Obama Goes Snorkeling! Plus – First Family Releases Green Sea Turtles to Open Ocean
- Posted on December 27, 2011 at 9:54pm by
Scott Baker
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AP
HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama and his family spent a warm and sunny afternoon at one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the island of Oahu, where they released four green sea turtles into the water.
The Obamas arrived at Hanauma Bay Park on Tuesday after a scenic, 40-minute drive from their multimillion-dollar rented vacation home on Kailua Beach. The park is a favorite destination for the Obamas, who make an annual trip there during their Christmas holiday in Hawaii — always on Tuesdays, when the park is closed to the public for maintenance.
This year, the president and his family released four green sea turtles into the bay’s clear blue water. The 18-month-old turtles were born at Sea Life Park, a nearby marine sanctuary and aquarium that boasts of being the only place in the U.S. that raises green sea turtles in captivity.
AP
The president and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, enjoyed their turtle experience so much that they decided to make a stop at Sea Life Park later in the day. The president appeared briefly before cameras as he left the park, climbed into a waiting SUV and headed back to his vacation rental.
The president has stayed largely out of the spotlight since arriving Friday evening in Hawaii, the state where he was born and mostly raised. He spent a low-key holiday with his family, attended Christmas church services and visited service members stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, near Honolulu.
Obama also has hit the golf course, worked out at the gym on the Marine base and taken wife Michelle Obama out to dinner.
Behind the scenes, the president is being briefed by a small cadre of traveling staff on domestic and international developments, including his administration‘s debate over whether to allow Yemen’s outgoing leader to come to the U.S. for medical treatment. Obama also announced two nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on Tuesday.
Obama has no public events planned during his vacation, which is expected to last until shortly after New Year’s Day.
___
Associated Press writer Audrey McAvoy contributed to this report.
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Comments (122)
fly892
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:47amI see one token white…Oops Secret Service….
Report Post »GatorSkin
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:43amIf this family doesn’t make you sick nothing will!!!!!!!!
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:52amDisgusting. Millions of dollars spent on yet another vacation. As middle class, I haven’t had a vacation in years. What BHO is spending on just ONE of his vacations is more money than I will make in my entire life.
Report Post »GoodFellas
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 12:09pmHaters.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 12:41pmI saw an interesting bumper sticker the other day. It said: “wheres Lee Harvey Oswald, when you really need him?”
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 1:30pmWow. That’s some hateful, anti-Christian stuff right there.
Report Post »JohnTwoFeathers
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:37pmIs that Uncle Omar in the blue ball cap?
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:00pmHow much is his salary? How many people’s trips are paid for to be with him? How much does each armored suv cost? How much for the secret service (that have guns while he lobby’s against ours)?
I have nothing against our presidents taking vacations. I do take exception to flaunting it.
@TXPILOT: get me that sticker! lol!
I want this administration to lead the way with alternative energy and use electric, natural gas, or some other vehichles (on the ground AND in the air). I can stand just about anything except hypocrisy coupled with arrogance.
Let’s talk face to face without the unthinking protection goons.
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:30pmIs he flaunting it? Or are “news” outlets that suffer from Obama Derangement Syndrome going out of their way to report on every piece of minutiae related to it in order to throw their zealous readers into a rage?
Report Post »dogdr
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 4:32pmThis is truly disgusting. I think this is the first time a sitting president has ever gone on vacation (unless you count the 877 days GW Bush took for vacations and “retreats”)
What makes this man think he can take a day off and spend time with his family.
getalong
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:01pmPuke!
Report Post »getalong
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:04pmAnother tax season upon us, and once again, the middle class will get shafted so that American-hating idiots can flaunt their arrogance while spending millions of middle class taxpayer’s dollars going on vacation.
Report Post »Morris
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:35pm$4,000,000.00 Vacation in Hawaii????????
Keep working you Middle Class Taxpayers ,Dictator Obama must go first Class!
Impeach this Muslim Dictator,Save our America!
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 5:07pm@Dodgr
I‘m glad YOU don’t mind helping to foot the $4 million + tab so the poor tired little dictator can “spend a little quality time.”
I’m sure the media does show everything Dictbama does to enrage us. Works on me…makes me try to get more people to get him out even more.
Report Post »Jezcruzen
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:44amIt would have been nice if someone had throughly chummed the water prior to his dip in the ocean. Hey, here’s a thought – the Dip took a dip!
Report Post »Go ahead. Both you and the fat a** Vacation Queen enjoy our money. Hopefully it won’t be for much longer.
banjarmon
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:33amDown here in Florida, we would call him gator bait!!!
Report Post »fly892
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:39amI’m starting to like the guy, he even makes me look good!
Report Post »the point
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:38amThe EPA should get him for pollutting the water.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:41amA $4 million photo-op payed for by us taxpayers.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:59amIs he planning a Pig roast on the beach….He can invite all his Muslim buddies…
Report Post »little big man
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:04amCan we Release Obama into the ocean? just wondering.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:47amLittlebigman don’t send him down here ,things are bad enough already.
Report Post »beachmom
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:58amHow many families who are vacationing there, and paying for it themselves, had to change their plans because of the facility being shut down for the Obamas?
Report Post »How many people had their tee times canceled because Sir Golfsalot decided to play?
Mrs. Evil
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:45amWhat a crap article.
