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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Here is a place, a democracy, where the economy is doing well. Nobody made not wearing a mask a political statement and they got out of this mess. economist.com/asia/2020/12/02/covid-19-has-ravaged-economies-all-over-the-world-but-not-taiwans
And yet, people apparently are moving to Hawaii in droves to escape the madness on the mainland. It is frightening here. Keep safe.
Lynn s who is Moving to hawaii in droves? Sounds off. Must be the rich or your not looking at the statistics??
Donate! Food banks, etc. in Hawaii would so appreciate it in this time of stress and emergency. hawaiifoodbank.org/donate
If you really love Hawaii, help Hawaiian people get enough to eat.
File civil lawsuits petitions and complaints. The Hawaiian people need to get off thier a** and do something about thier own state govt problems. No more abusing tourists and no more hypocrisy in Hawaiian govt ftw!
Just keep voting for corrupt Democrats and wonder why nothing gets better. Keeping you in poverty is part of the plan. Hatred of tourists, and blaming them for your problems, is just a perk.
Don’t think I’ll be back until my money, my manners, and my respect, are appreciated.
Good to see you are finally acknowledging there is a problem.
I’m so confused. What does this have to do with democrats or republican? there are only so many ICU beds on Hawaii. It takes a long time to get anywhere else. Have some respect for your own life as well as the people of the islands.
Sorry you’re confused, but de facto one-party (Democrat) rule has not only produced a woefully ineffective pandemic response by Hawaii (please remember, under our form of government, responses to civil emergencies are a state responsibility, not a federal responsibility), but with an added bonus of plunging hundreds of thousands of Hawaiians into poverty, and exposing the hatred locals feel for tourists. Great work Governor. That’s quite the trifecta. Hope that clears it up.
Gosh, it’s so much better on the mainland, with 300,000 dead. And a ruined economy. At least most Hawaiians are hugely more safe.
If that makes you feel better, knock yourself out. Doesn’t change in the least the self-inflicted crises Hawaii is facing at present. Of course, Hawaii is clearly the least of your concerns…
Don’t understand that comment. My daughter lives there. If you care about Hawaii, buy things online, donate to food bank. I miss her terribly. But I am happy she is in a place that is safer than the mainland.
I cancelled my trip this year to Kauai due to the restrictions placed on tourists and heavy handed treatment by residents and authorities. Further, I had no way to be certain I could obtain a Covid test result within 72 hours of arrival. I also read the negative comments made by some residents toward visitors. Feeling unwanted even though I too love Hawaii and have been there many times, was hurtful. Despite this, I have rescheduled a visit to Kauai for late next year. I hope the Aloha spirit will again be there.
Most residents feel resentful because we feel Mainlanders potentially bring more Covid into our islands where we have VERY limited hospital space. We can’t understand why people can’t just be patient and wait. I cancelled a long-awaited trip to Japan (my first to my ancestral home) and I feel ZERO resentment that Japan is not allowing me in. I am perfectly willing to wait til next year or even the next, despite my advanced age. No biggie. And yet we hear you tourists whine and nag about coming here as though you’re being tortured to wait. My goodness. Yes, unfortunately Hawaii depends on the tourist income, but it’s our call. I don’t blame our leaders for any mistakes they make because HELLO, it’s an unprecedented catastrophe and no one should pretend to know what exactly to do: whether to protect the residents health, or economies.
I’m so sorry you on the Mainland must suffer without your Hawaiian vacations this year. First world problem!! Yes, our residents will suffer without the income, but hopefully many will learn from this, including our legislators learning that we should not depend so much on tourism.
Please be patient. BTW, Hawaii people love to travel too. Many are like you undisciplined, impatient souls and have gone to Vegas (a local favorite destination) and come back with Covid. I just learned that an aquaintance recently died after arriving home from Vegas with Covid. So yes, it’s not only the tourists that we shake our heads at…it’s our own neighbors who are so impatient and willing to risk their lives and those of others. (Risking your life is fine with me, but you know you’re bound to infect others!).
