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88 thoughts on “How Do You Feel About Latest Hawaii Travel Bubble with Japan?”
Did we include your prior comment about the proposed Hawaii travel bubble?
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First of all travel bubbles are silly and bring up many questions that do not have a good answer. What % of people will actually be interested?
I’d say less than 2% of normal Kauai visitors would even think of a “bubble trip”.
Please let’s have some common sense. Mandatory preflight testing is of course the answer- why is that so hard to understand and set up?
Thank you. Let’s not make beautiful Kauai look like it’s run by short sided,illinformed bureaucrats.
Hi Karl.
News moves fast these days, and today is a good example. We are left wondering if the resort bubbles will even materialize now that the governor has announced reopening on October 15. Did he know this was coming?
Aloha.
Traveling should be a privilege, not a right. When you think of it as a privilege, you respect where you are going and that goes for them coming here and us going anywhere else. I think doing a pilot with Japan, who tends to be more o.k. with face masks and rules is a smart way to test the system. Once you have that under your belt then you can deal with those that want to come because it is their “right” who will likely give the system a run for its money.
i may have had maybe one or two Japanese tourist stay in my condo the past 20 years. Don’t really see them on Kauai since before Hurricane Iniki with the big tour buses. Won’t help my property and hey, property taxes are due in less than a month…
I think we may be asking the wrong question. Once visitors begin to arrive in numbers (regardless of location), case counts will increase. We’re already seeing case counts increase through community spread in Oahu. This will continue until a vaccine is widely available and is in use.
So the choices really are either stay closed until Covid can be contained through the use of vaccines (and live with the economic collapse) or accept the risk of opening the economy again (and we’ve seen the results of that elsewhere in the world).
I don’t have the answer – Neither are good choices.
Hello and I am glad you’re bringing up the Japanese Bubble idea. In many ways I understand the need and want of such tourism, but I watch Japanese News (NHK) every evening so I perhaps have a little more knowledge on this.
Last week Japan was averaging around 100-150 new cases a day. But this week it has skyrocketed. Today is Thursday and on Tuesday they had almost 1000 new cases. As of last evening they went over 1200. They are having issues. This virus has no boundaries.
I think any bubble idea is premature at best. Sorry Hawaii, I love you and my family and friends there. But Japan is not safe either.
It is no surprise that Japan will get prefferantal treatment as a main land visitor we have had the Japan people given 1st place in line, even if they came last, Hawaii loves there money over ours. I for one am sick of it but we love the beautiful islands and will continue to come, but avoid ohau!
One factor that should be considered is whether we are getting correct numbers from Japan. There have been credible reports of underreporting. If that in fact is true, which I highly suspect is the case, then the potential for a devastating surge in cases in Hawaii is significant. The key is testing, but as we know, those capabilities have been slashed. As much as I am saddened that I haven’t been able to visit the islands this year, it’s well known that Hawaii’s capacity for handling a large uptick in cases just isn’t present.
Makes perfect sense to me. If Americans are too stupid to wear masks and social distance and stay home / away from work or groups when they are sick–they don’t deserve a Hawaiian vacation. We should allow anyone from any country with similar contangion rates per million / per capita come to Hawaii–with reasonable testing and monitoring–but with minimal red tape and no quarantine requirements. Try that out for a while and see how it goes. Truthfully, very few tourists come into direct contact with locals while on vacation anyway. So the chance of transmission from tourists to the local population is super low with reasonable precautions.
I have read the statements from local bankers and politicians about the travel bubble plan, comments stereotyping the Japanese tourist are very similar to the stereotyping that led to internment of citizens back in the day. The fear that loyalty and obedience to Rule ( The Emperor) was a negative thing, has been replaced by the belief that loyalty and obedience to rule is now a positive thing for financial gain in the time of COVID. They might be right, but it’s so wrong!
I am from Canada and come to Hawaii every year. Missed this year due to Covid. I think the status of the country or state in relation to Covid numbers should dictate entrance to your beautiful state. I am from Nova Scotia and we are covid free and havent had a case in over a month. Of course that could all change in a heartbeat.Hoping I can return to your beautiful state in 2021. Stay safe everyone.
It is important to open up the state in the order of the least risk for all stakeholders. Then, as systems and processes are worked out, expand. This of course is prudent for the health side of the equation but not for the financial side. Hawaii small businesses are hurting.
I’m guessing that the people who are complaining about Hawaii keeping tourists from the mainland out are the same ones who refuse to wear masks here, creating the spikes. No one is preventing them from coming, they just need to quarantine because they are coming from a place where the disease is spreading like wildfire. This is not happening in Japan. Japan is more competent at containment. Businesses shouldn’t have to suffer because some are offended. Facts matter. As someone who lives in Virginia, I get it. Hopefully, in the near future there will be other ways to prove you don’t have the virus because I really want to visit Hawaii but Hawaii has a responsibility to protect its citizens. They’re doing a great job and shouldn’t worry about a few people getting offended.
