Hawaii-bound travelers for later in 2020 and beyond increasingly frustrated and in need of answers.
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Hawaii-bound travelers for later in 2020 and beyond increasingly frustrated and in need of answers.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
There is just no good answer here, certainly not the one from the airlines….follow them after they get here on a plane where anyone could be infected?? oh boy!! that will really make me stay at home all the way!!
I travel to Hawaii once or twice a year (to various islands). I will wait and see how the re-opening goes and probably come back in the spring of 2021.
I grew up on O’ahu, and although my parents have both now passed, my husband, daughter and I have continued to come every year or two.
We’ve got a trip scheduled to arrive on Kauai Aug 31 and stay 2 and a half weeks. We’re booked into separate vrbo stays because we always split the time between the North and South shores to fully enjoy both without all the driving and adding to the traffic!
For both places, I have only until July 2 to cancel and get a refund on the 50% deposits already paid. At first that seemed like plenty of time to know what would be happening, but now I’m more and more uncertain that Gov. Ige and the powers that be will have an announced plan even by then. And while I would normally be fine with rebooking or a credit to rebook in the future, I can’t help but think that without revenue, property owners may be forced to sell or go into foreclosure and it’s too big a risk. I’m sure many others are facing similar dilemmas and will have to decide a couple of months ahead of time.
So if there’s no plan or huge uncertainty we’ll just have to cancel and just hope to return sometime. We wanted to celebrate our 30th anniversary where we honeymooned, and I would never want to be a detriment to the people of Kauai.
Mahalo for all the information you provide!
Hi Carolyn.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I can’t help wonder if you are intentionally causing bad feelings here. I don’t see why caution isn’t expected from the State since the vi rus activity is an unknown. How can you expect definite plans from them when across the country cases are still increasing? Secondly, why don’t you clarify WHY Japanese, Korean, New Zealand, etc. tourists might be welcomed first? It has something to do with their superior testing, not because, as a commenter suggested, the State wants to “punch the U.S. in the gut.”
Most of us in Hawaii would like to re-open and get our jobs back, but not while this terrible vi rus–which not only kills, but often has lasting effects in “recovered” patients–is spreading unchecked.
You are exactly right..those countries have rigorous testing and monitoring unlike the mayhem we saw in the US over the Memorial Day weekend..no soc distancing, no face mask..
Well as Hawaii waits and waits and ponders tourism, we have hundreds of other places to consider when wanting a warm tropical vacation location. Maybe Hawaii will just have to wait.
We have reservations for 3 days on the Big Island and 3 days in Honolulu in late August. My question how long do we wait before canceling our trip?
Mahalo
Hi Ann.
Good question. Perhaps a couple of weeks?
Aloha.
Will be there, Maui, in late October if no quar antine is required. Original trip was to arrive today.
Have a trip booked for just after Labor Day. We won’t travel if it’s not safe but are really hoping that things settle down by then.
At first I considered it a blessing that the islands would have very few tourists, but now I’m wondering if restrictions will even be lifted by then, and even if they are, if many restaurants and other amenities will even be open.
We live in NYC and have been quar antining since early March. We never leave our apartment without a mask and only see close family who are also taking similar precautions. We plan to continue this way until we feel the risk is low, and we’re not quite there yet. We don’t want to contract it, and we certainly don’t want to bring it with us to Hawaii, knowingly or unknowingly.
It’s a tough call, and I think Hawaii should do what’s best to protect both the well-being and livelihood of its citizen, but there’s never going to be a perfect answer. Inbound travel is inevitably going to bring both tourism dollars and some level of infection most likely. The question is, how much of each, and when is the right time to start opening up.
My heart goes to the people and business entities in Hawaii who are suffering hardships and companies being forced into bankruptcy due to lack of leadership in Hawaiian government. I can postpone my trip or go some other place and it’s not a big issue for me, as it currently is for the people who call Hawaii home. My best wishes for all the kind folks there. I’m hoping things return to the new normal for you soon.
Michael
It is comforting to see Hawaii is considering responsible ideas to open it’s economy. Keeping the pause on mainland visitors while allowing New Zealanders to visit is fine. It’s not forever, just a pause, and it helps Hawaii. I’m planning my visit in December. Be well. Aloha! Great Site!
