HONOLULU -- One of the big questions for Hawaii and Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is: When will he visit Hawaii?

Obama told KITV in an earlier interview he hoped to come home after his presidential nomination was sealed.

Other media speculated Obama will make Hawaii the first stop on a 50-state tour.

Obama's close ties to Hawaii were apparent Tuesday night when he thanked his grandmother Madelyn Dunham, who lives on Beretania Street. Dunham and her husband, Stanley, raised Obama from age 10.

Hawaii political analyst Neal Milner said Obama visiting the islands would showcase Obama as a world citizen from a diverse American state.

"Hawaii is an important place for him because he grew up here and because he defines himself in a way in which Hawaii becomes very important to him, his experiences he had here," Milner said.

Obama might visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, where his grandfather, Stanley Dunham, is interred.

Dunham was an Army sergeant in World War II. He died in Hawaii 1992.

If he goes to punchbowl, Obama can make any kind of public statement he wants to as long as his remarks are not political partisan remarks.

"He could visit the interment site of his maternal grandfather most certainly. If he wanted to make remarks to the media gathered, he could," Cemetery Director Gene Castagnetti said.

Castagnetti said he would welcome a visit by Obama.

"It would showcase this national shrine and certainly that's something we enjoy having done," Castagnetti said.

Milner said Obama at Punchbowl would be a powerful picture, heavy with military connection and symbolism.

"It is a personal thing, and it does allow him to establish in a very visual sort of way his concern with the importance of the military," Milner said.

Also, a trip to the islands for a brief chance to relax and say high to old Punahou School friends could be priceless for Obama.