12 Incredible Photos of Barack Obama in Hawai‘i From His Time as POTUS

#ThanksObama: For the Hawai‘i memories.

By Diane Lee

Aloha, President Barack Obama! We decided to take a look back at the Hawai‘i-born president’s visits to Honolulu over the past eight years through the lens of chief White House photographer Pete Souza. Souza captured more than 2 million photos of Obama during his two terms, including snapshots of POTUS in the Islands, conducting business and getting some much needed R&R. To mark Obama’s final days in office, we selected a few of our favorite shots.

1. Obama Golfing



Kāneʻohe Klipper Marine Golf Course, 2010. No trip to Hawai‘i is ever complete for Obama without a round of golf. In addition to the Kāne‘ohe Klipper Marine Golf Course, golfers also frequently spotted the commander-in-chief at the Mid-Pacific Country Club, Kapolei Golf Course and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. There’s even a website dedicated to keeping track of Obama’s golf outings.

Photo: Pete Souza​

2. Obama Eating Shave Ice



Island Snow, 2010. The Kailua shave ice spot has been a favorite for the Obamas for years.

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

3. Obama Catching a Wave



Pyramid Rock Beach, 2012. Obama negotiated a wave at Pyramid Rock Beach in Kāneʻohe Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i. Easy peasy.

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

4. Obama Carrying a Cute Baby



Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, 2014. Who could resist face time with this cutie? Not Obama.

Photo: Pete Souza

5. Obama Hitting “the Gym”



Koko Head Crater, 2015. Obama spent most of his Hawai‘i workout time at the Marine Corps Base Semper Fit gym. But once, Obama surprised hikers by climbing the grueling Koko Head Trail, all 1,048 wooden steps of it. Souza came along. “I’ll admit that I was huffing and puffing up the trail, but to my friends, this photograph is proof that I indeed made it to the top with my boss,” he says.

Photo: Pete Souza

6. Obama Visiting Military Members



Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, 2010. Obama made it an annual Christmas Day tradition to greet and thank hundreds of military members and their families at the Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i. Semper fi!

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

7. Obama Greeting Fans



Mid-Pacific Country Club, 2010. Obama took a break from his golf game to hand a souvenir to a child. A future golfer, perhaps?

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

8. Obama Hosting a Dinner for APEC Leaders



APEC summit, 2011. Yes, Obama conducted business in Hawai‘i, too. POTUS and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a dinner for APEC summit leaders in Honolulu on Nov. 12, 2011.

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

9. Obama Chilling on a Boat



Pearl Harbor, 2011. Obama and the First Lady toured Pearl Harbor with Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

10. Obama Thanking Pearl Harbor Survivors



Pearl Harbor, 2016. On Dec. 27, 2016, Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe greeted survivors from the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

11. Obama Offering Flowers at Pearl Harbor



USS Arizona Memorial, 2016. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Obama scattered dendrobium orchids at the USS Arizona Memorial. Previous Japanese leaders visited Pearl Harbor, but Abe’s trip marked the first visit of Japan’s prime minister to the memorial.

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA

12. Obama Boarding Air Force One



Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 2014. Obama heading off into the Hawai‘i sunset. Aloha!

PHOTO: PETE SOUZA