Sharing their struggles, local businesses ask for transparency from officials and a date when tourism will reopen.
56 thoughts on “Government and Businesses at Loggerheads on Reopening Tourism”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Government and Businesses at Loggerheads on Reopening Tourism
For Kurt and Duane
Be very aware of the Kidney Foundation!
We used them in Honolulu and they told us to test Within 72 hours of arriving in the state. We were refused entry to Kauai ! Spent 3 un budgeted days in a bubble resort.
The first call I made was to the Kidney Foundation. The gentleman was very surprised as they have been telling everyone the same information. He told us to ask for a refund. We did and we are being denied that too !! We had to pay another $200 to test out of the bubble. We were not the only ones there that were misinformed!
You need a state wide policy …. please !!
Hi BOH Bros…
Finally your local business owners are coming together to express their frustration with local government, but I fear it is to late.
Question: Do Kauai business leaders have any leverage on local government officials, if not they’re toast.
Your Mayor Kamikawa and County Council appear to be playing a successful game of “Crony Capitalism” They want to redefine what post pandemic tourism will look like on Kauai.
They are picking the winners and losers. It appears there’s going to be a lot more losers then winners. By their actions they’ve shown little or no compassion for individuals who’ve dedicated their lives to their small business.
Once the dust has settled and the new plan to control over tourism is in place Kauai’s leaders will have no problem with new businesses coming in to replace the old ones.
The new businesses will be touted as more environmentally friendly, locally sourced, minority equity based with more respect for Hawaiian cultural. It won’t matter that most will be big corp owned or big donor owned.
I’m a small business owner feel for those losing it all on Kauai. If I was in the position that many have found themselves in, on the losing side, I’d liquidate my assets close and get the heck off that island.
Great points. It doesn’t make sense. It really seems the government is playing favorites. Sad.
Aloha.
We just canceled our 2nd planned trip from March 2020 to April 2021, family of 16. We are not hearing anything promising for the near future. Most of our adults are vaccinated also, and almost all (except the 2 children) will be by April, but we just can’t risk it. The resort bubble options seem to unfairly help some businesses and would add an extra 10k for our group, and same with adding another island prior, it’s just too much. We’d still go if we were allowed to quarantine the first 3 days in the beautiful property we rented, but that’s not an option sadly. I feel for the homeowner, there’s nothing they can do. We had so many plans like sailing, ATV, luau, kayaking, etc. Now I don’t even know about rescheduling, will those businesses open again? We live in Southern California and while cases were significant, they’re slowing down, and none of us have ever been sick with Covid. You can take protective measures, and the people of Hawaii can get vaccinated. Those measures should really protect everyone. Wishing you all the best.
We have limits on outside gatherings just like you do and so many activities are shut down including luaus. I don’t know of luaus happening anywhere in the state at this point.
Kauai is our favorite island and we are hoping to go in October but with all the confusion we are reluctant to plan anything. Will any restaurants be there? Hanalie may be non-existent. Looks Like Maui and the Big Island may be our destinations. Very sad.
We are from Texas. We alternate visits to Kauai and Maui every year. We had a condo booked for February 2021 in Maui but canceled it in December. My wife and I have had our COVID vaccinations. We now feel at ease to visit either Kauai or Maui. It would be safe for Kauai to allow visitors who have had vaccinations. We hope that most businesses survive. We will soon visit Hawaii again.
Not one positive comment about this Mayor and his council. That tells me he is failing his island, and it’s people.
So how is it that it appears they haven’t accomplished anything after nearly one year? Have they added any extra icu beds, or planned for potential emergency transportation to Oahu for people who may need it? Have they formulated any sort of recovery plan at all?
When 98% of people (I believe you said it was) on this website said the resort bubble solution was a horrible idea, what was the logic behind going ahead with it? Has it been successful at all? Why are they letting locals go mingle with the tourists in these resort bubbles, if the idea is for them to be isolated? How does this make sense?
Some things just don’t add up, with what’s going on in Kauai.
Big Tech, Big Business and Big Government have all profited from the lockdowns. This is deliberate. With the exception of BOH I don’t even see stories about the destruction of small business. How is it safe to open Costco and Walmart and not small business? When the government picks losers and winners we are on the brink.
Agreed. I have been saying exactly that since March 2020.
We miss Maui and Kauai, but will not spend money to sponser craziness. We live in California, it is crazy enough here, don’t need it on vacation, too.
Unbelievable mess! The “cure” is WAY worse then the disease! Covid & flu are viruses that will kill the weak, so you isolate & protect the weak and let the rest of the population get on with living, or eventually they all will die (lack of income, livelihood, housing etc…) I donate to Maui Food bank and the need is enormous! Look at states that are fully open without restrictions! Why can’t Hawaii get it together?
Even in California where I live, our mayor Grusom is finally opening things because The recall special election is going forward… it’s a miracle (Lol) that all of a sudden! indoor dining can open and kids can go back to sports next week! He’s even pushing for all schools to open! Unbelievable incompetence!
Hi BOH:
I got my first COVID vaccine shot yesterday at the VA-Salt Lake City; second shot is on March 18th – then I am ready, willing and able to fly to Kauai to see my ohana. Unfortunately, I don’t think there will even be a hotel room or Air BnB to rent or a car to get me around for 3-4 weeks. And…any restaurants left open? Will the last one off the island please turn out the lights – especially in the Mayor’s office.
Regards