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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 27, 2009

Obama at Alan Wong's restaurant for dinner tonight

Advertiser Staff

President Obama has arrived at Alan Wong's restaurant on King Street for dinner tonight at 7:40 p.m., according a media pool report by Anne E. Kornblut, White House correspondent for The Washington Post.

The presidential motorcade caused quite a stir on the Pali Highway tonight, as some motorists reported they just shut off their engines while roads were closed along the way as the president in his larger than normal motorcade made his way from Kailua to town. Along the way, Kornblut reported in her pool report, that the president drove past Baskin and Robbins on King Street where he worked as a teenager and past Kapiolani Hospital where he was born.
The Obamas have been to Alan Wong's restaurant twice before, once in August 2008 and again on Dec. 29, 2008.
The president started the day leaving his beachfront vacation home at 6:30 a.m. to go to the gym at the Marine Corp returned to the Obamas’ beachfront vacation home in Kailua at 2:15 p.m. "No details on their activities, attire or menu while at the beach -- though we do know they had a picnic," Kornblut's pool report states. "Now they're home for a little while, and then we're expecting further movements quite a bit later on."
This morning the President arrived at the adjacent Marine Corps Base Hawaiçi at 6:43 a.m. for a morning workout session at the gym. He left at 8:30 a.m. after working out and playing basketball with friends Marty Nesbitt, Eric Whitaker, Denis McDonough, Bill Burton, Reggie Love, Pete Newell, Grant Campbell and Ben Finkenbinder. They played at least a couple of games. No word yet on the score, according to the pool report submitted by Kornblut.
According to Kornblut’s pool report:
“We did not actually lay eyes on him as the motorcade circled through the military base and dropped him off. We are told that he'll have a longer excursion today — a workout and then some basketball with ‘friends and staff.’ It is strongly believed that some of his golf buddies from yesterday will play, as will Reggie Love and Ben Finkenbinder.
“Burton has passed along this statement from President Obama on the passing of Percy Sutton: ‘Percy Sutton was a true hero to African Americans in New York City and around the country. We will remember him for his service to the country as a Tuskegee Airman, to New York State as a state assemblyman, to New York City as Manhattan Borough president, and to the community of Harlem in leading the effort to revitalize the world renowned Apollo Theater. His life-long dedication to the fight for civil rights and his career as an entrepreneur and public servant made the rise of countless young African Americans possible. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to his family on this sad day.’”
“Obama wrapped up his gym excursion a little after 8:30 a.m. The basketball guest list included: Marty Nesbitt, Eric Whitaker, Denis McDonough, Bill Burton, Reggie Love, Pete Newell, Grant Campbell and Ben Finkenbinder. They played at least a couple of games. No word yet on the score.
Obama’s motorcade left for Kailua at 8:33 a.m. then left the vacation home at 11 a.m., having to slow down on the way back to Marine Corps Base Hawaii “to avoid hitting a dog that was wandering between the cars.”
“Apparently he and the family are going to the beach here on the base. But we won't see him/them. The beach is not open to the public today — apparently it is usually open to the public on Sundays but has been closed for POTUS (President Of The United States).
“Friends and family are assumed to be in attendance, along with some staff.”