Island on the brink of financial collapse with fewer than 20 vacation arrivals daily.
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272 thoughts on “Half of Kauai Businesses May Fail | Visitors Are Not Returning”
Island on the brink of financial collapse with fewer than 20 vacation arrivals daily.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Covid restrictions will absolutely obliterate the travel industry. I have no fear of this minor illness whatsoever. I’ve already had it. Shelter the weak and vulnerable, but it’s time to move on. I won’t take part in any covid related mandates, I’m not paying for any test, and I’m certainly not going to wear a tracking bracelet like a criminal on probation. This is nightmare fuel. Hard pass.
Agreed, we have plans to visit in Feb with a family of 4 but paying and extra 800 for test on top of the 600 I have to pay for tests to go to Hawaii is a bit extreme. I wish HI would waive the second test cost at least.
Haven’t ever felt the so called Aloha spirit from Hawaiians after five trips.
Even lived there for 3 years??
Won’t ever be returning.
Hawaii doing such permanent lasting damage where an economic recovery may never happen. Yes, the virus is easily spread and can cause great harm. All practical people get that. There is a vaccine now and people will get it allowing states to further ease restrictions and further open their economies. But sadly Hawaii may not come back anytime soon. As an example, can one imagine if the Grand Hyatt on Kauai never returns along with all the ancillary businesses that service such as large enterprise? Unless Hawaii in general finds a way to reverse the economic calamity soon then the state may not recover for a decade or more. And yes, poverty kills too. Sad. Prayers for all. Much Aloha.
Sorry Hawaii. You really are not all that nice to put up with hassel I’ve gone elsewhere.
Hope all the businesses suffer and the residents feel excruciating financial misery. Covid-19 isn’t so dangerous that you need to watch businesses and people’s livlyhood diminish. All of the islands deserve it. And the unemployment from the state has been so incompetent. So pathetic.
JS…somehow I bet you do not ” Suit up” and work in Covid units. Or have personally list a family member….yet.
My heart is saddened to hear of my lovely Island suffering. Most of the comments I have read from “entitled” travelers are incorrect. From a pandemic point of view,the island is small and only has one main hospital. You love it for it’s quaintness, and down to earth people, until your $$$ can not get you the instant gratification you desire. It only takes a few of you to come in with Covid and devastate and wipe out it’s people. Much worse than it will take for them to economically recover. Get your privileged priorities straight, the Islands are are better off without your nasty spirits. Their spirits will survive. I lived there…I live on the East Coast now, I suit up every day and go in to fight Covid.
Send them prayers , and contributions instead of your retorhic.
God Bless you. People’s self-serving way of life has not gone unnoticed. My daughter lives there and I pray every day she stays safe.
I am offended by your “entitled traveler” comment. Don’t assume that everyone traveling to Kauai falls in to that category. I work and earn a modest salary. I save so that can take one annual vacation. That doesn’t make me “entitled”.
Terri,
I did not mean to “offend” you personally. I am speaking to those that if the shoe fits, then they wear it. By the way, I work very hard for a living as well, and taking a trip to Kauai means much planning ahead and saving. Spread that Aloha Spirit, obviously the world is lacking it from these posts.
Why not park one of the Three floating hospitals 🏥 and open back up. They were developed for that reason. Most likely scenario is a small increase in cases coupled with a huge increase in revenue. It would provide peace of mind for the locals and visitors
Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Kauai’s insists on no Covid. Suicidal shut downs accomplices that goal. No covid, no business, and soon: perhaps, no community.
With the 14 day confinement who want to come. They would have to stay longer and probably can afford it. I would be the in a fast minute if you didn’t have the 14 day thingie.
We went to Maui and had covid tests, but no results. Got 14 day quarantine. Left 14 hours later. Had free condo, but forced to stay somewhere else for $263/ night. Total lockdown, only thing allowed was door dash with 20% surcarge plus delivery fee. Hawaii has moronic nonsense rules. We wasted $1500 and got no vacation, only jail time. I’m never coming back!
The whole Hawaiian tourism industry is in tatters. Hotels are closed along with bars and restaurants. There in major trouble!
My family of five had planned to go to Kauai for a week but found the restrictions too cumbersome and restrictive relative to what was open on the island. We chose other islands instead.
Following
I haven’t returned since March 2019.
I was going back March 2020 but didn’t because your governor and representatives are making it difficult…and now that they are complaining about tourists (by the way) I spend a lot of money the 2 weeks I’m would stay there.
Last year July I took my vacation time to South Florida and had a great time. I also went there for Christmas.
The locals appreciate us visiting and the great Governor DeSantis has his state in Tip Top shape. Businesses are safely open and very accommodating to us visiting.