Insulting mainlanders is a great approach and guarantees that we won’t return even when the virus situation is resolved. Personally I am understanding, but once you start insulting me I am done. I’ll take my $10K and my family and go to Italy when it reopens. Congratulations on alienating us. And your legislators should indeed diversify from tourism, because with comments like this you won’t have many folks to support that industry any longer.
I agree John. Some Hawaiians are impatient and self centered just like the tourists they insult. It might be a different culture and opinions. However it does not give anyone the right to start publically insulting and discrimination with policy and Otherwise on social media towards tourists or any group of people.
If the mainland still did that we would still have lynchings in the south maybe and slavery etc. martin luther king etc. what about the japenese camps in hawaii during ww2. If hawaii cant or doesnt want to be part of the us then cut off Federal funding for social programs and only pay military and other essential services.
Certainly,no COVID problem in Italy!
Learn to read. I said when the crisis is resolved. Public school apparently failed you.
So true, you are right about that.
Im waiting sure, even though covid is an excuse to expand rather than dial back tourism. Hawaii can be marketed as the great escape and use the tourist money to fund vaccines treatment ventilators and extra beds.
Put the national guard and military there to work too staffing help and assist with hotel maintenence etc. get casinos in hawaii up and running. Use any covid deaths as a kick in the pants to diversify and improve hawaii education and economic engine.
Will hawaii do this? No, never. Too stupid and Lazzies faire ( i cant spell this) local attitude will get many more killed or homeless than covid could. Just the homeless alone i think the numbers might be half the entire country,s covid deaths. Residents and locals living in hawaii the time is now…carpe diem!
Just a heads up flying to Hawaii!
We arrived in Kauai last week with our negative test results in hand from CVS and found out we took the test one day to early! Has to be Test Day 72 hours before departure Not Test Results as it says on the website. We would not have received our test results till we were on the plane.( you would not know if your P/N) We have the option to stay here quarantined for 14 days in our condo or fly home. I am taking option “B” the two couples in line behind us took option “A“ till their test results come in. You get a QR code on your phone from the state website. You can not rent a car or get a room without it. Food has to be brought in, no going out at all. Police Random check on you. If your outside up to 5k fine and jail time. I wanted to have your back so be careful coming over. The Approved testing places are almost at capacity (sound filmier). 22 years of travel around the world and this is the first bad trip ever. Respectfully G.
Dear TJ, All you have to say is true except the ending. Hawaii is ours. Tourists/visitors are just that “visitors”. Locals are loving, generous people. We love sharing our home with the rest of the world. It is those pervasive mainland type thoughts that our home doesn’t belong to only us that rub locals the wrong way. Please come, visit, enjoy! Then go back to the place that belongs to you.
Many Locals will soon be homeless or on the street. Especially with that attitude spend money come here and leave. Biting the hand that feeds you isnt a good strategy for anyone.
Plenty of people been laid off already its just a matter of time till people start loosing everything and hawaii plunges deeper into the black hole. Callous and uncaring garbage from hawaii does not score points with the rest of usa when you need to come visit family here etc.
Suck it up people and put that aloha on hold till you actually mean it!
Rs public school lesson here. only private property belongs to local native Hawaiians or anyone else for that matter.
The island itself is not owned by the Hawaiian people in any way. It does not belong to anyone. Its a state. Its not a respect issue its a cultural issue and ignorance on reality.
This would be our 23rd year to the Big island, usually 3-4 months, a 4 month trip puts $40,000 into the economy. We are booked but because we in Canada are not on the “approved” test list, and the local feeling about tourists we may cancel, as it’s just too much hassle and doesn’t sound like fun anymore. We are in our 80’s
Russ
You should not be traveling now. Why not live a little longer? Stay home, take care.
Thinking seriously of cancelling my 37th trip to Hawaii, 17 days long, nov 7th. Got sick over testing misinformatiin. Have a clia approved test, naat, as i have screen photoed so many times before…only to transform into the confused message so many of your subscribers have described, “trusted partnets only”!
Literally had to go to doc for aggravation, and argued with husband over miscommunication….he said , not our fault, go with origins of naat plus clia approved, and ask for mercy!
Will not work…bad taste now for Islands….conditioned reflex!
Give me a reason not to cancel! 70 plus and tech options also alludes me!
Thousands of lost hawaiian revenue to go elsewhere if solution dies not rise up.
Hi Jeanne.
We know from your 20 comments over the past 2 1/2 years that you have been a visitor here in Hawaii for perhaps 30 years. Hope it will work out for you to visit again. We understand it has been very confusing, for you as well as for us here. And we say that dealing with this every day. We’re very sorry for that, but also it is just the state of the world at the moment. Maybe it would be easier to plan for once the islands have been successfully open for a few months.
Aloha.
We are so disappointed that we are not going to be able to return to Kona, have our tickets and a Dr Prescription to get the covid test and that still doesn’t seem to be enough. We practice all the rules and we don’t want to get Covid either but we know we have to go on living life. We own a home there and want to go back to it. Please change your mind and at least let us try to make a difference in Hawaii’s economy.
Valerie D
donate! Help Hawaiian families get enough to eat. hawaiifoodbank.org/donate/
As a part time resident on Maui it saddens me to hear about our beloved island. We went to Maui on our honeymoon and travelled there every year after falling in love with the beauty and splendor and of course the Aloha spirit. We purchased our home in 2006 and have loved every second we get to spend and pass on the aloha spirit to friends, family and our children as well. I have respected the islands and it’s people because even though we are residents we are still visitors. We need Hawai’i and Hawai’i needs us. Let’s all pull together and make Hawai’i wonderful again.
I just listened to Josh Green’s Facebook live event and have concluded that Hawaii would have opened much earlier and safely if only he was the Governor.
👍
Agreed…… my sense is he was fighting the Coronavirus as well as other political entities….terrible that everyone couldn’t have
worked together better and just put politics aside for awhile.
Josh Green straight up lied to us about the contact tracers, and caused thousands of more infections. Best thing you can say about the third stooge is he proved wearing his high tech Drs mask while under total lockdown that neither of those things prevent catching covid.
I just read the comments from tourists saying we had no ALOHA because we are asking them not to travel when there is a devastating virus happening in the whole world. Excuse me but where is their ALOHA? I canceled my trip because I dont want to spread this virus and would hope people would be just as considerate. We all need to be kind and stay safe. I thank God I live I
On Kauai with our thoughtful Mayor.
Then just tell us you are closed down and us “inconsiderate germ carrying monguls” will go somewhere else. Mexico is looking better everyday
You don’t have to get racist about your disappointment. That’s probably the attitude locals are tired of having to deal with.
Bankruptcies await you all over this insanity!
I’ve had COVID , surely not the worse thing I’ve ever had! Insanity rules the day as people believe the lies and stay locked up! Your governing authorities haven’t missed a payday nor do they care about you! Power hungry tyrants!
Aloha Hawaii ! You were once upon a time a fun place to go! Never again for me!
yes, no matter that it kills many, if you are ok.
Many of us live where visitors are coming in in droves, by car. You have had many months to flatten the curve and prepare, now it is time to let folks in and start the healing.
Bravo , I agree completely
We plan to visit Hawaii next April. The only roadblock that will keep us from coming would be the 14 day quarantine requirement. Having visited Hawaii over 30 times is a testament of how much we love the state, it’s residents and everything it has to offer. We have never experienced any dislike from its residents towards tourists and don’t expect to. Can’t wait to return.
Ron B.
These words Mr. X never heard “Aloha, A hui hou“
I am fresh off the boat Kauain, Malahini retired last year, locals say “ The Islands will embrace you, or chew you up!
I can tell you have experienced the embrace! My friends miss their social interactions with tourists, They love the Aina, and love to share and talk story with those that respect.
They are Crafters, Entertainers , Boat Captains and tour guides. If they seem prideful they are because even during Covid they live in one of the greatest places in the world and they want you to know and respect it even if some of the locals don’t .
