Hawaii travel now delayed until at least October 1.
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Hawaii travel now delayed until at least October 1.
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Thanks for the information. We have reservations September 13 for 11 days. We haven’t canceled yet because we don’t know when to rebook or what we will experience with American Airlines. Our condo in Maui will let us cancel without any penalty. We pray for everyone on the islands because we have been treated like family every time we visited. We will see you when things are better. Mahalo
Hi Patrick.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Yep just cancelled our annual trip in October. We love Maui but understand. Maybe 2021.
Thankful we visited in February, 2020 but had broken leg. Not fun.
Thank you for all of your updates. I am so sad about the state of things on the islands and hope that effective leadership will emerge to mobilize a solution! If more contact tracers are needed and many people are out of work, it seems like two problems could be solved at one time! We’re hoping for a trip next April (rescheduled from this past April) and it has been so nice to receive your news from inside the islands. I really appreciate your communication.
Hi Amy.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Seems to me there’s a lot of “talk” and no action being done in the Hawaii State Offices. I don’t understand – when the hospitals are overwhelmed now and the state is in an economic disaster why Hirono or Ige don’t ask the President to send the hospital ships like he did for New York? If they cared that much about their constituents wouldn’t they want the help? Instead all we see is whining and wringing of hands. What I feel is if what you are doing doesn’t work, wouldn’t it seem appropriate to reach out for help?
Thank you so much for keeping it real on the Beat of Hawaii, I believe it’s time for more people to question what’s really going on in the Hawaii Government.
Hi Paula.
Thank you.
Aloha.
We received an email from the Grand Wailea saying they are cancelling our reservation for Sept 8th. We were getting married but decided to move it until next year.
Hoping things change soon. Once the “miracle vaccine” appears after the election, tourism will hopefully resume! (Without quartines)!
What is going to happen to Hawaii’s economy? How will the people of Hawaii involved in tourism be able to support themselves? This is devastating. I see Hawaii is now on NY state’s quarantine list. So sad for us all. We have spent two to three weeks a year in Hawaii every single year since 2008. I am in mourning for the islands I have grown to love.
Folks, we need a sense of proportion. States and the Federal Government along with Mayors are trying to keep people safe. Cases around the world have spiked recently and the infrastructure for testing from the Government’s partners is not there. I find it incomprehensible that people get angry because elected officials are working to keep them safe and change actions when case data and medical opinion change.
Yes, it is upsetting, annoying and depressing to see the travel restrictions. I have had to cancel 3 trips this year and it looks like Labor Day is going to be the fourth cancelation. So fingers crossed for Thanksgiving and the holidays. However we all face adversity in life and it is time to suck it up and wait it out. When you think of what families who have lost to Covid have gone through, when you think what people have been through with Hurricanes, we are lucky. The disease will be overcome and no matter how much cable news tries to make you despair, things will return to normal (though perhaps Airlines will keep booting sick people off planes now which will be a great step forward). Just a question of altering time scales and keeping mellow.
Malama pono.
Wow what a pono attitude. Thank you from an at risk resident of Kauai. You are the people we will welcome back with aloha.
Love and will miss my trip to
Oahu for my 85th birthday this year.
This is a ritual every
Year for 15 yrs.
Thank you for the update, we are booked for October to visit your beautiful state. Any changes, or current updates are so appreciated, thank you, -Ami
Hi Ami.
More updates coming soon.
Aloha.
Thank you for all the updates, always amazed me that you give info faster than any of the news sources that I follow.
I may need to quit reading the comments, although I usually enjoy them. Everyone needs to remember this is a pandemic and nobody really knows what to do, other than wear face masks and stay socially distant. Good luck to you all.
Lani
Hi Lanell.
Thanks!
Aloha.
Personally, I don’t believe this is a good time for people who are planning to explore and dine at their favorite restaurants to visit HI. However, for those who have visited HI many times and have a favorite resort, it’s a great opportunity to test the “resort bubble” concept while avoiding the 14-day quarantine. This would also help put some Hawaiians back to work.
