As it stands now, it is confusing, even for us here, as to when masks are required.
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131 thoughts on “Confusion as New Hawaii Mask Mandate Indoors/Outdoors Starts”
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As it stands now, it is confusing, even for us here, as to when masks are required.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Amen!
Hopefully your people will stand up like michigans did and strip powers from the governor.
Look at what’s going on in illinois
Another avenue for tourists entry are cruises. I have a SFO round trip to Hawaii in December. This conveyance seems a good test as there will be multiple sea days in route for ensuring the health of visiting cruise patrons to the respective islands. Only ship sponsored and controlled excursions will allow for passengers to get off. Ships sailing in Europe using the same safety protocols have had good success and good enforcement when requiring any cruise passengers going off on their own being refused boarding and sent home at their expense immediately. A system will have to be trailed to open tourism to Hawaii. This is as good of a first step as any. Will Hawaii let it happen?
How about everyone start thinking of others and just wear a mask properly, like cover your nose too. If we all did this HI could be the 1st covid free state and start the beginning of the end of covid with aloha. Thanks
Aloha My BOH Brothers
To Mask, or not to mask, that is the question?
Kauai County officials earlier this morning announced the island’s latest case, an adult female visitor who was placed in isolation after reporting symptoms and testing positive for the virus. She had previously tested negative as part of the state’s pre-travel testing program and had also tested negative in a voluntary post-travel test, county officials said.
You can mask all you want and test all you want, but the only guaranty when it comes to Covid-19 is any country, island or state that has reopened to travelers has experienced a spike of covid cases.
This gal had symptom’s how many others are walking around Hawaii without symptom’s spreading covid. It’s been about 12 days since reopen we’ll know in about 2 to 4 weeks from today.
Mahalo Campers
Hi Richard.
Yes, that was disconcerting to see it took 3 tests for her to show as positive. Thanks for your comments.
Aloha.
While I understand your confusion its really quite simple. Just wear a mask when you leave your residence. Done and done. Thank you.
Why must your force your beliefs on me? 70% of all positive cases wear masks all the time per the cdc. Not all masks are the same and putting your faith in it as a beat all end all is ridiculous
This is about control not safety.
exactly! not that hard at all
Is it really that simple? What’s the point in wearing a mask if I’m alone hiking a trail, or in a park with my family and nobody on a 100ft radius, or on a deserted beach?
Not to even say that your ridiculously simplistic rule means everyone should waste a mask in their car or when swimming.
If you arrive without a 72 hour pre-test and have to quarantine can you do it at your vrbo rental?
What I read the other day on Safe Travel site it said you have to go to a hotel or motel. If true, who pays the freight ?
There seem to be so much confusion I think I’ll stay home in Canada
Russ
VRBO indicates you need to go out get food which you cant without breaking quarantine. Its not that hard to get a covid test upfront though
Furthermore Waikiki has a Holloween event similar to recent Chinatown & Waikiki Sunday’s super spreaders events…..residents can’t figure out why? very puzzling! Stay Safe!?
I am sorry but I simply have not ever dealt with such an inept person that is in a position to represent the people of a State. This guy needs to just keep quiet and wait for a recall.
As a resident who lives at the end of Kapiolani Park, where people exercise heavily (90% of the time without masking) and someone who keeps up with the WHO and CDC Recommendations, I applaud Ige for coming forward with a Mask Wearing Mandate, Finally!!! Now post the Mandate including the fines in the elevators and lobbies of every hotel, condo, park, bus stop, grocery store, restaurant, restroom, tennis court and retail establishment on the island. Note: from time of Covid infection to getting a positive test result can take 5-7 days. So a 72 hour test is insufficient to avoid spread.
Why anyone would go to Hawaii with these restrictions is beyond me. Wearing a mask outside when no one is near is an absudity. Don’t go to HI until things are back to normal. Don’t risk having your trip ruined by by being told you have to quarantine by government hacks.
Agreed 100 percent. Instead of a blanket policy they should either have sectors (i.e. Waikiki) or make it mandatory for those over the age of 60 or with underlying conditions
Any attempt to force people to wear masks outside–period–is retarded and should be met with massive opposition and lawsuits.
