Global news outlets raise big concerns for Hawaii visitors.
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456 thoughts on “Hawaii Public Relations Nightmare as Media Frenzy Fuels Unrest”
Global news outlets raise big concerns for Hawaii visitors.
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It will take clarity regarding the 14 day quar antine requirement for us to return to Hawaii. We have traveled to there often as a family and love Hawaii very much. It makes me sad that not all visitors treat the islands and it’s people in a respectful way.
We have had tickets to visit arriving on 1 July but don’t know if we will be able to come yet. The 14 day quarantine requirement would not be practical for us. We would come when that is no longer a requirement but not having an idea of when that might be is frustrating.
We have been optimistic because Hawaii has had such a low level of infection but there seems to be little information available on a potential timeline for lifting the quarantine restriction. Inter-island travel will be lifted first then domestic is what I understand.
If you would be kind enough to please give us some insight regarding any timeline we would appreciate it. Thanks!
Hi Scott.
We will be updating with timeline information as quickly as we can do so reliably.
Aloha.
I’ve been coming to Maui since 1974. This year we weren’t going to come because we were going to Italy and Greece. We are hoping to be able to cancel our trip and if so we will be back to Maui this October!
Is there still a 14 day quar antine in place?
We have a trip planned July 6-11 and need to know
This vi rus kills and monopolizes medical resources.
Sure I’ll be depressed if we can’t go to Hawaii in July, but I understand.
I wish we had good rapid testing so everyone getting on a plane or past security, could prove they are negative.
We all should still be practicing distancing, wearing face coverings, and keeping our hands clean.
I’ve seen too many people bucking the rules.
We are stronger working together and counting on each other to do our best to contain this.
Aloha spreads Aloha
Is this the same dopey Mayor of Maui who during the recession looking for a way to generate more income, taxes timeshare owners at a higher rate? His thought was that he would raise property taxes for owners because we don’t spend as much money there. I own at the Westin in Princeville and Maui. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even though we have kitchens, we go to restaurants and we go to tours. We bought in Hawai’i because we live it there. We pay property tax. The tax was eventually overturned in court and the County now has to pay us back. It was a punitive tax and while it left bad feelings for the Mayor many of the locals who work at the resorts showed up in court to support the Timeshares. I for grateful for that.
We love Hawai’i and have been coming for decades. My son’s Honeymoon which was canceled there in March is rescheduled for Sept. My folks who are in their mid 80’s have been coming for decades as well and stay for almost a month. They hope to come later this year and they always fear it will be there last year at their beloved Pali Ke Kua. We will come as soon as it is safe. I’m grateful for all of the wonderful locals who we meet every year. Wherever we go in the world I’m always cognizant of not being an ugly tourist. I would like to think that the vast majority of negative comments are coming from a loud and vocal minority. I’m hoping the Mayor is just spitballing a wishlist that he knows will not likely happen. I’ve never heard of place where you might have to show your W-2 to book a trip. Thanks for sharing your beautiful islands with us.
Hi Katherine.
Thank you.
Aloha.
We will return with a planned trip in November. As long as there is no mandatory quar antine, we will be there. As much as we’d like to do everything we always do (group excursions, restaurants, nightlife), we will go regardless if the quar antine is lifted. The beauty there and abundance of outdoor options make it worth the trip for me regardless if my favorite restaurants have carry out only, or a group boat trip is unavailable.
I love Hawaii and visit once or twice a year. This vi rus has affected everyone but I am saddened for what it is doing to the islands. I think Hawaii is doing the right thing and is handling this in a responsible way. People need to heed restrictions. Stay strong Hawaii. I will be back to feel the always present Aloha🙏🏻🌈🌴
Electing a conservative governor would be a great start.
Sure would!
100% in agreement! Bloated governments are what’s wrong and not tourists; at least most of us!
I am just waiting for this to calm down and figure out how to fly there safely, I would have gone already and would have gladly quar antined. It would break my heart if I carried the vi rus to someone in Hawaii. Those people are very selfish to put Hawaiians at risk, THEY do not understand the Hawaiian spirit. I, for one am glad you were protecting the people of the state! Molokai is and will always still my favorite place in earth.
