See what these islands are planning for new Hawaii resort bubbles.
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405 thoughts on “Hawaii Resort Bubbles APPROVED | The Worst Idea Ever?”
See what these islands are planning for new Hawaii resort bubbles.
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Thank you for the update.
“The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.
Quote by Friedrich Hayek
Hi John.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Yes! if this is the only way to visit Hawaii, I will do it and gladly.
Initially when talk of the resort bubble surfaced, I was curious and thought “well, it’s still being IN Hawaii, so how bad can it be?” – but there are holes in the level of protecting Hawaiians / workers, etc….. so once again it doesn’t make sense and locals are so mean-spirited about tourist wanting to share their island, it’s probably better for your government to just SHUT HAWAII DOWN – until…… not this month to month silliness. Let the locals rejoice – no tourist will visit your island. Now, everyone’s happy (smile). I have zero issues waiting for a safe way to visit despite how ‘some’ locals jump all over visitor comments with nastiness and hatred. I don’t get it. They’ve lost their Aloha feelin’ – Stay well.
Helllll no! How does this help local business?
So we pay a lot of money to get to Hawaii, we pay a lot of money for our resort, our food etc and not leave? Is your government crazy? No thanks… I can stay home, swim in my pool, save money and wait for a normal, pleasant, fun vacation that I plan! Not big brother!
Thank you Beat of Hawaii… as always great info!
Hi Jan.
Thanks for your comments.
Aloha.
If the governor is serious about getting Hawaii open for tourists he needs to shut down the entire state immediately, close all non essential business’s. That means no restaurants, bars, hair saloons, gyms, beaches and parks, etc. And this would continue until each island gets new cases below an average of 100 new cases on average for a 14 day period, and maintains this number on a continual basis. This is similar to what CA has enacted. Otherwise I do not see Hawaii reopening before April 2021, and by that time the state will have forced over 50% of the small business out of business, and many of the small hotels will never reopen.
Are there statistics about how many people actually stay on resort their whole trip ? Might be more than you think.
Terrible Idea, spend $10 to $20,000 to have to be “Fenced” in! These resorts are Very expensive Plus they say no testing for the chance of being infected at those prices! Catering to the rich much!? What about the 100’s of condos that people own? What about the revenue there?
This is so typical of the government, picking winners and the rest of us are losers. So, you operate a condo rental, tough love! Lets just open up with the travelers getting tested at the airport with the new kits and get on with it.
I am just a little confused. What about the family that simply wants to go enjoy the beauty and aloha spirit, no parties or big groups, but can’t afford the big resorts? Are they just out of luck?
Perhaps we can make a reality show called “Prison in Paradise”; the old Fantasy Island show with a twist. The theme song should be Hotel California. PS – Thanks for keeping us up to date with your terrific newsletter.
Hi Kathy.
Thanks for that! We added it to the article. Too funny.
Aloha.
There was this guy. He had a pool at his house and lived near the beach. He robbed a lot of people and was awaiting trial. He was forced to strap a GPS ankle bracelet on and stay in his “resort” bubble until his trial. If he tried to leave, the locals would call the police and arrest him for “real”. The “new” Aloha.
One word. Ridiculous (read that with caps). Second word. Unexecutable.
Sounds like one more way big brother want to know your life….No thank you!! I feel sorry for the people on the Islands that just want to be able to make a living.
I think the bubble is a terrible idea. Folks are simply going to continue to violate the quarantine rules. As of mid July, 182 people have been arrested by law enforcement for violating quarantine rules in Hawaiʻi. We can’t trust people to quarantine on their own.
JMHO.. Arriving without COVID-19 test results should simply be discouraged. i think Hawaiʻi should take a strong stance on the issue.
I would prefer that all passengers be tested before arrival and would like to see a slightly longer test window (5 day vs 3 days before boarding).
Anyone who arrives without test results, should be escorted via state controlled buses specifically for the quarantined to a controlled offsite inland facility and quarantine there until negative test results are received or return flight arrangements are made. They should automatically be charged an “inconvenience” fee to cover these services (transportation, policing, etc). They should have to pay for their testing in Hawaii and their nightly stay at a reasonable rate (~$150/night) for the first three nights but doubling there after to discourage longer stays.
The state could make arrangements with specific hotels for lodging these quarantine passengers with onsite police presence. For example, on Oahu the state could make arrangements with hotels in Kapolei (Embassy Suites and Residence Inn) to provide lodging strictly for the quarantine. Guests will receive a “one time use” hotel key during their stay. I’m assuming isolated hotels could be found on the other islands as well.
I love Maui but would not enjoy a week or more confined to a resort. The charm of Maui is exploration – hiking, whale watching, shopping, dinners in unique places. Also stopping at Costco after arrival is a must. We always pick up things we didn’t want to pack and snacks for the room. We’ll wait until Maui is open without restrictions. Hope it won’t be long.
Wonder how long it would take for people to figure out that you could pay a local to wear your GPS tracker and sit at your resort while you go out to explore and have fun.
A bold new business concept – You heard it here first!
I worked at a resort here on Big Island for awhile and there are people who never leave the resort, they enjoy all the amenities available at the resort, have no need for rental car, and enjoy themselves immensely.
It wouldn’t work for me, it that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for others because clearly, it already does.
So I think it’s a way for resorts to generate some much needed revenue, and also a way for those who could handle that kine of vacation, to actually have one.
It will be interesting to see what kine plan the resorts come up with
A couple of months ago I viewed an online question and answer video on this very subject with Maui’s Mayor Mike Victorino. He laid out Maui’s fore fathers vision of what tourism should look like on the island. The original vision called for bubble resorts and limiting access of tourist to designated areas. What they didn’t foresee, especially on Maui, was the explosion of short term rental vacation condos. Government’s addiction of short term vacation rental tax dollars contributed to over development and over tourism on the islands. So now Hawaii’s leaders are caught in a catch 22. Converting short term vacation condo’s to single family ownership will see a short fall in tax collection. Keeping all the same will see a return to over tourism. I do not believe a bubble resort plan is doable as we’ve already witnessed with the 14 day quarantine to many visitors will break the rules and venture outside the resort area.
We would do this immediately. When we went to Kona Village we took a taxi to and from the resort and never left. Loved it.
I too never left the magical Kona Village resort but I now can’t imagine flying 1/2way across the world and not exploring .
But……if you leave it’s handcuffs, jail and fines.
Really miss Kona Village! I’d be there tomorrow
Aloha!
Feeling helpless over on the mainland as Gov. David Ige on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have provided an extra $100 a week in unemployment payments, saying he wanted to wait and see what Congress does. He also vetoed hundreds of million of dollars in other economic relief passed by the Legislature in July.
Open the gates! We can help!!
Whatever Hawaii can do to keep their perception of safe, good with the locals, and start tourist money flowing in I think is worth I try. However, I think it would more likely work for Jamaica because it is such a quick flight for the east coast. You are 1-3 hours and the flights are easily around $200.00. To stay in an all inclusive resort is why people go there, and they are not very expensive. To trek 5+ hours to Hawaii and stay in a very expensive resort to sit on the beach for the few tourists that are actually traveling, I don’t think it will happen. The other thing is, flights are being cancelled like crazy. We had our last set of Hawaii tickets (we go 3 times a year), cancelled yesterday. We just got our money back. We would have to fly Las Vegas to Dallas, Dallas to LA, LA to Honolulu and Hawaiian air to Maui. No way. We have already returned from a trip to Cancun. Did not have Covid going or coming back. The people were amazing. They were very welcoming, and while the trip wasn’t cheap, it was half what it would cost for Hawaii or Europe.
Definite NO. While we plan to spend 80% of our time at the resort, the other 20% is why we want to go to Maui – Haleakala, Hana Highway, local shops and restaurants, etc. Unless the resort starts feeding us with their ludicrous resort fees, or have decent sale prices, no way are we spending $3000 for a week and staying in their bubble.
We’ll gladly go to a resort on the mainland and spend our money and time, while wearing masks, keeping sanitized and distanced, and so on.
We go to a Hawaii to enjoy the restaurants and drive around the island and find little shops. We would not come if we had to be restricted to the resort. Plus, if everyone is restricted to the resort, the pool area will be CROWDED! Doesn’t sound nice at all. Yes, this will help the chosen resorts, but what about the restaurant owners? Shop owners?
Not feasible for places that don’t have segregated staff and facilities like those resort compounds in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Etc. Hawaiian islands are nothing like these places, and introduce a risk far too high. People will come and spread the virus and leave before symptoms appear. Staff will spread to communities, it’s a calculated certainty without quarantine and precautions PRIOR to arrival.
I Checked out Air Tahiti Nui and their testing lab prior to coming back this last time. Results in 16 hours. Although i am exempt for work, i did it to make certain I wouldn’t carry the disease to the island inadvertently. The Air Tahiti Lab near LAX ask when making the appointment for your flight number and guarantee results prior to departure of the flight. They delivered and the price was 150 dollars! This is NOT rocket science, and contrary to popular opinion, a tourist that wants to visit the islands (spend money and then leave) will make it happen.
The tourist will understand they will be subject to quarantine if they do not produce the results upon exiting the plane. The checks would be made as they currently are and problem solved. Money will start to flow, paychecks will resume, tax revenue will return, and the economy can begin to heal. This state needs leadership, not fear or pol driven policy! RIGHT NOW! The residual effects of a cratered economy long term will make the Corona virus seem like hurricane Douglas by comparison.
2 thumbs down. Jamaica does it because it is dangerous. Hawaii, not so much. I’ll go back when I can do MY Hawaii.
Absolutely not! The state may think people will jump at an all inclusive vacation without the free drinks and free food. But, travelers will NOT be interested in a vacation tethered (literally) to their resort. This might work in high crime tropical destinations. This will not be desirable for a Hawaiian Vacation.
Since I come to any of the islands to go find a beach and see the scenery I would never come and pay to stay in a resort …I can stay on the mainland and find a beach ….I will wait for safe travel ….I have quarantined since March except for Dr. Visits and knee surgery. I will continue until safe. I love the Islands.
Sounds like the old Kona Village Resort. Sign me up for that.
