Hawaii-bound travelers for later in 2020 and beyond increasingly frustrated and in need of answers.
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219 thoughts on “As Desperation Ensues, Hawaiian Airlines Speaks on Restarting Tourism Now”
Hawaii-bound travelers for later in 2020 and beyond increasingly frustrated and in need of answers.
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My husband and I have a trip to the Big Island planned for the last 2 weeks in September. It is to celebrate his retirement. It will be our 6th Hawaii trip. We’ve given a lot of tourism money to your state. Hawaiians should be ashamed of not wanting us to visit. If we can’t come to Hawaii, then Hawaiians better not come to the Mainland. Hawaii can’t survive without tourists. Come on Hawaii is part of America. What happened to Aloha spirit? Also if you think I’m going to wear a mask 100% while visiting forget it. Mask in heat? Think twice before requiring tourists to wear masks. I would not come back to Hawaii if you require masks. I too am beginning to think that Aloha spirit is just a joke. C0vid is probably going to always be in the world now just like those that cause the common cold.
This kama’aina of 37 years wants to know when I can come home to see my family?? Life situation necessitated a temporary move to the mainland, and I never dreamed I would be forbidden by the Governor of Hawaii to return this far along in the pan demic. Zero new cases there now, with plenty of available testing and healthcare beds/vents.
I agree with Hawaiian Airlines – put controls in place and drop the 14-day quar antine.
We are so sad to cancel our trip this July. We’ve been waiting and planning for over a year now, but the uncertainty is just too much. There are no easy answers here because while we are heartbroken at having to wait, we also don’t want to bring anything unknowingly to the most isolated place on the planet! Similarly, while we’ve been staying at home, we have no way of knowing about everyone else that we would come in contact with while traveling all the way from the East Coast. Our hearts go out to all of those suffering from this, in Hawaii and elsewhere.
The only thing that I pictured while reading this article is the picture of a local lady holding a sign that said “TOURISTS GO HOME.” Unfortunately, your wish has come true. Even after the vi rus is sufficiently dealt with and people are free to enjoy the islands again, I have a feeling a lot of mainland people will remember that.
Our family have been regular visitors to Kauai. We will be avoiding travel to Hawaii for the foreseeable future. Masking up to sit on a plane for 6 hours, then masking up to sit in a tropical climate is not out ideal vacation. The expressed negative sentiment towards tourism is the icing on the cake.
Keep telling everyone you don’t want tourists, eventually they’ll go elsewhere.
Exactly!
So correct we have been going to Kauai for 25 years bought a home in the big island live in mainland but we have experienced non aloha with natives attacking us on the beach verbally and nearly physically with our young son standing by don’t know where this frustration comes from and that was 2 years ago. They want the tourist for their economy but not to live
I agree with you
I don’t feel like wearing a mask for our 6 hr flight when I can do that here. Governor if you don’t want tourism to support your economy you are surely accomplishing that although I understand your concern over transmission of this still doesn’t mean you rid Americans from an American state since 1959. Open it up.
Fully understand and agree. Whereas I understand the initial reaction of Hawaii state, a place with inadequate health care in place, the continuation of the stay away rules seems to come from a desire to keep visitors away as much and as long as possible. That message goes to the hearts of travelers who have a whole earth to fall in love with.
We have loved going to Hawaii since our Honeymoon almost 36-years ago. But, based on what I have seen and heard – they would rather us not return. Then when you look at how the State Government is operating – it’s clear they don’t want us either. We have a trip planned on August that is 50/50, at best. It’s interesting that people coming to the islands is a major source of business income – but the negative comments in both the news and in the Hawaii related blogs I follow – there is no more Aloha Spirit anymore. It’s almost like Hawaii no longer wants to be a part of the US. That’s disappointing.
I will add, I have run into people from Hawaii in Vegas – and they don’t always respect the area – just like some mainlanders do when they go to Hawaii. It’s a bad situation. I just hope the Governor has a plan on how to recover. If he does not, the unemployment rate in Hawaii will remain there for years to come. I just hope the State can figure out how to operate on a smaller tax base.
All of that said, not long ago, I lost a friend to C0VID. It’s one that needs up to pull together – not disrespect others.
