KEY POINTS:
They were elected leaders of their countries in the same week and now they've been sharing the same holiday destination. John Key's Hawaiian holiday is passing with little fanfare but US president-elect Barack Obama's 13-day vacation in his native Hawaii with his family did not pass without controversy.
He was criticised for staying silent on the Israel-Palestine flare-up and became tetchy with some reporters assigned to follow his every move.
The Obamas tried to keep a low profile while vacationing on the island of Oahu. Aside from daily trips to the gym and golf courses, the president-elect seldom left his vacation retreat, a rented US$9 million ($15.4 million) home near Honolulu.
When he did venture out, it was usually to grab some shaved ice, a local treat, look at baby tigers at the zoo or take some other child-friendly excursion.
Obama is due to take office on January 20.
Obama and Key did not see each other.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY STAFF, AP
