KAILUA — Nine days into his trip home for the holidays, President-elect Barack Obama continues to keep a low profile, with plans to play golf but none to greet local residents or speak to officials.

On this stay, which began Dec. 20, Obama has played three rounds of golf, worked out every morning except Christmas, and taken his family to Sea Life Park and for shave ice at Koko Marina.

He spent about an hour with Marines at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Christmas night but has not held any public rallies like the one at Ke'ehi Lagoon that marked the start of his family's August vacation.

There are no public events scheduled for Obama on this trip, said Ben LaBolt, Obama's spokesman.

"While the president-elect continues to be briefed on global events and is keeping up to date with transition work, this is his last opportunity before taking office to spend an extended period of time with family and friends," LaBolt said in an e-mail to The Advertiser.

Obama, his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia are staying at Paradise Point Estates, an enclave of homes at the end of Kailuana Place in Kailua.

Local officials hoping to meet with the local boy president-elect were not disappointed with their lack of face time or communication.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who will be attending the Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington, D.C., said he is planning to attending a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting with Obama sometime between Jan. 16 and 19.

"I've been very pleased and couldn't be happier that the president-elect chose to spend so much times in the Islands," Hannemann said. "This is a significant part of his upbringing, and it reaffirms his affection and his ties to this place.

"It was a practice he had in place before he was elected president, and he continues to visit us during the holiday season. He's going to keep coming here, so I continue to ask everyone to please be respectful."

Gov. Linda Lingle said she will meet with Obama in February during policy discussions with fellow governors at the annual National Governors Association meetings. The discussions with Obama will focus on initiatives aimed at strengthening our economy, improving our infrastructure, achieving energy independence and developing a comprehensive broadband initiative.

"Hawai'i residents are proud of President-elect Obama's local roots and the higher profile his election has afforded our state," Lingle said. "The president-elect faces many challenges in the coming weeks and months, and the people of Hawai'i are proud that the Islands can provide him with an environment in which he feels comfortable and at home as he prepares to take office."

Obama stuck to his vacation routine yesterday, working out at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and golfing with friends from Punahou and Chicago.

Obama teed off yesterday afternoon at Mid-Pacific Country Club, his second visit to the private club in Lanikai. He has also played at Olomana Golf Links on this vacation.

After arriving at the course, Obama greeted Punahou classmate Greg Orme with a hearty handshake and hug. Obama played a round with Punahou classmates Orme and Bobby Titcomb, Chicago friends Eric Whitaker and Martin Nesbitt, and aide Eugene Kang.

Obama wore sunglasses, a white shirt, khaki shorts, white and brown golf shoes, and a red baseball cap emblazoned with the City and County of Honolulu's Ocean Safety logo.

Obama worked out at the Marine base about 7:45 a.m., joined by his wife and Whitaker. He emerged at 8:37 a.m. and walked to a line of about 35 service members and family near the gym's entrance.

"How are you guys?" Obama asked as he approached the crowd.

Obama shook hands and exchanged greetings as onlookers snapped pictures. The group returned to the rental homes.

At about 11 a.m., five people approached the Kailuana Place security checkpoint set up by U.S. Secret Service and Honolulu police carrying a box wrapped with a gold ribbon.

The group, led by Fred and Pat Shepherd of Greenbrae, Calif., and Robert Steiver of Honolulu, asked the Secret Service if they could deliver the box and a letter to Obama. The Secret Service declined.

Fred Shepherd told a reporter they wanted to deliver the box, which contained informational DVDs about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

"I don't think he's taking a vacation; he's preparing to be the next president," Steiver said. "I'm deathly afraid he'll continue the failed policies of the Bush administration."