President-elect Barack Obama started off Christmas eve the same way he has every day of his Hawaii vacation — with a workout at Semper Fit Center gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Obama's motorcade left his Kailua rental home at 7:39 a.m.

The press pool was not allowed inside as Obama worked out for about an hour. Michelle Obama was with him.

Afterward, he greeted and shook hands with a throng of about 60 people that had gathered in the parking lot of the fitness center, where Obama has started his mornings each day since arriving on Saturday.

"Hey, man, how's it going," he asked one person before wishing everyone, "Mele Kalikimaka!"

He then turned to some children and asked, "You guys got your Christmas lists all together?"

Obama met with the crowd for about three minutes before jumping in his sport-utility vehicle.

The motorcade left Semper Fit at 8:51 a.m. and arrived back at the Kailua house at 8:58 a.m.

After finishing his early-morning workout, Obama next headed out for his second round of golf during this vacation.

Later in the morning, Obama's motorcade left the Kailua rental home at 11:50 a.m. and arrived at Mid-Pacific Country Club about 10 minutes later.

Pool media were allowed to watch for about 12 minutes as Obama took practice swings with an iron before switching to a driver. He was dressed in a black polo shirt, khaki Bermuda shorts and a beige cap.

His golfing group included close friends Marty Nesbitt, Eric Whitaker and Eugene Kang, among others.

Obama also played a round of golf on Sunday at Olomana Golf Links in nearby Waimanalo.

The president-elect is a frequent visitor to the greens when he visits Hawaii. During his last vacation here, in August, he played two rounds of golf at Olomana and at Luana Hills Country Club.