A spokeswoman for Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa told DC808 that the conference call — or Tele Town Hall — that Hanabusa hosted for constituents on Tuesday night is expected to cost about $3,020. 

Hanabusa’s communications director, Ashley Nagaoka, said that as many as 899 Hawaii residents were connected to the hour-long call at any given time. Using that figure, it cost about $3.36 per person to participate. Hanabusa’s congressional allowance will cover the cost of the call.

On one hand, the conference call cost significantly more than the average round-trip plane ticket to Hawaii. Then again, the format enabled Hanabusa to speak directly with hundreds of her constituents from 5,000 miles away over the course of one hour.

Do you think it was worth it?