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See what these islands are planning for new Hawaii resort bubbles.
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We would never consider visiting under the resort bubble concept. That is not the reason we love Hawaii. We love the freedom to explore, enjoy all the different restaurants, excursions, sites and the PEOPLE. It wouldn’t be the same if we had to stay in one spot the entire time. And we loathe masks – we can’t see the smiles. And there were still plenty of smiles last time we visited. IF/WHEN Hawaii ever returns to something close to what we remember – we will return. If not, we still have all our fond memories and photos of a very special place on this earth.
That sounds horrible. It sounds like a glorified concentration camp. I really hope no one pays for this.
Stupid idea people have to wait on them at the hotel maybe get sick and here we go, we get it when they come home from work…. My vote no..
With current surge of covid cases on Oahu and daily reported deaths I thing the bubble idea is a mute point.
From what I’ve read in the next 4 to 5 days due to covid Oahu will run out of hospital beds. IMO even without normal tourist activity Hawaii is on the verge of experiencing what many of us have all ready been through a very large covid surge.
For myself I sure don’t want to be on the islands when it happens.
Sorry Hawaii, this just won’t do. I don’t pay premium prices to fly and stay locked in a resort. I can always go to Mexico or Caribbean resort for all-inclusive resort experience, at a 20-50% discount on what I pay to go to Maui. I happily pay more for the experience of seeing the island, traveling to Hana, biking the volcano, jumping off of black rock, and eating nightly at Monkey Pod or the new Maui Brewing. If I am stuck in a resort, and have to wear a monitor like a criminal (that I have to pay for!!), I will bring my family elsewhere. We just spent 2 vacations in Las Vegas at the pool, and flights and hotel for 3 nights was $251 a person. People were respectful, service was great, and everyone wore a mask in public. To bring my family to Maui, usually runs 1-1.5k a day total cost with travel, rental car, lodging and food. 7 nights in Cabo All-inclusive is going for 4-5k. I cancelled our christmas trip to Maui (and 3rd hawaiian trip we cancelled) today sadly, and will probably take a loss on the Hawaiian Air tickets, because I won’t rebook until the Islands are 100% open and, then I will wait at least 6 months for the economy to recover.
It sounds like a horrible idea. How can you experience the beauty of Hawaii from a hotel. One goes there not to bound by rules and a bracelet, but to be free to explore. Being under house arrest is not a vacation. I personally will wait to return to my favorite place on earth, praying for a vaccine .
Erdogan made this comment here but cannot seem to find it in the thread. “The technology is available for testing everyone within an hour of their arrival ( e.g. Abbot ID test) for probably less than $20 each. ” I would love to see the source for this information as I have done a ton of research and found nothing of the kind available anywhere? Source this please.
As a scientist who works in biotechnology and has been coming to Kauai since the early eighties – I can not believe how the mayor thinks this would help restart the tourism. Tourists come to Kauai not to stay in hotels like prisoners but to enjoy the nature. How many hotels in Kauai are “resorts” ? The good ones have a beach and some attractive swimming pools but that is about it. As can be seen the best of them Grand Hyatt (which at one time employed about 600) does not see the idea as being feasible. Because the quarantine in the bubble applies only to visitors it will do little for preventing employees spreading it outside of the bubble. The technology is available for testing everyone within an hour of their arrival ( e.g. Abbot ID test) for probably less than $20 each. Yet the Governor spent close to 30 million dollars for thermal imagers for airports, which can be done manually with $5-10 non-contact thermometers used at the airports by the National Guard. If Politicians had used this money for buying either PCR based diagnostic equipment or Abbot or Roche equipment they could have the capacity to test thousands per hour. Unfortunately looks like the the only thing they know is to wring their hands, stick their heads into sand and wait for COVID to disappear by itself which will not happen in the near future.
Finally it is worth noting that there are only two cases ( way back in March) clearly traceable to an outside couple out of the 56 cases in Kauai. Thus the blame for the majority of existing cases does not rest with visitors. Indeed any body who is willing to spend a day at the airports to get to Kauai will be willing to have the testing done ahead of time.