The fact that this new bs is starting now–after they finally got some kind of testing rules set up that would allow TOURISTS (and other returning Hawaiians) to return to the islands without quarantine–makes it clear that this whole “outdoor mask wearing” bullshit is aimed directly at tourists ONLY–and likely would be enforced against THEM only–the same way most of the beach park and other shut downs were aimed at and mainly enforced on “outsiders”.
On the Big Island, virtually every single death was in one Veterans retirement home–over six months after the shut-downs and quarantines started–after tens of thousands of other elderly people had been murdered by staff in a similar fashion at countless other retirement communities around the country–brought into the facility not by “tourists” and not even by the families of the patients–who had long since been banned from visiting–but by the LOCAL staff of the facility.
So, all the mask wearing in the world–indoors or out–and all the quarantines and other descriminatory red tape the state and county could come up with–didn’t prevent those poor old veterans from being killed by their local caregivers.
At this point I think the state of Hawaii should have a referendum on the situation and the options to deal with it. Because for the past year, a small but vocal minority has been controlling and influencing something that affects the majority in a huge way–and completely botching the response. I feel confident that if put to a vote and given clear, honest options, the majority of Hawaiians would want the state and the economy to be opened back up completely–with reasonable, rational precautions in place. Because the other alternative is billions and billions more dollars in crushing state and local debt–and or higher taxes to make up for the massive losses so far.
Readers might be prone to reading your comment if your language was not so hateful.
What are you afraid of? Masks are not scary. We know they work. Grow up and help out.
Preach on brother!!
One solution may be, to close off one lane on Kalakaua avenue to use as a wider pedestrian “sidewalk”. Since Kalakaua has less vehicular traffic. This would help pedestrians in Waikiki follow the 6′ SD mandate
Thank you
I dont know how much longer i will want to read about the ongoing major failures of the govt and people of hawaii.
There is a pattern and its like if you see one failure there youve seen them all. Hawaii has always been behind when it comes to education, wages, availability of services due to it being an island, etc.
people there were already pushed to the breaking point before covid happened
It should be automatic. Like a seat belt sheesh. Get one to match your bikini too 🤙😂
Aloha,
Where is any valid evidence that the use of masks are effective? Some researches have even proved the opposite.
I often wonder if people have lost they ability to think critically.
Masks are nothing but a illusion. A fake sense of safety – with the exception of the use on those who are coughing or sneezing.
There has been so much harm on people’s emotional and financial life under the flag of “safety measures” when they made it all worse. What’s going on?? Look at the death rate of this virus, it’s ridiculous to stop the world. Why none stop the world for the lives of hundreds of thousands of child’s being abused, kidnapped, sold on the black market, tortured.
How about the millions of dollars deviated by authorities into their own pockets using pandemic assistance funds??
I will not use a mask except when entering any indoors facility. No matter how many fines they give me and I’ll fight them in court if necessary. The constitutional rights are above the Governor’s mandate.
Julie, you may have missed this: Asymptomatic virus carriers (that means people who feel perfectly fine) can be spreading the virus just by talking, laughing, shouting. They do not “know” they are spreading the virus. They are not coughing or sneezing. And they may never actually have symptoms because their body fights it off…but they are still spreading. The virus spreads in aerosols through the air….you, yourself, could pass someone while you are talking and spread virus aerosols in their personal space. Sheesh! Wearing a mask until we have this virus under control protects everyone from you…and protects you from everyone who may be spreading.
Thanks Amanda. That was a much kinder reply than I would have written. Masks also reduce viral load and exposure and it has been proven that the amount of load directly affects the severity of your case. How hard is it to put a mask on? Not at all.
Yes, Dave! People really need to read and rely on reliable sources….I think many people are not even aware that it is believed that the viral dose (amount) that enters your nose/mouth/eyes can directly correlate to how ill you can become. Outbreak investigations show that where there’s universal masking of a population, the severity of disease goes down. Therefore, in the event you are the one exposed to a contagious person shredding virus, your mask can reduce the “dose” of virus that may enter your body. I trust the experts!