Hi John.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We are planning on coming in September this going be special trip for husband and I plus the couple that going with us please open the tourism if you want us our money we’re willing to help rebuild the economy and give people back their jobs tell the governor to get with the program we might not be able to come anymore after September my husband’s not getting any younger neither am I and the couple that were going with please make it a reality for everybody that wants to come over there
You have a bunch of damn Democrats running the show. Might as well live in Iran.
Sir, politics should be in another venue, not here. Mahalo!
Hi Kiawe.
Thanks. 😉
Aloha.
I love Hawaii, and the Hawaiian people. My wife and I were in Kauai when all this hit, and had reservations for a trip back in June, this time to Maui, which we since cancelled and are waiting to reschedule. As I monitor the daily news from Hawaii, nothing I read gives me hope a visit this year is feasible to consider. I personally believe when you look at the facts, data, and consider other periods of infection, C0VID has been severely over-baked, but that’s my opinion. I agree with BOH, you are looking in the face of severe financial disaster if your local government doesn’t act quick. Mandatory testing, mask requirements, and contact tracing talk will cause me and a lot of other folks to delay our return, unfortunately. We can make other travel plans, but I am concerned about the impact this is going to have on Hawaiians.
We own three weeks at a timeshare property on Kauai’s north shore. The property is in the elite Registry Collection which could be exchanged for elsewhere. We postponed our late May to June vacation until August. Now I am unsure whether we can go then, or if we will even want to travel on a plane then. I understand the sensitivity of this issue due to these small islands having limited healthcare facilities. but as small business owners ourselves, we can’t see how the businesses will survive anywhere in the state of Hawaii if there is no tourism. Frankly, we may sell or just trade our time for somewhere else where there is not so much indecision or controversy.
Rescheduled my trip/timeshares to early September without friend. Still waiting for Hawaiian air refund for elderly companion who won’t be traveling – VERY UNHAPPY with Hawaiian Air. They ‘suspended’ her flights from Long Beach + rebooked her from LAX – but timeshares are closed and what 85 year old wants to be imprisoned for 14 days with nowhere to stay?
Hawaiian Air is not helping their case at all. I doubt she will ever want to book with them again, IF she does want to get to Hawaii in future.
Residents of Hawaii dread the return of visitors who may spread the vi rus. We have had only two days with no known cases. Let us be safe in our communities. Our kupuna are so loved. Please help us protect them by delaying your fun on the beach. It’s the pono thing to do.
I completely agree with you Kala. I wish everyone would respect their kapuna as well as all their friends and neighbors and not act selfishly at this challenging time.
I am happy to delay my next visit until the islands and residents are ready for visitors.
Anyone not showing the same respect should choose another vacation destination. Florida perhaps, they seem to be fully open for business.
Right on, Kala G. I reside on Oahu and am with you all the way on this.
I don’t understand why Hawaii would open anywhere before the mainland US. This is frustrating like you say. We pushed our June vacation til December but wonder if that will be possible. They really need to layout a plan so we can all plan too. Thank you for staying on top of it for us.
Hi Theresa.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Sadly because many mainlanders are behaving like complete idiots..MemoriL Day Weekend a prime example
We’re still waiting to decide whether to cancel our upcoming trip, or wait another month and see how things develop. What makes it even more frustrating is hearing comments about opening up tourism from Japan, Australia, or New Zealand first. That’s a punch in the gut for US citizens. Many of us can only travel during the summer due to school and work obligations, so timing is of importance for many. As a traveler, I would have no issue submitting to a medical test before vacationing in Hawaii. Whatever it takes to keep people safe and put minds at ease. Sadly, I’m not very optimistic that our trip this summer will happen. We’ll miss catching up with old friends, but I’m sure it will make the next trip all that more special.
Aloha, those three countries handled the spread very early and have close to zero cases. If it stays that way it makes the most sense.
