Obama steps out in Hawaii for shave ice treat

KAILUA, Hawaii — After four days away from the usual scrutiny, President Barack Obama looks relaxed.

He ventured briefly into the public eye Monday to indulge in one of his favorite local treats, a Hawaiian snow cone known as shave ice.

Dressed casually in a black polo shirt, khaki shorts and flip-flops, Obama ordered a melon, lemon-lime and cherry shave ice at Island Snow, a store he has frequented during past trips to Hawaii.

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He offered a ringing endorsement for his flavor combination, proclaiming it "really good."

'Last chance ... I'm buying'
Surrounded by family friends from Hawaii and Chicago who are vacationing with the Obamas, the president chatted with workers at the Island Snow store, asking them about their holidays and talking about basketball. He placed about a dozen orders for daughters Malia and Sasha as well as the other children in the group.

"Once you've ordered, go back," Obama said, later suggesting to the group, "Why don't you guys go out and eat?"

Sasha ordered a red and green ice, while Malia's was all blue (she told other kids in her group it was vanilla).

Obama asked the pool of reporters standing outside if they wanted any.

"Last chance. ... I'm buying." No one in the pool requested an ice and Obama paid $38.12 to the clerk behind the counter.

First public outing since Wednesday
Monday afternoon's outing was the first time the president has been spotted outside his rented oceanfront home or the nearby Marine base since he arrived here late Wednesday. After a frenzied legislative session that forced the president to delay the start of his trip, aides say rest and relaxation is at the top of Obama's agenda during his almost two-week vacation.

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The president spent much of the cloudy, drizzly Hawaiian day indoors at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, bowling with his daughters and playing basketball with friends.

The base has become a sanctuary for the president on his Hawaiian vacations. The president golfs on the base course, the first couple uses its gym for morning workouts and the first family often visits a secluded beach here.

But Obamas haven't had much in the way of beach weather. Clouds hung over the island of Oahu on Monday, and more rain is forecast throughout the week.

The Obamas are expected to stay in Hawaii through Jan. 2.