See what these islands are planning for new Hawaii resort bubbles.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Leave a Comment
405 thoughts on “Hawaii Resort Bubbles APPROVED | The Worst Idea Ever?”
See what these islands are planning for new Hawaii resort bubbles.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
I’ve always thought this bubble idea was the State of Hawaii grasping at straws. Most likely it is a political placating move on behalf of the state of Hawaii. There are so many unknowns in this bubble idea. Anything new is going to have unseen consequences. I think the state need to look at nations like Japan and S. Korea, who have successfully beaten the virus, and look in that direction. Japan is a densely populated country with a train subway system which is much like NYC and they have managed to keep their infection rate low through rapid testing and mask wearing. They also didn’t need to shut down their economies. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, which is the airline industry wanting further bailout until March. If that doesn’t happen then people will have difficult times finding flights. I know that the state of Hawaii is currently using the CARES act to stay somewhat afloat. To my way of thinking there are still too many unknowns for the bubble to be successful.
Mahalo Guys and stay safe.
Hi Roy.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Sounds like a “house arrest” ankle bracelet concept. So sad. I am on the verge of cancelling our family trip scheduled for 10 days on 1 Nov. I’m giving it until 30 days out hoping for a miracle before I cancel 😕
Ludicrous idea that puts many hardworking hotel workers at risk. They probably will not have a choice if their place of employment opts in.
Question: if a Hotel Bubble property fronts a beach
(ie:Grand Hyatt/Shipwrecks, or Marriott/Kalapaki Beach) and ‘Bubble People’ are allowed on that beach, does that mean that locals will not be allowed? Will they rope off the sand? Hard to rope off the water….Since all beaches are public, this will be interesting. I respect the Grand Hyatt for saying ‘No!’ and hope other hotel properties will follow. This is not the answer, Governor.
The Hawaii Governor is showing his true colors, Very, Very, ( STUPID )
Sounds like the old TV show The Prisoner.
None of this is easy for anyone. The people that are selfish and not social distancing and wearing masks are only spreading this. There is NO WAY the US should be in this position and had the administration taken this seriously earlier, we would not have had the lost of lives we have had. I’m in Northern California. You do NOT WANT THIS go get there. The people here are itching to get over there and feel “normal” again. Normal is no longer. New normal at some point – yes. You have too many multi-generational households. Are you willing to go to work at a resort, have someone from here be asymptomatic and give this to you and you to your parents, grandparents, great grandparents? You don’t have the health care system to deal with this. Life is hard right now but if you and your loved ones are healthy —- this is all that matters. If I were lucky enough to be there – I would fish, eat local fruits, veggies and not care what was happening with the world. You are on a beautiful “Rock” in the middle of the ocean… DON’T let the plague get to you..
Haha, diffidently some of the dumbest ideas I’ve heard of recently !!!
HOA grade leftest nobodies wanting to exercise control over anyone they can, haha 🙁
Aloha. Geo fencing, tracking bracelets, quarantine, arrest, deportation. Will this be included in the resort fee? Hawaii, where memories are made. I must say, following along with the incompetence of the state is mind numbing. Mahalo.
Hi Gerry.
Thanks.
Aloha.
You know, if you have to be stuck someplace for 14 days, why not in a nice hotel, on the beach with food and shelter and beauty. It is a perfect time to just chill out, meditate and maybe do some other mindfulness programs. It could be a huge boon for the raising of consciousness.
The point is, nobody has to be stuck somewhere for 14 days. They’ll go somewhere else. And if people want to practice “mindfulness” they can do that anywhere. Really creative, though, to bill a boring vacation being confined to own location as a chance to practice “mindfulness”. Too bad your governor has been engaging in “mindlessness” for the past 6 months. Maybe you should quarantine him in one of these empty resorts for 14 days?
I plan to go with my family of 4 in Maui, Big Island and Kauai this December. All our vacation are the same, we never stay at the same place more than 3 days and try to visit as much as we can !
This solution will never works for us. If it doesn’t change, we will cancel the trip for the second time (april 2020 already).
We were able to safely fly and visit Montana and Wyoming this summer (social distancing, masks, etc …)
Hopefully Hawaii will “choose” a solution AND everyone will behave properly in order to save those business.
Aloha, oddly enough, I could see this working, if, and this is a big if, the price is right, why not relax for a few days on the beach or by the pool in paradise if its affordable. But if the resorts want to charge precovid prices I’ll pass.
Wondering if any of the resorts are considering an all inclusive option? Many years ago, did not Club Med or someone do and all inclusive thing up at Princeville?
Mahalo
Bill
I personally had to move a trip planned since January from the end of September to August 2021. I would rather have the freedom to be able to see as much of Hawaii as I can in the 10 days that I will be visiting. I’m not in favor of the resort bubble
Hysterical. This can’t be a serious proposal? Feel like this is a prank. Amazing to me that people in a room actually think this is a good idea. 🤣🤣 I love Hawaii as much as anyone. I’m ok waiting until it’s safe to travel. Not looking to pay 10k for a prison camp.
Never. Stupidest idea I’ve ever heard if
Aloha. Hawaii Resort Bubbles? Not gonna “Book ’em, Danno” if these are implemented. I’ll take my money elsewhere. Mahalo for asking. You guys stay safe.
Hi Debi.
Thanks!
Aloha.
The questions being asked are excellent ones. I am thankful that the bubble resort concept is being pursued. As more questions are asked, more obstacles could be overcome. Let’s be positive. As a frequent visitor, the Hawaiian people are on my heart. At least this possibility gives them hope. Are we going to stand by and watch the state’s economy free fall? If they open, I will be there to support them.
Aloha Jewel V – have you considered that the bubbles will not allow you to visit the mom and pop stores around the islands? The bubble concept only helps the big hotel resort owners. Aloha.
please
we were going to go a resort if we could use pools and beaches at the resort and just order food in or go to resort restaurants before the lockdown back in march. that said, we wouldn’t even have even considered it if people weren’t having their temperatures taken. having to be tested prior to arrival
doesn’t seem like it would work considering all the time frames they would impose.
shawn
Most of the fun and true experience of Hawaii is outside of the mega resorts. We search out the hidden beaches, hiking and driving around to see the diverse and immense beauty that so many different areas offer. Also the experience of many different and uniques levels of dining. From food trucks to high end ocean view dining. I would not be interested in spending my entire vacation at one resort. Sounds like a expensive assisted living. If reliable and accurate quick testing could become available you could test before, during and departure of tourists. Then everyone would feel safer. A hopeful dream at the moment. We were so sad to have had to cancel our two week vacation in May. I am trying to figure if I should rebook our timeshare for October 2021 at this point. We do one week in Kauai and one in kaanapali. Not even a option right now to consider this year. This is beyond comprehension how and when to make future plans to Hawaii. I can’t image the stress all the people that live there are going through with such uncertainty and economic devastation of the tourism industry that is such a huge part of the islands.
So the resorts become a glorified “internment camp” for your stay if it is less than 14 days! My, what a wonderful way to treat American citizens traveling to a US state! A bubble headed idea from a bunch of bubble brains at the state and county level! If I can’t go to local restaurants and businesses like I have done for the past 30 years then the guv’nur can park this idea up his okole! Unbefrickingly believable!
This idea is dumb. If all I needed was a fancy resort for vacation I wouldn’t leave the state and pay so much money. The resorts and airlines better sharply lower their prices if they think about implementing this seriously. There are saliva tests now that are faster and cheaper than the nasal swabs. Maybe stick to testing before and after the flights if the results are that much faster? There has to be a better idea than these silly bubbles…
There are even blood tests that Doctors can do to see if a person has the virus and has antibodies for it, with results in 24 hrs, so why not ask more medical facilities and Doctors to obtain this modern new device to test and allow for those tests results to used to be free to roam the island.
Hi guys. Thanks for the updates and shining light on the insanty that Hawai’i’s leaders are displaying.
It’s all about the mighty dollar.
Resort bubbles are insane and will further destroy our family owned businesses in the islands.
Absolutely no. Heck no. Never. Ever.
Now ask me what I really think.
Aloha to all
Hi Pam.
Thanks. You’re clear – we hear you.
Aloha.
Aloha – testing needs to be done prior to getting on a flight there for me to go. The bubble idea won’t work for me since I have a voucher at a timeshare and I want to be free to roam. This isn’t helping local businesses. Mahalo
Hi Marilyn.
Thank you for your many comments!
Aloha.
Hi Ginger.
Thanks.
Aloha.
This idea demonstrates contempt for tourists and residents. 14 day quarantine and lockdown did not stop illness. Why not do what works, masks sanitation personal space and open up for business, whatever is left of it. Vote out your leaders and representatives, they have a poor perspective.
Why would I spend money to fly, rent a car just to sit at my resort. Especially when I have other family members that have not been to the islands and not experience places like pearl harbor and others. Please don’t let the resort bubble go through.
Yikes! It’s actually quite astonishing to see how one group of [Democratic] politicians keep screwing things up. Darth Ige and his First Order pals need to shuffle the deck and get professional help from the Mainland. It’s beyond words really. To all of us prospective HI travelers – is anyone actually confident that Hawaii’s leadership will get its act together by next summer??? Serious question….this is dire. If there was ever a time for the airline and lodging industries to call in some favors to help replace gov leadership now is the time!
This “Bubble Resort” idea sounds more like fancy resort concentration camps. I’m sure the employees of these resorts, although happy to be working again, will not want to become the Covid Police. Does it benefit the shops, the restaurants, the tour companies and other businesses outside the “Bubbles?” Not likely. Bad idea. Although I come to Hawaii 2-3 times a year, I’ll stay home for the time being. Thanks
What lunacy.
Would that Ige and the hotel industry choose to put their collective financial resources into what is truly needed to get Hawai’i back on her feet: a coordinated, well-thought-out plan to first control then eliminate CoVID transmission in the islands, which would include acceptance of 72-hour pre-arrival testing as well as the promised-but-disappeared on-demand/arrival testing as needed, real (!) enforcement of extant, pae ‘āina-wide social-distancing protocols (masking, limiting gatherings to small numbers, etc) and, most importantly, a functional contact tracking system. The current health officials are making a mockery of their kuleana. Any plan that sets out to bring tourism back had the responsibility to include safety/health protocols that protect residents. The industry needs to be a part of supporting that, not thinking selfishly.
BAM – Apparently a coordinated, well thought out plan is beyond the current government’s capability.
As Warren Buffet famously said “ You can’t tell who’s swimming naked until the tide goes out.” This event has exposed how woefully incompetent the current Governor, Island Mayors and Department of Health are. Everything is a knee-jerk reaction – its like watching a 3 Stooges movie and it would be funny, but people are being hurt by their poor decision making.
Nope no bubbles for us, especially without testing. 3 trips now cancelled and our November family reunion is dubious that it will happen. I would rather see them use rapid tests 24 hours before travel. We use them here in Dan Diego to keep our family safe and stay on top of possible random infection even though we use all the precautions. They are expensive, you have to go to private clinic to get one but worth it.
Hawaii we will be back and to all my ohana there and artists and restaurants and outdoor sport family we support, hang in there and stay safe🙏💖💖💞
Maybe, but I would suggest adding saliva fast-testing when they arrive. It’s available, and at least one company, using the Yale developed process, has received EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) and the news article indicated that millions could be produced within weeks.
With 95% accuracy, less than $2 per test, results within 15 minutes (possibly less, as company has estimated 90 tests per 3 hours), this seems like a solution to me.
This could also be the pass-key to travelers as a requirement before they board.
I think the travel bubble is a horrible idea! I have been planning a trip that will include a 14 day quarantine at the end of October. I would rather be in quarantine in my unit than worrying about an encounter with an anti masker from a hotspot state. I have been at home since March 9th. 14 days in Paradise with an ocean view works for me! I pray they stick with it or proof of a negative covid case.
A resort bubble is a terrible idea! I want to SEE Hawaii, not be stuck at my hotel. We have a 2 week trip planned for early January. If this happens, i will cancel my trip & go somewhere else! They need to put their energy into figuring out how to do rapid testing so those of us that are well & want to travel to Hawaii can do so.
Yes honeymooners, birthdays and anniversaries prefer the Champagne Bubbles and not a prison like bubble. Maybe they will enjoy more intimate time together as how much touring can they do in a resort bubble. After 30 minutes of boredom they need to do something! Of course they would not mind being trapped with other bubblers who may have the virus and get it as a aloha gift.
It would make sense to do testing. Since there are rapid tests and testing centers seem to be able to be set up.
1. Require a test 7-10 days before travel.
Since they can still acquire it in that time.
2. A requirement to arrive at the airport so many needed hours before the flight for a rapid test result before boarding and if positive they go home and the airline is required to refund them or give them full future credit after they are well and so is the rental they have resort or transient.
To avoid 2 false negatives
4. A rapid test on arrival before being allowed to leave the airport.
An airport confinement bubble. There can be entertainment to eliminate gloom with a set back stage with no contact and also give some work to entertainers, singers, hula dancers, comedians (politicians). Food and drink can be provided maybe for a set price or included with test costs buffet style, with set breaks to change food by workers at a distance. Pu Pus, lilikoi pie, fried rice, saimin, loco moco, fish, fruit, salad to make it an aloha welcome similar to a Laua testing experience.
Fool proof no! But neither are politicians. But 3 tests are more likely to eliminate a very high percentage then a resort bubble does which can endanger the travelers and the island workers and delivery persons who may get it from the entrapped travelers sand spread it much more than 3 tests would.
But for those who want their dream too come Hawaii the cost may be worth it.
This is by far the dumbest idea yet. Who in their right mind would go to a resort to be locked in and tracked and punished if they attempted to leave the property. That’s no vacation, it’s paying to be confined.
Just to add some humor to maybe keep things light….
Will they be “Tiny Bubbles”?
Aloha and miss the islands, and your daily email is a must read!
Mahalo
Drew
Hi Drew.
LOL. Thanks.
Aloha.
I see what you did there. Thanks for the much needed chuckle.
