He'll be on vacation practically the entire month of December.

It's good to be King.

President Obama is planning to jet off to Hawaii for a 17-day Christmas vacation.

Obama, who visited the island two weeks ago for an economic summit, is set to relax in Honolulu from Dec. 17 to Jan. 2.

The family trip to Hawaii over the holidays has become routine for Obama, who grew up on the island.

At a fund-raising event during the summit last month--held prior to the congressional supercommittee announcing it failed to reach a budget deal--Obama said the budget fight in Congress could prompt him to call off the trip.

''Michelle and the girls will be back shortly for Christmas vacation as we do every year,'' Obama said.

''We'll see if Washington gets its business done so I can get here as well. But that's always a challenge.''

Obama picks up the bill for the family's $3,500-a-day private beachfront compound in Oahu, but taxpayers are stuck with the tab for travel and security costs

(SOURCE)