The days of Barack Obama quietly slipping back home to Hawai'i to chill are over.

When the U.S. senator from Illinois arrives today with his family for a vacation, he and his wife, Michelle, immediately will head for a public rally at Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park.

For the duration of Obama's weeklong visit, he will be accompanied by Secret Service, followed by a national press pool and surrounded by an entourage of campaign staff looking after his movements.

In addition to the Ke'ehi rally today, that is being likened to a homecoming, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also is expected at a private fundraiser on Tuesday night at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. Aside from those two events, Obama will be seeking some down time with his family.

"I know he's exhausted and I think people should respect his needs to rest and relax, but at the same time I'm so glad that he'll have a chance to uplift everybody's spirits," and Kelli Fukushima, general manager of Executive Chef, who was at Obama headquarters in the Ward area last night making signs with a small group of volunteers.

"It's exciting to know that he's coming home after 17 weeks on the campaign trail," said Gerald Chang, 63, a lawyer from Mo'ili'ili, also at the headquarters. "It's one thing to hear him on television, but it's another thing to see him in person."

Obama organizers have invited people to the park starting at 12:30 p.m. today. The senator is scheduled to speak with reporters at Honolulu International Airport at 2 p.m. before going to Ke'ehi Lagoon.

"It's a big deal," said state Rep. Della Au Belatti, D-25th (Tantalus, Makiki, McCully). "I understand that this is the time for him and his family to gather his energy, but I think people really want to see him."

Vickie Ramirez, a research professional and Obama supporter, said an Obama appearance would help bring Democrats together after his primary campaign against U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

"I think it's good that he's finally coming," she said. "Already the state is for Obama, but I think it's important for him not to ignore visiting as he's making the rounds of other states, just to rally people again after the drawn out, contentious fight between him and Clinton.

"It's just a time to readjust and get everyone on the same page again."

GOP WATCHING

State Republicans, many of whom are already tired of what they see as celebratory press coverage of the Obama campaign, are bracing for a weeklong "Obamathon."

State Rep. Gene Ward, R-17th (Kalama Valley, Queen's Gate, Hawai'i Kai), said it was interesting that the main event on Obama's schedule, prior to yesterday's announcement of the public rally, had been a $2,300-per-person — $10,000 for a VIP reception — Kahala fundraiser.

"It's a little bit out of sync with the theme of change and the historical appeal and all," said Ward, a local volunteer for U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee.

Jerry Coffee, McCain's campaign chairman in Hawai'i, said volunteers are planning public service-oriented events instead of the traditional campaign-style fundraisers and rallies. Local McCain volunteers have scheduled a cleanup project at the trash-strewn Kapakahi Stream in Waipahu next Friday morning.

"That's more consistent with John's philosophy," said Coffee, who, like his friend McCain, was a Navy pilot and a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

The Hawai'i-born Obama, who graduated from Punahou School, had been making annual visits to the Islands during the Christmas holidays to see his sister and grandmother with little publicity. Even after he gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004 and was elected to the Senate, his trips here were not celebrated events.

Obama was the star of a fund-raiser for Hawai'i Democrats in 2004, where he was treated like the state's "third senator." During his previous visit in December 2006, he played golf, shot hoops and ducked questions about a rumored presidential bid.

Sesnita Moepono, an aide to state Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), described Obama as an extraordinary person who not only grew up in Hawai'i but is reflective of its people.

"I think it's showing that Hawai'i is a very special place for people to grow up," said Moepono, a Democrat running against state Rep. Corinne Ching, R-27th (Nu'uanu, Liliha, 'Alewa Heights). "We do think differently. We think worldly. And we accept everybody, from any part of the economic strata, as well as ethnic cultures.

"I think it's great that he can apply all of that."

SAMOAN FLAG DAY

Obama has visited every state except for Hawai'i and Alaska during his campaign. Some of his local volunteers were pushing for a public event after only the fundraiser appeared on his schedule. Local Obama organizers had discussed some type of public event — possibly at Magic Island — before the Ke'ehi Lagoon stop was announced yesterday afternoon.

The late announcement of the public event has caused some unease among those enjoying the annual Samoan Flag Day festivities at Ke'ehi Lagoon yesterday.

Alo F. Williams, head of the council of Samoan Chiefs and Orators in Hawai'i, said his group has a city permit that he believes gives it exclusive use of the entire park until Sunday.

Williams said hundreds of Samoans and others are expected to be at the park at 3 p.m. for a rugby championship.

Bill Brennan, a city spokesman, said the Obama appearance would not conflict with the Samoan Flag Day celebration. "They're at opposite ends of the park and both will be able to go on as planned," he said.

Andy Winer, Obama's state director, said the Obama event likely will take up space in the park between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. He said local organizers are aware of the Samoans' concerns.

"We're going to be able to work it out," he said.

Winer said he did not have an estimate for the expected crowd at the rally and noted that it was being held on a Friday afternoon, near an area of heavy traffic, on the opening day of the Olympics.

"Get there early," he advised.

Staff writers Dan Nakaso and Leanne Ta contributed to this report