Mahalo🌺
Hi Harri.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We love Hawaii and can’t wait to come back to visit. We would like to be welcomed and appreciated. We certainly appreciate you and will have no problem letting you know and by supporting your businesses. If there’s any fear we would be quar antined, we will not come. Mahalo!
My family and I started 2020 on our first ever trip to Hawaii. Its hard to imagine how a year that started with such beauty could end up so ugly. We learned so much during our trip about the history of the island and about how early Hawaiian people were decimated by disease brought by the rest of the world. When the pan demic began I feared for Hawaii and what an outbreak could mean to local health and economy. Please know that those of us mainlanders who have experienced and embraced Hawaii understand the need to keep locals safe by keeping the world at bay. We will be back.
I left on March 16th knowing that it was in the best interest of the islands to close down to tourists until things were safe. Hawaii people first. From California
Let’s try to get this straight- it’s not that we don’t want the tourist here and yes it’s true Hawaii is dependent on tourist dollars! What we don’t want is the vi rus that comes along with the people coming here and bringing it here! Mind you some of the cases here wasn’t only brought here by tourist, it came also with local residents returning to the islands, locals who should’ve known bettert than to travel yet didn’t! All we want is for the tourist to wait for a while until this is under control before coming here again! They wouldn’t want someone to go to where they live with this and spread it to their people,their town would they. So please look at the overall picture,best be safe than sorry and be alive to enjoy the wonders of the world, one of them is where I live,here in HAWAII! Think about it! We’re all in this together! And we gotta come out of it together! Aloha!
Just cancelled a long planned trip to Hawaii with the family to enjoy the start of my sabbatical. Why? No longer feel welcomed by your governor. Loss to the Hawaiian tourism business $12k plus. Was going to reschedule around Christmas, but can’t get the accommodations we had oceanfront.
Why can’t you see that the governor is only trying to keep the locals healthy? It’s a small island with hospitals that wouldn’t be able to handle a large outbreak of the vi rus. Quit being so selfish and wait for things to settle down. Would you want sick or potentially sick people moving into your backyard? Geez. How narrow minded can one be? It’s a beautiful place, my daughter lives there. She said tourists really just need to wait and come when this is no longer a threat.
Yes, I will return. In fact I’m anxious to get back there. However I’m respecting the rules that have been put into place to keep Hawaii and its residents safe. Negativity towards tourists from SOME kamaaina has been going on for years. I felt it in the late 70s when I made my first trip – the trip when I fell in love with everything about Hawaii. But I believe most of it comes from a desire to protect the home that they love. Who can blame them! I believe the aloha spirit will live on – it’s too strong to be crushed! Aloha to all♥️
Hi Sue.
Thanks.
Aloha.
My husband and I have traveled to Hawaii many times. My husband is an airline pilot, and I am a flight attendant. We used to love our Hawaii trips, and we even took our kids to Oahu for spring break last year. However, we have noticed more and more that some of the locals are extremely rude towards us. Not all locals, but there are definitely some who seem to despise caucasians. One restaurant refused to even serve us when we sat down, so we left. This is not the Aloha spirit. My husband wanted to return to Hawaii this year for spring break, but I convinced him to go to Costa Rica, instead. They were more than happy to have us there.
My wife and I have been visiting Waikiki for the last 13 years. We live in Las Vegas and we depend on tourism to pay our bills. We love the hotels, beaches, luau’s, and all the restaurants Waikiki has to offer. We have a trip planned later this fall. I would hope that all the locals would love to have us there. We spend countless dollars to help your local economy. Working in the tourism industry I welcome everyone from all over the world to Las Vegas. So I ask you to welcome us with open arms and that aloha spirit I’ve come to love. Thank you!! Mahalo!!
Hi Dan.
Thanks.
Aloha.
My family was planning to come to Hawaii in June but moved to it August so my follow Americans get my dollars but what a mistake I made. The articles that I’m reading on-line about the tourist is disheartening. If United and Hawaiian Airlines would offer full refunds, I would cancel my plans in a second. I thought the Airlines perfected the skill for hating their customers but Hawaii really wants to pull in front of them.