I am anxiously awaiting booking a trip to Maui for October but I am concerned that the state of Hawaii officials refuse to give definitive dates for when the 14 day quar antine will end. Seems like the governor says “we’re not ready yet” but doesn’t give any criteria about determining when we will be ready. They just need to pick a date and live with it unless some drastic events happen that force them to change it. It’s crazy to think that they would allow travelers from Japan but not travelers from the mainland. Hawaii has done a great job of keeping the vi rus at bay, but the time has come to start opening up
The State of Hawaii is putting a nail in its own coffin. The 14 day self quar antine is a death sentence for tourism. Who wants to travel to Hawaii and stay in your room? It appears the goal of the state is to keep the vi rus out. This goal is unrealistic unless you shut the state down for an entire year and only let people arrive that can prove they have been vac cinated. A year with no tourism for Hawaii especially will result in very dire consequences. I know people that think Hawaii is being elitist and vow to never return.
You are absolutely correct! The governor and bureaucracy in Hawaii is out of touch with reality. They appear to be intentionally trying to kill the only “industry” in the state of Hawaii. Sad.
I completely agree with you!
If I were there I would be demanding the governor’s head at this point. For a state that is so dependent on tourism it is nothing but incompetence on the state governor’s part to not have a detailed re-opening plan at this point that can be planned for by islanders and articulated to others. Instead, this is the only kind of info we receive about Hawaii…. https://news.yahoo.com/18-old-arizona-woman-visiting-194525316.html. This does the opposite of what needs to be done.
I remain sadly unoptomistic that the state governor’s office can take the lead at this point. They seem to be able to utter only one phrase…. “shut it down”.
I really enjoy getting these updates. We are planning a trip in early August but am now getting a bit nervous about buying an airline ticket with things looking so uncertain on the Islands. Hopefully things get close to normal soon and am hoping to be able to visit in August.
Thanks
Kevin
Hi Kevin.
Thanks. We hope so too.
Aloha.
We own a condo on Maalaea Bay that we would like to see get rented out through the fall. Having said that we also fully understand the general feeling over there. We are Canadians and we live in one of the provinces that has done very well flattening the curve. We have only 7 deaths and currently only 83 active cases. We have booked flights from September 25 to Oct 16th, so we are trying to be optimistic.
Robert in Canada
Maybe the question is to ask what the delay is? If the great people (and government) of Hawaii feel they need additional time to recover from COV ID, that is fine. Trump seems to have given states the right to decide for themselves what to do, so, let it be. Crossing fingers for a fast recovery for Hawaii, we sure miss you.
We plan to fly in November, so I hope the Governor comes up with a plan soon. Our kids who are residents of HI, can work from home there but other family members are out of work and hurting.
We have our annual Kauai trip October 22nd. Eagerly waiting to see if we will be able to travel or not.
Of course we will cancel and also understand if the Hawaiian government still has travel restrictions in place. But our heart and souls will really be broken if we have to cancel. Have been going to Kauai yearly for about 15 years. We hope for a good outcome for the wonderful people there, and we will be back next year if we don’t get to come in 2020.
Fingers crossed.
Still waiting to see… but (almost) losing hope. This would have been my first girl’s trip ever – for my 70th birthday. Three daughters, one granddaughter, and one daughter-in-law.
With that many people involved, as most realize, it takes a lot of planning and schedule coordinating. We are scheduled for July 30, so waiting for Governor Ige’s next announcement – with fingers crossed!
My family and I are currently booked July 2 PDX to LIH for several weeks (we own a home near Kolola). Do you expect Gov Ige to extend the mandatory 14 day self-quar antine past June 30? Thx
Hi John.
We’re publishing everything just as soon as we can, and hope to update definitely very soon.
Aloha.
We have a vacation planned for December 2020. I have deposits on Air BnB’s in two cities, and hotels paid for by points in two more cities. I have paid-in-full two separate snorkeling day trips. I have flights already booked, except for one inter-island flight (I’m waiting for Southwest to release December).
Here are my concerns:
1. Will the two snorkeling companies still be in business in December?
2. Will Hawaii shut down again?
Please continue to be an advocate for science-based decisions. Thank you for pointing out that temperature checks are of little value.
Hi Tonya.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Thank you for keeping us informed. As owners of a couple of vacation condos, we were just talking about how we need to know what the plan is for re-opening. It is disheartening to know that the ones in charge of the government have little regard for the tourist industry.
We will continue to look for good new.
Hi Linda.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I believe the only safe way to reopen is to require every person getting on the plane including staff be tested 2-3 days prior to departure. Everyone needs to wear a mask during the flight except while eating or drinking. No food and beverage service. Toilet cleaned after every use. Planes decontaminated after every flight, no quick turn around. Alternating seats or rows should not be filled.
