IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

This is NOT the Griswold family vacation!

The President and his family are traveling SEPARATELY to Hawaii because he wants to resolve the payroll tax cut issue before leaving Washington – and his wife does not want to wait. [Grab cake – get ready to eat!]

Her advanced trip and the cost that comes with it – as much as $100,000 (flight and security) – adds to an already expensive vacation for the taxpayers.

TRAVEL FOR A.F. ONE: $3,651,626 (MICHELLE’S PLANE IS AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 – SHE DOESN’T WANT TO WAIT)

The biggest expense is President Barack Obama’s round trip flight to Hawaii.

The U.S. Air Force provides the most current numbers of $181,757 per flight hour. Travel time for Air Force One direct from Washington D.C. to Hawaii is about 9 hours or $1,635,813 each way for a total of $3,271,622 for the round trip to Hawaii and back.

The cost for USAF C-17 CARGO aircraft that transports the Presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment is not available to the public. However, the flight time between Andrews Air Force Base and Hawaii is at about 20 hours roundtrip, with estimated operating cost of $7,000 per hour (GAO report) for a total of $140,000 per roundtrip. The United States Marine Corps provides a presidential helicopter, along with pilots and support crews for the test flights, which travel on another C-17 flight at $140,000 for a total of $280,000.

Mrs. Obama’s early flight to Hawaii costs about $63,000 (White House Dossier), but add security and personnel for a total of about $100,000.

HOUSING FOR SS, COAST GUARD, NAVY SEALS TO PROTECT THE ROYAL FIRST FAMILY: $151,200 (7 HOUSES @ $1200/DAY/HOUSE – meals not included)

The taxpayers must cover the costs for housing  U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Seals in beach front and canal front homes in Kailua. [Nice rentals, eh taxpayers?]

That costs about $1,200 a day ($200 allocated per bedroom per day). Since security arrives one day early, homes are rented for 18 days.

That is about $21,600 per home for approximately 7 houses rented at a total cost of $151,200 for security to stay nearby.

HOTEL ROOMS FOR STAFF: $72,216 ($3,009/PERSON x staff of 24)

Moana Surfrider Resort [This ain't no Motel 6, Alice!]

The President’s staff and White House Press Corps stay at one of Hawaii’s oldest and MOST ELEGANT hotels, the Moana Surfrider. Hawaii Reporter confirmed they are again staying there this year. Besides its stunningly beautiful view of Waikiki, and its traditional architecture, it is one of the most pricey hotels in the state.

Government rates are $177 per night, but that only is available during certain times a year.

Rooms typically start at $250 but can cost on average as much as $450 a night, and are even higher during the holidays.  A hotel spokesperson did not return calls to confirm the rate the White House received.

A conservative estimate with rooms at the government rate of $177 per day (excluding a 9.25 percent Transient Accommodation Tax and a 4.712 percent General Excise Tax on each bill, meals, internet charges and other charges) means the taxpayers are covering more than $72,216 in hotel bills for an estimated 24 staff.

LOCAL TAXPAYER COSTS: $260,000 ($15,294/DAY)

Local police over time for the president’s visit has historically cost Oahu taxpayers $250,000 but may be more expensive this year with the extended vacation.

The city ambulance the accompanies the president 24 hours a day through his entire visit is $10,000, according to city spokeswoman Louise Kim McCoy.

Hawaii Reporter annually has requested details on the cost of the President’s trip, but the White House will not release any figures, citing security concerns

QUESTIONS?  QUESTIONS ANYONE?

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/with-more-vacation-days-and-separate-travel-price-of-obama%E2%80%99s-annual-hawaiian-holiday-rises/123