Hawaii is heading into unchartered territory on new virus cases the past two weeks, while still low compared to other states. But, with that said, the virus reproduction rate here has become the highest in the US.
This rate tracks the average number of people who become infected by one person. When below 1.0, it is said to be slowing. As of today, Hawaii is 1.39. This was pointed out to us by long-time Kauai resident and Beat of Hawaii friend, physician Dr. Robert Weiner.
The head of Hawaii’s testing sites, Scott Miscovich, MD, said “We (Hawaii) are super-spreaders… There’s evidence that Hawaii’s higher reproduction rate is growing more problematic.” Miscovich also said, “Two weeks ago, we could get test results in a day or two; now it’s been pushed back to four days or more.”
Issues in Hawaii also include poor contact tracing in addition to inadequate testing, which may be tied to inadequacies of the controversial Hawaii Health Department. In that regard, U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard has suggested both department heads Sarah Park and Director Bruce Anderson, resign for lack of an effective policy on testing and home isolation management.
As you know, in order to slow the growing number of cases, Governor Ige announced a 14-day mandatory quarantine for all inter-island arrivals starting tomorrow.
Controversy at Hawaii Health Department.
The Hawaii state epidemiologist is Dr. Sarah Park, who has been widely criticized by the state’s medical community. Her responsibilities include the investigation of infections, disease mapping, testing, and prevention. She also is the chief advisor to the state and county governments.
On a less controversial note, Park previously admonished, “Unfortunately, I think we’re looking at COVID-19 being a part of our lives for probably the next few years at the very least. It’s going to be a new normal — that’s what I’m advising.”
She has been frequently criticized for the lack of community testing, inadequate availability of data, and her handling of important relationships and communications. Park’s decision to test only people with symptoms, for example, created much concern among the Hawaii medical community. A prior audit of the department criticized her lack of a communications plan for disease outbreaks among other things. Dr. Park is also critiqued as being condescending, isolated, and not open to differing viewpoints.
Dr. Miscovich has said that far more widespread testing of Hawaii residents is essential, which is contrary to Park’s plans. According to Dr. Park, however, “No amount of testing is going to stop the infection but social distancing will stop the infection, and so that’s what I advise.”
Here on Kauai, the mayor, Derek Kawakami, has often gone his own direction and relies on the county health officer in his decision-making. He has repeatedly called for more access to Park’s public health data. “I feel that I have a better connection with people that may be affected…I could get on the phone and talk to them.” The Kauai mayor has not been provided with such contact information by the state, however.
Just ousted Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said he felt like he hadn’t been properly supported by the department in how to help his community. “There are a lot of people you talk to like that, especially someone in her position, where the relationship doesn’t begin good and it ends worse.” He said that the state Health Department has been too slow to help.
Representative Gabbard addressed the health department, saying “Anderson and Park are either grossly out of touch or extremely negligent.” She called for head Bruce Anderson and Park to resign or be fired and Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, an emergency room physician on the Big Island, to replace them. Gabbard concluded, “I do not say this lightly, but our lives and the lives of our loved ones are at stake, and I cannot remain silent.”
Could you please tell me if the testing requirement that replaces the quarantine requirement is still in effect to take place September first? I’ve had reservations to visit my daughter for September 3. Thanks so much
Hi Debbie.
We will be publishing an update on this today.
Aloha.
I have been trying to keep updated on the status of the pandemic in Hawaii. My husband an I have a planned trip to Maui in November for our 42nd wedding anniversary and we are trying to keep up with what is going on there. We appreciate all of the information that we read in these posts. Do you foresee having the 72 hour results for testing to remain in effect through that time? Thank you. Judy M.
Hi Judy.
We hope that testing to avoid quarantine will be in effect by that time. We aren’t sure at this point. Stay tuned for updates.
Aloha
The surge in COVID-19 cases means nothing. Because we’re testing so much, of course the number of cases is increasing. But the death rate is plummeting into non-epidemic territory. It’s more important to know how serious they are. How many are asymptomatic or mild, and how many were found in tests or doctor/ER visits?
Aruba figured this all out long ago with a fraction of the resources Hawaii has been given. From the web:
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Aruba continues to implement an aggressive testing policy and COVID cases amongst tourists remain extremely low,” Asjoe-Croes said. “Aruba continues to be one of the [countries] least impacted by COVID in the Caribbean.”
Travelers who choose to get tested at the airport will have to quarantine for up to 24 hours while awaiting results (which take an average of six to eight hours to come back). Anyone who tests positive will be placed in isolation until they test negative, she said.
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Can anyone explain why Hawaii hasn’t implemented this system?
Everybody loves a scapegoat–and there is plenty of blame to go around in Hawaii–but the consensus certainly seems to be that at least one if not both of them have contributed greatly to the bungled and hampered state and local responses to the virus. This will undoubtedly cost Hawaiian lives–and untold billions in revenue to the state, local businesses, and employees.
