First lady arrives with daughters and dog

First lady Michelle Obama and her daughters arrived quietly in Honolulu yesterday for the holidays.

The Obamas' beachfront rental house in Kailua remained empty most of the day, with no sign of security on land or sea.

But that changed in the evening after the family and first dog Bo arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and motored over to the Windward side, arriving just after 8 p.m.

While some Kailuana Place residents said they wish the Obamas would spend their vacation at nearby Marine Corps Base Hawaii, others said they are excited to welcome the first family back to their neighborhood.

"It's no problem," said resident Sharon Miscovich, 48. "We put up our own signs to let people know the road is blocked. The Secret Service agents are wonderful -- very nice guys. And this year the dog is coming, so it's even better."

Kelii Kiakona, who lives just a block from the temporary guard station, said he actually likes the security presence in the neighborhood.

"The streets are definitely quiet," he said. "That's a positive. If you don't belong here, you're not getting in."

President Barack Obama won't fly to Hawaii until Congress' session is complete, possibly on Wednesday, the White House said.

The entire Obama family will return to Washington on New Year's Day.