The whole point of a resort bubble is to separate possible covid travelers from the local community for at least the 1st 14 days of their stay. Rapid testing will make this even safer & more feasible. The Temp screening was funded using federal cares act money so if it’s not used then we lose it. However, I agree with you, that I do hope we will eventually equip all of our airports w/ Abbot ID tests, like NY or SF is doing. We can require all travelers to the islands to have a negative covid test. If they don’t have negative proof, then we’ll have them take a rapid test at the airport. As long as they are negative, they can join the others in the resort. Then a few days later we’ll have them take another covid test to be sure they weren’t infected while on the flight.
During their stay, the resort can work w/ local attractions, tour groups, or golf courses to block off certain times so the quarantine guest can go sightseeing or play golf w/o getting mixed in with the general public. Sort of how the NBA players are doing in the Disneyworld bubbles. After 14 days if the travelers are free of symptoms they can leave the resort & continue their vacation elsewhere on the island. If at anytime they show symptoms, they must get tested again and/or isolate themselves in their room. If they plan to leave the island before the 14 days, then they don’t need to take a 2nd covid test. The risk for employees will be low due to the negative tests & as long as they wear necessary PPE & continue to physically distance while working.
I like some of your ideas but more importantly, I think you’ve put more effort into making a plan than the entire Hawaiian government has. And that’s the problem.
Thanks for the nice comment! No country has been able or willing to figure out a way to open & welcome US tourists w/o seeing increases in covid cases. (Maybe a few in Eastern Europe but I can’t imagine they get many tourists) Whether we like it or not, we’ll need to figure out a way; as our businesses can’t survive w/o visitors & our residents livelihoods depends on it. Most of the ideas are from the nba bubble as it has worked so far as I write this.W/ all the bureaucracy in govt & all the dotted lines that have to be crossed, sometimes the govt does need a catalyst to light a fire under them. In fact if the govt wanted to play it even safer, they could start off w/ visitors from countries w/ low rates of covid like NZ, Australia or Canada.
Good Afternoon,
Nah, I won’t be making any reservations to visit “Haunted Hotels” on Kauai or Maui during a so-called bubble. As much as I hate waiting to visit ohana, I’ll wait until the island is opened.
Thank you for the continuing “talk story” updates!
Hi Dale.
Thanks.
Aloha.
No thanks. We own at a Princeville resort, and it would be ridiculous to go and have to stay on property for the entire time, overlooking the ocean, but never getting to go to it, or see anything other than out our window. This is a bad idea. We were cancelled in May, cancelled in August, and are tentatively set for November. We took a short week and went to Sanibel, Fl, where they welcomed us wholeheartedly. We stayed in our beachfront condo, went to the beach and limited our outings, but still had a wonderful vacation. Sorry to say, but we may be done with Hawaii, may just sell out and visit Florida for our beach vacations. No, it isn’t the same, but neither is our 2nd home on Kauai.
We are frequent visitors to Hawaii returning 2 to 3 times per year. We travel there to embrace the people, the land, the ocean and the culture. We are happy to support the local shops and economy while we are there as we meet more wonderful residents. The Aloha spirit is alive in the hearts of the residents, but after follAloha owing many Youtube videos, and news articles by the politicians it APPEARS that their spirit originates in their wallets.
I agree with quarantines to help the people , but would NEVER travel there as long as there is a chance of being told to quarantine, for any reason, after I arrive. We cancelled and received refunds for May 2020, October 2020 and May 2021 because of the quarantine and potential for it continuing.
I am not an economist so I can’t say how this”resort bubble” helps the economy, but it does not seem to benefit the many ..
Rental car companies earn $0, local shops earn $0, local restaurants earn $o. Tour companies,helicopter companies,dive shops and tours, and zipline companies earn $o. Only a few hotel employees will return to work. Airlines will most likely not fill their seats so may operate at a loss.
If it is implemented I hope that it works, but I am not hopeful. Good luck to the good people of Hawaii
I don’t know why one of my my sentences got broken up… It was supposed to read..”after following many Youtube videos, and news articles by the politicians it APPEARS that their(the State’s) Aloha spirit originates in their wallet.
This is an interesting and informative site. Thanks
Hi Rob.
Thanks.
Aloha.
so let me get this straight for months this website has been criticizing the governor, hawaiian politicians etc for not swinging the doors wide open and yet now when they are attempting to find a way to open here you are again crapping on the politicians. How is opening wide open vs this any safer?
Actually, Paul C. The numbers in CA are getting a lot better and we never exceeded our hospital capacity. Numbers have dropped enough in some counties that schools are opening and L.A. County (!!) may be able to open in a month or so. The CA DOH has done a pretty good job, with some missteps along the way.
I’ve got to ask. Is Paul C. a pseudonym for David Ige? Or do you work for him or something? I’ve never seen someone defend a state government like you.
I am not defending anyone. I am simply saying Hawaii is different than any other state as they are islands. Thats all I was saying. NO I dont work for him dont know him. Why are you so busy crapping on the local government? Thats the better question
PS a number of states including washington and NY have quarantine restrictions just like Hawaii does for all visitors.
Mahalo Paul C!
I agree with you! I live in California and wish we had a 14 day quarantine here too. If everyone would play by the rules we could get back to our new normal!
Mahalo NaniC thank you. Oregon is currently considering doing just that since our numbers are so low and states around us are high.
“New Normal” will never be looking like communist China Nani C (related to Paul C?) Americans are free, Americans are brave. Not mask wearing robotic sheep. Frightened people should have the new normal… hide in your home forever. Brave Americans should understand the risk and get back to work! USA #1
Sounds like you definitely are part of the Hawaii government. If so and you read BOH then you know how hideous readers think the Resort Bubble idea is. Visitors simply aren’t going to spend the money it takes to get to Hawaii only to be treated like a prisoner. This resort bubble idea is a total joke! Also, how dumb are those in the government to think this will keep Covid contained.
Maybe Ige should put a little work into coming up with a testing protocol instead of asinine ideas like the “Travel Bubble” or the “Resort Bubble”!
Aloha & Mahalo
The idea of “resort bubbles” is patently absurd and probably illegal. I think we need to accept that there will be no opening of Hawaii to visitors until after there is a vaccine. This makes me very sad. I have elderly island friends that I am afraid I will never see again.
Thank you for running this website. It is the only place I turn to for the best and correct information on Hawaii and please stay safe.
Hi Mike.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Illegal? How so? Elaborate please
The electronic monitoring would seem to me to be problematic but I am not a lawyer.
Yeah….I said before, I would be willing to go to our resort and hang out for 2 weeks and not leave the resort. The resort could run fun events, great cookouts and such. This would be “tolerable” for me, since I have seen more than the top 10 sights on Kauai – for this ONE YEAR! But with this said, if not tested, someone could bring the virus to the resort and pandemonium would ensue!
I really appreciate your website keeping us updated on the islands!
Looking forward to next year and returning to our Kauai! Plan B this year…a fave Orlando Marriott resort, a lazy river and just getting away!
Hi Debbie.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Why can’t Hawaii do what Belize recently did? They opened to tourism in a reasonable way about two weeks ago.
The Hawaii resort bubble is a horrible idea and I can tell you that I speak for millions of people who absolutely hate the State of Hawaii since the pandemic began. It is so hard not to use profanity, rudeness, and upper case text because I (and millions of people) feel so strongly about their current hatred of Hawaii. Hawaii thinks they are so special and above everyone else that they can shut their borders to the rest of the world. California has 50 times more daily and total Covid cases, yet our borders have remained open to all states and our beaches and hiking trails have remained open all summer despite the rising cases. It’s because California has learned to live with the virus and is not trying to eradicate it like Hawaii thinks it can do. Hawaii gets 200 daily cases and shuts everything down like its the end of the world. Suck it up and live with it Hawaii because Covid isn’t going away. Why am I so pissed? Because I canceled a Hawaii trip I had planned for May, and postponed it for September thinking things would be hunky dory by then. But now I had to cancel the September trip, so “f” you Hawaii, I and every one of the 320 million people on the mainland hate you!
Wow. so you speak for 320 million citizens huh? Why beat of Hawaii would you approve this hate filled rant towards a place that you make money off of? Honestly I am glad I will never have to see David M or any of his ilk in Hawaii. HATE HAWAII oh and California is learning to live with it? Do you watch the news David? California has been blowing up with infections and hospitalizations since attempting to open back up. Hawaii is being careful and safe as they should be. Take your hatefilled self and go elsewhere and certainly never come to Oregon or Hawaii ever. What a ridiculous reply.
Why are republicans so filled with hatred and anger? I will never understand that
Paul c??? Seems you are filled with that same hate AND prejudice you are assuming a negative comment has to come from a republican! Shall I include ignorance?
Hello Paul C. Wow Wow and WOW! I’ve now read several of your posts. If there is anyone here on this site spewing hate, anger and bitterness its most certainly you. You complain about Republicans filled with hate and anger … did you read your own post? By your post I’m assuming you’re Democrat. Seems like you Democrat’s can say whatever you want but when anyone else speak their opinion you Dems become totally outraged! Obviously that’s what happened here on the BOH site. You read someone else’s opinion/view and now you’re having a melt down. We’re all entitled to our own opinions. Take a deep breath and accept the fact that you Dems aren’t the only ones allowed to have a say. That’s what America is
about … free speech.
Paul C, settle down and enjoy life. Raging is unhealthy.
Mahalo & Aloha
TJ
😂😂😂😂
Aloha David! I’m not a fan of the bubble idea but also understand that being an Island makes it logistically difficult to deal with a pandemic.
I’m also from California and in June we had the luxury of 10,600 ventilators and growing. The state of Hawaii does not have this luxury:
Statewide, there are currently 3069 licensed beds, 340 intensive care beds and 583 ventilators.
The vast majority of those resources are on Oahu. Here’s the breakdown on the Neighbor Islands:
Big Island: 295 licensed beds, 24 ICU beds and 39 ventilators
Maui: 242 licensed beds, 29 intensive care beds and 27 ventilators
Kauai: 111 licensed beds, 9 ICU beds and 18 ventilators
With such limited ventilators it’s difficult to suck it up and open the flood gates. Living in CA I have seen many people with total disregard for our mask rules because they selfishly don’t like wearing them. I wish everyone would suck it up, wear a mask and social distance! The sooner we start thinking about the greater good the sooner we can get back to “normal”.
I have already changed my annual visit to Kauai 2 times and will again if I have to. It’s disappointing but to stop covid19 we all must sacrifice.
I pray that everyone can and will practice the Aloha Spirit!
Well said, Nani. Thank you for your analysis and thoughtful reply to the other poster. As someone who lives in OC, CA and has lived in HI, I know firsthand that the outer islands’ healthcare facilities cannot be compared to CA.
I do support the resort bubble option, as we have the luxury of non-stop flights directly to the Big Island and Maui from San Diego, and as former residents there isn’t a overwhelming desire to explore. Looking forward to getting on a plane and enjoying some of my favorite beach resorts without the crowds. BTW, OC was taken off of the State’s watch list. Yes!
Mahalo Cheri!
So glad to hear you’re off the watch list! Not sure where we’re at in San Jose. Have been home since March to stay covid free so I can get to Hawaii
bubble or not. Like you I don’t need to sight see and just really want to sit on our Lanai in Kauai and look at the ocean. I pray everyone stays safe and plays by the rules. Aloha🌈 🌺
Hi David M. Well “hate” may be too strong of a word, but I despise the Hawaii Governor and all the democrats running the state. They are expecting to be bailed out and they see nothing wrong with becoming a welfare state. Many tourists will find another beautiful place to vacation next year and most likely for the next ten years.
So true..
You pinned it DAVID M. Thank you !!!!
Hi David M, I have read your post carefully and would like to point out that Hawaii is not the only state with a 14 day mandatory quarantine. They are lucky enough to be able to try to enforce it. This policy has saved many, many lives. Although California and other US states have decided that economic factors are more important than human factors and saving lives, Hawaii seems to be doing the opposite. Perhaps not communicated well by the government this approach is valid and should be respected.
The tone of your post is quite harsh and from reading it your only real complaint is that your trip to Hawaii needs to be postponed. I suggest you consider what a privileged position you are in if this is so upsetting to you.
There should be an applause button here. Well stated
Why the governor approved the idea of bubbles hotel but gave up on the idea of Covid19 testing for tourist? I’m a scientist working in the point of care field. I wonder why Hawaii government refuses to explore the ability to test COVID for traveler. If they keep checking, they will know that there are so many new FDA approved Covid19 test tools available.
One example, a point of care Covid19 test, ID NOW (Abbott) just the size of a toaster. It could detect the positive COVID in 5 minutes and negative in 13 minutes. The operation can be as simple as operate a dish washer. Each tool can test ~100 tests/day. Government can order 100 tools for each island, so we can test 10,000 per day! With a better logistic, it would be a better plan to opening Hawaii again.
I really hope Hawaii would try to work on the ability to set up for Covid19 test.
——————
Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 is a portable, light-weight (3kg), small toaster sized COVID-19 test device, which can be used in various locations including physician’s office, clinic or mobile units. The test is an automated assay that delivers positive results in just five minutes and takes only 13 minutes to show the negative results, using the ID NOW™ molecular platform.
Does anyone know what will happen to those of us that are willing to quarantine for 14 days at our timeshare and the bubble is put in place? I’m supposed to go in October and can’t find a covid test unless I have symptoms which defeats the purpose of showing the Hawaiian Government I’m covid free. I’ve got nothing but time! Mahalo!
Hi Nani.
We’ll update as soon as there is more information on this.
Aloha.
Mahalo!
Los angeles County. Reliant Urgent Care. (This is who air tahiti was using) 150 bucks.
Orange County-Equatox labs. 25 hours for my results. 100 bucks.
Alameda County- Bass urgent care.
It takes a bit of digging, but they are readily available with quick results. Not nearly as difficult as the state of Hawaii would make you believe.
Maholo Dan J! I’m not that far from Alameda County 👍🤗🌈
I believe state of Hawaii has not implemented the admission to state with 72hr negative COVID test yet.
This would be a big nope for us. Too much money to travel there to just stay at the resort. And we usually come to use our timeshare, so we wouldn’t be able to do that unless we came for a much longer period than we are able to vacation for. We will patiently wait until the solution is more convenient for us.
Okay, so a fellow owner at the Lawai Beach Resort in Kauai tried to brave the 14 day quarantine. On about the 6th day the National Guard showed up to make sure he was still in confinement. Since the LBR has no AC he opened his door to get a crosswind. He was told ” his door must be shut at all times!” I guess the virus can sneak out of the room, travel down a path, look for an open door hundreds of feet a away and cause mass CV19 across all Islands!
Ridiculous and Hawaiians are going to pay a huge financial cost for treating tourists this poorly. Safely open. Quit being so frightened!
Our sentiments exactly.
Who wants to Spend MOST of two days navigating airports in MASKS and then fly all the way to Hawaii in a mask and then have to stay in one spot?
Hawaii is not set up to do ‘all inclusive’ in a way that would satisfy tourists who spend a goodly sum of money to get there and stay there. Nope. And I am absolutely against ‘tracking.’ How many more freedoms are we willingly going to give up??
Sadly, it may be a very long time before we make it back. We aren’t getting any younger. May have made our last trip. :0( Destin, FL is much closer. (all protocols were followed and we felt safe and WERE safe). Even Mexico sounds better at this point.
No doubt someone in authority is waiting for a huge bail out that may never come. A very very sad situation.
Doors shut?…..out of control!
My husband is from the big island and we go these twice a year to see family and friends. Why would I go if I can’t see family and friends? Or go to Hapuna? I love Hawaii but I could not hang out at the Hilton for 2 weeks. Personally, I think Hawaii should open up. Hawaii will be in a depression if you are waiting a year for a vaccine only 50% of people will take. Sweden had it right.
Wow. Just wow. This may work in Jamaica or Mexico where I have absolutely no desire to see beyond the resort walls, but not for Hawaii. We go to Hawaii to see the whole island we’re on at the time and enjoy all the different food options, shopping opportunities, and scenic views.
This idea also doesn’t really solve the whole safety issue. How will each customer get to the resort and back to the airport? Even if you have people working in 5 day shifts, they have to leave at some point to go home. Will they be consistently tested prior to leaving and what about false negatives?
Ain’t happening. If I want this type of experience I’ll go to Jamaica or Dominican Republic.
So ridiculous . And when they test positive , we have to shut the state down fir another year!
The resort idea sounds like another bad idea by a local and state policies that just don’t’ get it. Please find a way to test for COVID and allow us to return to the island we love. Since it appears the 3 day test does not seem viable how about a test prior to arriving to Hawaii and a quarantine until the results are available. That would reduce the need for a 14 day quarantine. I own a condo in Kauai. I left in early March and there was one rental for 5 days after I left. Since that time there has been no rental income as well as the restrictions that make it almost impossible for me to return. For those who own property in Hawaii and live on the mainland we have ongoing expenses we must pay. Without rental income it becomes a financial burden. I’ve often told people that owning in Hawaii is a labor of love. It’s that love of the islands that bring people like me back over and over again. Owning on the islands is not a financial bonanza. I’ve now had to cancel 2 trips. I’m now scheduled to return in October. I’m not confident I will be able to.
Aloha Guys!
So, let me get this straight?
Some genius in Hawaii’s government convinced the Governor that it would be a great idea to create prison like boundaries for Visitors, by attaching some sort of monitoring device to them as they would a high risk parolee, and make these guests pay for this process, while they have no mitigation for controlling the spread of Covid. However, these same decision makers let hardened criminals out of Jail to avoid catching and spreading this disease, because it was the moral/ethical thing to do?🙄
The Stupid is clearly growing stronger by the month for the Government of Hawaii, it appears.
At this point, I have absolutely Zero confidence in the decision making ability of this inept group of policy makers.
Thanks for the update guys..
Hi Jim.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Yes after being stuck at home since March I would be happy to spend 14 days at the Hyatt Kauai. It would be nice to have that option.
You make a good point. I suppose, given the choice, I would too.
Thank you for the update, but I’ll stay home for now. Maybe next year.
Hi Margaret.
Thanks.
Aloha.
If tourists are not allowed to visit Hawaii until “next year”, there will be no Hawai’i to visit with excursions, restaurants and stores… they will be closed. the lack of taxes generated by tourism
For state Hawaii, which much Of that goes to support schools, Will deeply affect schools and residents. I am sure government salaries will still be paid with no reductions, however, jobs may be cut. Carol
I have been a reader of your articles for several years now and I used to really enjoy them. Unfortunately, your website has developed an increasingly negative tone lately and I find it disappointing. I understand that it is your personal forum but could I ask that you return to your more objective style without the negative bias? I love Hawaii and have the utmost respect for the people there who are trying to make the hard economic and health decisions during this pandemic. Let’s give them a break… I, for one, would actually consider doing a resort bubble. We’ve all missed travel and that might be an answer for those of us who enjoy hanging at some of those great resorts. (And by the way, I’ve been to the Caribbean, but in my opinion, it is nowhere near as exotic and beautiful as hawaii.)
Not mentioned is the planned automation of jobs within this bubble. This does not get our workers their old jobs back. The service industry will slash its employees for safety, automated check in
Automated security… the hotel industry already wants that to make more provides. Our residents that rely on tourism for work should be payed to retrain for environmental/ educational / sustainable skills. Our kids aren’t getting good educations, we are destroying the land, polluting the water. We need to reverse track on prioritizing the tourism industry as a first response to this pandemic.
Hmm…maybe there was once a time and a place for this. Like at the beginning of summer. But context is everything.
For any visitor that went through the headache of trying to plan and replan their vacation over several months, the situation in Hawaii has left a very bitter taste. Let me be frank, there were a lot hours spent on the phone with airlines and booking places to stay. A lot of visitors have not recovered money from canceled flights and rentals. I will never forget the comments I’ve seen (and still see) from local residents. Those same residents have no problem traipsing all over LA and Las Vegas.
And now after all that shabby treatment, while still thinking terrible things about visitors, because they need my cash, they want me to subject myself to be locked down and monitor me and pay them to do so. It does not sound appealing.
Setting my bad feelings aside, if Hawaii wants to make this work with new people that have not been burned, there needs to be a lot of soul searching in the service industry. The service at even the highest end resorts in Hawaii is just not up to par with other locations. Maybe it’s the laid back culture, maybe it’s that the residents all hate visitors. I don’t know. We especially noticed when we came last year after spending a month in Asia. The service level drop is noticeable. It’s not usually a huge deal because I consider a Hawaii vacation to be a rugged, outdoorsy (hiking, beach, etc) vacation. We (used to) come every year.
If you want to be successful as a “resort only” destination, there is a lot of work to be done in that area. The service and the dining needs to be dialed up several notches. But for me, I’m done being treated like an “outsider” or “other” while also being the cash cow.
Of course, thank you to the excellent BOH for your timely updates and forum for discussion. Seems like you guys are the only ones who know what is going on.
Hi C.L.
Thank you!
Aloha.
University of Hawaii has a “bubble” or students. But it’s like the song hotel California in reverse,
You can’t get to the bubble unless you can fly in having had a covid 19 test within 72 hours of arrival and a negative result. Well nobody gives the test right away and nobody gives results that fast. Parents are getting close to saying ” forget Un of H” who is going to help the students with this process? Do you expect them to stay in a hotel for 14 days? So like hotel California , you might be able to check in but you can’t check out. Help somebody. Set up a testing system just for the students
This vacation destination is also a place where people live and are trying to survive while covid numbers rise. They are managing their own restrictions to work and play while trying to get things under control. Would you have traveled to NYC when their numbers were so high? Stay home right now. Everyone has had to cancel travel destinations all over the country and Hawaians can’t go anywhere either.
There is absolutely no comparison between NYC and Hawaii as far as numbers. THOUSANDS vs a couple of dozen. All the while, the rich and infamous LEFT NYC for Florida – taking their virus with them and sharing it. Another mishandled mess – including sending sick elderly patients to nursing homes to infect others – with over 6000 deaths just in nursing homes alone in New York. What a mess.
It won’t end until it is allowed to burn itself out. Putting the clamps down harder to stop the spread just prolongs the agony, unfortunately – ensuring economic collapse. No end in sight. Even if there were a vaccine – I wouldn’t even consider it until at least two years of ‘testing it on other human guinea pigs.’ All those fast tracked drugs are liability free. If the vaccine kills you – too bad. NO recourse.
If such a ‘resort bubble’ idea is ever implemented, it will be bring irreparable harm to the state of Hawaii as a tourist destination. Hawaii will also become a laughing stock.
Any comparison to resort bubbles in Jamaica are like apples and oranges. Jamaican resorts tend to be ‘all inclusive’ while Gawaiian resorts most certainly are not. Also I’ve been told that it is not safe to leave your resort in Jamaica and that is not the case, for the most part, in Hawaii.
Terrible idea! Hawaii is my favorite place to vacation but I can wait!! To the people who are upset and complaining that they can’t go to Hawaii there are other places you can go that are open!!! They even offer deep discounts. I think it will be 2021 before anyone can visit 🙁
Isn’t the “resort bubble” just a variation on what the billionaires of the world are already doing? Except in their case they own the beachfront property. (Mark, you listening?)
This is so stupid. Just open the State and live with the consequences — which, in most cases, is not much. I think that, beyond the elderly and those with co-morbidities, COVID-19 is no big deal.
Dear BOH. I just don’t see how this would work for the average person. Most individuals don’t have the luxury of spending 2 weeks ( or longer.) Nor would I want to be sequestered, with very few options for entertainment or even dining. Most Hawaiian resorts were not designed to be all inclusive. I also believe that testing should be still be mandatory or you will end up with covid spread to the community. Its better to open tourism with a testing process. Skip the bubble concept for now.
Respectfully
Terryc
Hi Terry.
Thanks.
Aloha.
It is hard to have faith that the Hawaii governor and team will come up with any reasonable plan that will logically work to reopen anytime soon….pretesting sounds nice but until there is a testing partner that can deliver a cost effective time efficient reliable test it seems logistically difficult…not to mention the needed airline and arrival protocol logistics that need to be developed…the bubble idea may be one of the worst ideas ever…almost no one wants that…most people will just sit back and wait for this situation to work itself out before booking any future travel arrangements…I hope there is an Hawaiian economy left to come back to…good luck to all..prayers to all Hawaii resident for health and a brighter future. Aloha
This travel bubble idea is not appealing at all! It is unenforceable and appears to be similar to a voluntary prison.
As long as travellers have the option and can be reliably tested and provided proof of a coroavirus test with a negative result within a few days of arrival so that do not have to endure the 14 day quarantine, I believe that the concept of an escorted and guarded quarantine for the other travellers could be a viable plan.
First of all with the testing option, most, if not all people will opt for that. Those that don’t would have to endure a 14 day quarantine wihout being able to excape and violate the quarantine. That quarantine could be at a nice resort with the traveller paying, or it could be at the Honolulu Convention Center or a Military Bass Building. The object is to get no one to opt for this.