Island on the brink of financial collapse with fewer than 20 vacation arrivals daily.
272 thoughts on “Half of Kauai Businesses May Fail | Visitors Are Not Returning”
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Thanks for the information. I found it interesting and disturbing.
In November 2020, I, Lisa, holidayed in Maui, instead of the much loved island Kauai. We could have gone to Kauai instead, and actually considered spending some time on both islands, but the restrictions were too much to overcome within the short 10 day period for which we were vacationing. It was just easier to get one negative Covid test before our departure to Maui, than to have to get another one while vacationing (if we wanted to travel to Kauai) or to spend our entire vacation stuck in a hotel in lockdown on Kauai. Most people want to explore the island (at least somewhat) while on holiday.
If one has to travel between islands, I believe that one loses a day of vacation time, not to mention entering two additional airports (which I currently consider to be “danger zones”). One also has to consider the time wasted: packing and unpacking suitcases, dealing with car rental returns and checkouts (usually laborious, and something one only wants to do once on vacation), as well as hoping that one’s flight matches well with check-out and check-in accommodation times.
In addition, my past experience in Kauai made me aware of its lack of delivery services (both restaurant and grocery) that I believe would be necessary during a quarantine lockdown period. Delivery services have probably increased during the Covid pandemic, but without knowledge of their availability, I believe (at least for me) that it’s too much unknown “trouble” traveling to Kauai. Perhaps this wouldn’t be an issue with room service in a hotel, but we follow a Keto diet, and our preferred diet isn’t often covered well with hotel dining.
Instead, much like many other people we met in Maui, we flew directly from the Pacific Northwest to Kahului airport, and the reverse for our return. I’ve messed around with inter-island travel in the past, and it has its limitations and annoyances.
Thanks! Was literally working on a plan to visit in March, but what jf off chance someone in my family of 4 tests positive in quick test? Then im stuck and whole vaca us jammed….rather just not come than risk getting caught out. We don’t visit Kauai to swim in resort pool.
We came to Kauai despite of all the hoops to jump through only because we love this island and we have friends here. The resort bubble is ok if you stay at the expensive ones but it is way too much. We paid the same amount for 4 days resort bubble as my 2 weeks at an air bnb in Princeville. The info on what to do before coming is way too confusing and you cannot find them in one place.
Aloha BOH
Back on subject.
Where travel inquiries about other Hawaiian islands especially Maui have picked up there is little or no activity about Kauai. The few inquiries about travel to Kauai are met with a response by a local poster stating you are not welcome here.
Message received tourist are not welcome on Kauai.
You can make argument otherwise, but your posted travel numbers and chart speak to how Kauai is perceived as an unfriendly place.
It appears along with it’s aging retired population Kauai elite are taking advantage of the pandemic to turn back the clock and remake the island into a far less attractive tourist destination for budget travelers.
In my opinion days of the $100.00 a night condo are over…….
Hi Richard.
Thanks for all of your input. From our perspective, the numbers appear primarily the result of fast-changing, very difficult, and too expensive options currently available for Kauai.
Aloha.
Thank your Mayor next time you go to vote!
We had 5 weeks scheduled in Feb/March & cancelled. The rules were always changing & we couldn’t keep up. It was cheaper, easier & less confusing to go to Hilton Head. With the locals not wanting tourists, we may never come back.
Totally agree, buzz kill. Rather just go to another island.
Kauai residents are their own worst enemy. It is called stuck on stupid. In fact, it is so bad that in one week alone 4 local males committed sucide yet they continue to destroy their own. They are reaping the bitter melons from the poisonous seeds that they sowed.
We are planning to go to Maui in Sep and then to Kauai as that is our island of choice. This way we avoid the quarantine restrictions and can enjoy ourselves. Our heart aches for the destruction of the economy of the island and we pray it recovers. We understand the concerns as a large outbreak could totally destroy the population of the island and we certainly don’t want anything to happen to the wonderful people of Kauai. Do what you need to do and maybe we will all have access to the vaccine by fall and this won’t be as much of an issue and the island can get back on it’s feet economically.
“We understand the concerns as a large outbreak could totally destroy the population of the island and we certainly don’t want anything to happen to the wonderful people of Kauai”
Nearly 200 people have tested positive for the virus since testing became a thing on island. Hard to say how many others had it, but never got tested. Only one (“1”) person had his life cut short by it – an 84 year old gentlemen with stage 4 lung cancer. No, a large outbreak would not destroy the population of Kauai. Not saying a large outbreak would be a good thing, but the hyperbole doesn’t help.
But thanks for calling us “wonderful people.” Hint: Some are, some aren’t, just like everywhere else.
But then
Hi David.
Thanks for that (218th comment). You are always a good read and we appreciate your input.
Aloha.
Sadly, this week I canceled a 10 day trip with my wife and 4 adult children at Koloa Landing at Poipu in Kauai for mid February 2021. We also had 6 round trip airline tickets from Ohio, 3 rental cars reserved and had many other activities we were going to do ie: golf, deep sea fishing, helicopter tours and dinner out every night. We really love Kauai but it is really just too difficult currently with the 10 day quarantine, “resort bubble” and the extra aggravation and additional expenses for 6 people to comply with the island’s current rules and regulations.
I had planned this trip and made reservations our in the Spring of 2020, as a family trip to celebrate my 70th birthday. I hope Kauai businesses survive, because we love the island and the people, but given the current policies it is easier to just go somewhere else.
Thanks
Hi Marc.
Thanks for letting us know. We appreciate the feedback.
Aloha.