My family of four and close family friends of 5 just had our Hawaiian vacation cancelled. We booked in Oct 2019 and held out hope as long as we could. Our departure date was June 30th for a twelve day stay. We received notice of cancellation on May 22nd. Our families were willing to cooperate with a Hawaiian plan to reopen, except for a 14 day isolation, which would’ve meant spending the entire time in the condo. Facing a $5,000 fine or imprisonment is not an option, however, Hawaii never came up with a plan. Travel agents and airlines offered no clear guidance either. I understand the fragile infrastructure of the health care system and keeping Hawaiians safe is and should be the number one priority. Those in charge must work together and keep us informed. It’s impossible to re-book until Hawaii sets out a plan. The longer there is inaction the greater the economic impact is going to be. My family loves Hawaii and we will be back. Be safe and make a responsible plan for opening. Aloha.
Hi John.
Thanks.
Aloha.
If we have a trip planned July 9-28 in Maui Hawai’i. Should we cancel. We were waiting until the beginning of July to see if quar antine has been lifted
Thanks to the author if this article for addressing tourists concerns.
Hi Cf.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I LOVE Hawaii. It is a very special and sacred place. But sadly, I won’t be returning. I didn’t truly understand the deep hatred that many Hawaiians have of tourists. I even understand it. I’m sure many people come over to use the resources, have unrealistic expectations, and leave their crap behind. I don’t want to be seen a blight when I have come so far to enjoy and respect Kauai in particular. I’ve heard many state that Hawaiians are loving having no haoles there. Who wants to be seen as just a dollar sign? If I’m not welcome, then there are other places to spend time and money.
I agree! Our trip is planned for July 7-18, visiting 2 islands. I’m considering or they options, as I feel we are not wanted.
My husband and I are planning our yearly (20 plus) to Kauai in late Oct. to Thanksgiving. We have our airplane tickets paid for and anxiously waiting. We lived on Oahu for a time and full belong to the Ohana way of life. Our prayers our for all islanders to be safe and healthy and to share the Aloha spirit with all who come to our islands. See you all in October.🙏❤🍍🌴🌈
Yes , we need to reopen . More people will suffer from not re starting our economy .. other states don’t have restrictions like Hawaii .
We have a trip planned for the end of September and while it is heart breaking to think of missing our annual trip to Maui, I understand the provisions in place to protect the people of Hawaii. The hardest part of this has been the uncertainty and it doesn’t appear to be letting up any time soon.
Mahalo for all of the news you pass along, it is much appreciated!
I can understand why the HI government (and citizens) want to discourage tourism and travel right now – and they’ve got every right to operate as they see fit to protect themselves from this. From a mainland customer perspective however – and I’ve got lots of choice on where to spend my vacation dollars – I’ve sensed a lot of hostility to tourists in coverage I read that is a real turn-off to visit Hawaii. This hostility goes beyond anything temporary related to this.
Concur with the concerns about the effectiveness of temperature testing – it’s security theatre.
Hopefully I’m wrong about the lack of “aloha spirit” – and what I’m reading is only what makes the news.
HI Tourist board is going to need to advertise that it’s open for business when you do reopen.
My traveling companion and I have rescheduled this October’s trip to Hawaii with Road Scholars tours to next Oct and glad we have. We don’t want to bring our germs or get any on the flight. I’ve been trying to come for 3 years. It’ll just have to wait one more. I hold you all in my prayers as I hold my future trip to your paradise in my heart!
Hello, my family has a trip planned to Maui, flying Hawaiian airlines, 7/2/20-7/16/20. Can you please tell me if this trip
Should be rescheduled or canceled?
Thank you,
Raylene Robeck
These kits may be an answer for lifting quar antine for the Mainland….
Everlywell C0VID Test Home Collection Kit
Available in a month per their web site.
Hawaiian leaders are devastating the local economy with little to gain. The goal of ‘Stay at Home’ orders was to “flatten the curve” and avoid overwhelming the healthcare systems. That was achieved in early April. Now the misguided goal is to keep the vi rus out of Hawaii. That goal is unachievable because Hawaii won’t be able to isolate itself long enough (until effective vac cine and or treatments are available) without devastating its economy for years to come. Once you do open economy, the vi rus will arrive. Hawaiians need to protect their vulnerable but not shut down the entire state. We don’t need expensive thermal scanning equipment, which can be easily defeated by Tylenol. We need travelers to have proof of negative testing within 48 hrs of departure and no elevated temperature at departure gate. Passengers must be properly masked except when eating or drinking. Temperature must be taken again up arrival as double check. These suggestions will slow but not eliminate this from coming. These actions will allow us to open to tourism before our economy is ruined.
I fully agree with your ways of testing tourists who want to come to Hawaii. Actually it sounds good for anyone flying anywhere now! Also perhaps limiting the number of visitors could help until a vac cine is in place!
