President Barack Obama and the first family eased into their annual island Christmas vacation Sunday by taking in a basketball game, the sport Obama often turns to to briefly escape the demands of politics and the White House.
Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia attended the Oregon State-Akron game Sunday at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.
They sat behind the Beavers bench in support of OSU coach Craig Robinson, the first lady’s brother, with the president sitting between his wife and his friend Bobby Titcomb.
Midway through the second half, Obama moved down to sit with Robinson’s wife, who held a young child on her lap.
Some spectators heading to UH on Sunday might have felt as though they were catching a flight instead of a basketball game.
Police, bomb-sniffing dogs, Secret Service agents and other personnel combed the Sheriff Center, securing it for what officials said was Obama’s first public visit to the arena during his presidency. Fans had to navigate metal barricades and pass through metal detectors to enter the arena, and police officers stood watch at many of the gates inside.
When Obama entered the arena from a tunnel moments before tip-off, most of the 4,000 fans stood to get a look of the Hawaii-born president. Some waved, others cheered and several hundred held up their smartphones and electronic tablets to record the moment.
Joanna Mendez was one of the few at the tournament who had no idea Obama would attend until he emerged from the arena tunnel.
"I was really excited!" Mendez, who came to catch some the tournament with her husband, said moments after snapping a photograph of the president from a nearby aisle. "It’s incredible to see him up close."
Overall, however, fans left the Obamas to take in the game. Michelle Obama generally appeared more animated in cheering on the Beavers, while Obama, wearing jeans and a lavender polo shirt, appeared more subdued.
Oregon State had a 4-0 record with Obama in attendance, but Akron won 83-71 Sunday.
Some fans cheered for the president as the first family left. Obama waved and flashed a quick shaka before disappearing into the tunnel.
The president and his motorcade left the arena shortly after the game ended.
Later, the family had dinner at Morimoto Waikiki.
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Star-Advertiser reporter Tim Hurley and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