It’s a broad and prejudicial assumption that mainlanders who want to visit Hawaii at the same time it opens to Japan “are the same ones who refuse to wear facemasks here, creating the spikes”. You say that “facts matter” but this is not a fact, it is, in your words, a “guess”. I respectfully ask that such generalizations not be used to categorize all Americans that would like to vacation and spend their vacation dollars in Hawaii.
If hawaii does do a travel bubble with japan and does not allow mainlanders then they are breaking federal law and can expect to be sued or loose funding etc. hawaii is literally on a legal dog leash and the usa can yank on the Chain at any time. Its sickening how Hawaiian govt and citizens continue to bash msinlanders and usa which they depend on for everything
Isn’t this Discrimination ? Would there be legal implications if Hawaii does this ?
Good Lord Hawaii .! …. Your part of the USA
Rob and Jeff
Mahalo iā ʻoe i nā mea a pau āu e hana ai no nā mokupuni, ʻike mākou i kahi lā e hoʻi e kipa ae kipa i kā mākou wahi punahele maikaʻi loa i ka honua
Aloha
Heluhelu S 🙂
Hi Bill.
Thank you! We too look forward to your returning to Hawaii.
Aloha.
Well they need to start somewhere. It’s been way too long and by now they should be allowing limited tourism. It’s foolish they thought they could avoid the virus altogether. While in the mainland we’ve been learning and adapting. I think Hawaii fully bought into the fear mongering driven by the media.
At a minimum, open hotels that require masks on the property except at the beach, allow takeout only from restaurants, have hand sanitizer everywhere and clean everything often.
For the tourists worried and at risk, they can stay home. For the locals worried and at risk, they can continue staying home.
We’re scheduled for a late September trip but it’s looking impossible now. We were always optimistic but they’re wasting their time. Looks like our $5000 vacation will go to places in the mainland that are welcoming to sensible and respectful tourists like us.
Japan had it’s worse week of total Covid cases last week. They are reporting multiple outbreaks. USA has 200 million greater population than Japan, and yes we have 3.95 million more confirmed cases, but don’t count on Japanese tourism to be the savior of the Islands.
I agree that Hawai’i is taking a responsible approach in cautiously bringing back tourism to the islands. The islands are isolated and have limited resources to deal with a surge of Covid cases. Visitors should consider if there is a surge due to an irresponsible return to tourism, they may be the ones facing lack of access to a ventilator.
As a reminder, I hope that all people are wearing a mask when in public and practicing social distancing so that we can contain the virus and restore the Nation’s economic stability.
I think it is a good idea. It can help the Hawaiian economy while not increasing risk. Japan will find a way to do testing: their government cares and is together on this. We could do it on the mainland if our government was at all competent at the national level. We would have the testing, labs, and equipment we need.
Japan travel will definitely increase risk. It’s foolish to think otherwise.
The US government is extremely component. It’s some governors and mayors that screwed it up big-time. Think New York as an example. Hope you didn’t have any loved ones in nursing homes there…
I think that it is an excellent idea to allow Japanese citizen to come to Hawaii, if they have taken a PCR test, and it has tested negative and the test is done within 72 hours of their arrival in Hawaii. I have much more confidence in the Japanese following all of the instructions Hawaii puts in place, than US citizens. Anyone who wants to come to Hawaii now can as long as they self quarantine for 14 days. I plan on returning to Hawaii once the state opens back up and allow people to arrive and not have to quarantine if they have had the PCR test within 72 hours of arriving. Currently there are not enough test available in CA even if the Hawaii opened up today with this policy.
I am expecting that all foreign countries are going to require proof of vaccination (Covid-19) once there is a vaccine available; which means it will be much safer to travel outside of the US than within the US, with the exception of places like Hawaii and Alaska.
I agree that Hawaii should open to “low risk” countries that took charge to control Covid 19. The federal government here is so “wishy washy” and believes that if they close their eyes, everything will disappear. Would I like to visit Hawaii? Yes, but not at the risk of being a-symptomatic and possibly spreading Corona to others. People need to take responsibility for their actions, remember the “Golden Rule”? “Do unto others as they do unto you”?
The longer the Covid battle goes on, the better I understand a decision like this. People in many places in the US are not taking this seriously. Too many masks off, people doing just as they please. Hawaii is in a terrible jam and if they welcome in more cautious, rule following tourists, the sooner citizens can get back to earning a living. Maybe this can become some sort of motivation to play better by the rules on the Mainland.
Months ago, I thought this an insult not to include all of the US, but now I see it as a way to somewhat safely get Hawaii back to work. Keep in mind, the very limited medical resources on any island too.
Those Mainland complainers who say if we open to Japan first that they will never visit Hawaii again are probably the same people who complain about having to wear masks and feel so entitled that they have no concern about anyone else but themselves. They can stay on the Mainland. We don’t need those kind of visitors. We should refocus our efforts on attracting a higher class of tourist. Visitors who are educated and able to afford a higher end vacation experience. As has been shown over the past couple of months how many of the visitors that are taking advantage of lower fares are also more than willing to disregard the quarantine and place our community at risk, all because it’s “it’s their right as a US citizen” This focus on a new type of visitors should also be a wake up call to the many first class hotels that have cut back services and the quality of the visitor experience in the name of saving money so owners and shareholders can rake in more profits. Operating and owning a hotel is not only about profits. It should also be about giving the customer the utmost in services and the highest quality visitor experience. If it costs more money, then charge accordingly. This way we can bring back tourists who are able to afford and appreciate a first class vacation. If and when a vaccine for COVID is available, then we can welcome everyone again. But until then, we need to take the safest and most informed moves to reopen tourism here in Hawaii and to take a hard look at what type of visitors we should focus on to keep tourism a viable and vital part of our economy.
