President-elect Barack Obama and his family returned to Chicago early Friday morning from their 12-day holiday in Hawaii and prepared to fly onward to Washington in the coming days.

Obama's chartered plane landed in his hometown. Earlier in the day, he said goodbye to residents on the island where his family vacationed.

While on vacation, Obama took advantage of his last break before he takes office on Jan. 20 and a rented $9 million beach-front home. He had few public events, other than small talk with residents who followed his every move.

He played golf three times — and bemoaned his performance each time — and basketball at his alma mater, the private Punahou School. He also made the quick motorcade to the nearby Marine Corps base for workouts.