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.”