I agree strongly with doing whatever it takes to protect this world treasure we know as Hawaii. My family has been going to Hawaii since the late 1950s; I have been going since the late 1970s, and my Mom lived on Kauai for 8 years. It doesn’t surprise me at all that the locals resent mainlanders: collectively, we’re known to be disrespectful of other cultures and their lands and cities–that’s where the term the “ugly American” comes from, and that’s a term used in Europe, not Hawaii. It’s a double-edged sword: I know Hawaii needs the tourism to survive economically, but the thought of fewer disrespectful, loud, misbehaving tourists is really appealing. Can’t wait to get back.
Mahalo
Hi Dayna.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We just cancelled our 12 day visit to the Big Island and Oahu in Late July and Early August. We aren’t worried as much about c0vid, because we were planning to rent a car and stay in a house, wear masks, wash hands often, but it’s the lack of knowing what will happen in terms of restrictions. I’m not going to Hawaii to never go outside or see iconic places; I’ll stay home and go local. And if you wait too long, you risk not getting your full money back.
Many of those that would benefit from a rebound of our “economy” really don’t have much of a voice or incentive to speak up. Most resort workers here, for examole, are immigrants who barely speak the language. They pretty much live outside of our mainstream society. Us locals? We work in health care, government, construction, and essential retail jobs. (e.g., Target, Home Depot, grocery stores.) Eventually, we will be impacted by a collapse in tourism, but please understand that we were also much threatened by over tourism and over development earlier. Our lifestyle was slowly dying. Not sure which is the greater evil.
The state has no concrete plans for opening tourism in any format. That is pure incompetence i think and former and current residents like myself should be outraged.
Its important to keep cultural traditions alive with eco tourism and hotel activities such as using native Hawaiian herbal medicine etc. also tourism needs to be opened to America first, not nz or japan. Again hawaii should be trying to behave like a state and accept the rights and responsibilities. Hawaii is not a sovereign nation of its own and never will be.
If the frustrated could pause for a moment, take a breath. Just today, the EU has limited travel into Europe of only those member countries of the Union. Canada and Mexico have closed their land borders for only essential travel. The U.S. passport has become a pariah. The mainland has the greatest number of cases and deaths of any country in the world. No other countries want Americans right now.
Hawaii is in the blessed position of the lowest per capita cases and deaths of any state. An opening now would simply replicate Florida during spring break. Those states reopening now have already shown spikes in cases. Why in the world would Hawaii invite in this invasive species without caution?
The logical approach would be to open inter island and encourage residents who can to help the other islands through a local stay. Monitor. Then set up screening procedures at departure and arrival. What those should be is above my pay grade. Set up a procedure similar to Korea that requires an app that can monitor movement and contacts. Assign contact tracers. Pray for a proven treatment and vac cine.
We are hurting and will continue to hurt, but the a’ina is our only home. This is the most beautiful archipelago in the world. Visitors will return.
I agree. These unilateral state government actions were to flatten the curve for our hospitals . Well it’s flat. And that’s clear on the state website. If our state has A plan it needs to be broadcast, if not someone should look into the governors constuional authority to continue autocratic rule. We’re already setting up homeless shelters on Maui for displaced people we don’t get back to work soon the island Will need a lot mor shelters. That may sound like an overstatement but many of the jobs that people hope to go back to won’t be there already the longer it goes the worse this becomes. Thank you
Hi Jas.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Service to Australia and New Zealand??? Check what their latest requirements for entry are!!! These fear-based actions do not follow in line with much information out there. Research people. Wake up! I am stuck in Asia, away from my kids/grandkids and am hoping Hawaii quits dragging their feet. We have the benefit of watching what has happened around the world and opening up has not caused the problems predicted.
GOOD JOB BEAT OF HAWAII! THANKS FOR YOUR WORK!
Hi Nancy.
Thanks so much.
Aloha.
So many great comments here tonight. Thanks to the folks at Beat of Hawaii for hosting this discussion. It really does seem come down to whether the Hawaii govt officials (and the people in Hawaii for that matter) are willing to take the risk of allowing tourists back into the islands. It’s a fair conversation. What’s not right is indecisiveness. If Hawaii wants to bar most tourists until there is a vac cine, please say so. Many of us who want to visit would understand. Don’t keep stringing us along with nonsense political rubbish. Tell us what the plan is. It’s hard for me to believe that a plan to lock down the islands until a vac cine is what the people of Hawaii want….but I don’t live there. All I know is that it’s one of the beautiful places on earth.
