Barack Obama, Punahou '79, is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Barack Obama, Punahou '79, is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Punahou Alum Barack Obama Inaugurated as 44th President on January 20, 2009

Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C. A crowd of millions, a record attendance for any event ever held in Washington, D.C., was on hand to observe the historic event.

The Punahou marching band was selected to perform in the inaugural parade for Obama, a Punahou alumnus. The students from Hawaii were dressed and ready before dawn and waited patiently in single-digit temperatures before marching down Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to the White House in honor of the president from Hawaii.

Seawind Tours & Travel put together the last-minute trip for Punahou. In addition to the parade, the group from Hawaii laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, toured the nation's capital, and did some shopping.


  • Punahou students lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on January 18, 2009.

  • Millions of people walk along the streets of Washington, D.C., on their way to the National Mall to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

  • Millions of people walk along the streets of Washington, D.C., on their way to the National Mall to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

  • Punahou faculty members make their way to the National Mall to observe the inauguration of Punahou alum Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

  • The Capiton Reflecting Pool is frozen days before the 2009 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. on January 16, 2009.

  • An attendee of the inauguration of President Barack Obama holds an "I was there!" flag on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

  • Joe Biden is sworn in as Vice President at the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

  • Aretha Franklin performs "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2009.

  • Millions of happy people leave the National Mall after the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

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