President Barack Obama is starting his delayed Christmas vacation in Hawaii after securing an agreement to extend payroll tax cuts into 2012.

Air Force One touched down in Honolulu Friday evening. The president had planned to start his vacation Dec. 17, but delayed his departure amid a congressional stalemate over the tax cuts.

The president is joining wife Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, who have been in Hawaii for about a week. the president and Michelle Obama headed out to one of their favorite dinner spots -- Morimoto Restaurant. The White House says the Obamas were joined at dinner by several friends.

The Obamas are expected to stay in Hawaii until early January.

The White House says Obama has no public events scheduled during his trip. A small team of White House advisers is traveling with the president to brief him on domestic and international developments.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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