Jan. 9, 2017 - "She used to drag me to natural history museums." President Obama credits his mother for his interest in science and the environment. He added that she'd often wake him in the middle of the night to view particularly spectacular full moons. In an interview on Midway Atoll with National Geographic environment writer Craig Welch, the President reflected on his legacy and how he thinks we should focus efforts to save natural places. This interview came during his trip to Hawaii in early September, 2016, and just days after he expanded the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument surrounding the Hawaiian islands, a pristine expanse of coral reefs and seamounts.
Read more from National Geographic's interview with President Obama.Footage: Sea of Hope, True Blue Films, Robert Nixon Producer/Director
Additional footage: Getty Images
Editors: Gabrielle Ewing, Jim Burch
Producers: Jim Burch, Gabrielle Ewing, Jeff Hertrick