Hi David.
Thank you!
Aloha.
We have friends that live here parttime and have a flight to Oahu scheduled for 6/30. Are they going to have to quar antine for 14 days? If so, how far out ahould they reschedule their flight?
I dont blame the people of Hawaii for being hesitant to reopen to tourists. They live in paradise and want to keep it that way! I would love to see them be able to develop industries that would enable them to be non-reliant on tourism for sustaining their way of life. Maybe this is a naive pipe dream but how wonderful would that be?!
This is so inconceivable to those who visit the island quite often as we do of our home there. Seems like the Lt. Gov.. Is very indecisive of his own responsibilities to the Hawaiian islands and people. Waiting for other countries to determine the path of his responsibility is unacceptable. It does appear there will be no vacations to the islands this year. What does his comment actually mean to opening up to them first as opposed to what the mainland? That comment sounds a little derogatory really if I’m reading that correctly. Do those countries have more money or does the Lt. Gov have prejudices against the mainland visitors? We are not outsiders backsliders or foreigners. We are the USA just as Hawaii is part of this great country, but his thinking is way off base!
Coming back to Hawaii as soon as I can! Don’t live on the mainland but in Alaska. We’ve had less c0vid than you. Won’t feel desperate until October/November when it gets seriously cold and dark here. Please figure out your reopening strategy by then to support mental health of all Alaskans.
I have 17 nights with 13 people booked for Maui starting July 8th. We go there every other year. As it stands now, it looks extremely doubtful that Hawai’i will be open and we will likely have to cancel. We will not rebook for Hawai’i though since these reservations need to be placed a year in advance. We will have to spend the $10K or so we would have spent in Maui and go elsewhere.
We understand why locals do not want tourists that could bring the vi rus with them. However, if Hawai’i waits too long, the economic impact to your state is going to be long and devastating. There is a balance between safety and the economy. The state leaders need a plan and they need it now. I need to make a decision in about ten days on whether a I cancel or not. I would love for that decision to be made based on some facts on whether or not Hawai’i will definitively be open or not and if the 14 day quar antine will be lifted.
In the absence of a firm plan, We will be forced to error on the side of caution and cancel our trip and go elsewhere.
We were faced with the same problem for this week. 14 days in quar antine is expensive downtime! Things got worse as we cancelled the condo and they kept kept a portion of the deposit for”handling charges” and Hawaiian Air would only give us credit on a future flight. Only the car rental cancellation went smoothly, costing us nothing.
I get it, they have to be careful not to bring illness into the island but, since this vi rus is no more my fault than theirs, I don’t see that it should be costing us money. It’s an attitude thing, but not at all welcoming or hospitable.
Please stop acting like the Chamber of Commerce for Hawaii and instead be aware that many Hawaiian residents are concerned that without proper screening, the state of Hawaii with limited health resources could be overcome by the vi rus.
I am as anxious as many folks to get back to our Hawaiian home and to even vacation rent, but I am concerned for the health of our neighbors as well as their jobs.
I am certain that the Hilton, the Marriott and the Westin will survive this terrible challenging time. I want my friends and neighbors to survive as well.
We in Hawaii have the most inept governor in the entire country. Either he really doesn’t care about people’s well-being, ie., having an income to pay for essentials such as electricity and food, or he has some evil plan to cause a large portion of the population to leave the State. His actions and words make it really difficult to believe that he has any common sense left.
We have November reservations for a timeshare in Princeville, and are waiting to see what stipulations are in effect. We live in Southern California and look forward to yearly visits to Kaua’i. We experienced the Maui shelter in place on March 26 and don’t want a repeat. Thank you for all your updates.
Hi Lee.
Thanks. We look forward to have definitive information very soon.
Aloha.
Aloha, Why do you want to start with China? That’s where it came from for the first place. In California the last month they have had suicides amount for one year. There are going to be more deaths after the vi rus because of depression. People can only handle so much without a job the Economy going bad.
Please open up and having the testing done before the flight. Hawaii can’t handle being closed down for 2 more months. Let’s all get back to life!!! If your sick stay HOME! There are sunny Days ahead!!!
Mahalo
We were disappointed we had to cancel our anniversary trip in April. We were planning to reschedule for October 2020 but have been holding off to see what Hawaii is going to do with reopening. We’d love to come to Hawaii and help your economy but based on the lack of information we will continue to wait and see what happens before making any definitive plans. Perhaps we can come back next April for a post-milestone celebration. In the meantime I think we’ll be looking to spend our money closer to home….California and Oregon. I just want to get back to the ocean and at this point the West Coast is looking like a much better option for us.
