Obama’s Interests in Hawaii
Obama has a wide variety of interests. He has a list of favorite books, music and movies. He also follows contemporary media and sports. He likes to watch Mad Men and Downton Abbey, and is a fan of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls.
He became the first African American president in history after winning the 2008 presidential election. He authored an economic stimulus package and pushed for health care reform and financial regulation legislation.
Born in Hawaii
Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate, but it’s also home to a number of famous celebrities. The website Only in Your State has a list of celebrities that were born in Hawaii, including Bruno Mars and Jason Momoa.
When talking to locals, you’ll find that most people who live in Hawaii self-identify as kamaaina, or children of the land. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have Hawaiian ancestry. It simply means that they were born in the islands.
Raised in Indonesia
Indonesia is an enormously important country, and not just for its size and its role in Southeast Asia. It has the largest Muslim population in the world, and it’s been very non-aligned internationally since independence. And it is a major player when it comes to climate change. So I think it’s a bit strange that he’s going to Vietnam and not Jakarta. He’s missing a big opportunity to engage with that country. And to show leadership on the issue of climate change.
Graduated from Punahou School
In Hawaii, Punahou School is an elite college prep academy that boasts Olympians like surfer Carissa Moore and former president Barack Obama. The prestigious school sits on land that was once owned by the Hawaiian royal family!
Obama attended the school on a scholarship, and his first job was at a nearby Baskin-Robbins. His mother worked as a nurse to help pay for the tuition. She was an active member of the Democratic Party, and a crusader for racial equality.
Graduated from Occidental College
Occidental College offers one-of-a-kind education in an immersive environment. The campus is located in Los Angeles and students get a chance to learn from leading professors and experts from around the world. The school also provides students with unique opportunities for internships and study abroad.
The university has several cultural graduation celebrations to honor students of color. These include the Asian Pacific Islander Graduation, Black Graduation, First-Generation Graduation and MENASA Graduation. The colleges also have many student clubs and organizations and offer a range of sports.
Graduated from Columbia University
Columbia University President Lee Bollinger made a huge splash on Monday by announcing that Obama would return to his alma mater in 2017. He did not provide any details, but it caused a big buzz among students.
During his years at Columbia, he worked as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side. He also served in the Illinois State Senate, drafting legislation on issues such as ethics and state-funded health care programs for the poor. He also enjoyed sports and reggae music.
Graduated from Harvard Law School
Obama graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1988, where he was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. He arrived at the law school much older than his classmates, having worked as a community organizer in Chicago.
After graduating from law school, he returned to Chicago and became involved with various community organizations. He eventually worked as a lawyer and lecturer of constitutional law. He also directed Illinois Project Vote and was a founding board member of Public Allies Chicago.
Married Michelle Robinson
As a young lawyer, Barack Obama met Michelle Robinson at a church meeting led by Reverend Jeremiah Wright. She had just returned to Chicago after her graduation from Harvard Law School. They went on a long first date and fell in love.
In 1992 they married, and the couple had two daughters, Malia and Natasha “Sasha.” She focused her career on public service, becoming the assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago City Hall and founding the Chicago chapter of Public Allies.
Elected to the United States Senate
In 1996 Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate where he served until 2004. During his tenure he developed a reputation as a bipartisan dealmaker and worked to pass legislation that would reduce taxes for working families and increase health coverage for children.
This strategy enabled him to appeal to white voters who traditionally had been wary of black politicians, believing they would promote only black interests (Franks, 2005: pp 61). This gave Obama broad support among white Democrats.