WASHINGTON » The White House says President Barack Obama and his family are scheduled to depart Washington Dec. 17 for their annual Hawaii Christmas vacation. But that date could fluctuate pending the outcome of debates in Washington over renewing payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits before each expire at the end of the year.

Obama was born and mostly raised in Hawaii. He typically returns to Oahu each Christmas for a low-key holiday with his family.

The president is not expected to have any public events during his Hawaiian vacation. He’s due to return to Washington after the first of the year.