Obama Plans $4 Million Hawaii Vacation During the Holidays

**Ryan Ruck** · December 1st, 2012, 05:36

It's choom time!

Obama Plans $4 Million Hawaii Vacation During the Holidays

November 30, 2012

Now that he doesn't have to worry about campaigning, President Barack Obama is reportedly getting ready for a long Hawaiian vacation with his family over the holiday season. According to estimates, the trip will cost at least $4 million on the tax payers dime.

According to the Hawaii Reporter, President Obama is getting ready to take his annual holiday trip to Hawaii. The President, along with Michelle, his two daughters, Sasha and Malia, and even their dog Bo will be going on the trip in addition to a large security team. The trip will last 20 days from December 17 through January 6.

The Obamas will be able to enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful blue oceans, and the friendliness of the locals, but according to the Hawaii Reporter, the locals and other Americans will be paying up for the vacation.

When Obama comes to town, restrictions are put in place for air, water and road travel, which means it's going to be difficult for the locals the travel for the holidays. Obama brings a caravan of at least 22 vehicles that travel through the small single-lanes of the town. He also brings along U.S. Secret Service agents and Navy Seals and the U.S. Coast Guard which are stationed in nearby canal and ocean waters. The spectacle makes it difficult for locals to get around and restricts them from areas that they are usually welcomed to.

To top off the controversy, the Hawaii Reporter says the trip, which will cost at least $4 million, will be covered by tax dollars from Hawaiians and federal taxpayers.

The Obamas pay for their own luxurious rental house on the beach for the vacation, but that's about it.

The trip will cost an estimated $4 million, which is roughly how much his annual trip has cost in previous years. The high price includes the round trip flight to the island on Air Force One, transportation for the president's support equipment, and housing for security and staff. All of these costs will be paid by local and federal taxpayer dollars, according to the Reporter.

In Hawaii alone, Ohau taxpayers will have to cover $260,000 worth of costs for the trip as they will have to increase their local police force and provide an ambulance to follow Obama and his caravan around.

The White House has not confirmed the plans of this trip. President Obama has had to stay behind in recent years while his wife and daughters went on the trip. President Obama may have to focus on the fiscal cliff issue which could have an extreme negative impact on the economy if a deal is not reached by January 2.

Funny, $4 million for a 20-day vacation is likely more than I'll make in my entire life.

**Phil Fiord** · December 2nd, 2012, 15:00

To those who wonder how the dollar tally adds up, here is a basic math example.

It is open knowledge http://content.usatoday.com/communit...750-per-hour/1 it costs just a tad under $180,000 per hour to fly Airforce one. It takes 9 hours to go from DC to Hawaii and 9 back. So, 18 hours*$180k equals $3,240,000. That is Airforce One alone. Nothing else added.

Add a C-17 to transport limos and other equipment and you have unknown costs for that as well as the Waikiki hotel for staff to stay at and a floor of an office building for staff to use, after retrofit. There are many more expenses to add. Though Obama had lived in Hawaii as a boy, it is not his hometown. Chicago is. So why the trip to Hawaii? I think only because in December the weather in Hawaii is much better.

**American Patriot** · December 2nd, 2012, 16:58

And they have to have communications (in my day it was WHCA, I don't know who or what is doing it now, but there are in general 100 military and civilian troops providing said communication, another 20-50 US Secret Service personnel, as well as a dozen or so White House Staffers, usually a cook or two and a few miscellaneous strap hangers) - figure in their salaries for the vacation. WHCA and USSS go there usually 1-2 weeks prior (Overseas it is more like a month prior) to set up, arrange and plan the trip.

So add them in

**Phil Fiord** · December 2nd, 2012, 17:22

That is the point. Some costs are known. Some are not. In my base example it shows one huge expense we know. It is entirely likely this exceeds 4 million in cost.