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Basketball, beach, dinner make up Obama's Sunday


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POSTED: Monday, December 28, 2009

The vacationing President Barack Obama focused yesterday on recreational activities for himself, his family and friends. But a president's day — even a sunny Sunday in Hawaii — is not without official duties.

Obama was given the latest information on Friday's attempted terrorism attack on Northwest Flight 253, and another incident involving an unruly passenger on the same Detroit-bound flight yesterday.

The presidential motorcade first ventured out at 6:36 a.m., headed for nearby Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, where Obama went to the gym.

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He later joined friends and staff for a basketball game. Players included Marty Nesbitt, Eric Whitaker, Denis McDonough, Bill Burton, Reggie Love, Pete Newell, Grant Campbell and Ben Finkenbinder.

Obama wrapped up his basketball game by 8:30 a.m. and went back to Kailua.

The motorcade was back on the road at 11 a.m., slowing through the residential neighborhood to avoid hitting a dog wandering between cars. With his family, friends and some staff, Obama spent about three hours at a beach on the Marine base.

The family picnicked there but no further details were provided. The beach, normally open to the public on Sundays, was closed yesterday for the president and his entourage.

They left the beach at 2 p.m. and returned to their beachfront rental.

Obama had dinner with his wife and friends at Alan Wong's restaurant. The motorcade blocked three lanes of King Street. Secret Service agents scanned other patrons with metal detectors.

—With media pool reports