We will never know the actual cost but this analysis shows the cost will be, to put it in financial terms, a lot.
"The President is back from his vacation in Hawaii. Now, we get to pay the bill for his 16 day luxury fiesta, the cost of which is enough to choke any taxpayer.
We all know that President Obama flew to Hawaii for a luxury vacation, but it was not complete without forcing a couple of Army Captains to move their wedding to which he had been invited but declined in order to go golfing with the Malaysia’s prime minister, who is a known sponsor of terrorist organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood. We also know that the Obama’s are notorious for racking up quite the tab at our expense for lavish vacations. However, aren’t you just a bit curious about the breakdown of the bill this time around?
While friends who accompanied the President paid for their own home rentals near Kailua Beach, we get to pay the bill for expenses accrued by the First Family, including everything from a stand-by ambulance to refueling Air Force One to the tune of a multimillion dollar tab.
We are not saying that the President doesn’t deserve a vacation, but it is hard to justify the cost to our wallet, especially when we see just how hard of a hit it’s going to be. Helping us see the impact another vacation had on the American taxpayer, the research center Watchdog kept up with the sticker price of Obama’s holiday, which will be billed to the US citizens.
First, let us start with the Honolulu Police Department that was charged with escorting and guarding Obama, the First Lady, the First Daughters, and even Bo (the ‘first dog’) around the clock during their vacation. HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu just released information stating they spent $277,000 on overtime costs this year on this 16 day vacation alone. While that’s $16,000 less than 2013, it is $60,000 more than 2012.
Then, there is the Emergency Management Services and Secret Service. The ambulance alone cost taxpayers about $15,890 for the two-week stay. The Secret Service refused to disclose to the media the total cost, but adding in meals, overtime, travel, gas, and expenses, one could only imagine. Some are flown in separately from the initial presidential detail. The Ala Moana Hotel housed many, with literally dozens checking in the day before the President’s arrival. The “reduced” government rate is $2oo a night or roughly $3200 each.
Next, there were Navy SEALS, Coast Guard details, and other units that were given per diem to attend. Department of Defense pays $702 a day for out of CONUS rates and $129 a day for CONUS. Therefore, each soldier shoulders their expenses but can charge up to $832 a day for such details if justifiable, which this detail is. They were placed in private housing near Kailua Beach at a rate of $250 per night."