Taking in paradise

Barack Obama jogs along the beach, plays golf and visits his tutu during his family's visit to the island of his birth

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On his first full day of vacation, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama jogged barefoot on Kailua Beach in the morning and played golf in the afternoon.

But the evening was reserved for family time -- bringing a gift basket to his grandmother with his wife and daughters. Then he enjoyed a meal with his family at Alan Wong's.

Obama's presence caused a stir everywhere he showed up, but not all of Hawaii is getting caught up in the Obama mania.

While Republican Gov. Linda Lingle acknowledged the enthusiasm for Obama's homecoming, she stood by Republican candidate Arizona Sen. John McCain. Lingle said it's "understandable that everyone in Hawaii" is excited about Hawaii-born Obama. "But this is not 'American Idol.' This is not voting for your favorite or the most popular, this is making an important decision on who should lead our nation," she said.

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Kailua resident Charlotte Farrell was a lifelong Republican before she learned about Sen. Barack Obama.

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Earlier this year, she switched parties and waited more than three hours to vote for the now presumptive Democratic presidential nominee during the Hawaii caucus.

Now Obama is her temporary next door neighbor during his Hawaii vacation this week.

"We're delighted," Farrell said. "This morning we just shook his hand, and he's just a local boy."

Last night, Farrell had a party at their house for some friends from England who renewed their wedding vows.

Obama wasn't invited, but he'd be welcomed if he dropped by, said Dr. Henry Yee, Farrell's fiance.

Farrell and other early morning beachgoers got a chance to see the potential president when Obama took an 7:10 a.m. jog, accompanied by friend and campaign treasurer Marty Nesbitt and several security agents.

Obama was initially wearing running shoes when he got to the beach but sat down at one point, took them off, and carried them as he walked and ran barefoot.

Along the run Obama stopped to shake hands and chat with beachgoers. Some took impromptu photos of the presidential candidate as he ran past.

Obama, his wife Michelle, and their daughters Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7, arrived in Honolulu Friday.

Kailua resident Rita Shuford often walks her dog along Kailua Beach in the mornings, and was hoping for an Obama sighting.

"We normally don't walk down quite as far," she said. "I hope he brings it home, as they say."

Kaneohe resident Pat O'Brien, also a regular Kailua beachgoer, walked by the home where Obama is staying. O'Brien attended Friday's rally at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park, shook the candidate's hand and snapped several up-close photos.

O'Brien said he wasn't seeking a second glimpse of the candidate.

"He'll be out and about if he wants to talk to people," O'Brien said. "But if he wants to be left alone, leave him alone."