It’s a enterb at your own risk society just like it always has been; look at the mortality numbers for the Plandemic and look at the numbers for a normal flu season. Then keep listening to the corporate media and hide in your house so the rest of us can go on living.
I agree with you God bless America God save America from the idiots who are trying to be our dictators and control us I feel sorry for the rest of you who are sheeple if you don’t know what that means it means you are people who follow like sheep blindly.
stick that mask in your ear gov!! you are a left wing wanna be dictator
Im in favor of back to normal despite the toll on human life.
Somehow those that die of covid are worth millions? So why did not one of my dead relatives get an elaborate funeral and party with gourmet food and drink? Thier life the state didnt care about because it doesnt fit a political agenda or goal.
No state in the nation has more clowns in office than hawaii. There is no communication and nothing makes sense. Pointless policies are implemented and are usually not enforced and/or nothing is done.
This is from my 4 plus years of living in hawaii. What is surprising is that hawaii govt is trying to mandate paradise become a hellhole or 3rd world nation, such as phillipines shooting to death any drug users.
I flew in on Saturday to Maui from SFO. I had my negative results uploaded and a QR code. As we deplaned, those that had a QR code to show went in one line, those that did not have one went to another line. It was amazing how many did NOT have a QR code. We presented our code to the check in desk. They scanned it and gave us our pink slip and stated we were cleared not to quarantine. I asked the agent why they were not informing passengers that there was a Mask mandate on Maui. He signaled for a National Guardsman to come over. I asked the guard the same question. He told me (not so nicely) that they were informing passengers over there and pointed to where we deplaned and at the desk. I wanted to tell him that was not true, but I did not want to pick an argument with the National Guard. It was late and we were the last flight in that night and had been delayed by 2 hours. There was no verbal communication nor even a flyer or information sheet stating what the Mask Mandate was.
We went to baggage and the large screen over the carousel had Mayor Victorino announcing that Maui had a face mask policy and it played about every 2 minutes. How many people were listening, who knows. There is absolutely no reason why they could have passed out the Mandate to the passengers and asked them to read.
Yes, there should be an automatic fine for non-compliance. Once it gets out to the public and social media that people were fined, it will stop it.
I have no problem with tourists coming to the island. Our economy needs it. And practicing safe distancing and wearing a mask will greatly reduce the potential spread. So hopefully information will be improved before we have a spread.
Yikes!
Greeted by the National Guard?!? I am used to being greeted by soldiers upon arrival when I travel to some African nations run by president-for-life dictators. I travel there on business and have to go, so oh well. And I remember it happening when I visited countries behind the Iron Curtain in the 1980’s. But Hawaii?!? Wow, just wow!
A family member just returned from Cancun, and said, “Hawaii, what Hawaii?” She said she doesn’t see any reason to return to the islands. She indicated that people were friendlier, food was better and cheaper as was lodging. And the arrival process (into a foreign country, mind you) was probably easier than what we are hearing now in Hawaii. I had planned on spending several thousand dollars in the islands next year. But I think I am moving toward the Cancun camp now.
Too scarrrrry to comment……lucky we live Hawaii is slowly disappearing. (sad) Happy Halloween.
@beatofhawaii. I would love to see you guys do some research into CDC guidance on wearing masks while exercising or running outdoors. I know u don’t make policy only report it. Although the wearing of mask while outdoors is ridiculous. As a resident I see major frustration on the lack of transparency, clarification, common sense, or application of scientific proof that is almost criminal.
*Wear masks while your running or outside.
**but don’t wear masks when your seated 2ft away from strangers in restaurant.
*bars and other establishments have to stay closed.
**but coffee shops that sit people wayyy to close can open.
And Hawaii as much as we like to think that we are special in comparison to other states. We are not!! Travelers have been dealing with this virus on the mainland as well. We opened up and allowed them back. Quit running around correcting people about what they should be doing or not doing. (Want proof take a walk around kahala/diamond head in the morning or evening) Let HPD do their jobs even if the guidance is flawed!
Well said
Well said, thoughtful and intelligent.
