Ho, cuz! Barack got some kala! (That's money in Hawaii slang). So now that Barack has raised almost as much money as Hillary Clinton, me thinks he can afford a REAL NICE Hawaiian vacation at this point. Not that I would encourage him to spend any of his hard earned campaign money on junkets to the islands. No, he should wait until he gets into office to do that or -- wait, mo bettah! -- have a lobbyist pay for the trip! So in the spirit of the newfound flushness of the Obama campaign, I am going to propose a truly presidential vacation for Hawaii's favorite son. Let's start out with the posh Vera Wang Suite at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. Barack, you might want to leave the kids with grandma for this one. The Suite has a killer view of the ocean and Diamond Head and everything within is either made by or selected by Wang, a designer and style icon who came to fame for her simple, elegant wedding gowns. The Halekulani also The pricetag? A cool $4,000 per night (that does include butler service, of course).

Perhaps Barack would prefer to get away from the stalkerazzi and the crowds of crazed Wonkette readers. Take the high road to Hana, the laid back land of waterfalls and a town so small and off the beaten path that even ex-Beatles and Oprah like to hang out there. At the Hotel Hana Maui, the same crew that brought the famed Post Ranch Inn along the Big Sur Coast of California have redone the faded, genteel resort in high style. It retains the rustic style and sprawling, open-air ambience that made it a favorite of celebs in the 1970s and 1980s but now has modern thingies like spas, whirlpool tubs and decent food. Hawaiian seclusion is not cheap with rooms starting around $500 per night. Of course, a Presidential Vacation would mean a stay in the two-bedroom Sea Ranch Cottage, a 1,475 square foot ocean aerie overlooking a dark-blue bay and rolling clifftop headlands. The price? Oh, $1,500 per night. Note to Barack and Michelle: This is an excellent place for a family vacation. Over on the island of Lanai, Four Seasons recently took over and completely renovated the island's two plush resorts, the Lodge at Koele and the Resort at Manele Bay. Lanai is perhaps even more secluded and quiet than Hana. There are no big cities and a year-round population of only several thousand people. There is only one other real hotel on the island and the only way in or out is via boat from Maui or in an airplane or helicopter. This is why Bill Gates chose Lanai for his wedding (when he essentially bought out the entire island and kept journalists out). Four Seasons properties are always top notch and these are no exception. The Manele Resort sits on dreamy Hulopoe Bay, a white sand marvel with supremely clear waters, a near-shore surf break, nice snorkeling and a resident pod of spinner dolphins. It's hard to beat. That's places to stay. On the next installment, I'll tackle what Barack and family (or not) should do on this truly Presidential Vacation.

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Image via Halekulani Hotel / Barbara Kraft

—Alex, 04/10/07