The malls are bursting with shoppers, the city’s aglow with holiday lights, keiki are filled with laughter and their stockings are hanging with care. Yes, it’s that time of year when the big man famous all over the globe makes his annual visit to the Hawaiian Islands.

President Barack Obama is expected to arrive with his family early Saturday for a 17-day holiday vacation at an oceanfront Kailua house with incredible views.

"It’s a very exciting time of the year," said Martha Burke, who lives in a handsome Kailuana Place home with her husband, Ed, a few houses away from where the president is expected to stay. "We’re very, very excited."

In his first three years in office, Obama rented a gated estate offering plenty of privacy on the shores of Kailua Bay. Last year, he rented a similar house on the same street, but his vacation was cut short when he had to return to Washington the day after Christmas to resume negotiations on an emergency budget deal with Congress.

This year, it appears Congress will reach a budget deal before the Christmas holiday, raising hopes for a more restful vacation and allowing additional time for bodysurfing, working out at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, shooting hoops and visiting his favorite local hangouts.

One such place is Island Snow, where at least four pictures of the commander in chief eating shave ice during previous visits look down on a bar equipped with a rainbow of colored syrups. One of the icy concoctions served up at Island Snow is Snowbama, a sweet mixture of cherry, lemon lime and guava flavorings.

Jessi Omoto, a college student behind the bar Tuesday, said she’s working only two days a week while she’s on winter break from the University of Portland. It might be too much to ask, but she’s hoping the president drops in on one of the days she’s on duty.

"I worked the entire winter break last year but he didn’t come in until the day I started school," she said.

Omoto did get a chance to serve treats to Malia and Sasha Obama.

"They came in a lot," Omoto reported. "I wouldn’t have even known it was them if someone hadn’t pointed them out."

On Tuesday, Omoto was serving shave ice to Ben France and Kelsea Huston, Hawaii Pacific University students from Washington state. They were both well aware the president enjoys Island Snow shave ice — and they can appreciate the attraction.

"Every time I come to the beach here, I come here," France said.

It’s a good bet that at least one or more of Obama’s holiday outings will be to the Stan Sheriff Center to see Oregon State play in the Diamond Head Classic basketball tournament. OSU coach Craig Robinson is Michelle Obama’s brother.

At a news conference Monday, Robinson said that he wouldn’t be surprised if the president took in one or more games. OSU opens against Akron at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

"The Diamond Head (Classic) team is preparing in case it happens, but we won’t know it’s official until it comes," said Neal Iwamoto, University of Hawaii assistant media relations director. "I guess they don’t want to broadcast it to the world."

Back in the Kailuana neighborhood, Jasmin Lippi said she and her family were going to miss Obama’s entire visit for a vacation of their own to Southeast Asia.

"I’m not sad but I definitely wouldn’t mind being here," said Lippi, who moved from Switzerland into her Kailuana Loop home in August.

She said her neighbors’ opinions vary. Some complain about the hassle of having to deal with the extra security while others enjoy the spectacle.

"He has to go on vacation, too," Lippi said. "He deserves one."

Across the street, Ja Ross described himself as a "CIA-approved" gardner, meaning he’s been vetted by the Secret Service. He explained that his homeowner-employer submitted his name for a credential allowing him to pass security checkpoints into the neighborhood.

Ross said the first time Obama was in the neighborhood he worked late hoping to catch a glimpse of him across the bay.

"I didn’t see him," he said. "He must have been too busy."

Ed and Martha Burke said they look forward to the president’s visits. During previous stays, they’ve waved at Obama’s car and petted Obama’s dog, Bo, when he was walked near their house. Ed Burke, a Navy veteran, saw the president at the Marine base while working out there. And they cherish a picture of their grandson shaking Obama’s hand.

The Burkes said their neighbors have mixed feelings about the annual visit, but not them.

"I’m very flattered he thinks so much of our neighborhood to keep coming back," Ed Burke said.

"It’s actually an advantage when you think about it," the wife added, smiling. "We don’t have to worry about locking the door — there’s so much security."