Why is visitors sneaking into Hawaii and breaking rules on quarantine? Why should they be respected for that when they come here? They have NO respect for our health as we try to keep the pandemic down here. The mainland is where the disease is from. We all want vacations. I wish I could post this in numerous languages. Now is not the time for them to come here.
Your assumption is that the quarantine and shut downs were correct and effective and necessary to begin with. I disagree with that assumption. If Hawaiians want to stay safe and healthy–all Hawaiians have to do is follow the same basic, common sense precautions that anyone else should: Wear a mask whenever in public. Social distance whenever in public. Sanitize often and correctly. Avoid unnecessary crowds or gatherings.
1,000,000 infected tourists could land on the islands tomorrow and would have virtually zero effect on the local population if the locals did these simple things. But, since people generally cannot be counted on to be intelligent or respectful of others or of society in general–the government feels it has to just shut everything down.
The shutdowns were originally pitched as a temporary measure to allow the state and counties and health care systems time to prepare for the inevitable infections. But somehow that morphed into a permanent shutdown–with the unattainable and unrealistic goal of zero infections and zero deaths–at ANY cost to society, the government, the tourist industry, local businesses and individuals. But, hey, when our lawmakers are willing to run up $9 billion in debts even BEFORE the pandemic… it’s not surprising that they’ve made these kinds of devastatingly poor decisions.
Hundreds of times agree with you. God Bless you and America. My very best wishes.
One American dies every 30 seconds from this virus. More so far than the vietnam war. More that 100 9-11s.
You probably don’t work & don’t feel the hardship people are going thru. Look deep in your heart & tell US if you have a black heart and don’t believe that people are suffering . Maybe you don’t believe in God so you can say what you said. I feel sorry for you. Remember there is a God & people like you will one day be punished.
I donate to Hawaii. That is something I can do and keep people safe. I love Hawaii. If I have a black heart, well, actually I think it is pretty red. I will not be punished for doing what I believe is right. The governor of California just ordered 5,000 body bags.
Plus I don’t think God asks you to speak for Him. That is very arrogant.
Lynn it’s heartening to see your perspective as well as so many others here with a similar point of view. Couldn’t agree more that Hawaii will be here for you when the time is right. In fact, using the “adversity builds strength” concept when Hawaii reopens it will be even more special
then before. The tourist industry will be welcoming with a whole new level of Aloha and hopefully the angry haters complaining about the states performance in this crisis will keep their word and not come back.
Clearly, given the performance of so many people on the mainland failing to wear masks and not reducing the spread proves the State of Hawaii has been spot on how they handled this. We are isolated enough that if we only allow tourism back when we know they have been tested we will continue to be a safe place. I think the State thought they could get it done by Aug 1 and when that didn’t happen they rightfully postponed the opening. They had no other choice. BTW, the Governor was not only doing what’s right, he was doing what 81% of the population wanted too. That’s good leadership. Only 19% disagreed with him.
I actually haven’t been a fan of the Governor but say what you want, he has been tested under extremely difficult circumstances and hasn’t cracked and hasn’t stooped to name calling, lying and self interest.
Our economy will recover, not if, just when and when it does it will be better then it was before when no thought was given beyond growing tourism at any cost.
Everyday is a day closer to when this pandemic is behind us.
Lolo lololol, over here in Kalihi, Chinatown, and downtown Honolulu, 81% want him fed to the tiger sharks. No clue where you came up with 81% support his “behavior modification” lockdown, no one I know has been polled, and we sure didn’t get to vote to give away our rights….
Lynn s is living in a fantasy world. Everyone will be fine if we follow The rules. Just trust in the At best dysfunctional hawaii Government and hope for the best.
I dont want to visit the islands with that stuff going on. I do think hawaii is overreaching and cowardly and unpatriotic. It could have opened up june 1 with testing or without.
By the time this virus is done i think that almost everyone will get it and less than 1 percentbof 8 billion people will die from it. But many will have complications. Why cant people accept this fact? Why not boost the economy rather thsn tank it? Pray to your god? Its not rational to stop everyone from living due to c0vid.
Yes im sure hawaii will suffer greatly in the future after pushing away the good tourists the so want to coddle and lie to etc. well its a pipe dream i think.
Canada said no way. Europe said no way. Serious people avoid. Remember the old days. The leper shouting Unclean! Unclean!
I am coming back as soon as I can. The idea that tourism won’t recover because of Hawaii’s reasonable approach to protecting its people is nonsense. The reason it may take a while for tourism to recover is that many people in this country are not interested in taking unnecessary risks and are staying home or going camping. There are of course people who think “it can’t happen to me!” or “No need to think about others when I am having fun” or “I’m so special the rules don’t apply to me,” would of course be upset they can’t come to the islands, but they are the bottom of the barrel in tourist quality. I bet they cost the island plenty in accidents, law enforcement, and general mayhem. It just makes sense to be careful if you want to protect your family and friends, and to follow rules that benefit everyone and the environment–those are the tourists you want. As soon as it is safe, and Hawaii is ready, I’m coming back, and I’m sure most others who love the state feel the same. Keep it up, keep safe.
What if the underlying premise is wrong?
Come on. Aloha is a myth created and perpetuated by the marketing departments of hotel chains and airlines since tourism to Hawaii first started. It has never been a real thing.
Consider this: The first known white / western visitors to Hawaii were Captain Cook and his crew. This is a man who had been sailing around the world for years–and stopped at countless ports of call in virtually every known and unknown nation in the world. And, yet, Hawaii–and Hawaiians–were his undoing. Not disease. Not scurvy. Not battles with the French or Spanish on the high seas. But Hawaiians–and their famous Aloha–killed Captain Cook.
So, let’s just skip over any talk of Aloha if we want to have a intelligent conversation here. Hawaiians–and Hawaii–deserve no more respect than any other place on the planet that one my visit. They are not special. Or spiritual. Or any more precious than anywhere or anyone else. It’s just a pretty place. With problems of it’s own. And people–some good, some bad, some friendly, some hostile. Like anywhere else.
And if Hawaii–as a state–wants to continue to strangle itself to death over fears of C0VID-19, it has that right. It can impose any restricts legally enforceable–and die a slow, miserable death… if it so chooses. And in doing so, it will undoubtedly save a few lives… maybe even a few dozen… or a few hundred. And if “the state of Hawaii” places a value that high–literally billions of dollars–on a human life–so be it. Everyone and every place values human life differently.
But, financially, Hawaii was a failed state long before the C0VID got ’em. Billions in public debt. Complete and utter mismanagement and disfunction at every level of government. Complete dependence of tourism (both in sales revenue and tax dollars). Massively high rates of locals on welfare / public assistance. Low-ranked public schools. Generally low-wage jobs. Etc. Not much Aloha there. C0VID will just likely be the nail in the coffin.
[Edited]> How sad I am for Hawaii and her peoples. I truly wish the islands, and her citizens and tourists, all the best and pray for a quick recovery. I do love Hawaii and hope to be able to come back some day, which by then will hopefully be under better circumstances and far more competent and decent leadership.
How sad that my very relevant comment was edited. What your governor does and says impacts tourism in a big way. Just as mine does (California). It makes no difference which party the governor is from, it is the person’s actions that matter. I could care less about their party affiliation. It is unfortunate that I’ve been censored, but I’ve come to expect that in these unfortunate days and times. The editing of my comment in no way diminishes the impact of the governor’s unfortunate and frankly immoral conduct. People will respond with their pocketbooks, regardless of your silencing of my voice. I won’t be back, so please unsubscribe me. Mahalo.
Hi John.
You have been removed from future emails.
Aloha.
I agree they took down my post down also. When your critical of their system they don’t want to let the public know there is a big problem. George S.
Hello gentlemen,
After reading the article titled “Hawaii Public Relations Nightmare…” I felt it was time to voice an opinion. My wife and I travel to Kauai every year, and have done so since 2004. Our entire family takes great pleasure in teasing us about always going to Kauai instead of seeing the world. I dare say, there are not many who love Kauai as much as we do. Everytime we visit, it’s like coming home.
We made our usual yearly reservations in January for a trip in September, obviously before the pandemic hit. Now we wait. Wait for Hawaii to come up with a plan that is hopefully better than the original ideas. For example, with testing now taking as much as a week for results, the 72 hour pre-test idea is infeasible. Also, testing upon arrival to Hawaii seems impractical. What happens to those who do test positive?
It seems to us that some people of Hawaii are hoping to use this pandemic to make systemic economic changes for Hawaii. Unfortunately, if this continues, many tourists may be part of that change. I can’t tell you how disappointing that would be.
This is not just about us, we are appreciative of the people of Hawaii and are concerned how this will effect them. As I said we’ve been going since 2004. We witnessed the downturn of the recession. We saw the Coconut Marketplace fall to a few stores, almost shutting down completely. The Kukui Grove Center has also come close to shutting down. Many businesses and jobs were lost for Kauai residents. Most of the jobs lost from the recession were tourism related. Now, there are new businesses and jobs, most were created from new tourism. Times have been prosperous before the pandemic They will be again, If Hawaii doesn’t alienate the tourist trade. I believe in the people of Hawaii and their ability, Recovery will be quick. Maybe a little difficult, but I have no doubt the people of Hawaii will be able to enjoy the prosperity again. But, don’t wait too long.
Mahalo
Jim
P.S. Allowing Japan or any other country to visit Hawaii before mainland tourists seems like a bit of an insult. Hawaii has never been banned from entry to the mainland, but we have been basically. I know that many wish Hawaii was a sovereign country, but Hawaii is still one of the United States.
Hi Jim.
Thank you.
Aloha.
The comment that losing a few lives is not so important is disturbing:
1. Even with our undercounting, an American died every minute in the US over the last 24 hours from COVID-19.
2. Who are you volunteering? Your parents? Your kids? Your friends? Me? How about you? Step right up you first.
Dear Jared-
Some of your points, or even many of your points are certainly worthy of discussing. Hawaii is indeed a place that does have its share of problems. And it does indeed have its share of issues. And also it is indeed a very special place, Being born and raised in Hawaii, I would say it is in fact the Aloha that makes it special. And I feel Aloha is very real. And it is dependent on people choosing to develop and nurture and share Aloha.
To me, Aloha is a deep feeling that encompasses faith, kindness, welcoming, hope. It is the basic for my morning quiet time. (Some call it prayer time) I simply ask for the grace, compassion, patience, kindness and wisdom- to be a small blessing in the life of someone I don’t even know. Each and every day. Do I get it right every single day? Perhaps not. But I do try my level best. I see that as Aloha. It’s not commercial. I don’t ask for or expect anything in return. I just hope that others practice it too, and I feel in Hawaii that it’s practiced quite a bit.
You have the absolute right to view Aloha In any way you choose, And I will totally support your right to feel that way. Still, I’m sending positive thoughts of Aloha. I hope you and those dear are safe during these trying times. Please know that although we have never met, I care about you and wish you good health and peace. I share with you my Aloha from My heart.
Aloha to Beat of Hawaii for your professional and compassionate reporting of vital Hawaii travel news and opinions. Please be safe.
Rick
Hi Rick.
Thanks for this and all of your comments.
Aloha.
Don’t forget the Drugs and high Crime rates !
Wow
Aloha everyone
Married in Maui(Maui No Ka Oi, hope I said it right) in 1999 and many trips since. It just breaks my heart to see how you all in Hawaii are trying to deal with all of this.
God speed to all of you in the islands, hope some day to return.
Just a funny story, I brought my Mother to the islands in the early 80’s, and she said of the trash cans in Honolulu, what a nice word for trash-Mahalo, until I told her that it meant Thank You:)
Take care every one, Hope I can someday visit your wonderful Islands again some day.
Bill
Hi Bill.
Thanks for all of your comments.
Aloha.