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Obama’s emotional visit home ends quietly

Candidate visits grandmother, alone in his thoughts

STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORY

Sen. Barack Obama, looking solemn, left Honolulu yesterday after a nearly 22-hour visit, mostly spent in the company of his gravely ill 85-year-old grandmother.


The Democratic presidential candidate returns to the mainland for the final stretch of a bruising campaign against Republican John McCain.


While on Oahu, Obama made no public statements or appearances. His attempt to take a solitary walk outside the Makiki apartment building where he spent much of his youth was cut short, apparently because of the attention of reporters, supporters and curious onlookers.

— Rosemarie Bernardo



FULL STORY >>

By Rosemarie Bernardo

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 25, 2008

(Single Page View) | Return to Paginated View

For a brief moment yesterday morning, Barack Obama strolled alone through the Makiki neighborhood of his youth.
[Preview] Well Wishers Show Barack and Grandmother Support
[Preview]
 
Barack Obama paid a small visit to his grandmother’s apartment on Beretania Street where some showed their support by praying and bearing gifts outside.

[  Watch ]

 
In partnership with KITV.com

But solitary moments don't come easy for presidential candidates, and the instant attention of journalists and others cut short the walk. Looking dejected, the Illinois senator climbed into a nearby security van and took the short ride back to the apartment of his ailing 85-year-old grandmother, the reason for his quick trip back home.

Obama left Honolulu at about 5 p.m. yesterday, less than 22 hours after arriving for a trip considered risky by some political observers since the tight race for the presidency is nearing the finish line.

But Obama insisted in interviews earlier this week that he had to take a break from campaigning to see his grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, described as gravely ill.

Dunham, who along with her husband raised Obama as he attended nearby Punahou School, suffered a broken hip recently. In an interview with ABC-TV before he came to Hawaii, Obama expressed the concern that she might not live to see the Nov. 4 Election Day.

The Democratic candidate visited her briefly after arriving Thursday night and returned to Dunham's apartment at about 8:15 a.m. yesterday. He spent the night at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki but spent most of yesterday at the apartment where he lived from age 10 to 18. Workers at the hotel said that before he was famous, Obama and his family would stay at the hotel for their annual December visits to see his family here.

Just after 10 a.m. yesterday, Obama, wearing a black polo shirt, jeans, black slippers and sunglasses, emerged from the apartment building and went for a walk through his old neighborhood.

After a few minutes, as the media approached him, he was picked up at the corner of Young and Villa streets and taken back to the apartment building.

Well-wishers gathered in the lobby of the Punahou Circle Apartments, some armed with flowers and others just hoping to see the senator. The property manager told supporters they could not give the flowers or leis directly to the candidate, but promised to deliver them.

A couple of supporters of independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader protested outside the building, but the majority of the crowd was Obama supporters.

A few well-wishers waited near the building yesterday morning, and the crowd grew to more than 30 supporters by midafternoon as people converged in the building's open-air lobby and under large banyan trees across the street on the Central Union Church lawn.

In the lobby, Manoa resident John LaBorde said he came to show his support. "Ten days before the election, he comes here and takes time to see his grandmother. That's touching, absolutely touching," he said.

Manoa resident Frank Geiger Jr., 56, and his wife, Xiena, waved and took photos as they crowded the sidewalk in hopes of catching a glimpse of Obama before he departed Hawaii.

Geiger said he can relate to Obama as he lived with his grandmother as a youngster.

"She would do anything for me," he said. Of Obama's visit, Geiger added, "I think that really speaks of his character and who he is."


[Preview] Obama Leaves Toots for Nevada
[Preview]
 
A bitter sweet moment, Barack Obama stopped by his grandmother’s apartment before going back to the campaign trail.

[  Watch ]

 
In partnership with KITV.com

But the candidate, who made no public statements while in Honolulu, avoided the crowd outside the building.

He left by motorcade to have lunch at the Hyatt Regency, but returned and spent a few more hours with Dunham. The motorcade arrived back at his grandmother's apartment at 2:34 p.m. for Obama to say goodbye before leaving.

Obama left Punahou Circle Apartments at 4:05 p.m.

Honolulu Police Department and Secret Service closed off a portion of the H-1 freeway during prime Friday rush-hour traffic as Obama's motorcade drove to the airport.

On the way to the airport, one truck apparently was stuck on the freeway and pulled to the side of the road right before the Nimitz Highway exit. The driver flashed the "shaka" sign to the passing motorcade.

Obama arrived early at 4:20 p.m. for his 5 p.m. flight to Reno. He stayed in a silver Dodge Caravan for more than 20 minutes before boarding his campaign jet.