Thank you
Here is the thing. Nobody should need a mandate. Everyone knows by now what is required if you want to minimize your chances of getting the disease or spreading the disease. Social distancing, wear a mask anytime you are indoors or near anyone outside, wash or sanitize your hands often. That all should be obvious by now and nobody should need to be told that. Otherwise Hawaii will be shut back down very quickly. I’d like to see some kind of fine but that shouldn’t be necessary. For now I can’t see traveling there until this all plays out a little more.
First off, when did a viral infection (flu strain) turn into a disease!? Secondly, do some research into their (CDC WHO) bloated comorbidity numbers coupled with the draconian response and see it for the farce that it is.
P.S. Turn your propoganda box off, about 95% of the problems in this nation are told to you by the person/s who own those network’s.
Well now there will be a surge of new tan lines- a mask tan! How completely ludicrous!
Speaking from the viewpoint of being a 60+ year “Kamaʻāina” … all the way back to the Territory in the ’50s.
Quit listening to the politicians and bureaucrats who are ruining the Aloha State!! You know; those folks who generally know nothing about any subject on which the expound ad infinitum (which is why they’re politicians and bureaucrats)… the bottom line: do some study yourself!!
Trade winds?? Hello?? Aloha?? Hawai’i?? You will not become infected w/ anything when outdoors unless you are standing w/in 2′ of an infected person for about 30 minutes … and that’s “the science”, my Bruddah’s and Sistah’s …
Quit letting these clueless, agenda-driven zombies ruin the best state in the Union and destroy the Hawai’ian economy !!!
defend Hawaii.
We are in a pandemic so why the confusion over masks.
Wow.
We have a portion of our flight booked for February. Will be there for a month. We can get tested by our County Health Department here in Atlanta. It is the same year Hawaii is requiring. How would/could we confirm that is an acceptable test (not one of the “partners”). But it’s the same test.
Thanks, I guess, for another troubling update.
Does this latest mandate require masks while driving in one’s personal vehicle? To require a mask while sitting on a deserted beach or running is ludicrous. It sounds like Josh Green has gone ’round the bend on this one.
The previous policy seems appropriate as it required a mask IF unable to maintain a 6+ foot distance from others. Nothing about masking while exercising alone or relaxing on an sparsely-populated beach.
Hi Mike.
We’ll have to await clarification, as we simply don’t know. Thanks.
Aloha.
Thank you for your great messages. I had read that beach goers were required to wear masks except when swimming and beach umbrellas and tents etc were not allowed.. Is this correct? If that is really the truth I can’t see going back to Hawaii for at least another year.
Hi Rick.
Thanks. We have not seen anything indicating a problem with beach umbrellas and pop-ups. And we see them all the time.
Aloha.
I mask up when I go outside; to work and around others. It’s best to just wear a mask, err on the side of caution. It has been shown that anyone can get Covid, so why take a chance? Nobody knows about the long term effects to a person’s health. So please wear a mask.
If you’re not at home, then you need to wear a mask. There’s some minor variation among islands, but if you put on a mask when you’re not at home, without trying to pick at the loopholes, then you’ll be in compliance anywhere.
Here’s what the governor’s most recent (14th) proclamation says about masks: “All persons must wear face coverings in compliance with county orders,rules and directives approved by me pursuant to Section I.” That means it’s different (or it can be different) for each island. But it’s not very different.
For example, Kauai: “all persons five (5) years of age or older are required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth, whether indoors or outdoors, in any setting in which they are in close contact (within 6 feet) of people who don’t live in their immediate household. Face coverings must be worn by employees, customers, and visitors at all times inside any establishment in which close contact may occur.”
Maui is pretty similar: “Persons over the age of 5 years old must wear a face mask or covering while outside their place of residence. The face mask or cloth must be worn while in all public spaces.
Oahu’s says: “All individuals within the City shall wear face coverings while outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of six (6) feet from other individuals (who are not members of the same household or living unit) is not feasible.”
Hawaii island: “All persons within Hawai’i County shall wear non- medical grade face coverings, over their nose and mouth, while in public settings.” Then there’s a few exceptions listed, like being under 5 years old.