So, why not go another direction sooner than later? I mean, they can still be promoted and given raises–the normal Hawaiian State Government thing to do in situations like these–but how about we form a coronavirus brain trust / task force of the best and brightest minds we can find on the islands–which would exclude everyone already working for the government and all of the elected officials as well. Let’s get some people on the case that actually have their heads out of their asses and give a damn about solving some of these problems.
But, no… that won’t happen. Because that would be the smart thing to do. And as Hawaiian has proven time and time again… they’ rather do the dumbest thing instead.
Amazing there are still people floating the anti mask /it’s just a flu rant around.
Next time you have to go for surgery you’ll notice everyone in the room wears a mask….try tell them
to go ahead and remove the mask if they want ……
what I don’t get is virtually the entire scientific and medical communities say if everyone wore a mask it would slow the spread of the virus. No one is saying it’s foolproof, just that it’s a big deterrent that would save lives……..
Yet the anti maskers seem to think their opinion and need to be right is so strong it outweighs the common courtesy of not caring about potentially spreading a virus that could kill someone, of not wanting to contribute to the common good of all…….
How did our society become so callous and narcissistic?
While I’m upset that it appears Hawaii has succumbed to some petty politics, there really has been no leadership from the White House at all. Trump has been awful. If he could have stood up and simply said this is a serious situation, we are all Americans and in this together and now is not the time for petty politics but action we would have been so much better off. Instead he just divided us and insulted our intelligence Auwe
I guess I answered my own question in the previous paragraph
Sticking my head in the sand? You would take care of the virus by allowing Hawaii to open as it was before this situation. Hawaii would then spike like the mainland. People would be at work and die. You wouldn’t mind seeing thousands die. Inhabitants and visitors alike. You should meet with Governor Ige and advise him how to manage the virus and put people back to work. Of course you would be aware that thousands would be infected; however; those who survive would be happy and working. You are indeed brilliant.
We’re now paying the airlines to actively spread the virus coast to coast, as overbooked planes shuttle potentially sick or asymptomatic passengers around the country.– I miss yearly trips with my son who is under 30. I fully support The Governor and his way of protecting the islands. So many governors have attempted to open slowly….and then the numbers spike and they close up again. When will our elected officials get the message….STAY AT HOME and protect your family. My son and I look forward to returning to Hawaii and enjoy scuba diving.
Easy for you to say–you’re not stuck on an island in the middle of the Pacific–with no way on or off it without quarantining for two weeks–and with thousands of failed businesses and unemployed people–with a state government that was already $10,000,000,000 in debt BEFORE the virus.
Sticking your head in the sand and hoping everything will work out on is own is clearly not the solution to this or any problem.
Great article. Good luck getting rid of Sarah Park and Bruce Anderson tho. Our state is way too lax to make any sound decisions. Especially in a crisis. However I agree that Josh Green is the bomb and would get things done fast. How do we go about making that happen? Anyone?
Hi Lahala.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We have seen over and over on the mainland that COVID-19 will spread throughout the general population no matter what you do. The Hawaii draconian lockdown simply delayed it. If Hawaii had acted like South Dakota, you would have been over this in May. It just takes one or two flight attendants or pilots to bring the virus there, take it home to their family, and away it goes. Social distancing was a bad high school science project (Google it if you don’t believe me), and there are zero good studies that show that masks make any difference at all. Bad leadership and following daily bad CDC information has devastated this state. It makes me so sad. The rest of the US is now laughing at Hawaii and using you as our example of how to handle a pandemic totally wrong. You can’t run from this virus, stop trying! After 5 months, I still know of no one who has died from COVID-19 and only personally know of two friends who have officially had the it…a Southwest Airlines pilot and his wife. There’s your source… again, you can’t stop it.
Mark Kay M – I can ‘hear’ the passion in your words but you’re offering a very narrow view here. Your experience (not knowing anyone who has died and only knowing 2 infected people) doesn’t represent the truth of this pandemic. I know 3 people that have died and more than 10 that have been infected. And even that doesn’t tell the whole story.
And the rest of the US is not laughing at Hawaii.
Masks don’t stop the spread, they slow it. And that’s what is needed until there’s a vaccine.
Striking a balance between keeping the economy and our livelihoods in good shape is a hard puzzle to figure out, and I don’t have all of the answers. So I do what I can to help. Wear my mask. Ask people around me how they’re doing, and offer a listening ear when they’re scared and worried. I stay calm and practical. How we treat each other during crisis and uncertainty can go a long way.
We miss Kauai and will be back when the island is ready for us. Mahalo.
Hi Cathy.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Well said Cathy and nicely said. We are all stressed to varying degrees and the “anti mask/it’s just a flu” people are too.
It’s human nature to be in denial ( if I haven’t seen it first hand it can’t be true) and it’s human nature to want to be in control of a bad situation. Hence the people that are willing to buy into some of the conspiracy stuff floating around. It gives them something concrete to believe in no matter how fictitious it is.
Good on you for demonstrating a positive example of human nature.
Wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands and we’ll all get through this…..be kind to others and it will be that much easier.
Aloha all
Hi John.
Thanks again for your nearly 100 comments!
Aloha.