Pool Reports for Dec. 29: Gym, Golf, and Protest

Subject: Pool Report #1

President –elect  Barack Obama  began the ninth day of his Holiday trip home to Honolulu with a workout at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Obama’s motorcade  left the rental property where is staying on Kailuana  Place in Kailua  at 7:32 a.m. for the 1.4 mile drive to the Semper Fit Ultimate Health and Fitness Club.

At 7:42 a.m. Obama, dressed in a grey t-shirt, a Chicago White Sox baseball cap and black sweat pants with two grey pinstripes down each pant leg, got out of his black SUV and turned to wave to a crowd of about 30 that had gathered to greet him.

Obama was accompanied by his wife Michelle, who was dressed in a purple workout  top, and Chicago friend Eric Whitaker.

At 8:37 a.m. Obama came out of the gym  alone and walked down to the line of about 35 servicemen and family members  who had gathered in the middle of the parking lot in front of the gym’s entrance.

“How are you guys?,” Obama asked as he approached the crowd.

Obama shook hands and exchanged greetings as crowd members snapped pictures .

As he was preparing to leave,  Obama allowed a man seeking a picture to walk away from the crowd and stand next to him.  Obama then posed for a picture with the man, who was wearing a yellow,  Louisiana State University,  BCS national championship t-shirt .

Obama then got into his SUV for the drive back to his Kailuana Place rental property.  The motorcade arrived back at the property at 8:52 a.m.

Subject: Pool Report #2

For the third time this trip, President-elect Barack Obama left the Kailua compound where he and his entourage are staying for a round of golf at an area course.  It was the second time this trip that Obama has played at the course.  At 12:05 p.m. Obama’s motorcade left Kailuana Place in Kailua, arriving at the course at 12:15 p.m.  Obama greeted Punahou classmate Greg Orme with a hearty handshake and hug.

Obama is golfing with Chicago friends Eric Whitaker, Martin Nesbitt, aide Eugene Kang,  and Punahou classmates Bobby Titcomb, and Greg Orme  After loading his clubs onto a cart, Obama, wearing 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, drove down to the driving range.  At 12:21 p.m. he bent over a grey plastic trash can and filled a bucket half-full with range balls.

Standing next  to Whitaker,  Obama , with a white glove on his right hand,  spread the range balls out on the grass before putting an iron behind his back and stretching.  Obama  took three practice swings.  His first shot was a ground ball straight ahead.  His next shot went airborne but created a divet that Obama walked  out to pick up and replace.   After several more shots and one more replaced divet, Obama looked up to the pool and pointed at the photographers and reporters with his iron.  The pool was then moved into the course’s clubhouse.

Prior to leaving for the course at about 11 a.m., a group of five people approached the security checkpoint setup by the U.S. Secret Service and Honolulu police carrying a box wrapped with a gold ribbon.  The group, led by Fred and Pat Shepherd from Greenbrae, California and Robert Steiver,  65 of Honolulu, asked the Secret Service if they could deliver the box and a letter to Obama.   The Secret Service declined.  Speaking to a reporter, Fred Shepherd said they wanted to deliver the box, which once held “Super Gorilla” golf balls but now contained informational DVD’s about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  “I don’t think he’s taking a vacation, he’s preparing to be the next President,” said Steiver.  “I’m deathly afraid he’ll continue the failed policies of the Bush administration.  I’ve been suffering with the Palestinians for years.”

The letter was typed on a piece of paper with Fred and Pat Shepherd’s address printed at the top.  It was dated December 29, and addressed to Mr. And Mrs. Obama.  The body of the letter read “This gift of films is offered in hope that you will take the time to view them and that you will gain an insight as to why the Palestinians have been fighting for their land, pride and children for over 100 years.  Today, one of Israel’s major newspapers, Ha’aretz, has condemned Israel’s slaughter of Palestinian men, women and children and in no uncertain terms: Israel is and has been committing war crimes.  We look forward to your presidency…more than any other in our lifetime.  Best wishes to you and your daughters.  Thank you.  Warm regards.”  The letter is signed by Fred and Pat Shepherd.