The Lights Go Out on Oahu and the Obamas
EmailFrom Sunlen Miller in Kailua, Hawaii:
The island of Oahu – where President-elect Obama is vacationing with his family – is in the middle of a blackout.
The island-wide power outage was likely caused by lightning striking power grids. As the sun went down around the island there were multiple reports of fierce lightening.
The Obama’s Kailua vacation home was not immune from the widespread outages. The Obama’s power went out shortly after 6:30 pm local time.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s office says he spoke with police outside Obama’s compound who report the President-elect is okay. The Mayor ordered for a generator to be sent over (supplied by the Hawaiian Electric Company) for Obama to use immediately after the blackout happened.
Extra police cruisers were pulled across the front of the barricade in front of the Obama’s beach home – as just one sign of additional security likely being dispatched during this time.
Obama aides say there are “no issues” to report at the Obama compound in Kailua.
Officials on the island are attempting to remedy the problem – estimating that at the earliest power would be restored in the morning.
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My gosh. Why is this so newsworthy?
Posted by: Fran | December 27, 2008, 9:36 am 9:36 am
Why? It’s all about HIM, that’s why. Not the 800,000+ residents, or other visitors.
Hawaii news channel 8 reported that the family was “holding up well.” How brave of them.
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | December 27, 2008, 9:59 am 9:59 am
Nah, I doubt the power outage was caused by lighning. It was probably caused by all the excess electricity being used at that big, luxurious estate Obama is vacationig at.
It must be extra nice to have the Mayor send over a generator. Although you would think Obama’s opulent vacation home would have a generator of its own.
And I hope all that extra security isn’t hampering the access that the photographers have been given to Obama during his tropical vacation. You know, we all wouldn’t want to be denied the photos of what a great luxurious time Obama is having while America is currently suffering a severe recession.
Posted by: Glenn | December 27, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am
I am sure that the Secret Service were immediately concerned that the power went out on the President elect. Most of their fancy gadgets were out of order. I would not expect the reaction to be any less for our President.
Posted by: Alkamodaddy | December 27, 2008, 10:16 am 10:16 am
This may not be newsworthy, but why attack the Obama’s? They are enjoying the holidays like many/most families are trying to in spite of the recession. Would you not want your President-elect to be rested to take the reigns of the country in less than a month? Give me a break. Americans be such whiners…and I’m one of them! ha!
Posted by: Dan in Japan | December 27, 2008, 10:38 am 10:38 am
He’s only the most powerful person in the world. The initial thought of perhaps a designed attack surely created a tense moment. The reaction would have been simalar for any person of importance. For your comments about enjoying his Holidays while others suffer through the recession…so he’s just supposed to give away all that he’s EARNED because you didn’t? Give me a break. Your contempt is showing.
Posted by: Scott | December 27, 2008, 10:41 am 10:41 am
Gee talk about Murphy’s law. Boy a bad economy, 2 wars etc. now a blackout talk about karma. I’m sure it will turn around though.
Posted by: t42 | December 27, 2008, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Come on, people. He’s about to be the most powerful man in the world. There are lots of people who would like to see Obama killed, maimed, or somehow kept from taking the oath of office. There are even more who are concerned that some nutjob is planning to do act on it.
Posted by: Jeff | December 27, 2008, 10:43 am 10:43 am
Who cares?????
Posted by: LuLu | December 27, 2008, 10:45 am 10:45 am
Also, I think the man deserves a vacation after spending essentially every waking hour campaigning, which is what you have to do to win the presidency in this country. He is about to take on a tough job in tough times, and he should enjoy his final holiday as a “civilian” before he enters that pressure cooker.
Posted by: Jeff | December 27, 2008, 10:47 am 10:47 am
Why should we care? What about all those folds in the mid-west that are w/o power for weeks.
Posted by: Annoyed | December 27, 2008, 11:03 am 11:03 am
Why does ABC not devote more time and space to REAL NEWS???
We have been ‘Obamaed’ to death. I am ready to move to Zimbabwe just to get away from the ‘Obama this’ and ‘Obama that’ foisted upon us by the media!
Why not tell the world more about the atrocity of Zimbabwe’s dictator and give the western governments hell for not doing something about it?
I am not a journalist, (most of the media reporters are not either), but I’m betting I could find something newsworthy somewhere in the world!
Posted by: Irnotu | December 27, 2008, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Ironotu, you read a US political blog and complain when it covers the US president? Makes sense to me.
Posted by: Carolinagirl | December 27, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am
This is news???
I am sick and tired of ABC pushing everything Obama. Ex. Obama ate here. Obama will get a dog. What kind of a dog will Obama get? etc. What happened to REAL news ???? So what if the power went out? There are also many other people in the island without power.
Posted by: CW | December 27, 2008, 11:27 am 11:27 am
Dipty doo, wohoo, all to do about loodoo.
Posted by: goliath | December 27, 2008, 11:29 am 11:29 am
Next story. . . .”Toilet stops up on the Obamas in Hawaii”
Posted by: Present | December 27, 2008, 11:30 am 11:30 am
Obama rents 3 houses for his family and friends. #30 million dollar estate. For that much money these house should have their own generator.