If you’re not at home, put on a mask, easy as can be to understand.
It would be helpful if the State clarified mask exemptions for activities such as running/other forms of exercise, etc. etc.
Just wear a mask. Is it really that confusing for you? We know they work. At most a very minor inconvenience. People that cannot understand this simple dynamic are why we’re here eight months later.
You may want to draw this out as long as possible but most people don’t.
Aloha Guys,
This is getting to be ridiculous! This addresses nothing regarding people driving completely enclosed and alone in their car. Is HPD now going to be pulling over people for not wearing masks while driving alone? It sounds like there will be patrols specifically writing tickets for this infraction, based on the LT. Governors comments. What about those who medically can’t wear masks, will they now basically be under house arrest, because they won’t be allowed to go outside? Do you think they will address these types of issues?
This reeks like a Government “cash grab” to make up for the lack of tourist income for the state.
Thanks for the info, you two!
Hi Jim.
We’re awaiting clarification. What can we say?
Aloha.
Can you please clarify for me whether masks are required when running (for exercise) on a pedestrian path? Thank you!
Hi Shelley.
Our take on it is yes they are required.
Aloha.
How about swimming?
Aloha!
If I can’t exercise while maintaining 6′ it cuts out 90% of why come to Kauai. Waimea, Sleeping Giant, Kalalau are where we spend our time. I have no problem wearing a mask or buff when I pass people on the trail but if I have to wear it full time its a deal breaker. There is zero logic in that. I am sure it is a deal breaker for many like me. I hope common sense prevails by April or we will be forced to cancel again.
thanks for your tremendous efforts to keep us up to date
On Maui the answer is yes. Masks at all times except in your place of lodging (home, condo, hotel room). I spoke to the Mayors office to confirm since I had the same question. $5,000 fine.
Kim, there is no way that not wearing a mask is going to be a $5k fine. That is utterly ridiculous.
It may be ridiculous but that is the rule, as mentioned here on BOH. A person is also subject to one year in jail, I guess depending on the severity of the case and the arresting officer’s discretion.
Just Mask Up
Aloha,
Mahalo for the updates. It’s a confusing situation!
Can you Please help with the following:
I am scheduled to fly into Oahu November 18 for 1 nite & then on to Kauai for 8 nights. After that, back to Oahu for 5 nights.
Is this even possible without having to quarantine for 14 days when I get to Kauai?
Mahalo & stay safe!!
Julie
Hi Julie.
Yes, it is possible as it stands now. Just one test before departure from the mainland, so long as you get to Kauai within 72 hours of that test. No quarantine going back to Oahu. Things could change of course.
Aloha.
That’s weird, since people were being cited I thought masks were already mandated in HI? That was not the case? I’m guessing it is like here in CA? We’ve had a $100 fine in place for no mask wearing for months other than when you are outdoors at beach or hiking, then you must just have one incase you come within 6ft of someone.
Aloha Lynde,
To be clear, in the majority of counties in California, there is no $100 fine for not wearing masks. We don’t want people believing that all of California has your counties fines.
Mahalo!
You’re right Jim! There are several counties in California that have NO mask requirements at all.
I cannot believe that no one can agree on the mask issue and Hawai’i has lost it’s Aloha completely if no one agrees to communicate clearly with one another.
Mahalo again Beat of Hawai’i 🌺
Hi Pam- that is incorrect. Per the Governor of California it is mandatory for all of CA ti wear masks and has been that way since the end of June. Not by county. It is by county if they want to fine you. Thank you.
I am really hoping masks outside are not a requirement if you are at least 6 ft away! It would be better to stay home than to endure a mask outside in Hawaii! Social distance outside and masks indoors is more than reasonable! I hope this is clarified soon or we will be cancelling our November trip!
Better to postpone your trip till the mask issue is fully clarified
Thanks for all your updates.
We certainly will NOT be visiting Hawaii or elsewhere, for that matter, until masks are NOT required outdoors. I just can’t wait to wear a mask outdoors when it is hot and humid. Nope, we will wait. Time is ticking away, but…… Sure hope we can outlast the virus! It’s bad enough here close to home with masks indoors. No way we would spoil a vacation wearing a mask everywhere we go.
