President Obama wishes crowd Merry Christmas

By Associated Press

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 | 9:57 p.m.

HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on President Barack Obama's annual two-week vacation in Hawaii (all times local):

6:30 p.m.

Before heading home for the night, President Barack Obama, his two daughters, and close friends unwound with some local style "shave ice" at Island Snow in Kailua. The popular Hawaiian dessert combines thinly shaved ice with different flavors of syrup and assorted toppings.

Although Secret Service sectioned off the entire block, tourists and local shopkeepers quickly got wind of President Obama's appearance in the neighborhood and flocked to both sides of the block hoping to catch a glimpse.

The president, wearing casual clothes and flip flops, shook hands and spoke with a small crowd outside the store. He spent some time speaking to a few children in the crowd before he wished everyone a Merry Christmas. The crowd sent him off with a cheerful applause.

___

6 p.m.

Following an exciting trip to Waikiki, President Barack Obama, his two daughters, and close friends made their way back to the east side of the island Saturday to unwind with some local style "shave ice" at Island Snow in Kailua. The popular Hawaiian dessert combines thinly shaved ice with different flavors of syrup and assorted toppings.

The president and his daughters went to Breakout Waikiki earlier that afternoon. The venue, described as "Hawaii's first live-action escape room," is located on block away from the famous Waikiki Beach on the south shore of Oahu.

The Obamas are spending their annual two-week winter vacation on the island of Oahu in Obama's home state.

___

5 p.m.

First lady Michelle Obama is telling kids across the country how much progress Santa has made in his gift-giving journey.

Obama is volunteering to take calls through the NORAD Tracks Santa program. It's the last time she'll carry out her annual tradition.

The first lady spent roughly a half-hour talking with kids. In a transcript of the calls released by the White House, she told callers that Santa was flying over Malta, Sardinia and Hungary.

Obama also heard from children about the gifts they were hoping to get. Some of the highlights included a drone, a hoverboard and a hedgehog.

___

3:20 p.m.

After dining at Side Street Inn for lunch, the President, his daughters, and family friends took a short drive over to Breakout Waikiki for some afternoon fun. The venue, described as "Hawaii's first live-action escape room," is located on block away from the famous Waikiki Beach on the south shore of Oahu.

Upon seeing the motorcade driving down Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, dozens of tourists followed the vehicles, hoping to catch a glimpse of the President.

Breakout rooms are realistic puzzle-based spaces where patrons are "trapped" in a room and must work as a team to break out. These establishments are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S.

___

1:30 p.m.

President Obama and his daughters, Sasha and Malia, are eating lunch today at Side Street Inn with family friends. The restaurant, located in the middle of Honolulu, is a popular place for locals and tourists alike.

The traffic in Honolulu is busy today with weekend beach goers and last-minute holiday shoppers at the Ala Moana Shopping Center nearby.

___

9:40 a.m.

President Barack Obama is at the gym this morning for a Christmas Eve workout.

Despite thick cloud cover over the Ko'olau Mountain Range, the sun is shining brightly on the Marine Corps Base Hawaii where the president goes for his daily workout routine.

The roads near the first family's vacation rental home in Kailua are quieter than usual this morning, although several small groups of people still waited on the side of the road to wave and photograph the presidential motorcade driving by.

The Obamas are spending their annual two-week winter vacation on the island of Oahu in Obama's home state.