President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are not sleeping in so far on their Hawaii vacation.

Obama’s motorcade left his Kailua vacation home at 7:08 a.m. today and arrived at the Semper Fit Center on Marine Corps Base Hawaii less than 10 minutes later for a workout.

Some residents were outside their homes watching the motorcade pass and taking pictures. A little boy standing at the end of a driveway in his pajamas waved as the president-elect’s motorcade drove by. Others who were out for a stroll or walking their dogs stopped to wave.

As the president-elect’s motorcade entered the Marine base, the guard on duty stood at attention and saluted. The base was busier than during the Obamas’ morning workout yesterday, according to members of the media pool.

There were a handful of uniformed marines and others in sweaty T-shirts outside of the gym when the motorcade pulled into the parking lot.

Obama walked up a short flight of stairs into the Semper Fit Center, a brown and tan concrete block building. The president-elect was wearing a dark baseball cap and gray T-shirt. Michelle Obama followed behind him, also in workout clothes.

Obama left the gym at 8:08 a.m. He waved to about 20 onlookers who had gathered in the parking lot. A few of them had cell phones and cameras out, ready to take pictures.
Obama went around his SUV and decided to greet the small group that had gathered.

He shook hands and chatted briefly before saying, “Happy Holidays guys. I appreciate your service,” and then headed back to his vacation home.

Michelle Obama did not leave with the president-elect. Media were told she stayed behind for a longer workout.

As Obama’s motorcade passed through the gate of the military base, three marines on duty stood at attention and saluted.

A woman running and pushing a jogging stroller waved frantically as the motorcade passed.

Obama arrived back at his rental home at 8:21 a.m.
By media pool reporter Carol Lee of Politico