I appreciate this publication and your perspective. We have brought our family of 6 to Hawaii every year for the last 10 years. With Hawaii continuing to stay closed we are cutting our losses and heading to Cancun In July and then Costa Rica after that. It is easier to get there, far cheaper and the people are excited to have us. We live in Utah and a large majority of our land is owned by the federal government. I get it, we are tourism too. We live next to a large University and have students park in front of our driveway when they are late for their things. I get it. Annoying, but something I can deal with. But we all have to give a little, relax a little, and if peole come here for vacation, I hope they enjoy themselves, and I hope they return. As a side note, Hawaii is the only place that I put insurance on my rental cars. So many people we know, us included have had our cars damaged by locals. Not sure what we did. We didn’t even do insurance in Brazil!
Hi Holli.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Its appears Hawaii currently has 34.6% unemployment rate-
As of May 18, 2020 – 51% of USA residents are not ready to travel outside of the local area. Meaning the major travel for 2020 will be visiting a local spot within their current state.
So Hawaii has some decision, either start a huge welcoming message for tourists and be thankful they are coming and treat them with kindness or suffer economic depression.
With economic depression, comes suicides, child abuse, drug abuse, state and local city governments increasing debt and infrastructure deterioration – and these will be longer lasting than the CO VID effect.
Absolutely agree. I am dreading what the soon to be economic fall will look like. Right now locals are partying and celebrating having the beaches to themselves. Stimulus checks and unemployment having so many refusing to go back to work. I am an essential worker, and some of my coworkers are angry that they have to work while everyone is out enjoying themselves. The beaches are now open, but even before that the parking was full at all the beach hot spots.
We wanted to book our anniversary trip in 2021 to Hawaii. The Caribbean is looking better everyday and a lot cheaper.
Aloha,
What will it take for us to return to Maui? A common-sense response to this virus. The current “strategy” (a generous term, since it appears that very little actual thought is going into the governor’s and mayor’s decrees) targets enforcement for “tourists” who are unlikely to know many locals and circulate with them, but seems to ignore returning residents who almost certainly are in close contact with local residents immediately upon arrival. Really, the quar antine terms even allow a returning resident to return to their “essential” work (that’s not just health-care, it includes customer-facing roles at grocery stores and fast-food)?!
The response and comments I’ve been reading have truly hardened my Maui-loving heart. I’ve probably spent more time on Maui than many of the self-rightous commenters who’ve moved there within the last 10 years. For 50 years I’ve spent my summers there, we got married there, and I even scattered my Mom’s ashes out in the ocean because it was such a special place for her and for our family. We were so delighted when we were finally able to buy our own place so we could raise our boys with similar memories of our very favorite place. But now – after being hammered with massive property tax increases because our place is zoned for short-term rental (no exceptions for actual residents, even!), tens of thousands of dollars in fees to rebuild the nearby beach, and countless negative experiences with local attitude and overcharging for services for our place – we can’t even visit OUR OWN PLACE without police surveillance? Of course, even if we were able to hunker down inside for 14 days with two active sons, we aren’t allowed to rent a car now so we couldn’t even get from the airport to West Maui. Never mind that we keep paying incredible HOA fees each month (more than the mortgage) so that the grounds crew can keep their jobs through this . . . at risk of bankrupting the owners.
If we are ever allowed, we will return, but it will likely only be to get our place ready to sell – as if we could ever find anyone willing to buy it in this environment. We are heartbroken that a lifetime of Maui memories and the culmination of our dream has been soured by the senseless decisions of leadership. I strongly suspect there’s a huge group like us, who pay tens of thousands of tax dollars into your system annually, who have also been alienated by this experience. Maui no ka ‘oi, but we’ll make our next generation of memories somewhere more welcoming.
Reading various comments, it seems like there is a lot of confounding of several issues–Namely the pan demic, over-tourism and politeness. The pan demic and bans, etc. are not the solution to over-tourism or impoliteness of people, The tone of a lot of the comments seems to be ‘get out and stay out’…. well I’m sorry that’s got nothing to do with the pan demic in my opinion. Always remember nobody–islander or mainlander alike–can have their cake and eat it too. The money goes hand-in-hand with the tourists and the bad apples might that might come along with that. Better diversify the economy before kicking out the tourists or it will be the islanders that would likely suffer economic opportunities.
