A PROPOSAL to name a popular Oahu beach after the first Hawaii-born US president, Barack Obama, has been withdrawn after the plan met with little enthusiasm from the public.

Honolulu City Council Chair Ernest Martin and co-sponsor Stanley Chang introduced a resolution last week to honour the commander-in-chief by renaming Sandy Beach Park as President Barack Obama Sandy Beach Park.

Located near Hanauma Bay on the east end of Oahu, the beach is known for a large shore break that makes it a favorite among body surfers, including, the president who has surfed there while on holiday from the White House.

But Mr Martin now says "public reaction to the proposal has been mixed".

He suggested instead that given Mr Obama's strong support of Honolulu's rail transit project, a better idea might be to name one of the stations after him.