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barack obama in hawaii

US President Barack Obama’s annual vacation in Hawaii in 2011 is likely to be his most expensive ever – or rather the taxpayer’s most expensive.

President Barack Obama and his family travelled separately this time because he wanted resolve the payroll tax cut issue before leaving Washington. First Lady Michelle Obama didn’t not want to hang around waiting.

His round trip flight to Hawaii via Air Force One is estimated to be the largest expense of the holiday trip.

The Hawaii Reporter estimates that the cost of Barack Obama’s travel in total is $3,629,622.

The U.S. Air Force calculates it costs $181,757 per flight hour to operate Air Force One.

President Barack Obama’s annual vacation in Hawaii in 2011 is likely to be his most expensive ever

President Barack Obama’s annual vacation in Hawaii in 2011 is likely to be his most expensive ever

Travel time direct from Washington, DC to Hawaii is about nine hours, for a total of $3,271,611 there and back.

Additionally, the cost for a USAF C-17 cargo aircraft is required to carry Presidential limos, helicopters and other equipment.

According to a GAO report, flight time between Andrews Air Force Base and Hawaii is approximately 21.5 hours roundtrip, with estimated operating cost of $12,000 per hour.

A four-to-six member Marine Corps unit travels on a separate flight for additional support and security, at an estimated cost of $258,000 for the group’s per diem and hotel.

According to the White House Dossier, Michelle Obama’s early trip to Hawaii cost about $100,000 including travel, security and personnel.

It is thought the accommodation runs to $151,200.

The president’s family covers the cost of a private beach front residence in Kailua, Oahu, for the vacation – that costs up to $3,500 a day, or $75,000 a month.

But taxpayers take care of housing costs for U.S. Secret Service, Coast Guard and Navy Seals who guard the rentals, and arrive one day ahead of Barack Obama.

That is about $21,600 per home for approximately seven houses rented for 18 days.

There is also a hotel bill for $72,216. Barack Obama’s staff and White House Press Corps are staying at the Moana Surfrider, where rates range between $177 and $450 depending on the time of the year.

Excluding tax, meals and other charges at the more conservative rate, the amounts reach more than $72,216 for approximately 24 members of staff.

Then there’s the local taxpayer costs of $260,000.

The overtime for local police in Oahu is expected to cost taxpayers $250,000.

A city spokesman said an ambulance that travels with the president at all hours will cost an additional $10,000.

Several costs are unknown and will not be released by the White House, citing security reasons. Some include security upgrades, additional phone lines, the installation of bullet proof glass, car rentals, fuel, travel costs for the Secret Service and staff travelling ahead of POTUS.

The total cost (based on what is known) for a 17-day round trip vacation to Hawaii for Barack Obama and his family and staff and security is an estimated $4,113,038.

The 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. A spokesperson has maintained the costs are “in line” with other presidential vacations.

While ordinary Americans get only a few days off for Christmas, President Barack Obama has announced his Christmas vacation to Hawaii – for a staggering 17-day trip.

Barack Obama, who visited Hawaii just two weeks ago for an economic summit, will head to Honolulu on Saturday December 17 until Monday January 2.

The American president, who was raised in Hawaii until he was six, will be joined by his wife Michelle and their daughters, Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10.

The White House travel office announced Barack Obama has no public events scheduled for the trip.

Barack Obama, who visited Hawaii just two weeks ago for an economic summit, will head to Honolulu on Saturday December 17 until Monday January 2

Barack Obama, who visited Hawaii just two weeks ago for an economic summit, will head to Honolulu on Saturday December 17 until Monday January 2

Obama family covers the cost of a private beach front residence in Kailua, Oahu, for their vacation – a “Winter White House” that costs up to $3,500 a day, or $75,000 a month.

But the local and federal taxpayers help pay the bill for president’s family travel and security.

In 2010, Obama family’s trip cost more than $1 million, according to the Hawaii Reporter.

A hotel bill of $134,400 covered 24 White House staff staying in the Moana Hotel at a rate of $400 a day.

The estimate, by the Hawaii Reporter, also included $250,000 for local police overtime, $1 million for the president’s own round trip flight to Hawaii on Air Force One, and $10,000 for a local ambulance to accompany the presidential motorcade.

Barack Obama announced the trip during a campaign fundraiser on Oahu’s Leeward Coast during his stay on the island last month.

“It is great to be home, great to feel that Aloha spirit,” Barack Obama said.

“And Michelle and the girls will be back shortly for Christmas vacation, as we do every year. We’ll see if Washington gets its business done, so I can get here as well. But that’s always a challenge.”

Obama family’s trip to Hawaii last year was followed by an 11-day stay in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, earlier this year, which is also believed to have cost the U.S. taxpayer millions.

Next week, Barack Obama will be saving a few cents by hosting a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Barack Obama will speak with Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the White House about economic competitiveness, security and key global issues.

Stephen Harper has urged Barack Obama to support an oil pipeline from western Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

However, Barack Obama administration said last month it was delaying a decision on the project until it can study new potential routes that would avoid environmentally sensitive areas in the Midwest. The decision is expected to be delayed until 2013.