Obama and family taking Hawaiian vacation

HONOLULU, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says he and his family are taking a relaxing break in Hawaii during his ongoing quest for the White House.

The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, who was born in Hawaii, said he intended to spend most of his time in Honolulu with his family rather than focus on the upcoming general election, The Honolulu Star Bulletin said Saturday.

"I'm going to see my tutu, my grandma, and I'm going to watch my girls play on the beach and maybe once in a while, I'll go into the water. But mostly I'm just going to sit there and watch them," he said upon his arrival Friday.

Obama did take time Friday to speak to thousands of his supporters who gathered at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park to cheer on the presidential hopeful.

The Illinois official told the assembled crowd that he often explains to others what living in Hawaii means to him.

"I try to explain to them the aloha spirit," Obama said. "I try to explain this basic idea that we all have obligations to each other, that we are not alone, that if we see someone in need, we should help."