O‘ahu, Get Ready for a No-Drone Zone, President Barack Obama is in Town

As President Barack Obama heads into his final year of his term, O‘ahu braces for a no-drone zone during his presidential vacation.

December 19, 2015

Robbie Dingeman,

Photo: Diane Lee
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: Diane Lee
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: Diane Lee
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: David Croxford
Photo: David Croxford

Photos: David Croxford

President Barack Obama arrived back in town this weekend to spend the holidays in his hometown of Honolulu.

On the Windward Side of O‘ahu, we’ve come to expect the leader of the free world to roll through the streets in an armored motorcade to work out, visit friends and take the kids for shave ice.

For those who have a close encounter of the presidential kind, expect some traffic slowdowns when the vehicles and the accompanying security forces make their way through the neighborhood. But since he’s heading into the final year of his term, folks may be more forgiving of an occasional disruption.

By next year at this time, the election will be over and the Obamas will be mulling over the next chapter of their lives as they prepare to watch the next president be sworn in. So, we’ll find out if they vary their usual lowkey vacation schedule of downtime, golf, shopping, workouts or hikes, dinners at restaurants and with friends.

This year, the Federal Aviation Administration wants to get ahead of anyone hoping to try out any new drones received as gifts or otherwise at the wrong time or place. The federal agency wants to get the word out that anywhere near the president will be a no-drone zone on O‘ahu from Dec. 18 until Jan. 3.

According to Ian Gregor of the FAA: Nobody can operate any unmanned aircraft, including model aircraft, in the area when the restrictions are in effect. He said these are identical to the restrictions that have been on O‘ahu during the holiday season for the last several years and the restrictions can be viewed here.

Not heeding the warning could result in the pilots being intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement/security personnel, he said. Plus, the FAA can impose civil penalties against them or suspend or revoke their pilot certificates. They also could face federal criminal charges. And, if that’s not enough to persuade you to keep your tiny aircraft close to home for this visit, the U.S. government may use deadly force against an airborne aircraft if it is determined the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.

Meanwhile, back on earth, expect to see Honolulu police hold traffic until the official vehicles whisk by, whether the president is off for a round of golf, heading to a barbecue on the North Shore or hiking with his daughters.

Would-be gawkers may see him headed to the Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i to work out, visit with Marines, or go to an easy-to-secure beach.

Kailua beach regulars expect the security team to block off beach access near the guest houses where the first entourage stays. And more security patrols the nearby canal, which also rules out kayakers paddling nearby during the visit.

And folks who weren’t sure of exactly where the president stays can just look for the handfuls of sign-waving protesters who gather on the nearest street. We’ll be on the lookout for what issues pop up this year.