First, rental cars would not be available to tourists. This would eliminate tourists driving around before heading to their designated bubble. Hotel shuttles would be available to and from the airport and a private car service would also be available for those who wish to pay for it.
I can immediately think of two resorts on the Big Island that might be able to pull this off due to their locations The Westin Hapuna and the Mauna Kea. Both are wonderful resorts with beachfront locations and sort of a one way in, one way out setup. The room entrances are facing an outdoor corridor vs. a hallway you might find in many resorts. This keeps the air flowing between the room entrances and guests. Both resorts have an abundance of outdoor space and established restaurants with outdoor seating, thus making social distancing a breeze. Guests would make reservations in advance for a specified seating time. The max time guests may spend at a restaurant would be two hours, giving other guests an opportunity to dine. Breakfast goods and other island goodies would be available for purchase. In-room dining on the lanai/balcony could be an option. A shuttle service to local restaurants such as Merriman’s, yet another option.
Activities would include the usual beach activities (e.g.,kayaking, snorkeling – bring your own snorkel/mask from home). Beach chairs would be reserved in advance and pool time would be by reservation in blocks of time such as two hours (I’ve seen this here in SoCal). The resort bubble concept will take a bit more planning, but this should help HI get ready for October 1st.
You’re welcome.
Tulsi Gabbard tipped her hand. To impose the national guard on covid cases and criticize the health department while the ltgov says they require 10 times the resources they are currently working with. Outragious!
I find it interesting how many people are trying to get to Hawaii without the required quarantining, and seeking 3-day testing. I understand returning residents and those with property wanting to return home or get to their second homes and rental property. But I do not understand why tourists would want to go to Hawaii right now even if they could. Friends of mine in Kauai tell of the dire situation, business closures, restaurant closures, no excursions, restrictions around the resorts, and so on. What kind of (expensive) Hawaii vacation is that? Even though we have reservations to visit Kauai in February 2021, we are seriously thinking of canceling until everything is open again, which may be a year or more from now. Not everyone will agree, and that is fine, but for us, we will be willing to wait so we can enjoy the full Ohana spirit Hawaii offers us.
Here’s one reason a tourist with lots of time (to spend the first 2 weeks in quarantine) would go to Hawai’i now: no people. I loved Waikiki in the 50s and early 60s. Later it became so crowded as to be unpleasant. Imagine walking on a virtually empty beach, instead of vainly trying to pick your way among the towels and umbrellas. Imagine strolling or biking along Kalakaua – or even Kuhio – with no huge tour buses, only a few cars. Imagine surfing Waikiki with a dozen other people in the water, instead of a hundred or more. At night, peace and quiet – you could once again hear the sound of the waves. If we still owned our condo there, I would definitely consider going. Safeway in Honolulu (Kapahulu Ave.) will deliver groceries. Cook in your unit. Relax on your lanai. After 14 days, enjoy it all!
That’s assuming you have a condo you can go to! In the time share industry, due to the pandemic, it’s almost impossible to book a unit for 2 weeks as in years past. My present reservation for January is 3 days, 8 days, then 11 days all in different units. Pretty difficult to quarantine for 14 days (nor would I want to!)
It would help everyone calm down if we quit counting positive tests as “cases”. A case is someone who needs to seek medical attention for Covid symptoms be it from their clinician or a hospital. A positive test is only that. No symptoms, no case.
Looking at the most recent data from Covid Tracker, Hawaii has 166 active cases currently. A far cry from the thousands reported as “cases”
Clearly you are not a medical professional. Typhoid Mary did not require hospitalization. She infected dozens of people and at least three of those died. She was definitely a case.
Dave: I may not be a medical professional, but I know when I’m being bamboozled by the media. You may live your life in fear if you want to – That’s your choice.
