President Obama and his family will begin their Hawai'i vacation tomorrow afternoon — Christmas Eve — following a vote in the U.S. Senate on Obama's health care plan.

"I will not leave until my friends in the Senate have completed their work," Obama told reporters yesterday. "My attitude is if they are making these sacrifices to provide health care to all Americans, the least I can do is be around and provide them any encouragement and last-minute help."

No public appearances are planned for what is expected to be a 10-day vacation on O'ahu for the first family.

Residents along Kailuana Place in Kailua, where Obama and his family vacationed last year when he was president-elect, said Secret Service agents began increasing security measures Monday night.

No-parking signs and barricades have gone up on Kailuana Place, which leads to the five-bedroom Kailua Beach home the family stayed in last year.

"Many of the neighbors are upset because there's no street parking for 10 days," said Ember Shinn, who enjoyed last year's visit by the First Family and is excited about their latest trip. "There's lots of Secret Service activity in our neighborhood, and a lot of helicopter activity."

Dozens of saw horses with flashing yellow lights bore "no parking" signs for about half-a-mile from Kailuana Place to North Kalāheo Avenue.

A temporary guard shack had been erected at the entrance to the beachfront property, along with no-trespassing signs.

"Violators Will B (sic) Prosecuted," one of the signs read.