President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are sending their prayers and best wishes to those celebrating Kwanzaa.
The Obamas say in a statement that the Kwanzaa celebration highlights the rich heritage of African-Americans. They say families come together on Kwanzaa to reflect on the past year’s blessing and look forward to the promises that lie ahead next year. The Obamas are vacationing in Hawaii.
They’re calling attention to Kwanzaa’s seven principles, which include creativity, self-determination, purpose and unity, responsibility, cooperative economics and faith. The seven-day African-American holiday started Friday.
The Obamas say they remain committed to building a nation that provides opportunity for everyone. They say there’s much to be thankful for as families light the kinara, a candle holder used to celebrate Kwanzaa.
On Friday, the seventh day of his family’s holiday vacation in Hawaii, the president had a morning gym workout at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe, followed by time at Bellows Beach with family and friends. A small crowd of onlookers greeted the motorcade as it arrived.
At midday the president hit the links again with friends Greg Orme, Bobby Titcomb and Mike Ramos at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club in Kailua. He has played several rounds of golf within the past week.
The first family began their annual Hawaii vacation here Dec. 19 and are expected to remain on Oahu to ring in the new year. There are no scheduled public appearances.
Obama has spent Christmas on Oahu, where he was born, since before he took office. His visits since have come with occasional road closures to accommodate the presidential motorcade and security restrictions in waters off Kailua Bay.
The Coast Guard is enforcing a temporary security zone until 10 p.m. Jan. 5. It includes a portion of Kailua Bay, beginning at Kapoho Point and extending westward to the shoreline near Kailuana Loop. The zone also includes the adjacent canal beginning near Kapoho Point to a point extending the canal way to about 150 yards south of the North Kalaheo Avenue Road Bridge.