If the Governor of Hawaii thinks that they can keep the Islands closed, shutting down tourism completely, with no financial support to the businesses and unemployed residents THAT IS LUDACRIS!!
Mexico has opened some of their states for tourism ( with limits to #of hotel rooms booked etc.), they still have “shelter in place ” effective for anyone that does not need to report to a job. They have implemented amazing sanitization practices at the larger chain hotels ( not sure about small independently owned) and its working. By doing so they are able to continue to bring some revenue into their states and keep a percentage of people that work in the tourism industry emoloyed. Hawaii must figure out a similar plan.
The death rate in Mexico from C19 is appalling. Maybe not the best model. I recall seeing comments on this site a few weeks ago about how Florida was doing such a great job while opening up. Now the Florida death rate is appalling.
Well-run states will do whatever it takes to keep their citizens from dying en masse. Makes sense.
Thanks for information
Hi Shirley.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Our daughter on Oahu (who works as a contractor for DOE) said they announced yesterday that they have 18! contact tracers working. Out of about 300 trained. Totally crazy. And still no decision on how they plan to have school – which normally would have started the beginning of August. Total lack of leadership.
The school issue has flummoxed every state and school district in the US. Why pick on Hawai’i?
Dave R, you do not know what you are talking about. Some school districts are doing ok.
The endless extentions to the travel ban and the uncertainty are why I finally cancelled my Hawaii plans completely. My husband and I may or may not try again in a few years, but for the near future we’re going to shift our focus on other destinations.
Good luck on finding any safe destination that hasn’t changed their restrictions multiple times as conditions warranted. At least you won’t have to worry about Europe, ’cause they won’t let Americans in anymore.
I thought I’d share my recent experience as it may be helpful for someone else, like your reader with the Marriott cancellation:
A friend and I had planned a late Sept. visit to Kauai, but then the owner of our rental had so many cancellations that he simply decided to cancel the rest of his bookings and take it off the market. With the pandemic getting worse and the quarantine in place, we decided not to book elsewhere. In the meantime, however, our plane fare (not cheap; we had upgraded to first class as a “bucket list” item) was still in the coffers of Alaska Airlines. All we could do is wait and see if they would cancel the flights closer to our reserved dates, which would mean we could get full refunds instead of vouchers. I didn’t expect that to happen, if at all, before Sept. 1, and I’ve followed your closure updates closely.
Then this past weekend we received messages that our flight schedule had been “updated”. I anticipated that meant a cancellation but the update was simply that the plane to Kauai was taking off a bit later. However, the agent then told me that our returning flight to the mainland WAS canceled.
Turns out that if you have roundtrip tickets, and one way of that roundtrip is canceled, you can get a full refund for the entire roundtrip regardless of the status of the flight that has NOT been canceled. That was welcome news! I don’t know if this is just an Alaska Air policy or more industry wide (I’ve never needed a flight refund before), but it was a huge relief to get that money back, and hassle-free at that. They fully refunded my credit card within two days. Bravo Alaska!
We’re clearly not the only ones who were/are stuck in that limbo, as your readers indicate. Your updates have been such a help as we’ve dealt with this situation. Hoping to get there in 2021!
Hi Marcia.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Thanks for keeping us informed. Hope things improve soon.
Hi Lee.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I agree. If the liberal dems get their way, it will be like there was never had a pandemic. If they don’t get their way, they’ll want to close entire US economy down until we’re in a depression. Pathetic
I have a week in Kauai starting 9/16 and they have not canceled on me yet but I had a reservation for a few nights afterwards at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Oahu and they just sent me an email yesterday that they canceled my reservation because they are temporarily suspending operations. The airlines (Alaska and Southwest) have both modified my flights multiple times.
This morning I rescheduled both my hotels for March 2021…will wait to change my airfare until just before my scheduled flights.
It will take the need to remove politics, selfishness, ignorance, and denial out of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to survive not only as a state but as a nation.
