U.S. Sen. Barack Obama touched on themes ranging from the economy to plate lunches as he greeted a crowd of 4,000 enthusiastic, sun-drenched fans with "How's everybody doing today? Howzit."

Obama introduced his wife, Michelle, by calling her, "my partner, my love and the person that knocks sense into me every once in a while."

Obama, wearing khaki pants and a short-sleeved, black polo shirt, spoke for 16 minutes to a crowd of 4,000 people.

Obama said, "I'm actually here on vacation. I'm going to get a plate lunch. I might go to Zippy's. I might go to Rainbow Drive-In. I haven't decided yet. Get some Zip Min. I'm going to go get some shave ice. I'm going to go do body surfing... I'm going to see my tutu, my grandma, and I'm going to watch my girls play on the beach and once in a while I might go into the water. But mostly I'm going to watch them."

Obama touched on themes that ranged from the government of his grandfather's era to the economy, the environment and the war in Iraq.

His grandfather served in World War II, went to college on the G.I. bill, bought a house through a Federal Housing Authority loan and later was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

"A government that stood by him his entire life because he had served his country in World War II. That's the government we deserve," Obama said. "That's the government we're fighting for. The people of Hawaii understand that if we stand up and let our voices be heard there is no way we cannot bring about change."

Obama said he was unable to campaign in Hawai'i during the caucuses but thanked his volunteers and supporters for their help in producing a record turnout at the February caucuses.

"The is your government. This is the government of and by and for the people," he told the crowd. "This is a government of the single Mom, like my mother, when she was living here in Honolulu, who had to get food stamps sometimes but still was able to get me a good education and still was able to send me to college, that's what this government is.

"We may pass along a planet that's a little more polluted" because of a government "that's more neglectful toward it's people and an economy that will not let people live out their dream. That's not what our country's about and that's not what Hawai'i's about."

Obama concluded his remarks by yelling out, "I'll see you on the beach."

He and his entourage then left for a private visit with his grandmother at her Punahou-area apartment at about 3:45 p.m. He arrived shortly after 4 p.m.

Piula Alailima, 53, Kahala, said the speech "was well worth the wait. I think he really stuck to the issues without getting negative,"

Yvonne Ortiz, 55, waited for five-and-a-half hours.

"It was wonderful," she said. "It was a great experience."

Obama's visit to Hawai'i, where he was born and graduated from the private Punahou School, was his first since December 2006. His sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, a history teacher at La Pietra Hawai'i School for Girls, and his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, live in Honolulu.

Obama's appearance marked the first time that a major party presidential candidate visited the Islands during a campaign since Richard Nixon in 1960.

Ralph Nader, an independent presidential candidate, campaigned in Hawai'i in July. U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination, campaigned in Hawai'i in September 2007.

Vice President Dick Cheney attended a Honolulu rally in October 2004 before the last presidential election.

Obama's plane arrived at Honolulu International Airport 45 minutes behind schedule.

He briefly spoke to reporters outside a private hangar and said people in Hawai'i are struggling with high energy prices and need alternatives.

"Howzit!," he said as he greeted the media. "Surf's up?"

Obama said the main purpose of his visit was to visit his grandmother and enjoy Island pleasures such as a plate lunch, shave ice and bodysurfing at an "undisclosed location."

Obama said he would also get in some work on his speech to the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month. He said he would not be discussing his vice presidential selection, and expressed empathy for former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, who acknowledged an extramarital affair earlier today.

Obama said he was unable to campaign in Hawai'i during the caucuses but thanked his volunteers and supporters for their help in producing a record turnout at the February caucuses.