Wow. I’m glad you aren’t generalizing or anything…maybe some day I will be as classy as you.
Your generalizations about mainlanders who are not happy about the idea of Hawaii opening to Japanese first, and are, in your words “the same people who complain about having to wear masks and feel so entitled that they have no concern about anyone else but themselves” is over reaching. These comments are prejudicial, racist and offensive. Do the workers of Hawaii only want visitors who, again in your words, “are able to appreciate a first class vacation”? With this classist statement, are you saying you only want only the “elite” to be able to visit Hawaii?
As a mainlander who regularly visits Hawaii, I am a facemask wearing, social distancing, hardworking upstanding citizen, and am disturbed by these inferences. I may not be in the “first class vacation” category, but I do spend generous vacation dollars when I visit Hawaii, and much of the reason I visit Hawaii as opposed to other island destinations is that it is part of the United States and I want to spend my vacation dollars supporting other Americans. I am very disappointed that you include all mainlanders in this generalized category and hope these attitudes don’t represent the perspective of all Hawaiians.
You say that you want an “educated”, “high end” type of tourist. Who do you call when your car has a flat tire on the freeway or has other mechanical problems? How about when your hot water heater goes out? Do you call an educated, high-end person? Working-class people are the backbone of our economy and we scrimp and save for our Hawaii vacations.
I applaud Hawaii for keeping the safety of it’s citizens a top priority. Following the science and numbers of COVID cases from any country or state is imperative for a successful reopening of Hawaii. Having said this. I would like Hawaii to release visitors from the 14 day quarantine with a valid negative COVID test, with a signed agreement to wear a mask in public always and to self distance in public. There are private labs offering COVID teats for a realistic fee. As a grandmother of two new Hawaiian grand babies, I have traveled to Hawaii 3 times since Feb.1st. I stay with family and follow the quarantine rules. Holding and helping with babies is my priority. I have no sympathy for US citizens who are upset that they can’t travel to Hawaii because of the restrictions. A survey of our San Diego hospitals find the beds are filled with Arizonians and others fleeing the virus. Follow the CDC guidelines and have others around you do so and you will be able to travel and vacation anywhere you want. Thank you State of Hawaii for keeping my Hawii family safe.
I’m a little hesitant to say this as we are all under a lot of stress and I have sympathy for all, but…..Just like some people are socially responsible and doing the right thing while others care only about themselves and think wearing a mask violates their rights, some people totally get that Hawaii is just trying to to protect itself for the greater good of all and yet others are insulted that people deemed a safer risk for tourism are prioritized over people that would put the state in greater jeopardy. It’s nothing personal, it’s just the pragmatic choice.
It’s been said before and I’ll say it again, the people threatening to go elsewhere don’t get it and likely don’t really get Hawaii and it’s beauty. If our recovery means the return of the more thoughtful and caring (about others not themselves!) tourists and less of the angry folks it will be a good thing.
I get prioritizing health first. But…if I get a test within 72 hours of my arrival, lay low until my flight, and am screened upon arrival, how am I any more of a risk then someone from Tokyo that does exactly the same thing? Plus why does everyone blindly accept the numbers/case reported by other countries as accurate or even true?
As usual, I completely agree with your take on this subject. It seems to be a recipe for disaster, or at least another publicity blow for Hawaii.
I wish Ige would focus on firming and ANNOUNCING plans to reopen travel from the mainland before making a deal with Japan.
There is a solution floating around out there that could possibly mean a breakthrough for mainland travel to Hawaii. Please check out this excellent video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Sv_pS8MgQ
*If the medical info is too much, at least watch starting at the 9 minute mark.
Briefly, it mentions an inexpensive ($1-2) “paper” test that was initially rejected because it is less sensitive than the now preferred PCR test that is both much more expensive and hard to get right now.
Recent research indicates that a certain viral load is needed for the virus to be transmitted from an infected person. This paper test is very effective at detecting these people, the ones that really matter.
The test results are available in around 10 minutes, no blood draw is necessary and, as mentioned, it is very cheap. Individuals could test themselves before travel and Hawaii could test every arriving passenger with little expense or delay.
If anyone knows how I might get the information to someone like Josh Green or another high ranking health official who could investigate this solution, please provide details. Thanks.
Hi Mike.
Thanks. While we know of the paper saliva test, there hasn’t been any word of either availability of that generally, or for Hawaii more specifically.
Aloha.
Here’s why I like the idea of opening travel to Japanese first. The Japanese are more compliant they’ve already proven that they can manage the virus better then we do. With smaller numbers Hawaiian leadership can put into place new covid testing protocols, train staff and iron out any issues before allowing domestic travel.