President-elect Barack Obama took a breather from his campaign in August in his native Hawaii and reportedly is planning a return to the state in December before moving into the White House. He has vacationed here frequently and would honor the islands by making Hawaii his regular retreat.

Obama would not be the first president to do so. Franklin D. Roosevelt conducted presidential business at times during World War II from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and the Pink Palace was first to be dubbed the Western White House. Past presidents have turned their ranches into places of relaxation, Lyndon Johnson and George W. Bush in Texas and Ronald Reagan in California. Dwight Eisenhower rested at his Gettysburg, Pa., farm.

Other presidents have retreated to their lavish seaside homes, John F. Kennedy at Hyannis Port, Mass., and nearby Martha's Vineyard, and George H.W. Bush at Kennebunkport, Maine.

Then-homeless Bill Clinton also liked Martha's Vineyard but it was considered too elitist. Aide Dick Morris took a poll and Clinton landed in Jackson Hole, Wyo., wearing cowboy boots and riding a horse. Gerald Ford had relaxed similarly at “;The Lodge”; in Vail, Colo.

Obama avoided anything elitist during his August vacation. He strolled along the beach and played golf at open-to-the-public courses - Olomana and Luana Hills. Clinton had teed up at Luana Hills during his presidency but also at private (aka elitist) Waialae Country Club.

TV pundit Cokie Roberts' designation of Hawaii as “;exotic”; notwithstanding, the state passed the test for domestic when Obama decisively won the presidency, although having vacationed here in the middle of his campaign. It's time to plan ahead; regular visits will require facilities - federally funded - that are needed to conduct executive business between trips to the beach or the links.