I provided a lengthy and thoughtful comment yesterday afternoon under the name “JohnD” but it does not appear to have been posted (unless, of course, I missed it.). Is it normal that this happens? If so, let me know so I don’t waste more of my time providing input. I almost never provide comments on articles, but since I am a longtime fan of Hawaii, and thought that this is a timely discussion on a topic that is critical to the islands, I decided to chime in. Oh well.
Hi John.
Your prior comment was published yesterday. There have already been over 250 comments, which is probably why you didn’t see it.
Aloha.
Thanks, and aloha!
I don’t know about ALL the visitors bit Hawaii is and always will ne in my heart. I love everything about it except the cost. But I would gladly pay the price for the joy Hawaii brings me while I am there. I WILL ne back no matter what. Aloha and stay safe.
P.S.
If no one wants to go that means more paradise for me when I get there.
Mahalo
Hi John.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I just watched a youtube video – it’s an interview of the major of Maui. He’s laying out his future of what tourism is going to look like going forward on Maui. He’s saying that only rich people will be welcomed and visitors will no longer have free access to the island. Visitors will be restricted to tourism only area’s.
WOW!
Aloha ~ As soon as we feel safe to travel, our first destination will be Hawaii. I am hopeful we will be able to keep our February 2021 reservations. We’ve been visiting the islands nearly every year since our honeymoon in 1995 and I don’t plan on ending the tradition. It’s our favorite place in the world and we love the aloha spirit.
Mahalo for all great information you have provided over the years.
Be well,
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth.
Thanks for this and being part of the Beat of Hawaii for nearly a decade!
Aloha.
People come to Hawaii to enjoy the beaches, along with ocean activities (paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking, surfing, etc.) They also want to enjoy the music and dance of the Hawaiian culture. Not many people can afford to come here for 2 weeks, only to be locked in their hotel rooms or arrested and fined if they go outside. Tourists will flock to Florida, New Zealand, Australia, Guam instead. Our Governor and Mayors have ruined Hawaii and our businesses. No more aloha!
Amen!
Aloha,
Have previously lived in Hawaii. My. Ohana and I visit frequently, my wife has family in Molokai. We are planning Summer 2020 trip in late July. Is this feasible?
Mahalo for your response.🤙🏽
Hi Louis.
We’ll be updating as soon as we know more regarding July.
Aloha.
I am still planning a trip in August to bury my mom, who died last year- this was her favorite place in the world and we traveled here every year from the time I was 3 months old. I was hoping to bring my mom to her final resting place, celebrate my 40th birthday and my son’s 9th, but hearing that we are not wanted as visitors definitely puts a damper on all our enthusiasm to get there.
Team Hawaii, 100%. They are the ones who live there, and they get to decide what they are, and are not, comfortable with. I’ve seen how horrible tourists can be, and I don’t blame them for wanting to keep outsiders out until things look better. Them being part of the US is really just a technicality because of the distance. Stay away until they are ready.
Aloha friends- We seem to be suffering from not only a global shortage of ventilators to support victims, but a global surplus of hyper-ventilators who thrive on stirring the pot and fanning conflict. I believe the spirit of aloha & those who live aloha will prevail. I believe it will take some time- & I hope the elected folk and leaders of the counties of Hawaii can bring the best minds together as to how to stage a re-opening of business and tourism in a way that is respectful of residents and everyone’s health and safety. Conversations about carrying-capacity, public health, and resident quality of life must have a seat at the table with visitor experience and economic growth. As long as aloha is not lost along the way, the future will be OK. We’ll be back when it seems possible to visit without contributing to public health risks, & I believe that, as always, if we travel with aloha we will find aloha. With much aloha for you at Beat of Hawaii & all the Islands, & best wishes for us all-
Hi Peter.
Thank you for this and your other comments over the past five years.
Aloha.
PeopLe in Hawaii are only saying the same thing that people who live in Northern Michigan are saying to the folks who live in the Greater Detroit area: Please stay home until this is no longer a problem.
