Vice President Mike Pence cut short his first Hawaii visit by a day as he shuttled between Asia and North Korea troubles and concerns in Washington, D.C., over spending and the hope of avoiding a government shutdown.

Pence canceled a stop planned for today at the USS Arizona Memorial with wife Karen Pence, but the vice president did spend nearly an hour Monday with Adm. Harry Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, at a luncheon with troops at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“Thank you so much for the warm welcome. And most especially, I bring greetings on behalf of your commander in chief, President Donald Trump,” Pence said.

Motorcade trips from the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps base, where the Pences stayed Sunday night, to Hickam on Monday, then to Camp H.M. Smith for a closed-door meeting with Harris, and then travel back to Hickam early in the afternoon backed up traffic.

Side roads, arteries and the H-1 and H-3 freeways were temporarily shut down for the vice presidential motorcade.

“Yep, I caught that (motorcade) three times today. Gotta go fill up my car with gas. #HItraffic,” tweeted one motorist.

The vice president and his wife shook hands with dozens of soldiers and airmen on the flight line at Hickam. At 3:15 p.m. they waved goodbye to the crowd from the steps of Air Force Two, a Boeing 757.

Among the personnel was Karen Pence’s nephew, Air Force Master Sgt. James Louzon, who is based at Hickam with the 56th Air Communications Squadron.

“We were able to spend about an hour together (Monday) morning out at the Marine Corps base and visit with the whole family,” Louzon said.

Pence left Washington on April 15 on his first Asia trip with an itinerary that took him to the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas amid growing concern that North Korea might test an intercontinental ballistic missile or conduct another nuclear test. He also visited Japan, Indonesia and Australia, and stopped over in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

In Australia he said the United States would “defend the fundamental freedoms of navigation and overflight” in the South China Sea. He also said America and Australia would “stand firm” against the regime in North Korea, which he described as the most dangerous threat to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific.

“While all options are on the table, let me assure you, the United States will continue to work closely with Australia, our other allies in the region and with China to bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on the regime in Pyongyang,” Pence said.

The entire U.S. Senate has been invited to a North Korea briefing Wednesday. Health care reform, a tax code overhaul and border wall funding are among issues also facing the Trump administration back in Washington.

Pence and Harris had lunch with about 120 troops at Hickam, with the vice president choosing a cheeseburger, salad and Diet Coke.

“OK, make a hole, I’ve got to come and sit at this table,” Pence said as he switched tables to sit with another group. “Thank you for your service,” he said as he sat down. “I’m awfully proud of all of you.”

Pence singled out Navy Chief-select Courtney Evers for being named a “sailor of the year.” Karen Pence, meanwhile, visited Schofield Barracks on Monday to see how the base is integrating its behavioral health unit to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.