Posted by: CW | December 27, 2008, 11:38 am 11:38 am
Who cares? Funny how the media is soooo endured with Obama. Brainwashed or financial pressure from the NWO???
The “most powerful Man in the world”, as quoted above, can’t and won’t even supply a valid long-form birth certificate?
When the truth comes out, the media will shrug it all off…
Posted by: Robert | December 27, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am
Is the coal & oil industry sending Obama a message?
Posted by: Hummm... | December 27, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am
Reporting this type of news is to me a welcomed diversion. All of the people who are just simply wanting for something terrible to happen to him, while they sat around for eight years and let a man (Bush) and all of his men destroy this country bit by bit. Fighting a war that NEVER should have taken place, allowed the corporate big wigs to take away your money while all of them got rich. Let’s not forget you America People watched an educational, and health system totally disenegrate right before your very eyes. Where’s was the outrage then.. humm..
Lets relax, and let this man who fought hard to become president and his beautiful family, take the R&R they so rightly need.
If you don’t like it, don’t read the article!!
Posted by: Lee | December 27, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am
I have family in Hawaii…thats who I was concerned about….a person is a person no matter how much money they do or do not have…and if they are family …then they matter more to me
Posted by: lorrie | December 27, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am
What I find amazing is that those who are suggesting that this is a “non-story”…..then why did you read it? And why did you respond?
Posted by: shalom | December 27, 2008, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
Yes, Mr. Obama deserves a vacation while the rest of us try to figure out how to pay the bills . Now Joe Biden did the right thing and stayed home and helped feed the needy . We all might be needy if this economy doesn’t improve .From a Viet Nam Vet who could use some help himself.
Posted by: ron | December 27, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
How much electricity do you need to be on a beach? I am sure they’ll survive. But much like the last messiah he had to huddle in the dark at at his birthplace in the Silent Night.
But it does fit well with the media blackout on the Blago report. Political Punch hasn’t found time to write an article on the 5 page sham report that raises all sorts of questions.
This has to be the first time in history the formerly sacrosanct PE has been questioned by a federal prosecutor and they can bother to report it.
Posted by: BertieW | December 27, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Who cares? Funny how the media is soooo endured with Obama. Brainwashed or financial pressure from the NWO???
The “most powerful Man in the world”, as quoted above, can’t and won’t even supply a valid long-form birth certificate?
When the truth comes out, the media will shrug it all off…
Posted by: Robert | Dec 27, 2008 11:51:11 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Robert…….You wouldn’t recognize the truth if it slapped you in the face.
Posted by: Herb Gray | December 27, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
Wonderful opportunity for Obama to show he truly is for the people by asking them to share in his comfort. Wonder if he will? I noticed people still blaming Bush for all their problems, sad that they have to make excuses and blame someone else. It is time to realize a President or any other man control the weather and I truly believe these mumblers and complainers should have to take on the country problems with the President and I would say they would soon learn how it is to be blamed for everything in this country. We have to stop blaming someone and start being proactive and spending above our means for one thing. Many truly are not to blame for losing their homes and material things and the funny thing is they are the ones angrily crying out and blaming someone else. This a difficult time and we should be thinking of ways of helping others and solving these problems instead of blaming someone. Sad that we have come too this because we are having to deal with hard times. I believe in America and I believe we can overcome these difficulties if we reprnt and turn to God first and then pray for guidance. God Bless, Marcella
Posted by: Marcella | December 27, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
As usual all the neo cons, the know-nothing of the right, their friends, the fascists, the unhappy (and insecure), and the just plain sick, are out in force being as nasty as only they know how.
Give us all a break !!
Posted by: Herb Gray | December 27, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Correction
Wonderful opportunity for Obama to show he truly is for the people by asking them to share in his comfort. Wonder if he will? I noticed people still blaming Bush for all their problems, sad that they have to make excuses and blame someone else. It is time to realize a President or any other man control the weather and I truly believe these mumblers and complainers should have to take on the country problems with the President and I would say they would soon learn how it is to be blamed for everything in this country. We have to stop blaming someone and start being proactive and spending above our means for one thing. Many truly are not to blame for losing their homes and material things and the funny thing is they are NOT the ones angrily crying out and blaming someone else. This a difficult time and we should be thinking of ways of helping others and solving these problems instead of blaming someone. Sad that we have come too this because we are having to deal with hard times. I believe in America and I believe we can overcome these difficulties if we reprnt and turn to God first and then pray for guidance. God Bless, Marcella
Posted by: Marcella | December 27, 2008, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
“As usual all the neo cons, the know-nothing of the right, their friends, the fascists, the unhappy (and insecure), and the just plain sick, are out in force being as nasty as only they know how.”
Ha.
This is how these threads usually go- interleaved pleas that Obama should be left alone for vague reasons (he worked so hard, its Christmas, his grandmother died two months ago, show respect to the office of the PE), with nasty virulent, seething left wing hate.
I might poke a little fun at the pomposity of the Lord High Arugula, but do I compare him with Hitler and fascists as leftists love to do with the actual President? Where are you apologies for all those stories I read in 2006 that Bush was going to cancel the elections? Or that he blew up the WTC?