This is a total joke. The endless excuses Hawaii gives for not reopening are pathetic, when even third world countries can manage immediate testing at airports. They should have reopened months ago and provided the necessary tests at the airports upon arrival. But they were either too cheap, too stupid, or incompetent to come up with a plan. They rely on federal bailouts and loans when they should not be given one red cent from the federal government. I would feel sorry for their residents, but they are the fools who put these idiots into office in the first place.
amen! california,new york and new jersey have to be asking themselves the same thing!!
so sad hawaii. not necessary to do this to your state!
How will they handle layover or stop overs? Are travelers allowed to fly to Hawaii to catch connecting flights to another destination? Are they required to stay in the airport or a certain area of the airport? Our flight arrives at 5 am and doesn’t leave again until 11:30 am.
I understand the predicament Hawaii finds itself in. However, the Gov needs to make up his mind which way he is going to go. Either way, some segment of Hawaiian society is going to be upset – either those who would hope for a safer opening, or those who are hurting more financially.
On the mainlain, tourists are looking for somewhere to go. We want to get away from stress, from politics, and from all the bad stuff that 2020 has brought. Hawaii is paradise to us. We’d love to come back. However, we can’t make last minute changes, or be expected to change vacation dates with employers at the last minute. We have to know more than a few days in advance that you’re bumping the quarantine out again. Personally, I’m not due to come out till November, but in order to get a refund for my lodging, I have to let them know by September, so I’m not holding my breath on that. I’m hoping my flight gets cancelled so I get my money back on that, too. Otherwise it’ll be a looooonnng time before I come back.
Testing in CA is going along pretty well. I had a test today and will get the results back tomorrow (free). My son was tested and waited in the car and got the results back in 15 mins. ($225) In LA they have improved test times and turnaround time is 48 hours.
Just got my email from Hawaiian airlines last night. Flights are cancelled, and we were to fly September 2nd thru the 13th with hop to Maui and back to Oahu! Maybe I’ll be back, maybe not! Florida, here come!!!
I should also mention that we are getting a full refund!!!!
A family member is vacationing in Kauai in October – telling me they only need a 72 hr negative Covid test? Any thoughts? Thank you
Hi Cheryl.
They are simply unaware of the situation.
Aloha.
It’s been 6 months since all this began. How can Hawaii still be so ineffective in dealing with this? It seems that the plan isn’t anything more that “hoping for the best”. Even as the situation worsens, no concrete action is taken and if plans exist, they aren’t made known by the health department. It’s now a dumpster fire and the only apparent action by the government is hand wringing.
It’s glaringly obvious that the current government is not adequately equipped for this crisis. I’m not a citizen of the state of Hawaii, but if I was, I’d be advocating for a wholesale change in the government over the abject failure to manage this.
One big problem with Government officials and Government employees making the rules on whether or not to open the economy is that they get paid no matter what. Tourism stops, they still get paid; businesses close down, they still get paid; Rental companies go BK; they still get paid; hotels close; they still get paid. Hawaii resident’s need to hold these people accountable and put their feet to the fire. If they cannot work out a solution in now 6 months of knowing the problem they should be fired. There is no incentive for these Government official’s to work harder and find a solution because no matter what, Yes you guessed it; they still get paid. Sorry for being cynical but deep down we all know it.
Greg you are so right. Remember the slogan “We are all in this together”, the government finally gave up using that fairy tale. Why not ask all government employees to take a voluntary 10% pay cut to be donated to those who are deemed non-essential? I think it would be amazing to see the reaction of government employees when they share one-tenth of the pain of millions of citizens.
Please, Beat of Hawaii do a story every week on a business that has been forced to close. The small business owners are losing everything. Talk to the owners, ask them what this means to them and their families and employees. Thank You for this forum, the mainstream media no longer report on the victims of these government policies, people want both sides of the story.
Hi Robert.
Thanks.
