91 thoughts on “2021 Hawaii Travel Recovery | 5 Essential Drivers”
Scott
My wife and I did some resort hopping in Kauai in Nov and Dec while working remote. We used up a bunch of banked timeshare weeks.
I am surprised to read some of the comments where people find the testing requirements to be too much trouble and say they’d rather choose to go somewhere with more outbreak.
We chose Kauai specifically because of the strict testing. These days I wouldn’t want to get on a plane where there is not a testing requirement. A non-stop to Kauai where everybody was tested seemed like a safe choice.
We used Vault and it was easy. You spit in a test tube while on video and then mail in the sample. We got the results one day later and uploaded our results to safe travels. Really, it was a simple process and no big deal. My only gripe is that the negative test results weren’t checked by the authorities until we arrived and got off the plane.
Ideally a rapid test would be administered at the airport and nobody would be allowed to board without it.
It was a pleasure to be in Kauai where the outbreak is so low and of course the weather and scenery is spectacular as usual. For the first time in 8 months, we could relax and dine out.
People were welcoming and I didn’t experience any negativity. For the most part, people wore masks.
I only wish I could go back now!
Matt D
Hi guys,
Candidly, and from a family traveler’s perspective, the testing cost and ease of use must be resolved. Family travel is your bread & butter, so getting cheap or free testing options that are acceptable to HI should be priority numero uno. In SoCal, private testing sites are extorting people for up to $200 per test for same day or next day results. LAX just said they have $200 rapid testing in terminals. But what family of 4 or 5 is going to pay an extra $800-1,000 just to get cleared to spend another $10,000 on a vacation???? Florida or Cancun may start looking better and better.
Please lobby for this BOH!!! Thank you!!!
SoCal Matt
Fred P
Right on. Like I said earlier the governor is like a “deer in the headlights” complete incompetent. Live in So Cal and the number of testing sites terrible. Cost high CVS no longer guarantees results in 72 hours. $200 for rapid test outrageous. I see why travel to Cancun has increased. Recall governor like Califiornia doing.
Fred P
Easy a new governor to replace the current moron
Peggy H
We just returned from Oahu from a wonderful Christmas visit with our son who is stationed there. Prior to our vacation I read how many tourists felt unwelcome – that was not our experience at all!! We were overwhelmed with the friendliness of everyone we encountered, at shops, the hotel, restaurants, locals… They made us feel more than welcome! We took two separate at home tests, hoping one would return in time, (Vault and ADL through United Airlines.) While it was stressful waiting and hoping, both came back in less than 24 hours after they were received at the lab (overall 48 hours from testing.)Once we arrived at HNL it was a cinch getting checked in with Safe Travels – show our QR code and ID and we were wished a wonderful visit. Wanted to share our positive experience with Safe Travel and the incredible people of Oahu! Mahalo!!
Beth C.
Following.
Roy H
While on the Big Island Nov/Dec.I could not help but notice that while condo/house rentals were off some, the hotel/resorts areas were down big time. There was no one on the resort beaches or in the restaurants, their lobbies were empty and nobody was around. It was a bleak kind of feeling.
Aloha Guys
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Roy.
Thanks for the BI update.
Aloha.
Kris
We were there at that time as well. Definitely a sad thing to see. We have been going to BI for 20+ years. We did need reservations at a couple of restaurants fir dinner.
So many shops are closed for good as well as a couple of our fave restaurants.
Every shop we entered we were treated with the aloha we have come to know and appreciate.
While we there Mayor Kim went back to 100% testing on arrival at the airport. Supposedly today was the last day for that. What’s next from the new mayor?
John c
Aloha. I’ve been coming to Kauai for 20 years. I sold my princeville townhouse in February. I was planning on purchasing a fixer home with an ohana. The withholding tax delay refund which occurs because I’m not a full time resident took 8 months. So it’s not going to happen soon. Too provide some insight since I’m now retired traveling in the western states during the summer was made easier with Vrbo. I went to Park City Utah. Mccall idaho. Marco island florida. Key west florida. It’s nice with those states open but with reasonable restrictions. I went to markets during senior hours and ate outside at restaurants with proper spacing. So I hope Hawaii political leaders get some common sense. These leaders if employed in my construction business would have shown up Monday and been fired Friday because they can’t provide the service I hired them to perform. I continue to be a non local with great respect for what Kauai will always be to my spirit when I return. John C
Curtis C.
Our President-elect who is part of the permanent Washington establishment, recently stated that “our darkest days are ahead of us”. My thinking is exactly the opposite. Our ingenuity and the American spirit will triumph over this virus. With this in mind, we made plans yesterday for our summer Maui trip. We got some racehorse deals on flights and rentals. In the meantime, we will stay safe and get vaccinated. Don’ let the politicians ruin your lives.
Again, mahalo to BOH.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Curtis.
We’re happy you’re going to be returning to Maui and we appreciate your more than 70 comments.
Aloha
SnarkyDavidB
“our darkest days are ahead of us”
I believe he is referring to his administration.
Bob
Actualky, he was referring to the last 30 days of the current administration.
DeniseK
The tests are a problem here. The 96 hour window would help as will airport testing for those of us not in a big city. Mostly, make a decision and stop changing it every few days!