I plan on going there again this summer and we’re looking at possibly buying a vacation home near the panhandle.
(We were considering buying in Kauai but not now) To pretentious, expensive and off-putting.
ALSO
You plan on raising taxes on the rich and at the same time vilifying us.
I’ll take my time and money to Florida.
You have beautiful islands, native people’s and culture but your leadership is awful.
Thanks. Breaks my ❤️ to read this.
I blame your governor and representative like Hirono and Ted…I use to go once a year but didn’t go last year and won’t go this year…I spend an average of $25,000 the 2 weeks that I’m there.
I love the culture, the people but your liberal government is destroying your islands.
What do you expect when you keep changing the rules and doing so last minute? No one is going to take the risk of going to kauai when there is no guarantee that requirements and quaratines won’t be consistent as kauai has already proven.
These Kauai arrival restrictions continue to be unrealistic and maybe in part the result of government irresponsibility. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and Hawaii Governor Dave Ige have the responsibility to provide medical service to Hawaiians and visitors alike. One issue is lack of ICU beds. Why has Kauai not added more hospital and ICU beds in recent years to meet growing local and visitor population? As an example, Costa Rica requires construction of 125 bed hospital prior to opening a new airport along its southwest coast about ten years ago. Is the state of Hawaii and County of Kauai responsibly providing adequate medical care for both Hawaiians and visitors? Lastly, would Mayor Kawakami follow same bubble resort, 10 day quarantine restrictions or visit Mexico first if he and his family visited the USA mainland? Will the Mayor follow the Golden Rule to treat others as he would treat himself? We’ll see soon.
Well duh..I was booked for Kauai and went to Maui.
Open up
. enough silliness
Some of the business owners said they were ok with shutting down. Their attitude was very poor towards travelers anyway. Such racist people on this island. Maybe they are getting what they asked for – no tourist money and Kawakami leading the charge. So sad. Such a beautiful island.
100% agree with you
I’m so sad at the insular response from Hawaii residents ,especially Kauai. I’ve know that Hawaii’s people/demographics have changed but I now feel that Hawaii has lost it’s tolerance snd diversity-
Meanwhile, Kauai real estate prices have risen 44% during COVID. Pretty soon “locals” will be Mark Zuckerberg and pals, and “local” businesses will be Walmart…
The people of Kauai are getting exactly what they deserve. Kauai residents beg daily, even now, in every comment section, for more lockdowns, and more restrictions, and more travel bans. What a sham. My family in Idaho has never had any lockdowns, no masks, no restrictions, everyone has the job: how is that possible with the “deadly” coronavirus ravaging Idaho? Lol. As I said, Kauai and Hawaii are making their beds, and this island will suffer decades of poverty – how do I know? I understand elementary economics, something that only the rarest citizen of Kauai ever bothers to think about. Im ashamed to call you people my neighbors.
On point
Lock down morons, these people deserve to be live in poverty.
Locals have said for decades they wished the tourists would go away.
Let’s change the name to Kuh Why.
Truly unfortunate. I think of businesses like Captain Andys who have treated us like family every time we’ve gone. They need 50+ ppl a day just to be operational and stay above the red.
The fear of covid, which yes it sucks but still has a very high recovery rate, is costing people their jobs, and eventually their homes too when foreclosure looms. Fear driven decisions are rarely good decisions. Forced testing, forced vaccines, or forced quarantine is not a long-term solution to something that may not be going away anytime soon. I hope the many wonderful people I’ve met there can make ends meet until they get this sorted.
My daughter works for Captain Andy’s and he hopes to get boats in the water by April.
Things could have been done to keep people safe without destroying people’s livelihoods.
Thank you! We are trying to get to Kauai in late Feb. We will have had 2 Covid vaccinations. The problem. Coming from Oklahoma our flights do not stop on another island. To do that would require many more hours of travel. I fail to understand how stopping in Maui and changing planes is much different. We were willing to do the resort bubble but. Not really! Especially if it takes 30 hours to get there! We have been enjoying Kauai for many years and during the last economic down turn purchased some art that paid the artists rent. So sad to miss this year!
It’s not just change of aircraft. You have to spend three days at the other island first.
Please take that photo down far to negative for article to put one of the highest employers on the island with their employee’s already being stressed out while the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations are not providing benefits to help keep the roof over our heads, food on the table and “slippah” on our feet. Mahalo
We, also, had planned to visit Kauai in January/February. We were going to be there for 6 weeks. Needless to say, we postponed our trip to April and are ‘hoping’ that we will be able to get in then without all these added restrictions. The resort bubble was out of the question with the added expense. I’m all for being safe, but we just talked to friends this morning that had travelled to Maui recently and had a wonderful time without all these added complications. By April, my husband and I will even have our vaccinations, but, at the present time, they are still not saying that’s enough. If they don’t change the rules by April, we will just cancel completely. We travel to Kauai often, and I feel so bad for those local businesses.
