shared by his daughters, Malia and Sasha. In Oahu, you’ll hear plenty of controversy over what Obama’s favourite flavour is. One local newspaper says it’s guava orange, Lanikai lime and choo-choo cherry. But another local insists, “it’s banana”.
When Obama is joined by his wife, Michelle, they head to more upmarket eateries such as Alan Wong’s (1857 S King Street, +1 808 949 2526, alanwongs.com), often considered the finest restaurant in the state; or Mariposa (1450 Ala Moana Blvd, +1 808 951 3420, neimanmarcus.com), a favourite lunch spot overlooking the Pacific, located inside the luxury department store Neiman Marcus. You might also spot cast members of Lost, which is filmed on the island, dining here, too. The Obamas also enjoy a trip to Chinatown for dinner at Indigo Restaurant (1121 Nu’uanu Avenue, +1 808 521 2900, indigo-hawaii.com).
One thing you have to love about Obama’s approach to Hawaii, is that he loves to play tourist, just like the rest of us. His annual holiday always includes classic day-trips, such as a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (pearlharbormemorial.com); Sea Life Park (sealifeparkhawaii.com); the look-out of the Halona Blowhole; the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (honolulu. gov/parks), and, of course, lots of time at the beach.
New Oahu
From glitzy multimillion-dollar renovations to restaurant and shop openings, Obama’s birthplace is a hive of activity
Stay
The Royal Hawaiian (tcsignature.com), a soaring 1927 pink palace on the sands of Waikiki, is ready for the 21st century after an extensive refurb that includes a new Abhasa Waikiki spa and Azure, a new Hawaiian restaurant that will serve seafood from the Honolulu Fish Auction.
It’s splish-splash over at the Sheraton Waikiki (tcsignature. com), where a new 1,160m2 play area includes multiple pools, swimmable fountains and a 22m water slide.
Don’t miss the new Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa (tcsignature.com), held in the resort’s rooftop garden and complete with fire-eaters and a buffet of Hawaiian and Asian-fusion fare.
Eat
Think cheeseburgers in paradise at Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber, a new eatery from the famous Key West singer at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber hotel (tcsignature.com). Also here, try the pupus (Hawaiian appetisers) at the new Honolulu Surfing Museum and Bar.
Drink
Watch the sun set while taking in the nightly live Hawaiian music at the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach (outrigger.com).
Shop
Oahu has two new venues: the Royal Hawaiian Center (royalhawaiiancenter.com) has 110 chic boutiques and restaurants, and Waikiki Beach Walk (waikikibeachwalk. com) is studded with inviting shops and restaurants.
Above, where the President goes for a fast fix of food. Right, a supersweet Hawaiian treat
often considered the finest restaurant in the state; or Mariposa (1450 Ala Moana Blvd, +1 808 951 3420, neimanmarcus.com), a favourite lunch spot overlooking the Pacific, located inside the luxury department store Neiman Marcus. You might also spot cast members of Lost, which is filmed on the island, dining here, too. The Obamas also enjoy a trip to Chinatown for dinner at Indigo Restaurant (1121 Nu’uanu Avenue, +1 808 521 2900, indigo-hawaii.com).
One thing you have to love about Obama’s approach to Hawaii, is that he loves to play tourist, just like the rest of us. His annual holiday always includes classic day-trips, such as a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (pearlharbormemorial.com); Sea Life Park (sealifeparkhawaii.com); the look-out of the Halona Blowhole; the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (honolulu. gov/parks), and, of course, lots of time at the beach.
Do
Movie and TV fans will want to do the island’s only off-road Hummer excursion with Kos Tours (hummertourshawaii.com) that visits locations for Lost, Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Pearl Harbor and 50 First Dates.
Picnic under the huge sculptures on the grounds of the Contemporary Museum (2411 Makiki Heights Drive, +1 808 526 0232, tcmhi.org) – pre-order from the museum’s cafe.
Book in for a signature hot stone treatment at the new Moana Lani Spa at Moana Surfrider (2365 Kalakaua Avenue, +1 808 922 311, moana-surfrider.com).
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