Hawaii County has spent over $3 million on overtime payroll thus far as related to the Mauna Kea protests.
Considering the tight budgets the County is faced with especially in lieu of the effects from the Volcano and the storm this is money down the tube. It is great that the families that get this overtime pay have some more cash in their bank accounts, but this is money that could have been used to help rebuild the island. This is money that could have been used to hire more teachers.
The money, however, is wasted. Even though I am not in favor of the construction I could see value in it if construction started, but nothing has happened either way. It is money wasted on kicking the can down the road.