Obama dumps a report on his involvement in a major scandal the day before Christmas when the press cant get with in telephoto lens range of him (expect after he has waxed) and that supposed to be ok? We arent allow to ask what happend withall these contacts between Blago and Obama?
No sooner than the election results were in you guys were out scraping the “Question Authority” bumper stickers off your hybrid SUVs.
Posted by: BertieW | December 27, 2008, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
the new president should have hushed this whole business up. it shows the world that the most powerfull man didn’t have a back up generator. forget two cars in the garage and a chicken in every pot , what we need is a 500 dollar u.s.,back up generator for every taxpaying home owner
Posted by: obamabambu | December 27, 2008, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
“…so he’s just supposed to give away all that he’s EARNED because you didn’t?”
OMG THANK YOU for the laugh! Isn’t that what his whole sermon has been about?? Those who have earned, surrender to those who have not earned?
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | December 27, 2008, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
Why does Obama always seem to be in Hawaii on vacation? Doesn’t he know that the American people are hurting? Is he trying to flaunt his wealth while hard working parents are trying to figure out how they will afford food for their children?
Mr. Obama, quit trying to live like a king and take your responsibilities seriously. The American people don’t need a president that thinks only of his own recreation.
Posted by: Lori | December 27, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
The King lost power to his palace. How sad.
The homeless, when they can’t get in shelters, do just fine with no power.
Posted by: Geoffrey | December 27, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
The more the right rants about irrelevant things like Blago and beach vacations and Ayers and birth certificates, the higher Obama’s poll numbers go.
Keep it up, please. Here’s hoping he reaches 90% by inauguration day!
Posted by: Freerider | December 27, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
yes lori,
we want george bush to stay
Posted by: bushed the usa | December 27, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Hey, all he did was go home for the holidays. His home just happens to be in a vacation paradise. If his home had been in Nebraska, who would have complained? He also needed to “bury” his grandma. So he went home for that, too. I would give up any Hawaiian vacation to have my grandma back with me for a while.
Posted by: Shockolit | December 27, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
Amazing the amount of criticism toward Obamas vacation ! HEY, he was born in Hawaii and spends every Christmas there! Hawaii is on of the states of the UNITED STATES, get over it.
Posted by: Jacqueline | December 27, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
I am so sick and tired of the rot from the right Obama this and that – that he should NOT do.
Give it a break, in days he will be the President. Thank God!
“Oh why is Obama in Hawaii all the time” you do not know what you are talking about.
Posted by: Ranger phx | December 27, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
Time to inject some reality into this.
He’s in a $9,000,000 hideaway which no doubt has it’s own generator in case of blackouts and which was no doubt inspected quite thoroughly by the Secret Service before he was ever allowed to walk through the door.
Posted by: jan | December 27, 2008, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
so jan, what is your point?
those are all things he should have had done, there would not have been anything said if bush had been in that situation.
remember the day the levee’ broke, and our president bush was on vacation just across the way in texas, and it took him hours, just to fly by.
we will not have one set of standards for george w bush, and another set for obama.
Posted by: bushed the usa | December 28, 2008, 12:18 am 12:18 am
Let the man vacation before he is blamed for everything not turning around so quickly as we blamed Bush for everything including the economy. Who ever is president will be blamed b/c all we do in the country is finger point to the top. Most folks who spent beyond their means blame Bush instead of blaming themselves. And when this recession continues into 2010, they’ll blame Obama. But the reality is the recession will end and folks will praise Obama but in reality, he won’t be the sole savior. The economy will recover due to many other unsung folks and things including natural and cyclical events. My point is, he is the savior now and but folks will turn and blame him for this and that….undeservingly. We neeed to take accountability ourselves for a change. And please, let the man vacation. It may be the last true vacation he gets for many years to come.
Posted by: Bryant | December 28, 2008, 1:20 am 1:20 am
The right in america have proved themselves over and over to be complete idiots, picking and pecking at anything they can. Too bad they don’t dedicate their energies into doing something positive, rather than just taking every chance to badmouth the opposition.
The opposition isn’t even in the White House yet and you’ve already shown your prejudiced hand. Pathetic.
Get a life.
Posted by: pefros | December 28, 2008, 4:57 am 4:57 am
My point is that there isn’t any reason to feel sympathy for a vacation that is supposedly marred due to a loss of electricity and I would say the same thing about Bush, who I have no sympathy for either.
The old “he/she must be a republican” accusation is erroneous and somewhat foolish when you don’t know anything about the person you’re making accusations against, pefros.
Posted by: jan | December 28, 2008, 5:55 am 5:55 am
Jan, no Obama supporter is expressing “sympathy” for Obama because the lights went out. We’re just pushing back on the nastiness expressed by many of the posters here where any posts about Obama (his grandmother’s memorial service, visiting the troops, going to the gym, taking his kids to the park) brings out hateful, uncalled for remarks about the prez-elect.
Some here even blamed him for the blackout.
Posted by: Carolinagirl | December 28, 2008, 6:48 am 6:48 am