So you could not go to the store to buy food nor toilet paper. I hear even in jail, prisoners are allowed food and toilet paper.
So kinda like the Leper Colony on Molokai?
As a time share owner I would jump at the chance to come and stay in the “bubble” of our complex. I would miss not being able to visit favorite shops and restaurants but maybe a “bubble” could extend and allow limited travel, up and down Ka’anapali for instance. I’d prefer not to be captive, but I would do just about anything to get back to Hawaii without risking anyone’s safety. Aloha, and thanks Beat of Hawaii for keeping us up to date.
Hi Jack.
Thanks.
Aloha.
As a tourist, I wouldn’t feel comfortable quarantined at a resort bubble with other tourists, knowing that any guest — heck, including myself — could be an asymptomatic carrier. Then there’s the scenario of the active case at the resort bubble. What happens when a guest falls ill with the virus s(he) inadvertently brought in from the mainland? Are all the resort bubble guests required to start the stopwatch on a new timeline for a 14-day quarantine after that? How about that inter-resort bubble contact tracing? And let’s give consideration to the employees, like the housekeeping and wait staff teams, and guest services, who return home after work every day to their families. Talk about occupational safety. Lastly, the hotel that is the Resort Bubble host puts its reputation at risk as soon as a guest falls ill. And, even though no one means for it to, it will happen. Privacy laws be damned — a covid case at a resort bubble would hit social media like a bolt of lightening. Instant blacklist. And, finally, how is the hotel bubble to force the remaining guests to stay after a case — or cases — have erupted? If it were me, I’d be packing my bags, grabbing the kids and sneaking out the nearest fire exit — only to be busted with a $5,000 fine. Sorry aloha state travel fans, but unless you’re planning to move there and become one with the fabric of the islands, I think we need to sit this one out until the pandemic is solidly reined in.
I just thought of one more reason the bubbles won’t work. If people are constrained to remain within the resorts, they can’t spend their money at the small businesses in the area. So, sounds like the bubbles would only help the big hotels. Aloha.
Aloha guys – first want to say how happy I am that the islands were spared from the hurricane and that all is well. As to your question, if all I wanted to do was lay around a pool or a beach all day, then yeah, a resort bubble would be okay. But when we go to Maui, we want to be able to drive around the island to different areas, see all the scenic places, enjoy various restaurants, meet the folks who live there, go shopping, etc. Resort bubbles on Maui will not work. Mahalo for asking!
Hi Debi.
Thanks for your comment!
Aloha.
A resort quarantine bubble does not appeal to me. I would not take the time or spend the money to travel to Hawaii, only to be held captive at a resort. One of the reason my family and I visit Hawaii is because it’s safe to explore the island. If we want to be held captive at a resort we’ll go to Atlantis or someplace like that.
Hawaii just needs to require a Covid test prior to arriving, but give enough time to get the results of the test. Or, offer a rapid test at either the departing or the destination airport. Either way, it won’t be foolproof.
But, it isn’t realistic to continue to keep the island on lockdown. Honestly, I don’t know how the people of Hawaii continue to accept this lockdown. I can’t even imagine how their dealing with such horrible unemployment levels and the lack of income.
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for such honest reporting of this very unfortunate situation.
Mahalo,
TJ
Hi TJ.
Thanks!
Aloha.
Hi guys, I have a question. We own a vacation home on Kauai, can we be quarantined in our vacation home?
Hi Robert.
We aren’t sure and don’t want to give you the wrong information. It would be better to check with the county.
Aloha.
I think people are tired of staycations. I think there would be a lot of takers, imagine sitting at the pool while ordering drinks and enjoying the breeze, or wiggling your toes in the sand and taking a swim. Some may consider this a prison, but after being cooped up for so long, getting out would be welcome.
I’m curious as to how visitors who violate the restriction to the resort would be dealt with. I’m sure some of your readers are too young to remember the classic sci-fi movie, Logan’s Run, but will it be like that ? “We got a runner !” Not to make light of the seriousness of all of this and the attempts to try and make it work in an impossible environment. It just seems like enforcement of resort containment would be very difficult. In any case ….we here in Las Vegas certainly miss our Hawaiian visitors and we miss going to Hawaii. Aloha to all ❤️
Hi Lisa.
Thanks.
Aloha.
This is crazy on so many levels. I own a beautiful beach front timeshare on Maui. I’ve had this place for 22 years and I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve sat at the pool or even on the beach right outside my door!
Do I want to spend a lot of money to go there and Only there for two weeks…No
Cancelled my trip in May. Rescheduled to late August I cancelled Again. Not sure if or when I’ll ever get back to Maui which makes me very sad Because I love it there. Really wish Hawaii would get someone in office that knows what they’re doing.
Thanks BOH for all you do to keep us up-to-date on this mess.
Hi Donna.
Thanks for this and your other comments.
Aloha.
I’d never agree to be electronically tracked! Not worth a trip to Hawaii for that. And I don’t stay at hotels, but rather airbnbs or condos. I’m sorry for the tourist industry but that kind of vacation is not what I’ve experienced in Hawaii nor what I’d want to experience.