Aloha.
on this mornings program of “Your California Life” TV program a representative from picture genetics was going over that they have an in home test now available that will give you results within 24 hour, look at picture genetic.com, called the “fulgent” test it a nasal swab nowhere as invasive as many of the ones out there. The cost was $119 but he felt insurance would cover $100 of the cost. It seems to me that here is a test that will allow us to get to Hawaiia with very quick results.. I would encourage everyone to look up YCL and get this mornings program and see for yourself. I feel the answers are out there folks but the powers at be seem to playing follow the lost leaders to make a decision. Help Save Hawaiia from an economic disaster everyone !!!
Here’s my letter that got published 8/10/20 Star Advertiser:
“Dear Editor,
Our HI State officials have had more than enough time to figure out this virus; but have they done so? The answer is a resounding, “NO!”
Since this has become a politically-charged, fear-driven illness fraught with concerns over Hawaii being an isolated island state with not enough beds or medical staff to handle rising numbers of COVID-19 patients, what are our State and Federal representatives doing to address that? Are they considering working with the Army Corps of Engineers to build temporary hospital units? Has any consideration been given to using existing vacant hotel rooms for housing patients? How about asking whether the USS Comfort ship can be brought to assuage the fears relative to a lack of medical beds and staff?
Wishing for a risk-free environment is what children dream of. Let’s be adults and get to work to be proactive in preparing for the worst while praying for the best possible outcome.”
So folks, while Gov. Ige continues to support our INCOMPETENT D.O.H. despite GLARING evidence supporting their ongoing incompetency, those of us living in “paradise” see nothing but doom & gloom for the foreseeable
future. Stop hanging on empty promises dear ones and CANCEL your vacation plans for 2020.
Yes it looks bleak , I actually have a seat on october 29 on both United and alaska air. I originally had the United flight but thought I didn’t want to change planes at sfo so booked a non stop on alaska air . Held off though on a condo and am glad I didnt reserve a condo . Looks like the state Is nowhere near opening up without a quarantine . Fortunately I can cancel both oct 29 flights, never worried about the return flight , as I realized if Hawai’i is virus free why come home , but now quite the opposite .
I honestly don’t see Hawai’i reopening until there’s a vaccine. There’s no real plan other than “wait and see” what the rest of the world is doing and that’s not a plan. With that type of leadership Hawai’i won’t open the rest of the year.
No kidding??
No surprise.
I love the way he used the word ” inject”
Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for everything you do!!
Aloha to all🌺💕
Hi Pam.
Thank you.
Aloha.
After Nov 4 Election Hawaii travel will stay closed if current Pres re-elected; if not reelected, Hawaii reopens. Simple.
Ummmm Mark, your scenario is backwards!!!
Not even possible. Up to Governors, That’s why I’ve had such a screwed up system all over the country with a patchwork of mandatory masks, suggesting masks, and forbidden masks. Vote blue
I agree. Keeping Hawaii totally closed is a travesty and must be politically motivated. I can’t see any other logical reason for a total shutdown which deeply, deeply hurts 100% of the population.
Mark: I’m sorry but I would have to disagree. In fact, I believe it to be the exact opposite. If the current President is re-elected Hawaii will reopen quickly. It appears to me that it’s very possible that the elected Governing officials in blue states may be keeping their states closed to delay economic growth until after the election. I believe their hoping to elect a new president by suppressing the economy as to not give credit to the current president.
So, my belief is that blue states will reopen very quickly after the election; regardless of who the President is.
Wishing good luck and prayers for those who call Hawaii home.
Aloha & Mahalo
Hi TJ.
Thanks.
Aloha.
This is such a tragedy for the economy of the islands. Can you update me on the businesses that have closed permanently on Kauai since this all started? My concern is that when we can return, there will be very little remaining businesses. If food is hard to come by, I don’t want to add more to the burden of local people trying to get food at grocery stores to feed their families! If gas stations close, it will be hard to get around, and on and on it goes.
