Obama Puts Lame Duck in Rearview Mirror, Goes to Hawaii

Dec. 23, 2010— -- President Obama arrived on Oahu in the middle of the night, eager to start his vacation after a surprisingly productive end to the year. Fresh off the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell' and the passing of the 9/11 first responders' health bill, the president is starting to see a turnaround in public support. A new CNN poll shows 56 percent of Americans approve of the president's handling of the lame duck session. But next year could be contentious when the GOP takes control of the house.

"I'm not naive. I know there will be tough fights ahead," the president said at a press conference before leaving the White House.

Obama joins his wife and daughters who have been on the island since Saturday. The family was supposed to travel together, but the marathon Congressional session kept him in Washington. Now that he is in Hawaii, he'll be battling the elements, not politics. While the president is waking up to the lovely vistas of Kailua beach, he probably will not be taking a swim in the usually clear blue waters because right now the beach is brown. Heavy rains caused sewage overflow and signs from the Hawaii Health Department warn swimmers to stay out. Plus, murky waters tend to attract sharks.

The usually crowded beach is practically empty. The Noble family visiting from Los Angeles decided to soak up the sun, but skip the ocean.

"It was really disappointing because you think you come all the way to Hawaii and you want to go swimming in the beautiful beaches and you get here and you find out that you can't," Amy Noble said.

Her son Mitchell added, "I'm definitely not going to go into the brown water!"

Ellie Leroux, who lives in Hawaii, decided to drive around the island in search of a cleaner beach.

"It said sewage on the sign, so that was enough for me," she said.

All is not lost. At the Obamas' favorite shave ice stand, they are already making "SnoBamas," an icy treaty comprised of the President's favorite flavors: lemon lime, cherry and guava.