Obamas, and first dogs, on their way to Hawaii for annual vacation
President Barack Obama and his family are on their way to Hawaii for their annual Christmas vacation.
Reporters traveling with the president said Air Force One took off at 7:03 p.m. (2:03 p.m. Hawaii time) from Andrews Air Force Base to Honolulu.
The president’s schedule calls for him to arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam just after midnight tonight.
Obama left the White House with his wife, daughters and mother-in-law Marian Robinson to board Marine One for the helicopter flight to Andrews Air Force Base at about 6:45 p.m. Washington time.
First dogs Bo and Sunny are also coming with the family, according to White House reporters.
The president doesn’t have any public events scheduled during his time back in the islands.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
He will stay in the same Kailua neighborhood where he has spent the year-end holidays since he was president elect.
In previous years, the president has played golf, visited Hanauma Bay, gone out to dinner with friends and ventured into Kailua town for shave ice.
The president may also watch Oregon State play at the Diamond Head Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. His brother-in-law Craig Robinson is the coach at Oregon State.
Obama was born in Honolulu. The Punahou School graduate spent most of his childhood on Oahu until he left for the mainland to attend college.
___
The Associated Press and White House pool reports contributed to this story.