It has been a great couple of weeks for our friends at Hawaii Reporter, who even scored a Drudge mention and a Tonight Show one-liner out of their coverage of the Obama family vacation (see below).  So how about a quick round-up of things that cost us money?

John Carroll has an examination of the Jones Act and how it damages the Hawaii economy.  You know, the Jones Act debate isn’t exactly glamorous.  Most people can’t even get past the fact that it’s about maritime law before getting a tad sleepy.  But if you live in Hawaii, this is important.  Ever wondered why you practically need to a second mortgage in order to buy a box of cereal?  The Jones Act is the answer.  A small group of politicians and activists have been trying for a long time to get a Hawaii exemption to this federal law, and it’s time that their reforms got a fair hearing.

And then there’s the analysis of how the current Administration’s policies are going to mean higher gas prices.  Not good news for those in the Islands–where even when things aren’t bad, mainlanders blanch at our average per-gallon cost.  And no, the answer is not light rail.  Higher fuel prices trickle down, and it’s about more than just what you pay at the pump.  You pay those higher gas prices when you buy bus tickets, toilet paper, and just about anything else.

And finally, a lighter note.  Here’s the Tonight Show monologue with the mention of the Obama vacation cost.