Obama family flying to Hawaii without president

[December 18, 2010]  HONOLULU (AP) -- President Barack Obama's Hawaii vacation is being delayed by unfinished business in Washington, but first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha are going ahead with their trip this weekend.

A statement from Michelle Obama's office Friday said the rest of the family -- including the first dog, Bo -- will depart for Honolulu on Saturday as originally scheduled for the holidays.

The president won't fly to Hawaii until Congress' session is complete, possibly on Wednesday.

The family won't take Air Force One, instead flying on a C40B, a version of the Boeing 737 that the first lady's office described as one of the White House fleet's smaller and most efficient planes.

The entire Obama family will return to Washington on Jan. 1.

[Associated Press]

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