HONOLULU (AFP) - A small recreational drone hovered near President Barack Obama's motorcade in Hawaii, prompting the Secret Service to intervene, but no one was arrested or charged, officials and reports said on Tuesday (Dec 29).

The incident took place Monday as Obama was headed back to his vacation home following a golf outing, according to NBC News.

"The subject was completely unaware that the presidential motorcade would be transiting the area of operation and immediately complied with law enforcement requests to cease and desist," Secret Service spokeswoman Nicole Mainor said in a statement.

"No charges were filed. The motorcade proceeded without further incident."

Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia are spending their year-end vacation in a beachside villa in the Oahu town of Kailua, about a 30-minute drive from Honolulu.

Residents and fellow vacationers often line the motorcade's route in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the president as he heads to the golf course, gym or area restaurants.