Hi Colleen.
We certainly understand your feelings. But personally speaking, we hope to see you again soon.
Aloha.
Aloha JC,
When the state gets sued in wrongful death cases, because someone was wearing a mask and keels over from lack of oxygen, while doing some strenuous activity, or working in the sweltering humidity and heat. Things will change quickly. Sadly, that’s likely what it will take…
Yes masks are required. Its a pandemic.
I am here now in Maui since October 16. It is my understanding (and have read previous HI directives from Governor Ige) that masks are NOT required while biking or exercising outdoors as long as you are social distancing. If not, you must wear a mask. I have been walking on paths carrying my mask in hand in case I cannot social distance. Almost everyone I see walking or running on the paths do not wear masks but are carrying them just in case.
Incidentally, the local people having their week-end picnics and bar-b-ques DO NOT wear masks and are definitely not social distancing. Can you explain why they are not following the rules and not given citations but the visitors are targeted?
Just curious since the islands were closed since March to visitors unless quarantined.
Green said his goal is to try to achieve 90-95% compliance.
Count me in the 5%
Better carry some $100 bills for the fines then…I’m always amazed at those who feel they are special and don’t have to abide by rules like the rest of the folks. Those who think they can’t make them wear a mask…well, they make you wear pants (or go to jail) buy auto insurance and get a drivers license to drive (or you’ll go to jail) make you obtain permits to build almost anything (or you’ll pay and build it again right) they make you wear a seatbelt (or be fined) they make you pay taxes (or you go to jail) make you pay property taxes on home (or they’ll take it and sell it) and they make us all do all sorts of things…most of which make wearing a mask seem trivial! This kind of mentality is why this will never be over…or at least not in too many peoples life time? I liked that only five positives were found in the limited percentage checked, meaning at minimum an average of 95 more positives arrived in Hawaii and were never detected (unless they went to a hospital) so how many planes full of people got to share their air…each way if they only stayed a week?
Ron, you clearly don’t comprehend how hepa filtration systems work. These airplanes filter the cabin air roughly every 30 seconds. You are safer in an airplane than herding around in the local Walmart. First, because if you stay in your seat you’re limited to contact with others, and Second (you got it) because they filter the Cabin Air every 30 seconds. Do some actual research on airline filtration systems, and the safety of flying in a cabin that recirculates the air that fast, you might learn something.
BTW, your comparisons of legitimate government adopted laws compared to being forced to wear a mask by one man’s mandates is an absolute joke. You wear pants because we are a civilized society that’s adopted decency laws, which has no comparative value. You buy auto insurance, because people are Sue happy. You have a driver’s license to show you know the laws of the road, as well as a form of Govt ID. You wear a seatbelt, because it is a safety feature that has been absolutely, statistically proven to save more lives than not in an automobile crash. You pay for permits and taxes to support city, county and state planning for local development of infrastructure. Comparing these to being forced to Wear a mask for a virus that has micron particles (not contained by virtually all masks being used), which literally has no science to back up the enforcement of permanently wearing one, and has been made mandatory by one man, not the constituents voted in to make our laws, that alone makes it illegal according to the constitution of the United States. This isn’t a totalitarian regime, this is a constitutional republic, the latter being the primary reason your argument is invalid. A mask may help slow the spread, but there is still no science that validates how much, and with the majority wearing them in areas that this virus is still spreading rapidly, it’s apparently looking like masks aren’t slowing the spread to the degree people may believe.
Good one.
We were ticketed to fly in March, no luck! Still hoping to make
the trip to see Hawaii again while our age and health allow. Thanks for the regular updates. We’re rooting for this mess
to be over and soon!
Hi Clarence.
Like your optimistic attitude! Let us know how it goes.
Aloha.
Same here! Time marches on. We aren’t getting any younger. We are still marching – but not sure we can keep it up long enough for Hawaii to get it’s act together.
We haven’t erased Hawaii from our ‘to do list’ – we just moved it way down to the bottom for a while. :0( Maybe 2023 if we are still kicking high enough by then.