For every vacation of his six years in office — and even the one before the inauguration — President Barack Obama has been warmly welcomed in Hawaii, his birthplace and still the place where much of his worldview originated.
Signs of aloha were posted near his Kailua vacation retreat, which must feel like salve after a punishing year of political storms and global violence.
Most people are happy to give the president some respite with his family and casual down time with longstanding friends.
However, at this particular juncture, when Hawaii is on the brink of enormous change, leaders here would benefit from a little face time with Hawaii’s most famous keiki o ka aina, also known as the country’s chief executive.
A few seem outwardly eager for it: Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has extended an invitation to the president to come and view the Pahoa lava flow himself.
There’s been no response from the White House to what seems to be a reasonable request: The volcanic activity, itself a slow-moving disaster, was only the latest battle with Mother Nature that the island has endured, and the president should see it, if he can.
But whether local leaders do the inviting or the White House makes the overture, there’s ample reason for Obama to venture further afield than the golf links with school-time buddies at some point on this vacation.
With the election of Gov. David Ige and an overall change in administration, it would be smart for Hawaii to strengthen its rapport with a White House that had more longstanding personal ties with Ige’s predecessor, Neil Abercrombie.
From the state’s perspective, the remaining two years of Obama’s term will be a critical period for the state — and on more fronts than the final decision on where the presidential library will go (an in-person pitch on behalf of Kakaako Makai would be appreciated, though).
Changes in the strength of the military component of Hawaii’s economy are looming, and it would be wise for local officials to do what they can to moderate the impacts of any defense cuts on the state.
Tourism has been doing well since the economic recovery began taking root, but those who track the trends have noticed that the heat of activity has dropped a few degrees.
Hawaii needs to communicate the importance of enabling growth in the newest visitor-industry sector, tourism from China. A conversation with the president on the issue of the visa waiver would be illuminating.
And where China is concerned, it would be helpful to have a healthy exchange on the president’s touted "pivot to Asia," one of the hoped-for elements in an Obama presidential legacy, one in which Hawaii has a critical stake.
On the county level, the next two years likely will seal the verdict on the city’s financially challenged rail project, as well.
Finding allies within the executive branch could ease snags downroute, so Mayor Kirk Caldwell would want to make progress with the top man himself.
The list of possible topics for an exchange is long, and with the death of Hawaii’s chief advocate, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, the need to cultivate new relationships is great.
There is some precedent for it, too: President Bill Clinton combined business with pleasure while here.
Arguably the Obama administration has reached out to Hawaii through one of its chief representatives, Hillary Clinton, while she was here as secretary of state.
But they don’t have the close affinity to Hawaii that Barack Obama does. The community here would appreciate some public acknowledgement of that affinity.
Without too much of a disruption to a well-deserved vacation, that should be easy enough for him to deliver.