If one opts to go to Kauai but goes to Honolulu for the required 3 days. Where are the testing sights?
Personally, I understand both sides of the issue. Last year we moved our trip to the islands and ended up losing a bunch of money. So, I will not book another trip until there is a plan in place that works. Then once things open back, what will be left. I’ve received emails from some of the places we go when we are in Hawaii when they are closing and will not reopen. So, as more places close, I wonder is I even want to come back anytime in the near future. We don’t come to the islands to shop/eat where I can shop/eat at home, we like to support the local small businesses. It’s truly sad to see what is happening….
I fell in love with kawai when I was there last year I had another trip scheduled but covid hit. I would really like to visit again but not until plain travel is safe and the restrictions are lifted.
My family and I have visited Hawaii every other year. . a family of 8, we and alot of other families we have met spend thousands and thousands of dollars, in direct payments into locally owned businesses. Because of the draconian type measures put in place we will not be visiting any longer. And maybe never again if these are not completely gotten rid of. My father and mother who both are well into 70’s don’t want to pay to be restricted or to have their family restricted in that way. Plus the attitude of some of relocating mainlanders that people shouldn’t even offer services to visitors just sets a sick and sad precedent that is definitely not the spirt of aloha.
Anyways I imagine not much will change unless the people of Hawaii learn to vote different enough to at least respect the vote enough to truly work for it.
We wanted to give you business, but you have made it too difficult. Maybe in a year or so, if I hear it is no hassle and worth the expense. Our honeymoon will now be in Bora Bora when the Covid stuff is over. Sorry Kuai, you did it to yourselves…
AMEN
Kauai is our favorite of all the islands and over the years, over 60 visits to the islands since 1958, it has held a special place in our hearts. But to echo others, it is simply still too dangerous to travel and too costly to adhere to the ever changing requirements. We’ll stay home this year to come and play next.
My heart breaks for Kauai. We have watched its deterioration of infrastructure and the increase of homelessness for a full year. Mayor I still draw an income to buy expensive gifts, it is tome to put your political agenda aside. Your focus must shift to those who trusted you enough to put you in office. It has been proven that herd immunity works,the vaccine is working. Leprosy camps are not working. If an entire plane of arrivals has proven, prior to boarding, to be negative (no exceptions) let them arrive. I believe covid is real but I also believe in taking personal responsibility to keep yourself safe. If you are at risk, stay home. If you are afraid stay home just like you would do for any other flu. The worst has passed. We have information we didn’t have last year at this time, its time to move forward just like many other states have done. These states are recovering not hiding. Kauai needs to begin recovery. Thank you an bless you all.
Not sure the worst is past and if herd immunity is better in your mind, then go ahead and enjoy the beautiful Kauai. But if you’ve lost a friend or loved on due to the Corona virus, I’m pretty sure you’d change your mind.
Amen
I am sorry but you are “highly” misinformed. The new Covid variant has reached the U.S.
So sad that so many Hawaii businesses are suffering and may not survive, hoping this vaccine rollout turns things around quicker than expected. I have a question regarding travel to the big island in April. We have a house (VRBO) reserved with four other couples, a total of 10 of us. Are there any current COVID related restrictions regarding how many people can stay in one house? We booked this well over a year ago and have had to reschedule twice already. We are all under 60 and none of us have been vaccinated yet so we are a bit concerned, and thinking about rescheduling yet again.
Mahalo BOH for another informative article. I had assumed very few people would want to go to Kaua’i under the current restrictions, but 19 people per day arriving? That REALLY surprised me.
We have already booked our annual September trip, but I’m wondering what it is we will be returning to. Hopefully, the vast majority of residents AND tourists will have been vaccinated by then, but I’m afraid the damage will have been done by the resident population’s attitude towards tourists that has come to light in the past few months. I knew there was a certain segment of the Kaua’i society that was hostile towards tourism, but I never dreamed it was so widespread. Reading some of the Kaua’i FB pages had been a real eye opener.
Hi Ed.
Thanks. Please let us know how your September trip goes.
Aloha.
Well, ive been pushing our dates but if by April May i dont see these strict rules I’m going to cancell and travel to Guanajuato Mexico instead, we used to go to Kauai every year for the past 10 years.. now its looking Dimmed..
I respect the sovereignty of the people of Hawaii. We will miss the O’Hana culture of the people, their beautiful paradise and have fond memories. Mahalo. Treating visitors as prisoners is not a good solution; unless, you want to stop tourism. Sounds like the people of Kauai and Hawaii need to decide if this is the outcome they are seeking.