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President Barack Obama spent a few hours of the last day of 2013 at Hanauma Bay before a visit to Island Snow on Tuesday afternoon.
The president got a cherry and lemon-lime shave ice at the Kailua store, a favorite vacation stop for the first family.
Malia and Sasha Obama emerged from Island Snow with about a dozen friends and family members and headed to several benches outside the shop.
Obama headed in the other direction to greet about three dozen people who were waiting for him in a seating area outside Bob’s Pizzeria. The crowd was behind a railing and a thin red-and-white rope line that was tied between the wall and a bicycle at the end of the seating area. The crowd applauded and cheered as the president approached wearing sunglasses and a navy-and-white striped short-sleeved shirt.
"Oh my goodness," one woman screamed.
"What’s up, buddy?" the president said to the small boys on the far end of the line.
"Mr. President, you’re fantastic," a woman shouted.
"Hey, sweetie, how are you?" the president said to another child.
He engaged in a conversation with another man about the cherry flavor, but their exchange was inaudible beyond the word "cherry."
The president wished many in the crowd "Happy New Year" and at one point said, "I hope you guys have a great 2014." None of the conversations were longer than a few words, and it was difficult for the press pool to hear any of them.
As a goodbye, Obama gave the crowd the shaka sign.
Obama kicked off the day with an hourlong workout at a military base near his rented vacation home in Kailua. He and first lady Michelle Obama then headed to Hanauma Bay for a midday snorkeling outing.
The White House said the president planned to stay at home to ring in the new year with friends and family.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS