State officials and others are pushing on with a controversial concept for restarting Hawaii tourism.
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159 thoughts on “Hawaii Travel Bubble, Testing, & Tracking: Acceptable, Legal, Useful?”
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State officials and others are pushing on with a controversial concept for restarting Hawaii tourism.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Doesn’t Ige care that he’s the worst governor in the US? This absurd ban on US citizens and attack on the small businesses who rely on visitors will make it even worse.
Good evening!
If you have ever had a relative placed on a respirator or in hospital for
a undiagnosed illness then you might understand why the risk of this vi rus is so great. Second home owners should just stay home. Too many Americans have a sense of entitlement and can not be trusted to act with the locals best interests.
Instead of whining about missed vacations, We should be pushing for more federal help toward states that depend on tourism. Mahalo.
Hi Hugh.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Most of these negative comments are from people who do NOT live here. The reason our c0vid rates are low is because of our 14 day quar antine. Everyone here (with the exception of a few) wears a mask. Every business here on the BI only does business with people who wear masks, by county law.
What many of you (who don’t live here) need to know is that health care here is really bad in the best of times. There is no way we have the capacity to deal with huge numbers of c0vid cases. We do not have the medical capacity to deal with even a fraction of the tourists who will bring their sickness here.
Please educate yourselves before commenting.
We do not need people coming here exercising the right they don’t have to infect me and my healthy family. You are welcome here but you will need to quar antine like everybody else who comes from off island for 14 days.
There is no way that this pilot program is going to happen as written. So some of you need to cool down.
Thank you again for your great updates.
I sometimes google the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, not so much to read the articles but surf through the comments after the articles. Today’s “bubble” travel article drew a lot of comments. Although it is far from a scientific survey, the locals seemed to be about 90% positive regarding Japanese tourism coming back sooner. That’s alright, but what surprised me was the comparison to “mainlanders” who are inconsiderate, are lawbreakers, and cheapskates when it comes to spending money. Some even threw Canadiens into the mix.
I think that this lockdown is causing a lot of frustration.
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for all of your comments.
Aloha.
This year my husband and I hope to visit in October. I lost my brother recently— this was a trip to find some peace and healing. I’m praying everyday that the quar antine is lifted by the fall. We come from a county that has seen 2 positive c0vid cases and has had zero hospitalizations. Not all US states have the same numbers. Our area has not been hit hard at all. I’m hoping that we can come. Will Governor Ige give some sort reopening tourism plan soon? I don’t know how to move forward.
Apparently tourists from the mainland are no longer welcome in Hawaii. To allow people from other countries in, but not from the mainland is insulting. 14 day quar antine isn’t working, and testing is NOT available just because you want to fly. Have been to Hawaii many times, but I think it’s time to go elsewhere.
Really you’re going to allow Japanese to come back to Hawaii before the US who’s government is this?
I am in support of inter-island travel as well as travel between the 2 larger “islands” of Japan and Australia – who also have low rates of infection. Perhaps the potential visitors who are angry because they are from the mainland and have US rights can try to understand the unprecedented dilemma Hawaii is in. NO tourism industry and no sign of ongoing infections. Japan, Hawaii, and Australia have choked their economies to stop the disease.
To allow Japan and Australian visitors first makes sense, even though it enrages anyone else who is not allowed in except via 14 day quar antine. If it makes our potential visitors so mad that they will never come to Hawaii again, then so be it. We need tourists here. Tourists who can visit and shop and enjoy. Tourist that are disease free. Until we have a means to adequately test and confirm that, the rest of the world can wait, please.
This rediculas your going to slow Japanese back here that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! You want everyone to stay away! Thank you
I agree Japanese should not be allowed back here before US!
Hawaii’s leaders need to pull their heads out because lest they forget, Hawaii IS still a part of the USA! There is ABSOLUTELY no longer any reason for the insanity being imposed of the Hawaiian Islands by the guv’nur. The numbers do NOT support his arbitrary actions as to getting visitors back to Hawaii and possibly allowing other countries to have their citizens “ALLOWED” back in to Hawaii first is insulting beyond words! Not sure what his end game is other than wanting to be known as the worst governor since Hawaii became the 50th state but at that he is certain to achieve that goal!
Back to my “you people screaming the loudest would have no problem opening up to
the mainland before Japan if the c0vid numbers were reversed”perspective. This is simply about taking the safest path to ease in tourism, Period. It doesn’t matter were someone is from, it does
matter what are their odds of being infected and bringing it here are. That’s all.
Hawaii is here for anyone, not just “Americans”. If you think you should have priority because you are an “American”
then maybe you are also one of those tourists that look down on “foreigners” when you travel.
Their is a significant faction of what is called the “ugly American” in international travel. Best defined as Americans that think they are special and should be treated as such.
Sounds like some of that is going on here.
I find it interesting reading the polar opposite comments coming mostly from mainlanders. Many are reactionary to the idea of opening up to countries who have successfully contained (for now)outbreaks. Others point to ignoring public health guidance, rioting and spring break and Memorial Day scenes of bacchanalia, mostly in the southern states. Predictably infection rates in those states and Wisconsin (after its Supreme Court overruled the Governors’ stay safe policies) are on the rise again. This remains NOT a question of loyalty to our fellow citizens, but caution in following the advice of public health professionals
I am one of the Hawaiian residents also hurt economically by the quar antine requirement. My business depends on visitors. Logically, no one would walk into a dark room full of .0125 micron sized vipers without first turning on the lights. Allowing visitors now, as an out of control and lack of response from the federal government and many states who agree with this lack of response, would be opening our limited health resources to a surge of new cases and probably result in the Governor reimposing a quar antine.
I would support and encourage Hawaii resident travel to other islands as the first step in reopening. I see the logic in opening up bubble travel as well. As soon as the mainland can act responsibly towards those states’ citizens, conduct adequate, randomized testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic, conduct airport screening and contact tracing, I will accept continuing to lose money and pray for the day when we can open up to our visitors.
We are second homeowners on the Big Island. We never rent out our home. My wife calls it her happy place. They way that we are being treated by Ige as second class citizens she is now talking of selling our home and never coming back. Hawaii needs to rethink its stance especially in light of the recent reports on low transmission rates and low fatality rates as compared to the projected rates.
Ask yourselves why Ige’s popularity rate is hovering around 20% … sell while you still can!!!
I have traveled to both Hawaii and the Virgin Island extensively for business and leisure. Your Governor is alienating me and my large family. I already have flight reservations to Hawaii for September but I can (and will) move my 14-day stay to the USVI if I’m not welcome in Hawaii.
Vote with your wallet and go somewhere else. And make sure you email the governor and the mayors of the counties that you would have visited that would have gotten all of your tax dollars and let them know why you chose a different location. Maybe if enough people do that–they’ll get the message.
There is no way a US state should allow other countries to enter prior to the US!! This is ludicrous!! We would boycott Hawaii and ask everyone we could reach to do the same if this happens.
Hawaii being part of the United States … it’s like if HAWAII was connected to the mainland they could not stop us driving across into there state. ITS AMERICA so how can they have this much control ?
I just got back from Nevada ( Lake Tahoe Nevada side) no one stopped me. I work in a trauma center I know what’s going on… COME ON HAWAII GOVERNMENT
Ridiculous! Allowing Japanese visitors before mainland US visitors? What is wrong with Ige? The 9th Island of Las Vegas is starting to open. You won’t find more congested people together than a casino. If Vegas can do it, Hawai’i can do it.
Sooooo, Hawaii is part of the U.S., but will not welcome its own citizens and will instead accommodate foreign visitors? Wow, just wow.
Thank you for these updates . We have been coming to Hawaii for several years now. We love the islands and the beautiful beaches and never thought twice about why we pay a premium for some overpriced accommodations. I guess state senator Kim’s comment must include Hawaiian’s as not following the rules since I believe they are US citizens as well. At this point Bermuda and US Virgin Islands are looking better and better.
Hi Gary.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I guess they are right. I would refuse to allow any government track my movements using my cellphone, what’s to keep me from leaving it at home? I would take a test, but no record to be maintained by the state.
Stay home
As an Australian I have been watching and reading about how this has affected Hawaii and the main land USA.
As regular Visitor to all the Hawaiian Islands (9 visits) and was in mainland USA this time last year in I’m surprised about how people talk about it’s there right to travel Hawaii.
Surely the number 1 priority is to save lives and stop the spread of this, here in Australia with a population of approx 25 million we have had just over 100 deaths with about 25 of those coming from or attributed to the cruise ship the Ruby Princess.
Some of our state’s & territory’s have still got there borders closed because they have lower rates of infection compared to other states.
Australia ,New Zealand & some Pacific country’s are talking about having a travel bubble to get tourism started, surely the priority here is to keep the local Hawaiians safe and then secondly start opening up tourism from places who have got on top of this vi rus.
.
Does that include the Japanese or are you just racist against white US citizens ?
I agree with everyone’s comments so far! We have a second home on Maui, have been waiting and rescheduling our flights, not knowing when we will be able to get back, let alone our guests as we rent out our condo as a vacation rental. We are more than willing to get tested prior to our trip so this better be an option to us middle of July, and so long as we are disease free, we should be allowed into Maui without having to quar antine. For the governor to allow visitors from Japan to come in first before U.S. residents is such a disgrace and slap in the face. West Coast U.S. alone accounts for 35% of Hawaii’s tourism, another 25% from U.S. East Coast. This governor is spitting on 60% of Hawaii’s tourism to allow Japan in first which only accounts for about 12%?????? These numbers are facts per the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Any and all visitors who want to come to Hawaii should be able to test prior to flying, not just a select preferred bunch that the governor wants. Many people still won’t want to fly until perhaps there is a vac cine, but to push away visitors who would respectfully get tested prior to traveling is just unbelievable! I thought the U.S. wasn’t even allowing in international travel anytime soon???? Did I miss something or is Hawaii still part of the United States???
They probably won’t let you come to Hawaii without a cell phone then!
If Hawaii decides to allow a foreign country access to the island but not fellow US citizens , they will NEVER NEVER recover ! What s shameful insult to fellow citizens on the mainland ! The overwhelming majority of your fellow citizens will follow the rules and even willingly take temperatures if required . You’re ruining honeymoons, family vacations and last trips before a person dies. Shame on you. Your own fellow citizens !! Japan over US citizens in the US state of Hawaii ? Outrageous. Unforgivable and unfair .
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawaii’s unemployment rate has historically been low, hovering around 2.7% between Nov 2019 and March 2020. Due to the Coronavirus, April 2020’s rate was 22.3%. Because of the continued business hardships, especially among small businesses, weekly unemployment claims jumped by almost 80,000 from the end of April to mid-May. (https://labor.hawaii.gov/rs/files/2020/01/WC2020.pdf) With a quarter of the population unemployed, Gov Ige cannot continue to close down the state and disallow tourists from the mainland. He MUST start reopening, perhaps on a regional basis, or the state’s economy may not be able to recover for years. I get the impression he has other motives, perhaps a dislike for anyone who is not kamaʻāina. I sincerely hope not, but why the reluctance and opposition, even opposing some within his own state government. We are booked to come to Kauai in February for our yearly visit, but we are watching the situation very closely. We assume things may be different, and we can adjust to those, but drastic changes to island life may be game changers for us. We hope that will not be the case.
Face it . Ige is a bigot to his own citizens of light skin. For him to allow foreigners over fellow US citizens is unforgivable . They will NEVER recover from this terrible decision . I hope there are lawsuits. Sounds like Trump’s Muslim ban.
It makes great sense for Hawaii to open up to Japan, New Zealand, and other places where the vi rus is under control. The state had the great sense to shut out visitors when they did as that action saved many lives. The people of Japan, Korea and New Zealand have effective leadership and worked together; contrast that to the mainland with the absolute lack of federal leadership, the vi rus is still out of control and that people are arguing with each other about wearing masks. I say this as someone who rescheduled his departure to Kauai from June 5 to July 2 and now will probably need to reschedule again. I am also losing thousands of dollars each month that Kauai is closed.
It is also quite shocking to me that I read these comments by people who are complaining that they cannot go to Hawaii, they cannot got to the beach. Don’t people realize that the cost of your beach vacation is going to be someone’s auntie dying ? Or your tour guide spending 20 days in the ICU ? And also there are more than 40 million people out of work right now. Not being able to go to Hawaii is a pretty small problem compared to that.
You’re clearly bigoted against Americans
Well said AW; I agree with you 100%. Mary S. is either a troll, or is trying to stir the pot.
Some of the comments on here are terrible. I understand that people are frustrated, but please be adults and stop acting like spoiled brats.
I have no words for how disgusting it is that the state would welcome people from other countries before it’s own citizens. “U.S. citizens tend to not want to follow these rules,” Donna Mercado Kim, you say that like you aren’t one. My money will be spent in states where ALL of its’ citizens are welcome. Good luck Hawai’i, you’re going to need it.
I completely agree with you! They’re discriminating against fellow citizens ! They’re choosing foreigners over fellow Americans . I hope Ige is sued big time. This sounds like Trump’s Muslim ban but against fellow Americans ! Dictator Ige will never recover from this . NEVER
You’re comparing this to the “Muslim Ban?” Really? That was based on the fact that many folks coming from Muslim countries could NOT be vetted. Why? Because their records were either destroyed in war torn areas or their country just couldn’t produce them. The possibility of terrorists entering the U.S. is considerably different from tourists who may or may not be bringing the vi rus w/them.
The Americans don’t listen remark caught my attention & made me wonder what the demographic is of those who aren’t obeying the quarantine. Weren’t the majority young adults – early 20’s. If so, his statement would be correct bc the majority of the age group don’t listen. I know I didn’t, remember, we knew everything too at that age. Anyway, just curious where he received the info to base that remark. Thank you & enjoy your day! 😊
That Mikki.
Thanks. That caught our attention too.
Aloha.
If Japan, Australia and NZ had high rates of Covid and the mainland did not , I’m sure the people screaming the loudest about this
would have no problem with restricting traffic from there and opening the mainland up. So what’s the problem with opening up to safer areas first?
The “I don’t care about anybody but me so I won’t wear a mask” crowd feel they are exercising their rights, fine, but that means it will take longer to get this under control thanks to them. If everyone wore a mask when appropriate we could get this under control much quicker, it’s not happening in America so it will take longer before we can open up to the mainland. Seems simple enough to me.
You hear a lot of comments from Americans that say they won’t wear a mask to fly. Southwest ( Texas based)is even taking the stand as being the least strict as how they want to be perceived. You won’t hear Japanese tourists refusing to wear a mask. So I say let them come and let’s start the rebuilding ASAP
Thank you for your updates and status reports on the C0VID issues, we are scheduled for a trip to Maui and your beautiful island in November and hopefully are able to come. I found your latest report fascinating especially in relationship to wanting to open to Japan early. I have a very dear friend in Japan and she is extremely critical of the Japanese government’s response to the vi rus, They were trying to have the Olympics as scheduled so downplayed the virus and based on her most recent report are still doing the same. Here are the reported numbers for Japan: 16719 confirmed cases of which 712 were on the Diamond Princess, 874 deaths. Sounds pretty good as we know the numbers can be easily manipulated based on tests conducted. In the total of Japan they have only conducted 284,763 tests for a total population of 126,150,000 or a percent tested of just over 2/10 of one percent. At least on the mainland testing percentages are much better. I would hope Hawaii Government would look behind the numbers to make their decision on bubble re-opening for Japan. By the way the numbers I quoted were accurate as of this morning.
Thank you again for your great information. Hope to see your great island again in November.
Mahalo
Rich
It’s disappointing that travel from the mainland is still up in the air (or perhaps “grounded” is a better term) so far into the summer. I don’t want to look elsewhere for tropical summer diving, but it very well might come to that soon.
Sadly it looks as if our July 6th vacation on the Big Island will not occur with your Governor’s proclamation last night. We are loyal visitors who are very respectful of the Hawaiian culture, yet with all of the recent negative comments and attitudes towards visitors I doubt we will be returning to your beautiful island. I feel sorry for your economy and businesses. We will spend our hard earned money where perhaps its a appreciated a bit more. Thank you to Beat of Hawaii for all of your information and updates!
Hi Jan.
Thank you.
Aloha.
