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88 thoughts on “How Do You Feel About Latest Hawaii Travel Bubble with Japan?”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » How Do You Feel About Latest Hawaii Travel Bubble with Japan?
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.