7 Reasons Obama Wants To Go To Hawaii For The 7th Year In A Row

7 Reasons Obama Wants To Go To Hawaii For The 7th Year In A Row

On Friday, the Obamas headed to Hawaii for their annual vacation, and after seven years, it's safe to say the first family has pretty much perfected their routine.

Here are seven reasons POTUS wants to come to Hawaii for the seventh year in a row:

1. ESCAPE

2014 has been an exceedingly rough year for the president. After having to deal with Ebola, ISIS, and the brutal midterm elections, Obama probably needs nothing more than a five-hour time difference and a 5,000-mile buffer between him and Washington, D.C.

After all, Hawaii is the most isolated landmass on earth, making it the ideal place to just get away from it all.

2. R&R

Though Obama grew up in Honolulu, he and his family have stayed in Kailua, on Oahu's east shore, for the past seven years. Once you see their vacation rental, you’ll understand why they're so attached.

obamahome

Known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and laid-back lifestyle, the upscale neighborhood boasts some of the most beautiful scenery on the island -- and that turquoise water is just steps from the Obamas' rental. It also doesn't hurt that Kailua is close to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, providing easy and essential security.

kailua

3. EATS

In the wake of the White House chef’s recent departure, we’re sure the president is hankering for some familiar comfort food –- and he’ll get just that in Hawaii.

POTUS has his go-to upscale restaurants on Oahu, including Alan Wong’s and Nobu Waikiki, but he also has a soft spot for the local favorites of his childhood, like spam musubi and Hawaii’s favorite frozen treat -- shave ice.

Island Snow, a shave ice and surf shop in Kailua, is the Obamas' spot of choice when in need of a post-beach sugar rush.

But, this is no mere snow cone -- the ice is fine and fluffy, and many of the syrups at Island Snow, such as lychee and lilikoi, are made locally. Obama's go-to combination is lemon-lime, cherry, and passion-guava, AKA the “Snowbama” at Island Snow.

For an authentic shave ice experience, get ice cream, mochi balls, or azuki beans added to the bottom of your cup. (Or all three. #yolo)

4. SURF

The Obamas have their pick of beautiful beaches when they come to Hawaii, but they tend to stick to a few favorites, including a gorgeous stretch of beach on Bellows Air Force Station. The gentle waves at Bellows are perfect for boogie boarding.

A post shared by Stephie (@stephie_mlb) on

When Barry's looking for something a little more thrilling, however, he likes to revisit his high school days spent bodysurfing at Sandy Beach. (Earlier this year, there was a proposal to rename the beach after Obama. It didn’t go over well.)

The waves at this famed shorebreak can be neck-breaking -- more injuries occur here than on any other beach in Hawaii -- so we hope POTUS stays safe out there.

5. GOLF

President Obama is an avid golfer whenever he is in Hawaii. The Olomana Golf Links and the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club are regulars in the rotation, but the Kaneohe Klipper golf course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii is his clear favorite. Featuring both mountain and ocean views, it’s no wonder the president heads here multiple times per visit. Feast your eyes on the 13th hole:

A post shared by Nick C (@nickalapokis) on

6. OHANA

If you’ve seen “Lilo & Stitch,” you know that ohana means family and is of the utmost importance in Hawaii. When POTUS is in the islands, he takes full advantage of that sentiment.

He has regular dinners with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, who still lives in Hawaii, and makes trips to Punchbowl cemetery to visit the grave of his maternal grandfather, World War II veteran Stanley Dunham. The cemetery, used to honor service members, is situated in a volcanic crater with sweeping views of Honolulu.

punchbowl cemetery

The president also gets to spend some much-needed quality time with Sasha and Malia. After all, who knows how much longer they’ll let him hold their hands after a long day of snorkeling at Hanauma Bay?

sasha malia hanauma

7. ALOHA

Michelle Obama has said “You can’t really understand Barack until you understand Hawaii.” Well, you can't really understand Hawaii until you understand aloha.

Aloha is somewhat of a catch-all word, but it is something you cannot quite comprehend until you’ve spent time on the islands. The word is a greeting, an expression of love, and a way of life. The aloha spirit is everywhere, and it is something that permeates the lives of those who live and have lived in Hawaii, including the president.

Once you know the meaning of aloha, Hawaii will hold a place in your heart, just as it does for the Obamas.

aloha

Before You Go

Getty Images
Ok so he was Vice President at the time, but the '80s really weren't kind to anyone, including Bush and his son, Jeb (seen here in August 1983). (Photo by Cynthia Johnson/Liaison)
AP
George H.W. Bush reacts to a putt missed by Jeb while on vacation in Kennebunkport, August 1989.
AP Photo
George H.W. Bush walks the wintery streets of downtown Kennebunkport while on vacation in 1989. We know it's cold in Maine in the winter, but this hat has got to go.
AP
George H.W. Bush reacts to a shot he took while on vacation in November 1992 in Boca Grande, FL.
AP Photo
Then President-elect Bill Clinton took a run during his stay on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for Renaissance Weekend, December 31, 1992. Just no.
Getty Images
Then president-elect, Clinton played volleyball in Santa Barbara in November 1992. (PAUL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Clinton was really into the game on Hilton Head on New Year's Eve 1993. (ROBERT GIROUX/AFP/Getty Images)
AP Photo
Why the sad face? President Clinton misses a putt on his first day of vacation in Martha's Vineyard in August 1993.
Getty Images
Mr. President--seen here in Arkansas in January 1995--just...don't. (PAUL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
AP Photo
See, presidents are just like us! The Clintons took the quintessential American vacation shot of the 1990s while white-water rafting on the Big Kahuna Rapids of the Wyoming's Snake River in 1996.
Getty Images
On vacation in Wyoming in August 1996. (Photo by Dirck Halstead/Liaison)
AP Photo
President Clinton scrutinizes the double scoop of blueberry ice cream he was served at Martha's Vineyard's Mad Martha's Ice Cream Shop in 1997. What is that not enough ice cream for you, Bubba? And don't get us started on Hillary's headband...we shudder at the thought of our own collection.
Getty Images
'I'm so happy to be swimming!" Clinton seems to say in this 1998 St. Thomas vacation photo. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images
President Clinton watches as his golf ball heads into the trees while on a Martha's Vineyard vacation in August 1999. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images
George W. sweats it out during a round of golf in August 2002. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Oh look, a 2003 Bush family outing around the Kennebunkport property on Segway scooters!
Getty Images
D'oh!
Ok, so he wasn't President yet, but this is no way to get yourself elected. Obama "rides" a wave in Hawaii in August 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
AP
On New Year's Eve in 2009, Obama made the classic golf player gesture as he watched a golf ball after putting at Mid-Pacific County Club in Kailua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
AP Photo
Obama seems to have issues eating ice cream cones.This photo was taken while the family was on a weekend vacation in Bar Harbor, Maine on July 16, 2010.
Getty Images
Is the shaved ice really that cold? Obama takes a lick while on holiday vacation in Hawaii in 2010.(JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images
We're not really sure what this is about but we're betting he was worried about his 9th hole put in December 2010. (Photo by Cory Lum - Pool/Getty Images)
AP
The President got a mouth full of little baby fingers on Christmas Day 2011 on the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Getty Images
The kid didn't know he's the president...(MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AP
...And another classic golfer reaction from the President while on vacation in Martha's Vineyard in August 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE