204 thoughts on “Breaking: Kauai Proposes Complete Travel Shutdown”
Linda C
We are looking forward to visiting Hawaii, again. It is our favorite place, as I lived in Honolulu as a child. We are praying for all of you! The safety of the people of Hawaii is upmost importance.
God Bless!
Linda C.
We are looking forward to visiting Hawaii, again. It is our favorite place, as I lived in Honolulu as a child. We are praying for all of you! The safety of the people of Hawaii is upmost importance.
God Bless!
Doug
Before everyone beats up on Mayor Kawakami let’s have a little history lesson; after stopping Covid in it’s tracks here with a quarantine and curfew, the Mayor took a lot of time to develop a plan to keep our island safe and make it a safe destination for travelers and returning residents. This involved testing 72 hours prior to arrival and a short 3 day quarantine upon arrival while a required second test was processed upon landing. The Mayor even bought 15,000 second test kits for use with his program. This well thought out plan was turned down by the “illustrious” governor of this state. Mayor Kawakami then had to scramble to come up with the current plan which of course is not keeping Covid at bay on the island. Had his original plan been approved I am certain that Covid would not be out of control here and we would be slowly continuing to re open. But thanks to the governor we will now be shut down. So if you are looking to place blame, blame our lovely governor and Lt governor, the Mayor is a very intelligent individual who has a committee of doctors and business leaders advising him and so far has done an excellent job unless the “higher ups” interfere with him.
David B
Doug, there’s been precious few post-arrival traveler positive tests in which their pre-travel test was negative. Those arriving without their pre-travel test results were being sent straight to room-arrest, and stayed in room arrest when their positive results were received. Nothing would be any different under the Kawakami plan. What would be different – and you know this – is that way fewer non-residents would bother traveling to Kauai. As you also know, the “3 days” will turn into 4 or 5 even under best circumstances. Now, maybe that is what you and the mayor both want, but it would not restart any meaningful tourist travel to Kauai, which is what Ige was trying to do.
Maybe a compromise, such as at least allowing the first 4-5 days of quarantine to be served at a house or condo with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, more space, some outdoor yard area.
But, compromise is in short supply these days.
Lynde C
Doug-
Well thought out plan??? Your talking of someone who didn’t think to put the money to more hospital upgrades, beds, work etc in the face of a pandemic on an island?!?!. Someone who thought the best plan was to lock out the world so half the island had no revenue. You may think 72hrs in quarrantine is no big deal but it is to most people traveling. The safe travel program isn’t perfect, they should have had negative in hand tests at start and labs that garraunteed quick turn around. You think 2 or 3 cases a day of people who obviously have not been sick enough to be in the hospital since only about 2/3 of the 58 have been in the hospital for no longer then a day or so and 0 are in the hospital now? To where anyone who has had the virus can test positive for up to 90 days after? For a county of over 70k people? Thats covid running rapid? There is no county in the US who has locked down with your numbers no matter if your an island or not. allowing people to not quarrantine and business’ finally create a revenue, how horrible your governent is being, shame on them. If our family Grove Farm wasn’t on Kauai I wouldn’t bother ever coming there with the mindset you have. Kauai is a beautiful place that no one is trying to intentionally bring harm on, everyone is doing their best to get back on our feet in a safe manner. Nothing is 100%.
Sarah R
Lynde,
Your comment in reply to Doug shows your fundamental lack of understanding of Kauai and how things work here. Yes hospital and medical capacity on Kauai needs to be addressed, COVID or no-Covid but nothing on Kauai get’s built in 7 months let alone a medical faculty especially during a global pandemic. But the reason for Kauai to be extra cautious comes from the fact that the one major hospital is already close to being filled with life’s normal illnesses’s and it don’t have capacity to tackle the even more than a handful of COVID-19 cases.
Because of the strict early lockdowns, Kauai was the first of Hawaiian islands lift the strong Covid restrictions and for 7 months the cases remained low because of the lack of travelers and basic commends rules of masks and no large gatherings. Now with the safe travels program in 5 weeks Kauai has had the same number of cases that if did in 7 months. Not locking down is actually what the re-introduction of the 14 day quarantine is about: Keeping the island open for those live Kauai.
The county isn’t banning travel just asking that you spend 14 days in quarantine which has proved the safest way to ensure that there is limit spread.
And David B- yes comprise is needed which why when Mayor Kawakami’s original safe travel program and then new emergency rule #22 were proposed, it was to create a safe two test program to meet Kauai’s needs. It is frustrating that these program where meet resistance from the Governor and not approved which is what had lead to the request in Emergency Rule #23 because that does stop tourism… or at least those willing to spend two weeks in quarantine. Mayor Kawakami is willing to find compromise to open travel safely for Kauai but hasn’t found a partner in Governor IGE. People quarantining at vacation rentals might be able to happen if people are willing to wear the failed resort bubble anklets from another failed Kawakami proposal to restart tourism in the islands.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Sarah.
We appreciate the time you’ve taken to leave comments over the past week.
It is important to point out, however, that you don’t represent Kauai or Beat of Hawaii or how other people feel. You speak for yourself.
As is obvious from a multitude of other comments, there are many differing and equally valid viewpoints.
Aloha.
Lynde C
Sarah- don’t assume peoples’ knowledge of fundamentals, we know kauai plenty, my husbands family created the Grove Farm plantation, he grew up spending time there and we still have family there which was the reasoning of our trip. Other than being an island, you are no different than any other state of the US where most states used funding for extended makeshift hospital facilities and workers to be prepared. You don’t need to erect a whole hospital in 7months. My husbad also works for Stanford Hospital so our family knows first hand the hospital front. We are all aware as how many of these situations in 2020 have divided sides of what people want. At this point 14 days of quarrantine has not enabled visitors to use rentals, but keep them locked down in hotel rooms. Pretending that a quarrantine for 14days or even 3days for people who have already spent thousands is no big deal when your mayor decided to move forward with a tier proposal he had no intention of keeping doesn’t just hurt travelers it hurts the people of Kauai who don’t share your point of view and needed that revenue. Obviously I am not going to change your point of view which is ok, and whatever happens moving forward with Kauai is what happens.
David B
Gosh Sarah,have returning residents been wearing ankle bracelets like criminals while on quarantine at their homes all this time? I had no idea.
Barbara M
LYNDE C…
Bravo! (Brava? – sorry, can’t tell your gender) And how awesome it must be to have that lineage!
Noma k
Mahalo Mayor Kawakami for all of your thoughtfulness through this time when you had to make a choice. Wealth or Health. From the beginning you have always been for the safety of our people and our Island. Our Mayor isn’t stupid he doesn’t want our economy to go down he wants our economy to go up and that can’t happen until we have a healthy place to live. This is a hard time for all of us including myself who is not working cause of covid or traveling but this is not going to go away unless we all work together. We need to support and thank a mayor who cares more about the people then he does about the money. And to all you visitors who think we are being disrespectful without aloha,we would just ask for you to be respectful to us and come back when the virus is over and we will be here with Aloha.
Joe C.
Testing, testing, testing. Its the only way to stop the coronavirus. Low cost mass rapid testing will find the people who are contagious and from there isolate and trace back to the source. I would welcome any opportunity to take a low cost rapid test and everyone should in order to stop this pandemic. Give me one when I get off the plane. I’d take one everyday I was on the island in order to persevere the sanctity of the paradise called Kauai. Testing is the key to stopping this, and keeping the island open for business
Barbara M
JOE C…
Applause!
Xavier
Well done Kaua’i 👏
lisa
Well I was very disappointed And sad when our much-needed 2-week vacation to Kauai this past summer was canceled. We hesitantly booked a two week trip to the big island for next year. I’m now wondering if we’ll ever make it back to the islands. 😢
Rita K
I wish a final decision would be made before I spend $129.00 covid19 testing fee and not be able use the diagnose for flight. Which I would have to pay another $129.00 If the required rule is set again at a later date. It is stressful enough worrying about getting the results back in time to meet the required 72 hours with the negative documentation.
Mounque B.
As an inventor and scientist it seems that common sense goes out the window when it comes to problem solving on testing. There is no need to destroy the islands small businesses that are just reopening, the residents livelihoods and Kauai’s already fragile slowly reopening economy with a quarantine that will simply result in no one coming. The need to to maximize the residents protection is critical. Yes, a tiny percentage have slipped through the cracks and have been found positive at 7 days with a second test that were negative with the first 3 day test. The ones who traveled and then received the positive results has been solved since the results must be uploaded before boarding the plane. The simple solution that balances the residents welfare medically and their welfare financially is to require 2 mainland tests before travel. People will need to pay for 2 tests anyways if the mayor has his way. One slower less costly test at 7 to 10 days as decided by the wise sages in power. The results will be back in plenty of time. Providing it is a negative result then a second more costly rapid test at 3 days before boarding the plane. That will catch a very high percentage of those who went positive after arrival on a test 2 at 7 days. This will accomplish what the mayor wants and the islands need. It raises protection for the residents, the airline and airport employees as well as those on the plane. Yes, it is still statistically possible that someone could still become infected in that 3 days before travel but it is a far smaller percentage than currently with 2 negatives between 7 to 10 days before travel. A small percentage will say it is too much of a hassle but it will not drive away that people from coming. it may balance as a plus since travelers will know there is much less chance of being infected by flying. two tests before travel makes much more common sense then 1 before and one after arrival.
Barbara M
MOUNQUE B… Excellent thoughts – if one, as a traveller, lives somewhere where all that is feasible – which 90% of the visiting population doesn’t! Nor can many people afford all that testing. It is costing us $400 plus the expense of three extra nights of stay out of town before we fly to be able to pull off the “simple” testing that is required now before flying!
Lenno
Bottom line. Let we not forget that this virus that spread over the whole world started with one person in less than a year. Just like one match can burn down a city or forest and take lives. But is eventually controlled and ended with counter measures. The vaccine’s that are now on the horizon I am hoping will be the final dosing to end all of this. Science is tossing us a life preserver. Take the vaccine. As the old saying goes. The life you save, may be your own. Or stay on the bus going to the point of no return.
Richard C
This question is for folks living on Kauai.
Who’s backing mayor Kawakami’s push to opt Kauai out of receiving tourist?
Kawakami is a professional politician with aspirations for a run at Hawaii’s governors seat in 2022 he’s not going to make a decision like this without a majority backing him.
So who is it? It’s not local business owners or corporate resort owners or airlines or short term rental condo owners or anyone who relies on tourism for their living.
So who is either the money or group pushing for this closure?
Sarah R
Richard C,
Thanks for commenting your perspective but Kauai is welcoming tourists and returned residents travelers alike but many community members including some county council members are supportive of returning to the 14 day quarantine and opting out of safe travels program. Heck Mayor Kawamaki’s opponent in the last mayoral race is active and load supporter of the Mayor’s COVID safety efforts !!
Eric N, a business owner here just his perspective and support of Mayor Kawakami!
Richard C
Sarah
It appears that businesses and individuals ok with bring tourism back don’t have a seat at the table. As Catherine & Deb have pointed out it seems the interest of one very rich techie is the man behind the curtain.
Creating fear among the voting senior and entitlement population with money from a rich techie seems to be a winning hand for politicians these days.
Catherine M.
Great point—prolly Mr. Zuckerberg and his 1% friends interest. That’s who I assume interests are being protected.
Deb C
My thoughts exactly.
Susan J.
I live on Kauai. From what I have heard. The Mayor has no aspirations to be Governor and his wife is not in favor ofit either.
Stephen
Mahalo Mayor🌴. You are one of the few leaders in the world that holds the health of it’s citizens as a priority. Second, Vacations Hawaii and other such travel businesses promoting vacations to Las Vegas should be banned from promoting these trips. Shame on all media outlets that are advertising their services.
Eric N.
I am a retail shop owner on Kauai. My business is 99% tourism. With the reopening of tourism my business has started to come back in a good way. Unfortunately I don’t think it is worth the risk of our health on our beautiful island to allow this virus to get out of control. Prior to the opening of the safe travels program our Covid numbers were basically nothing and were in control. Now it is getting out of control at a very fast rate. Derick Kawakami has done an awesome job so far keeping us safe and a big mahalo to him. Our health is the main priority on this island, without it we can’t do anything. We are Kauai and we can make it through anything even if our businesses need to stay closed until we get through this pandemic. Let’s all do our part to keep Kauai safe. Mahalo
Xavier
Well said….health comes first…what good is money if everyone is sick or dying 🤔
Susan J.
I agree.
David B
“One other thing, why is HPD writing locals $5000 tickets for non essential travel, when they are flying in thousands of non essential travellers?”
Huh? Who is being fined $5K for travelling, “non-essential” (whatever that means) or otherwise?
mike l.
with all these new cases the real question is ..how many people have died from this compared to new cases ??
Charles I.
Honestly, the people of Kauai and Hawaii are simply getting what they deserve – they are, still, calling for the government to take away more freedoms, do more lockdowns, force more mask wearing, spitting in the face of all actual science. This – even as the economy has been permanently hampered, and people are committing suicide.
Perhaps, and Im just spitballing here – perhaps the fact that Hawaii is the dumbest state in the Union with an average IQ of only 95 plays a key role in the it.
Terra N
I think the Mayor is doing a fantastic job trying to protect the people on his Island!
Without your health, you don’t have the ability to run any business, do any work. He has his priorities straight and stands up strong against insurmountable pressure from a world thinking only in terms of dollars.
He’s gets my support, and will get my vote in the future!
Jerry C
If this virus was killing our young children, every mother mother out there would be out protesting to stop it. Thank God one of our officials is thinking clearly and trying to protect our life’s. No matter how much money you get, it doesn’t help if you die.
Ace D
You guys should check and see exactly why Hawaii is rabies free. (2 week quarrentine) One other thing, why is HPD writing locals $5000 tickets for non essential travel, when they are flying in thousands of non essential travellers?
John S
Thanks for the update, had travel plans to Kauai December 15th
Comments are closed.
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We are looking forward to visiting Hawaii, again. It is our favorite place, as I lived in Honolulu as a child. We are praying for all of you! The safety of the people of Hawaii is upmost importance.
God Bless!
We are looking forward to visiting Hawaii, again. It is our favorite place, as I lived in Honolulu as a child. We are praying for all of you! The safety of the people of Hawaii is upmost importance.
God Bless!
Before everyone beats up on Mayor Kawakami let’s have a little history lesson; after stopping Covid in it’s tracks here with a quarantine and curfew, the Mayor took a lot of time to develop a plan to keep our island safe and make it a safe destination for travelers and returning residents. This involved testing 72 hours prior to arrival and a short 3 day quarantine upon arrival while a required second test was processed upon landing. The Mayor even bought 15,000 second test kits for use with his program. This well thought out plan was turned down by the “illustrious” governor of this state. Mayor Kawakami then had to scramble to come up with the current plan which of course is not keeping Covid at bay on the island. Had his original plan been approved I am certain that Covid would not be out of control here and we would be slowly continuing to re open. But thanks to the governor we will now be shut down. So if you are looking to place blame, blame our lovely governor and Lt governor, the Mayor is a very intelligent individual who has a committee of doctors and business leaders advising him and so far has done an excellent job unless the “higher ups” interfere with him.
Doug, there’s been precious few post-arrival traveler positive tests in which their pre-travel test was negative. Those arriving without their pre-travel test results were being sent straight to room-arrest, and stayed in room arrest when their positive results were received. Nothing would be any different under the Kawakami plan. What would be different – and you know this – is that way fewer non-residents would bother traveling to Kauai. As you also know, the “3 days” will turn into 4 or 5 even under best circumstances. Now, maybe that is what you and the mayor both want, but it would not restart any meaningful tourist travel to Kauai, which is what Ige was trying to do.
Maybe a compromise, such as at least allowing the first 4-5 days of quarantine to be served at a house or condo with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, more space, some outdoor yard area.
But, compromise is in short supply these days.
Doug-
Well thought out plan??? Your talking of someone who didn’t think to put the money to more hospital upgrades, beds, work etc in the face of a pandemic on an island?!?!. Someone who thought the best plan was to lock out the world so half the island had no revenue. You may think 72hrs in quarrantine is no big deal but it is to most people traveling. The safe travel program isn’t perfect, they should have had negative in hand tests at start and labs that garraunteed quick turn around. You think 2 or 3 cases a day of people who obviously have not been sick enough to be in the hospital since only about 2/3 of the 58 have been in the hospital for no longer then a day or so and 0 are in the hospital now? To where anyone who has had the virus can test positive for up to 90 days after? For a county of over 70k people? Thats covid running rapid? There is no county in the US who has locked down with your numbers no matter if your an island or not. allowing people to not quarrantine and business’ finally create a revenue, how horrible your governent is being, shame on them. If our family Grove Farm wasn’t on Kauai I wouldn’t bother ever coming there with the mindset you have. Kauai is a beautiful place that no one is trying to intentionally bring harm on, everyone is doing their best to get back on our feet in a safe manner. Nothing is 100%.
Lynde,
Your comment in reply to Doug shows your fundamental lack of understanding of Kauai and how things work here. Yes hospital and medical capacity on Kauai needs to be addressed, COVID or no-Covid but nothing on Kauai get’s built in 7 months let alone a medical faculty especially during a global pandemic. But the reason for Kauai to be extra cautious comes from the fact that the one major hospital is already close to being filled with life’s normal illnesses’s and it don’t have capacity to tackle the even more than a handful of COVID-19 cases.
Because of the strict early lockdowns, Kauai was the first of Hawaiian islands lift the strong Covid restrictions and for 7 months the cases remained low because of the lack of travelers and basic commends rules of masks and no large gatherings. Now with the safe travels program in 5 weeks Kauai has had the same number of cases that if did in 7 months. Not locking down is actually what the re-introduction of the 14 day quarantine is about: Keeping the island open for those live Kauai.
The county isn’t banning travel just asking that you spend 14 days in quarantine which has proved the safest way to ensure that there is limit spread.
And David B- yes comprise is needed which why when Mayor Kawakami’s original safe travel program and then new emergency rule #22 were proposed, it was to create a safe two test program to meet Kauai’s needs. It is frustrating that these program where meet resistance from the Governor and not approved which is what had lead to the request in Emergency Rule #23 because that does stop tourism… or at least those willing to spend two weeks in quarantine. Mayor Kawakami is willing to find compromise to open travel safely for Kauai but hasn’t found a partner in Governor IGE. People quarantining at vacation rentals might be able to happen if people are willing to wear the failed resort bubble anklets from another failed Kawakami proposal to restart tourism in the islands.
Hi Sarah.
We appreciate the time you’ve taken to leave comments over the past week.
It is important to point out, however, that you don’t represent Kauai or Beat of Hawaii or how other people feel. You speak for yourself.
As is obvious from a multitude of other comments, there are many differing and equally valid viewpoints.
Aloha.
Sarah- don’t assume peoples’ knowledge of fundamentals, we know kauai plenty, my husbands family created the Grove Farm plantation, he grew up spending time there and we still have family there which was the reasoning of our trip. Other than being an island, you are no different than any other state of the US where most states used funding for extended makeshift hospital facilities and workers to be prepared. You don’t need to erect a whole hospital in 7months. My husbad also works for Stanford Hospital so our family knows first hand the hospital front. We are all aware as how many of these situations in 2020 have divided sides of what people want. At this point 14 days of quarrantine has not enabled visitors to use rentals, but keep them locked down in hotel rooms. Pretending that a quarrantine for 14days or even 3days for people who have already spent thousands is no big deal when your mayor decided to move forward with a tier proposal he had no intention of keeping doesn’t just hurt travelers it hurts the people of Kauai who don’t share your point of view and needed that revenue. Obviously I am not going to change your point of view which is ok, and whatever happens moving forward with Kauai is what happens.
Gosh Sarah,have returning residents been wearing ankle bracelets like criminals while on quarantine at their homes all this time? I had no idea.
LYNDE C…
Bravo! (Brava? – sorry, can’t tell your gender) And how awesome it must be to have that lineage!
Mahalo Mayor Kawakami for all of your thoughtfulness through this time when you had to make a choice. Wealth or Health. From the beginning you have always been for the safety of our people and our Island. Our Mayor isn’t stupid he doesn’t want our economy to go down he wants our economy to go up and that can’t happen until we have a healthy place to live. This is a hard time for all of us including myself who is not working cause of covid or traveling but this is not going to go away unless we all work together. We need to support and thank a mayor who cares more about the people then he does about the money. And to all you visitors who think we are being disrespectful without aloha,we would just ask for you to be respectful to us and come back when the virus is over and we will be here with Aloha.
Testing, testing, testing. Its the only way to stop the coronavirus. Low cost mass rapid testing will find the people who are contagious and from there isolate and trace back to the source. I would welcome any opportunity to take a low cost rapid test and everyone should in order to stop this pandemic. Give me one when I get off the plane. I’d take one everyday I was on the island in order to persevere the sanctity of the paradise called Kauai. Testing is the key to stopping this, and keeping the island open for business
JOE C…
Applause!
Well done Kaua’i 👏
Well I was very disappointed And sad when our much-needed 2-week vacation to Kauai this past summer was canceled. We hesitantly booked a two week trip to the big island for next year. I’m now wondering if we’ll ever make it back to the islands. 😢
I wish a final decision would be made before I spend $129.00 covid19 testing fee and not be able use the diagnose for flight. Which I would have to pay another $129.00 If the required rule is set again at a later date. It is stressful enough worrying about getting the results back in time to meet the required 72 hours with the negative documentation.
As an inventor and scientist it seems that common sense goes out the window when it comes to problem solving on testing. There is no need to destroy the islands small businesses that are just reopening, the residents livelihoods and Kauai’s already fragile slowly reopening economy with a quarantine that will simply result in no one coming. The need to to maximize the residents protection is critical. Yes, a tiny percentage have slipped through the cracks and have been found positive at 7 days with a second test that were negative with the first 3 day test. The ones who traveled and then received the positive results has been solved since the results must be uploaded before boarding the plane. The simple solution that balances the residents welfare medically and their welfare financially is to require 2 mainland tests before travel. People will need to pay for 2 tests anyways if the mayor has his way. One slower less costly test at 7 to 10 days as decided by the wise sages in power. The results will be back in plenty of time. Providing it is a negative result then a second more costly rapid test at 3 days before boarding the plane. That will catch a very high percentage of those who went positive after arrival on a test 2 at 7 days. This will accomplish what the mayor wants and the islands need. It raises protection for the residents, the airline and airport employees as well as those on the plane. Yes, it is still statistically possible that someone could still become infected in that 3 days before travel but it is a far smaller percentage than currently with 2 negatives between 7 to 10 days before travel. A small percentage will say it is too much of a hassle but it will not drive away that people from coming. it may balance as a plus since travelers will know there is much less chance of being infected by flying. two tests before travel makes much more common sense then 1 before and one after arrival.
MOUNQUE B… Excellent thoughts – if one, as a traveller, lives somewhere where all that is feasible – which 90% of the visiting population doesn’t! Nor can many people afford all that testing. It is costing us $400 plus the expense of three extra nights of stay out of town before we fly to be able to pull off the “simple” testing that is required now before flying!
Bottom line. Let we not forget that this virus that spread over the whole world started with one person in less than a year. Just like one match can burn down a city or forest and take lives. But is eventually controlled and ended with counter measures. The vaccine’s that are now on the horizon I am hoping will be the final dosing to end all of this. Science is tossing us a life preserver. Take the vaccine. As the old saying goes. The life you save, may be your own. Or stay on the bus going to the point of no return.
This question is for folks living on Kauai.
Who’s backing mayor Kawakami’s push to opt Kauai out of receiving tourist?
Kawakami is a professional politician with aspirations for a run at Hawaii’s governors seat in 2022 he’s not going to make a decision like this without a majority backing him.
So who is it? It’s not local business owners or corporate resort owners or airlines or short term rental condo owners or anyone who relies on tourism for their living.
So who is either the money or group pushing for this closure?
Richard C,
Thanks for commenting your perspective but Kauai is welcoming tourists and returned residents travelers alike but many community members including some county council members are supportive of returning to the 14 day quarantine and opting out of safe travels program. Heck Mayor Kawamaki’s opponent in the last mayoral race is active and load supporter of the Mayor’s COVID safety efforts !!
Eric N, a business owner here just his perspective and support of Mayor Kawakami!
Sarah
It appears that businesses and individuals ok with bring tourism back don’t have a seat at the table. As Catherine & Deb have pointed out it seems the interest of one very rich techie is the man behind the curtain.
Creating fear among the voting senior and entitlement population with money from a rich techie seems to be a winning hand for politicians these days.
Great point—prolly Mr. Zuckerberg and his 1% friends interest. That’s who I assume interests are being protected.
My thoughts exactly.
I live on Kauai. From what I have heard. The Mayor has no aspirations to be Governor and his wife is not in favor ofit either.
Mahalo Mayor🌴. You are one of the few leaders in the world that holds the health of it’s citizens as a priority. Second, Vacations Hawaii and other such travel businesses promoting vacations to Las Vegas should be banned from promoting these trips. Shame on all media outlets that are advertising their services.
I am a retail shop owner on Kauai. My business is 99% tourism. With the reopening of tourism my business has started to come back in a good way. Unfortunately I don’t think it is worth the risk of our health on our beautiful island to allow this virus to get out of control. Prior to the opening of the safe travels program our Covid numbers were basically nothing and were in control. Now it is getting out of control at a very fast rate. Derick Kawakami has done an awesome job so far keeping us safe and a big mahalo to him. Our health is the main priority on this island, without it we can’t do anything. We are Kauai and we can make it through anything even if our businesses need to stay closed until we get through this pandemic. Let’s all do our part to keep Kauai safe. Mahalo
Well said….health comes first…what good is money if everyone is sick or dying 🤔
I agree.
“One other thing, why is HPD writing locals $5000 tickets for non essential travel, when they are flying in thousands of non essential travellers?”
Huh? Who is being fined $5K for travelling, “non-essential” (whatever that means) or otherwise?
with all these new cases the real question is ..how many people have died from this compared to new cases ??
Honestly, the people of Kauai and Hawaii are simply getting what they deserve – they are, still, calling for the government to take away more freedoms, do more lockdowns, force more mask wearing, spitting in the face of all actual science. This – even as the economy has been permanently hampered, and people are committing suicide.
Perhaps, and Im just spitballing here – perhaps the fact that Hawaii is the dumbest state in the Union with an average IQ of only 95 plays a key role in the it.
I think the Mayor is doing a fantastic job trying to protect the people on his Island!
Without your health, you don’t have the ability to run any business, do any work. He has his priorities straight and stands up strong against insurmountable pressure from a world thinking only in terms of dollars.
He’s gets my support, and will get my vote in the future!
If this virus was killing our young children, every mother mother out there would be out protesting to stop it. Thank God one of our officials is thinking clearly and trying to protect our life’s. No matter how much money you get, it doesn’t help if you die.
You guys should check and see exactly why Hawaii is rabies free. (2 week quarrentine) One other thing, why is HPD writing locals $5000 tickets for non essential travel, when they are flying in thousands of non essential travellers?
Thanks for the update, had travel plans to Kauai December 15th