He had changed out of his casual attire back into a suit. He draped his coat over his left shoulder as he walked up the steps to the plane and did not look in the direction of dozens of media and staff. His plane took off just after 5 p.m.

Obama will resume campaigning today with three rallies planned in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., and Albuquerque, N.M.

For a brief moment yesterday morning, Barack Obama strolled alone through the Makiki neighborhood of his youth.

[Preview] Well Wishers Show Barack and Grandmother Support
[Preview]
 
Barack Obama paid a small visit to his grandmother’s apartment on Beretania Street where some showed their support by praying and bearing gifts outside.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sen. Barack Obama boarded his campaign plane in Honolulu yesterday afternoon.

[  Watch ]

 
In partnership with KITV.com

But solitary moments don't come easy for presidential candidates, and the instant attention of journalists and others cut short the walk. Looking dejected, the Illinois senator climbed into a nearby security van and took the short ride back to the apartment of his ailing 85-year-old grandmother, the reason for his quick trip back home.

Obama left Honolulu at about 5 p.m. yesterday, less than 22 hours after arriving for a trip considered risky by some political observers since the tight race for the presidency is nearing the finish line.

But Obama insisted in interviews earlier this week that he had to take a break from campaigning to see his grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, described as gravely ill.

Dunham, who along with her husband raised Obama as he attended nearby Punahou School, suffered a broken hip recently. In an interview with ABC-TV before he came to Hawaii, Obama expressed the concern that she might not live to see the Nov. 4 Election Day.

The Democratic candidate visited her briefly after arriving Thursday night and returned to Dunham's apartment at about 8:15 a.m. yesterday. He spent the night at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki but spent most of yesterday at the apartment where he lived from age 10 to 18. Workers at the hotel said that before he was famous, Obama and his family would stay at the hotel for their annual December visits to see his family here.

Just after 10 a.m. yesterday, Obama, wearing a black polo shirt, jeans, black slippers and sunglasses, emerged from the apartment building and went for a walk through his old neighborhood.

After a few minutes, as the media approached him, he was picked up at the corner of Young and Villa streets and taken back to the apartment building.

Well-wishers gathered in the lobby of the Punahou Circle Apartments, some armed with flowers and others just hoping to see the senator. The property manager told supporters they could not give the flowers or leis directly to the candidate, but promised to deliver them.

A couple of supporters of independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader protested outside the building, but the majority of the crowd was Obama supporters.

A few well-wishers waited near the building yesterday morning, and the crowd grew to more than 30 supporters by midafternoon as people converged in the building's open-air lobby and under large banyan trees across the street on the Central Union Church lawn.

In the lobby, Manoa resident John LaBorde said he came to show his support. "Ten days before the election, he comes here and takes time to see his grandmother. That's touching, absolutely touching," he said.

Manoa resident Frank Geiger Jr., 56, and his wife, Xiena, waved and took photos as they crowded the sidewalk in hopes of catching a glimpse of Obama before he departed Hawaii.

Geiger said he can relate to Obama as he lived with his grandmother as a youngster.

"She would do anything for me," he said. Of Obama's visit, Geiger added, "I think that really speaks of his character and who he is."


[Preview] Obama Leaves Toots for Nevada
[Preview]
 
A bitter sweet moment, Barack Obama stopped by his grandmother’s apartment before going back to the campaign trail.

[  Watch ]

 
In partnership with KITV.com

But the candidate, who made no public statements while in Honolulu, avoided the crowd outside the building.

He left by motorcade to have lunch at the Hyatt Regency, but returned and spent a few more hours with Dunham. The motorcade arrived back at his grandmother's apartment at 2:34 p.m. for Obama to say goodbye before leaving.

Obama left Punahou Circle Apartments at 4:05 p.m.

Honolulu Police Department and Secret Service closed off a portion of the H-1 freeway during prime Friday rush-hour traffic as Obama's motorcade drove to the airport.

On the way to the airport, one truck apparently was stuck on the freeway and pulled to the side of the road right before the Nimitz Highway exit. The driver flashed the "shaka" sign to the passing motorcade.

Obama arrived early at 4:20 p.m. for his 5 p.m. flight to Reno. He stayed in a silver Dodge Caravan for more than 20 minutes before boarding his campaign jet.

He had changed out of his casual attire back into a suit. He draped his coat over his left shoulder as he walked up the steps to the plane and did not look in the direction of dozens of media and staff. His plane took off just after 5 p.m.

Obama will resume campaigning today with three rallies planned in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., and Albuquerque, N.M.

(Single Page View) | Return to Paginated View



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