Only then would the public feel safe to travel on a plane.
Just received the official email today stating our Maui trip next month was cancelled. I knew it was coming, but it still feels awful. This was to be our first trip without children since our honeymoon 12 years ago. The money will be refunded, but all we want is to go on our trip.
We would love to reschedule, but what’s the point? Now I am starting to wonder if we will ever make it back to Hawaii.
IMHO – Temperature screenings are a joke and an monumental waste of money.
Hawaii must not reopen until there is a vaccine for C0vid. The danger of a surge in deaths is too great. “We are all in this together”, Hawaii does not have a modern hospital system with adequate capacity in ICU for a massive increase in infections. “Stay away, Save lives”, is the only way to protect the health and safety of the people of Hawaii. Hawaii must demand financial relief from the federal government to keep everyone safe even if it takes two years or more.
The longer this goes on, the more I think that this is the game-plan: Hope and pray for a federal bailout for the state with the lowest infection rate and the most self-inflicted economic hardship. I don’t believe that it will work. I keep hearing the “we have bad hospitals” excuse, but how was this a surprise? If they’re bad, they’ve always been bad. Why is that?
We’ve seen almost no examples of overwhelmed hospitals outside of early outbreaks in NYC, Wuhan, and Italy. And death rates were higher because of a poorer understanding of the vi rus and it’s proper treatment back then (remember the urgent “need” for ventilators?). I do not think that the federal government or most mainlanders will be too sympathetic to requests for a 2+ year bailout for Hawaiians because they chose to isolate and enjoy the lowest rate of infection in the country. That having our cake, and eating it, too.
I love Hawaii and the people are generally friendly if you don’t act like a first-time tourist, but their government doesn’t exactly have the best track record at strategic planning or even common sense decision-making.
I have a completely booked vacation to Maui in July 2-9 it’s extremely frustrating that they don’t give a date, here in California we are reopened! I don’t want to cancel my trip but if I do I’ll rebook going to another tropical place. However that being said, I’d much rather be in Maui than any other place on Earth!
Where in California are you reopened? I still can’t get my hair done or go to the gym or sit on the beach, and I’m in California.
Orange County…We usually hang out in Newport Beach. They went a little crazy for about a week; Then they stood down and let people enjoy the beaches, because people naturally social distance there anyway (yesterday I saw large groups of families around beach bonfires which was awesome)… The beaches have been accessible this whole time in certain pockets such as Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Coast. restaurants for dine in are Open or in the process of opening, some with more protocols than others; some restaurant bars were packed this weekend… I would say the last 2 1/2 weeks people are surfing boogie boarding building Sandcastle‘s playing in the sand and having an awesome time:) not to mention getting much needed fresh air, exercise, and family time in nature:)…Where do you live?
Sorry no Hawaii vacation this year. We had to cancel. First year in over 30 of not being there. Next year is possible depending on the Aloha offered.
We had a flight scheduled for June 30, booked months ago. We just found out a few days ago that the flight was dropped from American Airlines’ schedule, but were able to rebook for July 1. We are getting anxious to find out whether we will be able to make the trip, but don’t want to cancel yet. Hopefully there will be word soon!
Isn’t Japan having another outbreak surge? So allow them but not California or Oregon or Washington? All 3 of these states have done a great job in flattening the curve. I work in a So Cal hospital and our positive patient numbers have decreased by half now. Very disappointed.
To state the obvious: few, if any, will be planning a future trip to Hawaii so long as the 14 day self-isolation period is imposed upon arrival in Hawaii. Two weeks is longer than most vacations to Hawaii last, and who wants to spend that time in a hotel or other confined space?
We’re cancelling our remaining trip to HNL this year and have serious doubts about future trips. Hawaii’s leaders have shown complete ineptitude in this pan demic, and I fear they have ruined Hawaii tourism for years to come. Good job, folks – destroy the main money source for your economy.
we need to get the economy started ASAP! It isn’t like HI has a diversity of industries it can rely on so even though there will be mistakes and setbacks the timing and reentry will not be perfect. I have guests coming to Maui on July 3rd and they don’t know what to do. Let’s make plans and give answers now.