Don’t worry, there will be plenty of gas. With no jobs and no money, who is going to be buying gas? Only tourists IF they return
Aloha-
As you say in six months they haven’t done much in regards to contract tracers. Because of the limited medical resources Hawaii is in a tough spot. The boomerang from lockdown to opening back to lockdown will accomplish nothing. We need to continue mandating wearing of masks and social distancing BUT gradually open back up society. All vulnerable people need to stay in lockdown. It makes no sense for 100% of society to shut down when 10% or less are at risk. I know there are exceptions but the long term mental health ramifications are growing exponentially. What we are doing makes no sense at all.
Mahalo for all you do!
Hi Jon.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Thank you for an informative article. Just returned to mainland on Wed. after 2 days in Honolulu. In the recent past, National Guard did temperature screening on arrival to exit the gate, and again upon departure before entering TSA screening. Surprised no temperature screenings inbound nor outbound this time. Safe Travels Hawaii website to pre-register travel plans was also inoperative. Hawaii’s protocols seem to be undergoing change. Maybe the local health authorities decided these measures weren’t worthwhile? (speculation on my part)
Hi John.
Thanks for that update.
Aloha.
Agreed John!
It’s also worth noting is that California, with a population of over 40,000,000,has not seen a single death from the 0-18 demographic. Not one.
Yet we’re all petrified about reopening schools nationwide.
Media hyperbolie continues to blow this out of all reasonable proportion injecting massive doses of fear into the populous. An hour spent researching the FACTS about the pandemic is a worthwhile investment of your time.
You can also see how the latest wave has moved through the southern US. Hospitalizations are dropping as rapidly as they were rising. It’s also worth noting that the spike in these states occurred 4 – 6 weeks AFTER lockdowns were eased (Georgia was the first to ease their lockdown on April 24th). The disease cycle is typically 18 days for most patients, so its difficult to correlate a cause and effect relationship between lockdowns and positivity tests despite the media’s shouting that its true.
If you want to really get into the weeds, read about William Farr who described the bell shaped curve of infections when he studied the Black Plague and other infectious diseases about 180 years ago. Unsurprisingly, this is proving to be the case in the current pandemic regardless of the country or the measures taken to attempt to mitigate it. Sweden didn’t lockdown at all and now they are back to normal – not even wearing masks. They did see a spike in fatalities in nursing home patients as they didn’t take measures to adequately protect the elderly. These deaths accounted for roughly 75% of the fatalities in Sweden. They have admitted this mistake and are making sure that they take appropriate measures going forward.
All of this to say: Lockdowns don’t work. Even the WHO recommended against them as recently as 2016. The 2017 CDC planner did not even mention widespread workplace closings.
By the time they open up Hawaii there will be no Business left.
i think they want Poverty in Hawaii- Get Rid Of The DEMOCRATS.
I agree with you completely, PhillyBob!
It’s certainly about time. Unfortunately, too many voters are brain dead or brain washed. R
Conservative thinking has been annihilated.
Unfortunately, PhillyBob is absolutely correct! I am missing my family, Ohana,grandkids immensely (Kauai) and there’s no end in site. Remember this: the only sure way to ensure change is to VOTE Nov. 3rd. If you don’t vote one does not have the license to complain.
Mahalo for what you do at BOH!
Hi Dale.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Phillybob, that’s a ridiculous statement. Let’s try to keep this civil, please. It’s ludicrous to think the Dems want poverty in Hawaii. Let’s try to keep this non-partisan. There are other sites you can go to if you want an argument.
Everyone, stay healthy. Mahalo for your work, gentlemen.
Hi Claudia.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I agree!!
PhillyBob, WHO precisely, would want poverty in Hawaii? Wait! I know the answer— NO ONE! Not “even the Democrats”. Everyone wants the economy to reopen as soon as reasonably and safely as possible.
PhillyBob:: Couldn’t agree more!