Aloha and mahalo.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Denise.
Got it. Thanks.
Aloha.
Nicholas M
Going in 2021 hopefully for 3 weeks
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
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My wife and I did some resort hopping in Kauai in Nov and Dec while working remote. We used up a bunch of banked timeshare weeks.
I am surprised to read some of the comments where people find the testing requirements to be too much trouble and say they’d rather choose to go somewhere with more outbreak.
We chose Kauai specifically because of the strict testing. These days I wouldn’t want to get on a plane where there is not a testing requirement. A non-stop to Kauai where everybody was tested seemed like a safe choice.
We used Vault and it was easy. You spit in a test tube while on video and then mail in the sample. We got the results one day later and uploaded our results to safe travels. Really, it was a simple process and no big deal. My only gripe is that the negative test results weren’t checked by the authorities until we arrived and got off the plane.
Ideally a rapid test would be administered at the airport and nobody would be allowed to board without it.
It was a pleasure to be in Kauai where the outbreak is so low and of course the weather and scenery is spectacular as usual. For the first time in 8 months, we could relax and dine out.
People were welcoming and I didn’t experience any negativity. For the most part, people wore masks.
I only wish I could go back now!
Hi guys,
Candidly, and from a family traveler’s perspective, the testing cost and ease of use must be resolved. Family travel is your bread & butter, so getting cheap or free testing options that are acceptable to HI should be priority numero uno. In SoCal, private testing sites are extorting people for up to $200 per test for same day or next day results. LAX just said they have $200 rapid testing in terminals. But what family of 4 or 5 is going to pay an extra $800-1,000 just to get cleared to spend another $10,000 on a vacation???? Florida or Cancun may start looking better and better.
Please lobby for this BOH!!! Thank you!!!
SoCal Matt
Right on. Like I said earlier the governor is like a “deer in the headlights” complete incompetent. Live in So Cal and the number of testing sites terrible. Cost high CVS no longer guarantees results in 72 hours. $200 for rapid test outrageous. I see why travel to Cancun has increased. Recall governor like Califiornia doing.
Easy a new governor to replace the current moron
We just returned from Oahu from a wonderful Christmas visit with our son who is stationed there. Prior to our vacation I read how many tourists felt unwelcome – that was not our experience at all!! We were overwhelmed with the friendliness of everyone we encountered, at shops, the hotel, restaurants, locals… They made us feel more than welcome! We took two separate at home tests, hoping one would return in time, (Vault and ADL through United Airlines.) While it was stressful waiting and hoping, both came back in less than 24 hours after they were received at the lab (overall 48 hours from testing.)Once we arrived at HNL it was a cinch getting checked in with Safe Travels – show our QR code and ID and we were wished a wonderful visit. Wanted to share our positive experience with Safe Travel and the incredible people of Oahu! Mahalo!!
Following.
While on the Big Island Nov/Dec.I could not help but notice that while condo/house rentals were off some, the hotel/resorts areas were down big time. There was no one on the resort beaches or in the restaurants, their lobbies were empty and nobody was around. It was a bleak kind of feeling.
Aloha Guys
Hi Roy.
Thanks for the BI update.
Aloha.
We were there at that time as well. Definitely a sad thing to see. We have been going to BI for 20+ years. We did need reservations at a couple of restaurants fir dinner.
So many shops are closed for good as well as a couple of our fave restaurants.
Every shop we entered we were treated with the aloha we have come to know and appreciate.
While we there Mayor Kim went back to 100% testing on arrival at the airport. Supposedly today was the last day for that. What’s next from the new mayor?
Aloha. I’ve been coming to Kauai for 20 years. I sold my princeville townhouse in February. I was planning on purchasing a fixer home with an ohana. The withholding tax delay refund which occurs because I’m not a full time resident took 8 months. So it’s not going to happen soon. Too provide some insight since I’m now retired traveling in the western states during the summer was made easier with Vrbo. I went to Park City Utah. Mccall idaho. Marco island florida. Key west florida. It’s nice with those states open but with reasonable restrictions. I went to markets during senior hours and ate outside at restaurants with proper spacing. So I hope Hawaii political leaders get some common sense. These leaders if employed in my construction business would have shown up Monday and been fired Friday because they can’t provide the service I hired them to perform. I continue to be a non local with great respect for what Kauai will always be to my spirit when I return. John C
Our President-elect who is part of the permanent Washington establishment, recently stated that “our darkest days are ahead of us”. My thinking is exactly the opposite. Our ingenuity and the American spirit will triumph over this virus. With this in mind, we made plans yesterday for our summer Maui trip. We got some racehorse deals on flights and rentals. In the meantime, we will stay safe and get vaccinated. Don’ let the politicians ruin your lives.
Again, mahalo to BOH.
Hi Curtis.
We’re happy you’re going to be returning to Maui and we appreciate your more than 70 comments.
Aloha
“our darkest days are ahead of us”
I believe he is referring to his administration.
Actualky, he was referring to the last 30 days of the current administration.
The tests are a problem here. The 96 hour window would help as will airport testing for those of us not in a big city. Mostly, make a decision and stop changing it every few days!
Aloha and mahalo.
Hi Denise.
Got it. Thanks.
Aloha.
Going in 2021 hopefully for 3 weeks