Barack Obama grew up mainly in Honolulu, Hawaii, with several formative childhood years also spent in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Main childhood homes

  • Obama was born in Honolulu in 1961 and spent most of his childhood living there with his mother and later his grandparents, attending the prestigious Punahou School from 5th grade through high school.
  • Between about 1967 and 1971, he lived in Jakarta after his mother married Indonesian engineer Lolo Soetoro, attending local schools before returning to Hawaii.

Simple takeaway

  • If someone asks “where did Obama grow up” , the most accurate short answer is: primarily Honolulu, Hawaii, with a few early schooling years in Jakarta, Indonesia.