Obama says aloha to Hawaii, heads back to Chicago

HONOLULU (Reuters) - Democratic candidate Barack Obama was leaving Hawaii on Friday and hoping to return the next time as president of the United States if he beats Republican rival John McCain in November.

Obama departed his tropical former home state after a busy weeklong vacation that implicitly recognized there will not be many more breaks until after the election.

Relaxation for the fit 47-year-old did not include much time on the beach.

Obama spent two multi-hour stints on golf courses, worked out at a local gym, went bodysurfing, visited Pearl Harbor, and took his children out for the Hawaiian version of a snow cone known locally as "shave ice."

"I got lime, guava, and cherry -- solid flavors," he said as he exited the store. "Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"

The trip had touching moments. Obama visited his elderly grandmother nearly every day, although often only for short periods, and took his children to his grandfather's grave.

On Thursday, he movingly tossed flower petals into the ocean at the place where his mother's ashes were spread.

Not wanting to play the candidate, Obama often avoided shaking hands with excited locals, retreating to his vehicle one day to wait for his hamburger order rather than mixing with a gathering crowd.

Onlookers didn't seem to mind.

"I think that's fair," said Terri Charland, 41. "I think he probably could have waved."

Obama was flying back to Chicago to drop off his family before heading out to a forum on faith in California on Saturday. He hits the campaign trail full-time again on Monday.

(Editing by Bill Trott)