This “bubble policy” seems discriminatory against US Citizens! Please and thank you if you have any influence.
Hi Pam.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Good Afternoon,
I am now highly concerned ! I have a trip coming up on July 20 my sister is having her first baby and now I am concerned we are not able to take part of that! I was raised in Hawaii and I miss it so much let alone my Sister lives there and we have not been able to see her that often ! I hope things do change before that date! Keeping fingers crossed!
Gina
I am cancelling my $12,000 dollar 2 week vacation for a second time. Maybe Ige should ask Japan to pay for the numerous social welfare and umemployment monies Hawaii is receiving from the US. Blocking US citizens? Unbelievable. I guess I will be visiting the Carribbean this year.
I am in agreement with allowing tourists from countries that as a whole have addressed C0VID versus our federal government encouraging people to NOT wear masks. So yes, SOME Americans are more apt to NOT follow guidelines. Maybe consideration for states that have done well like my state of Washington could be considered with pre-travel testing (even though is is assumed this will still not be 100%) and quarantine at condos.
My daughter and future son in law rescheduled their wedding/honeymoon to Kauai from May to August 1st. We thought surely by then they’d be okay to travel. Now I’m concerned we may have to postpone again (or move the trip elsewhere.) Although there is no place like Hawaii, there are a lot of other nice places that are now and will be open for business soon.
Well I guess since I don’t follow the rules (I do), I’ll just go ahead and cancel this year and every year after.
The Governor is not ready to reopen mainland tourism on July 1? What the heck is his problem?
In hindsight, we should have done very little in response to C0VID, certainly not shut the economy down. Other than take steps to safeguard the vulnerable people, the goal should have been to develop herd immunity. We should have wanted it to spread fast. It would be interesting to know how many of those that had this had no or only mild symptoms, and how many C0VID deaths were really that. I think the overwhelming majority, nearly all of them, are of people that underlying co-morbidities.
Given that the mainland is now rioting with no distancing, it should be obvious in 2 weeks or less whether or not there is really any continued risk from c0vid. It offends me hugely that Americans are being restricted from visiting America unless we agree to an unreasonable and unnecessary quar antine. Additionally, I won’t be tracked with an app either. I just won’t bring a smart phone…
I’m so sad that Hawaii’s government is taking this stance. I think we’d all love to see the residents be able to get back to living. I guess there is to be continued hurting of residents for the time being. Wishing you well.
Hi Mary Kay.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I won’t be returning to Kauai anytime soon especially the way they are mandating visitor testing, tracking and quar antines!! It is not required any where else in the US. Shameful that they are allowing foreign countries to vacation there first and NOT US citizens. Shame on you!! Hawaii does NOT deserve my hard earned money to vacation there. I am really disappointed and discouraged with you and I have been coming every year for 31 years since I was married at Coco Palms. Not sure I will ever come back!!
My feelings too!
AMEN!
So sad but I agree. We’ve been 6 times but will never return since we are being discriminated against in our own country
I’m all for testing but not 72 hours in advance it’s simply wouldn’t be enough time to get the results from in CA, also do time shares in the state have the same compliance as hotels?
Thanks
Hi SM.
Would think that is totally dependent on your specific timeshare.
Aloha.
Well said Mary !!! What is happening with HAWAII. If it gets that way then HAWAII should not be part of USA or even a US Territory. I agree with you 💯 %
We have flights in August from the east coast and would be willing to submit to a test prior to coming if it meant avoiding a 14 day shelter in place. We are fine not doing any of the touristy things, just let us in the beach. Ultimately we’d just like some certainty about what the state is going to do so we can make plans or cancel. Letting in non-US citizens before the US isn’t a tenable option though. Figure it Ige!
I was not aware my home state of Oregon and neighbor state Washington are Hawaii’s 2nd generator of revenues and 2nd most visitors.
We also have had very low testing levels and I think hawaii will set a bad precedent if they invite Japanese etal first before fellow citizens. I know it will make me think twice about coming since I’d be considered basically a second class citizen in Hawaii. To be clear this is not a political statement of any kind just my initial reaction to this need. Also the state senator who said Americans won’t follow the rules. That’s also a huge assumption.