By now, you are well aware that two California visitors were arrested last week for allegedly using fake vaccination cards for travel to Hawaii. The Attorney General’s office arrested the visitors at Honolulu International Airport. It was the first known arrest for falsifying vaccination cards in Hawaii. Those arrested were Norbert Chung, age 57, and Trevor Chung, his son, age 19. The pair apparently subsequently flew back to the mainland, obtained negative COVID tests, then returned to Honolulu to be arraigned.
The arrests followed what the AG’s office called a “tip from a community member.” The AG’s office said its “investigators are committed to ensuring all such leads are investigated and thank the community for their assistance and support.”
The governor said, “our police departments in every county are short-staffed and unable to fully police, try and respond to every single violation that is seen… But I do believe collectively that we’re going to make an effort to enforce. It is important that these restrictions be implemented to slow the spread of the virus.”
We have had many discussions and comments here on Beat of Hawaii about the likelihood of someone falsifying COVID vaccination cards. Well, in fact, it looks a lot more likely than any of us thought, given the news below that followed their arrest.
Thousands of confiscated fake vaccination cards speak to the severity of the problem.
Then today, it was announced that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Memphis seized thousands of fake COVID vaccination cards. They said in a press release that they are confiscating shipments daily. They appear to be blank cards similar to those from the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
It isn’t clear how they became aware of the fake cards. Thus far, CBPO said they had seized over 3,000 fake cards, and that is just in that one location.
Obviously, the timing of these fake cards comes as places like Hawaii have mandated proof of vaccination. At present, vaccination is one option for entering the state without quarantine, with the other option being a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel to Hawaii.
I mean why wait…Hawaii should just lockdown now to save a handful of lives. Nevermind that it will piss off tourists or make them jump through more hoops at this statewide circus of covid mandates. Who cares if it will further tarnish its worldwide reputation and distance itself from the rest of USA.
Is there a chance that Hawaii will lockdown again i hope after October
Thank
You
Hi Greg.
We don’t have a crystal ball. Hopefully, that won’t be needed.
Aloha.
i hope that vaccinated people can travel to Honolulu in October if the lockdown happens
And show proof of the vaccine
Thank
You
I am concerned that Hawaii may go into lockdown again and
My trip is 2 months away
Almost 1 month
How is October looking for Honolulu
Thank you
Thnx BofH for making your articles apolitical (However the occasional tongue-in-cheek retorts are fun) 2Q’s 1)Why is there such a push for a shot that does NOT prevent you from getting Covid nor passing it on AND has NOT been FDA approved (you should read FDA reasons why) to the point that people are getting fired, threatened, called murderers, and antivaxxers.Yet these same bullies wouldn’t touch a bar of soap w/o FDA approval. 2)Why are all websites & social media from Drs, Virologist, &specialist w/charts graphs & scientific findings of said field being pulled down & labeled “misinformation” (bcuz they can’t call it “false” information when it’s true)?
Just asking
totally agree
I hope da gov really make an example of these two! Give em a big fine n some jail time! Man dis crap gotta seize!!
Is anyone in Hawaii paying attention to the real world of Covid-related medicine?
1) Masks have been PROVEN to be useless in preventing COVID. Maybe a psychological crutch for some of you both worthless.
2) When vaccinated people die like the SWA flight attendant who just expired, that should tell you something. . .
3) If government leaders aren’t going to focus on the truly vulnerable segments of society like the elderly, those with co-morbidities, etc., then why shouldn’t people start using fake vaccination documents. Government leaders need to get EDUCATED rather than knee-jerk with a one size fits all approach including with first responders.
Very sad for Hawaii.
CNN doesn’t tell them that.. All they know is DeSantis bad….
Hope you don’t come here.
totally agree
Greetings,
Our great country was founded on constitutional rights and freedoms. Freedom of choice over what is put in your body is a basic constitutional right. It seems logic can solve this dilemma.
People who want to get the vaccine get it. It protects them from Covid. If the CDC is backing the validity of the vaccine, the vaccinated don’t have to worry about Covid any longer.
Otherwise, why get it?
The majority of cases of Covid here are now the vaxed. Put your energy into figuring this problem out – not blaming any group of people. We are all in this together. This is a time to combine efforts and seek out the truth!
People who do not want the vaccine – get the PCR test to travel. Again this must be a valid way, or why have it?
To date – there is no proof that the vaccine program is successful.
Quit worrying about non vax people. You are protected.
Be concerned and take action to find out the truth and a solution to this problem we all share.
Thanks for allowing comments and thanks guys for your great reporting.! Mahalo!
Hi Nancy,
Can you please direct me to the section of the Constitution or Bill of Rights which contains this “Freedom of Choice” you speak of?
Thank you in advance.
Nancy, to your point of “Quit worrying about non vax people. You are protected,” isn’t the point that we want to protect our fellow citizens? If you are medically able to take the vaccine and get it, you are doing this! I understand there are some who cannot get it. My main objective is to protect those under 12 who cannot yet get vaccinated. It has been shown that fully-vaccinated citizens can be asymptomatic and spread the especially contagious delta variant to others….wearing a mask can help prevent the spread. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it works! I am vaccinated to protect myself and others — and I wear my mask to protect others in case I am infected and don’t know it!
And regarding “The majority of cases of Covid here are now the vaxed,” I’d be interested where you found this info. Reports I’ve seen are showing around 97-98 percent of those currently hospitalized with Covid are unvaccinated.
Why is this a violation of our freedom…thank goodness our forebearers stood up and took the polio vaccine (and other vaccines) so many years ago and essentially eliminated it!