Report Post »baarebeary
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:45amHey does anyone see fat a** in the photo?
Report Post »KOCHLEFFEL
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:49amBB, no because you were not invited.
Report Post »Shawnkk
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 3:18pmFat A** LOL, Love it!
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:31amMan that is great it is nice that his wealth and the generosity of the American taxpayer allow the O‘Bama’s to vacation in Hawaii. I had a special treat last night i got to eat some beans and stress over my bills! Every day is Christmas, with the first IrishArfo-Armerican president in the Hawaihitehouse.
Report Post »jkjk
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:46amA holes ! Enjoy it on our tax dollars now, because your ass is going to be community organizing your boxes while your moving out in 2012. These people make me sick !
Report Post »jkjk
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:51amSo how many of these extended family Di@ks besides the royal stupids did we pay for to go on this much deserved vacation? I can’t even look at these pieces of trash smiling and laughing, meanwhile the economy sucks, no jobs and the USA is looking in worse shape then ever.
Report Post »ThankBabyJesus
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:12amObummers anti american ideology wants you to get mad at him. “Hey he did his part”
Report Post »Mitchm999
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 11:24amIf you worked harder, you could be successful. Isn’t that the republican story?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:25am“What? Me worry?”
Report Post »Living In NYC
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:25amGeez…I really hate being Debbie Downer…but the Emperor will:
-Will kill babies in the womb
-Cut of medication to terminally ill seniors
-Refuse jobs to out of work pipefitters (Keystone Pipeline)
What a joke…total photo op!
Report Post »mairbair
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:42pmYou r so right just remember obama is a hologram u see him hear him but there is nothing there to believe in the biggest scandel is all the money he and the other bloodsuckers spend is real and not even theirs what lunacy
Report Post »GO-FOR-LIBERTY
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:24amThat sure is one e-x-t-e-n-d-e-d family he has there. Where are all the “white” folks? Ah, working.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:46amPlenty of white people there…all secret service.
Report Post »GreatGu
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:24amWhat was that Nero was doing? We have our own modern day Nero swimming while the Country burns to the ground.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:00amAnd he doused and lit it.
Report Post »ITOLDUSO
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:48amWho is all them other Negros in the picture? I reckon his Kenyan, illegals are spending our money also. This moron has no idea.
Report Post »GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:47amI really don’t care any more. @308 days and counting.
Report Post »Redd
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:57amdunham was born in kenya, the crap article needs corrected.
Report Post »disgustedAmerican
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:42amtoo bad he didn’t breath in the tube while under water
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:48amI guess sharks are like cops..never around when you need one.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:32amHope he sucked in some sea water!
Report Post »steve-in-pa
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 5:46amThe possibilities are endless when you spend four million (taxpayer dollars) on a vacation!!!! I saw the other day he spent 5 1/2 hours playing 18. How in the heck does it take 5 1/2 hours when the course is wide open in front of you? Man his game must be horrible, after 90 rounds you would think you would drop at least 10-15 strokes.
Report Post »GO-FOR-LIBERTY
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:15amDo you know who his wife is?
Report Post »steve-in-pa
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:42amLOL… Good thinking GO-FOR-LIBERTY, I forgot that aspect. I would get some glow in the dark golf balls. I played a course that the fairways would light up once, I‘m surprised he’s not there,lol.
Report Post »Dickshatband
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 5:04amWho are all the other kids? locals or taxpayer traveling friends.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:38am“The park is a favorite destination for the Obamas, who make an annual trip there during their Christmas holiday in Hawaii — always on Tuesdays, when the park is closed to the public for maintenance.” So add that to the tab. How many employees had to show up and get paid O.T. to accommodate the Kenyan prince and royal family? How dumb are the American people? This guy’s approval ratings are almost split down the middle! If he gets 4 more, we deserve it for being so damned obtuse.
Report Post »hacker2000
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:58amObama snorkeling that’s funny seeing as how he has been in over his head during this presidency
g.prunty
==========================================
UMM !! The president being in over his head is no different than you with a KEYBOARD.
He is the President… you are a LOSER that still lives with your parents , So you see somewhere along the line where it sucks being you .
Now run along ……….you have been terminated.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:08amAwwww…. poor little hacker boy is upset that the object of his man-crush is just as childish, whiny, spoiled, and petulant as he is…. There, there. Now run along and color a nice picture to send to your one true love, Obumbler. Just don‘t eat the crayons this time or else you won’t have anything left to play with. “You have been terminated,” indeed…..
Have a great day!
Report Post »Bookworm
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:54amWonder how much all this BS cost us
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:31amMore than you can imagine…Obama has two sets of accounting books, one is internal and the other is for the public.
Report Post »dj109
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:46amAll this green activity while tooling along in the 2-ton gas guzzling SUV… lol
Report Post »g.prunty
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:34amObama snorkeling that’s funny seeing as how he has been in over his head during this presidency
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:48amGood one.
Report Post »Also, now that they’ve released some Green Sea Turtles, could they maybe release the economy from Obamacare and the mountain of new regulations?
Psychosis
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:15amwould i be wrong to wish for a very big wave ????
Report Post »GO-FOR-LIBERTY
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:19amRight now I would settle for a school of GREAT WHITES.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:07amOh, I get it! It was a Green Peace Prize they gave Obama.
Report Post »