Thanks so much for all your informative articles and up-to-date information! We heard about your website from the Travel Guys Radio Show in Sacramento.
Hi Kim.
Thank you. Yes we’ve done the Travel Guys radio show and hope to again.
Aloha.
Do you know how insulting it is to hear politician Josh Green, “MD”, say that Japanese and New Zealanders should be allowed in Hawaii BEFORE fellow Americans?
I want to come home but refuse to be a prisoner in my house for 14 days, watched like a hawk, and forced to check in with the state on a daily basis (hasn’t anyone sued over this repression?)
Is it possible that returning residents could show a negative C0VID test or a positive antibody test and thus avoid the house arrest?
Thanks for your updates and forum.
Hi Mike.
Thanks.
Aloha.
New Zealand has 21 active cases while the USA has 115,527. I’d much rather the state let people in unencumbered by quar antine who arrive from countries that obviously have a handle on the situation and aren’t full of people protesting public health precautions.
I depend on the travel industry for my income as do many here, but until the mainland gets things under control I’d be nervous as hell dealing with mainlanders right now.
We need rapid testing at all departure gates.
Its unamerican and unacceptable though. Hawaii usa would become hawaii china without us intervening most likely.
How much harder does hawaii want to push the evelope and burn thier tourism relations with the continental US?
If you have noticed the decisions made by mainland state Governors, especially in the South; if you read the reports and saw the pictures of Spring Break and Memorial Day bacchanalia at the beaches and lakes, and you live in a vulnerable location like Hawaii, you might think beyond your frustration. Please give a reason, other than longing to visit why Hawaii, should allow another invasive species open reign. I would rather see a combination of smarter decisions on the mainland, adherence to social distancing and masks, and some form of testing and monitoring of visitors before assuming that the vi rus spread is under control. Hawaii will still be here and safe when more rational decisions rule the day.
There should be lawsuits over the constitutional rights obstruction hawaii has brazenly taken part in. It is very much like a rogue or shadow government there right now. Right to life liberty and property are primary civil rights being obstructed in hawaii.
Not only that, but by allowing other countries to visit first? Taking criminal actions against the peace and dignity of the United states by sealing borders to Americans and causing panic and chaos with peoples lives and the island stste ecomomy?
Sounds like what happened in the civil war with the north and south.
I think that writing emails and letters to the attorney general and the state governer of hawaii might help. If i find more info i will share. Aloha and Mahalo, the saddest year in Hawaii state history.
Don’t get your feelings hurt. It’s about the low number of C0vid cases in those countries and forming a “travel bubble” with Australia and New Zealand, or South Korea and Japan. Nothing to do with trying to stick it to our fellow Americans. Just wait and you’ll get your turn…or not. There are a lot of conscientious, understanding visitors on this site who “get” the situation and we will be happy to have them back. Others who complain and whine because they can’t get their beach fix, not so much. In fact, those that take that attitude and cannot wrap their heads around the reasoning are the exact types that spoil things for everyone.
Thank you for keeping us updated! We were scheduled for early June but have rescheduled (to Kauai) for early October. It’s challenging to coordinate dates with 10 people! I pray we are able to go. I also pray for the health and wellness of all.
Hi Kendra.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Mahalo to “Beat of Hawaii” for your great updates!
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for your nice words and all of your comments. Much appreciated.
Aloha.
We have plans to go to Maui mid July. We’re waiting to see (just like everyone else) what is going to happen with Hawaii’s government. Hope springs eternal!!
Yes, I am planning to wait a while to return to the islands.
It seems uncertain about getting there and doing activities upon arrival.
It also seems like the Aloha is on hold for a while.
The Hawai’i government and people have to step forward to make a comprehensive plan to open for visiting with true Aloha.
I hope to return when this plan is implemented.
I respect and admire the Hawaiian people and culture.
They will find a way.
We have a trip planned beginning to middle of July. But we are in limbo waiting to hear what the governor has to say. Not getting our hopes up.
We Love our 2 weeks every year on Hawaii. Had to cancel our May dates and moved to September. We are thinking that we must move our reservations to next May. Hoping that Hawaii will be up and running by then. Praying for the whole state to heal from this aweful virus! Mahalo!
Hi Sharon.
Thanks.
Aloha.