In case anyone is too young to remember, here are Do Ho’s lyrics
Tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles)
In the wine (in the wine)
Make me happy (make me happy)
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine)
Tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles)
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love you till the end of time
So here’s to the golden moon
And here’s to the silver sea
And mostly here’s a toast
To you and me
So here’s to the ginger lei
I give to you today
And here’s a kiss
That will not fade away
Aloha
What a splendid idea this is! For resorts who opt in, they get the opportunity to 1) spend additional money on geofencing and staff to police said “fence” violators 2) bring back employees/staff so they can be exposed to mainland travelers who potentially have Covid 19 and 3) lose even more money staffing up and stocking up for – wait for it! – a probable 10-20% occupancy rate. Sounds like a win-win for the local economy indeed!
For guests, wow, would this be heaven on Earth or what? Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to spend thousands of dollars to be penned in with other guests (shared elevators! shared restaurants! cleaning staff hopping from room to room!)? And how about that shuttle bus ride from the airport with other guests who have just flown in from parts unknown, all gloriously untested for Covid 19? And that spectacular beach on the other side of the resort pool? Look but don’t touch – or you’ll be arrested. Sweeeet!
It’s sad. Just when you think the idiocy from Hawaii government officials couldn’t reach new heights, it does a cartwheel right off the charts. What’s needed is the same thing that’s been needed for 5 1/2 months now: testing, testing and more TESTING. Find reliable tests, buy reliable tests, implement a comprehensive on-arrival testing strategy. If pro sports leagues can find hundreds of thousands of tests, Hawaii could too. Just do it already.
This concept is for people who want to support the HI economy in anyway they can and I’m in!Looking forward to snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, etc., not one to sit and look at the ocean from my room.
Mr. Takemoto and Marriott, please resort bubble the Mauna Kea and/or it’s sister property the Westin Hapuna. The key here is no rental cars for visitors (this is where people get into trouble). Shuttles and/or private car service from the airport directly into the resort only (wear a mask on the shuttle). Sorry, no Costco, Island Gourmet, or Foodland stops. Also, restaurants who want these visitors can arrange shuttles from the resorts directly to their location only with a booked reservation, social distancing, and a time limit of possibly two hours for dinner (are you hearing me Merriman’s). Pool time may be booked in two hour increments (seeing this in SoCal) and social distancing on the beach and pools except for couples/families. I don’t have all of the answers, but this is a good start IMHO.
Can’t wait to see the mantas (I’ll BMOS- bring my own snorkel/mask) and Manta at MK. If someone wants to violate quarantine rules, they are more than welcome to walk past the guard gates to Queen K and over to Kawaihae or Mauna Lani. Good luck!
I would personally like for this to happen as we have a home within a gated private club…it would at least allow me to use the facilities, go to the beach and see my grandchildren.
Can you imagine how mad the locals would be if the public beaches by the resorts were only accessible by hotel guests, and they would have every right to be completely infuriated. Can you imagine telling minimum wage hotel staff that they have to stay at the hotel for 14 (or more) days while they leave their kids at home to fend for themselves? What are these politicians using for brains? People are not going to pay thousands of dollars for the “privilege” of being under house arrest. People come to the islands to experience the island life and to go to the restaurants and attractions, not to be monitored and threatened with arrest should you happen to wander outside the. “bubble”. What hotel chain is going to want the reputation of being the enforcer? That certainly isn’t good for business. For anyone who is coming to the islands to visit family, well that isn’t going to happen unless they also book rooms and quarantine at the resort with you. I hope they approve this so they can witness the crash and burn of one of the worst ideas yet.
Some visitors come to Hawai’i every year. Although I would miss being able to roam freely across the island (We have had the honor of seeing much of it), our resort would be suitable to provide us the winter break we have come to enjoy each year. I would however, appreciate that incoming visitors and staff be tested before freely moving about the resort. I assume that staff would also be residing on the property for a specific period of time (They do that on cruise ships). It wouldn’t be for everybody I understand but a certain older age group may be helpful in keeping some citizens employed.
No way will I go tell it’s all back to normal. Alot of money spent to be locked up like a criminal, I’ll just go to san deigo instead not a hole lot different I had to cancel twice on Hawaii over it all.
I’ve been trying to go once the quarantine is lifted. Currently scheduled for October. If I was locked into a resort, I would definitely NOT go.
We love Kauai-we usually spend a month on the island & stay in a condo on the beach. The last place we want is a hotel room & to be limited to one cluster on the island. We don’t go for the chain hotel & their restaurants-We want to support the locally owned restaurants & local foods(farmer markets) plus, We look at this as a breeding ground for Covid. We also want to be able to actually explore & experience the island. That said, we will unfortunately (for us) not be returning to the island in the near future. This plan doesn’t really help the locals, it only helps the corporate business