Call it Kailua Lite.
Much like President Barack Obama’s annual two-week stay on the shores of Kailua Bay, first lady Michelle Obama’s detour to Maui is causing disruption and a bit of annoyance in the neighborhood surrounding pal Oprah Winfrey’s Kula estate.
It hasn’t exactly "crippled" the neighborhood, as TMZ reported.
"It’s just inconvenient," complained next-door neighbor Carmen Goble, owner of Goble’s Flower Farm.
While the Secret Service roadblock on Kamaole Road hasn’t caused any loss of business because sales come from mail orders and the Internet, it has disrupted deliveries and pickups, Goble said.
She said she, her husband and a trainee helper have endured 15- to 20-minute checkpoint inspections, including sweeps by bomb-sniffing dogs, whenever they come and go.
"And no unexpected visitors," she said. "They’ll be turned away."
Obama and his daughters left Hawaii Saturday after a two-week vacation in which they occupied a rented oceanfront home in Kailua. But the first lady was left behind for what was described as a birthday gift from the president — the opportunity to spend time alone with friends ahead of her upcoming 50th birthday, White House officials said at the time.
Turns out one of the friends was Winfrey, who owns an estate at the 2,800-foot level on the slopes of Haleakala. The first lady apparently arrived on Maui Sunday morning.
Another Kamaole Road neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said she and her husband are avoiding their farm by staying at a second residence.
"We figured it would be a madhouse," she said. "What can you do? Except stay away and wait until she’s gone."
Over at Grandma’s Coffee House in Keokea, life has been "a little different," said baker Heather Long.
Keokea Park, across the street from Grandma’s, was shut down Wednesday as Secret Service and police officers garrisoned there, she said. And security has been stopping pedestrian traffic on Thompson Road, which leads to the estate.
"We understand it’s the first lady," Long said. "What we don’t understand is what all the fuss is about."
On Tuesday morning, Kula Highway was shut down for a half-hour, blocking potential customers from trying to reach Grandma’s, she said, while a couple of employees were stuck in traffic and late for their work shifts.
On the positive side, she added, Secret Service officers have been patronizing Grandma’s, ordering breakfasts and lunches.
"At least they’re supporting us," Long said. "And they’re all friendly."
Maeghan Lenz, the tasting-room manager at Tedeschi Vineyards, said she walks her dog up Thompson Road every morning. All this week, about three-quarters of the way up the road, security officers have stopped her and told her to turn around.
"It’s minor, no big deal," she said. "Understandable, really."
Goble, who has been growing cut flowers on her 8-acre farm with her husband for more than 30 years, said she’s been told the first lady will leave on Friday.
"I’m counting the days."