President Obama and his family will begin their Hawaii vacation the afternoon of Christmas Eve, following a vote in the U.S. Senate on Obama�s healthcare plan.

�I will not leave until my friends in the Senate have completed their work,� Obama told reporters today. �My attitude is if they are making these sacrifices to provide health care to all Americans, the least I can do is be around and provide them any encouragement and last-minute help.�
There are no public appearances planned for what is expected to be a 10-day vacation on Oahu for the First Family.
Residents along Kailuana Place in Kailua, where Obama and his family vacationed last year when he was President-elect, said Secret Service agents began increasing security measures last night.
No-parking signs and barricades have gone up on Kailuana Place that leads to the five-bedroom, Kailua Beach home the family stayed at last year.
�Many of the neighbors are upset because there�s no street parking for 10 days,� said Ember Shinn, who enjoyed last year�s visit by the First Family and is excited about their latest trip. �There�s lots of Secret Service activity in our neighborhood, and a lot of helicopter activity.