Tens of thousands of cases in Southern Michigan, and only a few hundred up north–mostly along freeway routes from the southern part of the state.
Many of the attractions and tourism areas have asked people no to come here yet.
We don’t have the facilities to deal with a large spread of the disease spread by folks coming from high case count areas.
We have great empathy for the business owners and their employees who are impacted by the closing of their businesses and livelihoods. We enjoy those same businesses too.
This will end. Life will go on. Don’t be too harsh in judging the people who also want to be able to go back to work and normal life when it is safe to do so.
Doesn’t sound like a lot has changed, except more people, since I was stationed at Schofield (86-90),and visited in ’09 (Oahu), ’12 (Maui), and ’19 (Maui, Big Island).
Some tourists are annoying, and a chunk of the locals is really annoyed at being dependent on them and the outside world.
I don’t blame them for being upset about the rats and mongooses though.
I question that hope for diversity – when I returned in 2009, all the sugar cane and pineapple fields gone… Agriculture was your only diversity in the islands.
We go to Hawaii once a year. An average trip costs us between $5000 to $6000. We’ve been following the backlash of what is being said about tourists in general. It’s a huge disappointment to see that. While I understand that tourism has definitely changed the “landscape” of Hawaii, it has also provided much needed money. I truly doubt we will visit Hawaii again. It’s time to take our hard earned dollars and go somewhere else. Why would we come back year after year when we aren’t valued? We’ll spend our money this year in Bermuda.
I lived and worked in Hawaii for 19 months. I think this article is a bit misleading. There are a lot of locals who are just plain racist towards white people. I never saw locals having an issue with tourists who weren’t white. That is the truth. 100%. I moved to Hawaii to be closer to family. I was alarmed at how racist people were. Also, how unaware they were of the world around them. Hawaii is no more and no less special than any other tourist destination. Yet Hawaii prides itself on being “paradise”. If you’ve never been “off island”, what are you comparing Hawaii to? This is a farce. It is not paradise. It is overrun by homeless people, can be downright dangerous, and is obscenely expensive. That’s the “real Hawaii” through a mainlander’s eyes.
Aloha! Love your blog. Our April trip to Kauai and BI was obviously canceled but we have already rescheduled for early December. We are snorkeling fiends and Hawaii offers the closest world-class snorkeling to our home in far Northern CA. We’ve been enjoying a trip to the islands every year for years and receive mixed reception from the locals. Here’s an interesting tid -bit: we are Caucasian but my sister’s husband is Chinese and a big boy. Locals assume he lives in the islands and my sis/bro-in-law tend to get friendlier treatment from some folks than we do. By the way, is your volunteering mainland friend Mary Ellen?
Thanks, Susan
Hi Susan.
Thank you! No it is not Mary Ellen.
Aloha.
We come to Hawaii once, if not twice every year, and that does not expect to change. We are scheduled for December. And if we can make it sooner when it is safe for us and you, we may. We love Kauai like it’s our home. We respect the land and the people who live there. Our hearts break for Hawaii just as it does for our home on the 9th Island. As a person who lives in a city based on tourism, we understand. And hopefully when we arrive we are greeted with all the typical Ohana the Islands provide.
Why is everyone here ignoring the obvious! There are more residents returning than tourists. Have you seen one resident arrested for breaking quar antine? They are only targeting visitors! I get that people shouldn’t be vacationing now, but targeting them in messed up.
The last few times I’ve been to Hawaii, one of my favorite places in the world as we own property there, the people have been rude…especially in Oahu. They are not a separate country, they are and have been part of the US for some time yet mainlanders get treated poorly, talked down to and even intimidated. I understand we are not the only ones visiting but what are your expectations when you come to the main land or anywhere else for that matter?! It’s tourism and the other that comes hospitality… Hawaii residents need to re-learn it!!!
Hawaii is one of the United States. I’m from California and I don’t wish that other Americans would stop enjoying it. In fact we all live on this earth and dont truly own any of it. I wish people didn’t feel entitled to “own” places. The beauty belongs to all of us. Not to mention the federal taxes I pay benefit all the states. Including Hawaii.