Yesterday, we revealed the governor’s yet to be widely publicized Hawaii mask mandate requiring face coverings statewide with few exceptions. That apparently hit a nerve and resulted in many comments of support or opposition to wearing masks on a Hawaii vacation. Here’s the reality. You can’t escape the pandemic on a Hawaii vacation. We need to keep our businesses open and be able to continue to share the beauty of the islands with visitors. But we have to keep everyone safe, to the best of Hawaii’s ability.
Look at what happened just this week on the island of Lanai. Their island and its tourism were shut down due to a run-up from zero to nearly 100 COVID cases in just a week’s time. The outbreak was largely reported to be a result of no masks and social gatherings.
So you want to visit, and we want you to be here. To help make that happen, we’re largely all wearing masks here. Personally, we see that more and more every day. Not only that, but according to the most recent Hawaii Emergency Management Agency report, 73% of people in Hawaii are wearing them correctly (as in both nose and mouth covered). For what it’s worth to you (or not), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that mask-wearing prevents COVID-19 spread in addition to washing hands regularly and social distancing.
You can also go online or when you’re here head to Hawaii’s stores and find Hawaii-style masks. You’ll fit right in while enjoying everything Hawaii has to offer from our culture to beaches.
Here are just a few of the fascinating comments you proferred.
Chris S: Why anyone would go to Hawaii with these restrictions is beyond me. Wearing a mask outside when no one is near is an absurdity. Don’t go to HI until things are back to normal. Don’t risk having your trip ruined by being told you have to quarantine by government hacks.
Beat of Hawaii: This is the new normal, at least for now.
GK: One solution may be, to close off one lane on Kalakaua avenue to use as a wider pedestrian “sidewalk”. Since Kalakaua has less vehicular traffic. This would help pedestrians in Waikiki follow the 6′ SD mandate.
Beat of Hawaii: We like your creative idea GK.
Jon D: If I can’t exercise while maintaining 6′ it cuts out 90% of why come to Kauai. Waimea, Sleeping Giant, Kalalau are where we spend our time. I have no problem wearing a mask or buff when I pass people on the trail but if I have to wear it full time its a deal breaker. There is zero logic in that. I am sure it is a deal breaker for many like me. I hope common sense prevails by April or we will be forced to cancel again.
Beat of Hawaii: We wear masks too while exercising outdoors. Especially on trails, where it can be difficult to know when social distancing is or isn’t possible.
Mar: It should be automatic. Like a seat belt sheesh. Get one to match your bikini too.
Beat of Hawaii: Great idea Mar. Make it more fun, be creative, and find a mask and design that reflects you. But who ever imagined we’d be saying these words?
Julie: Where is any valid evidence that the use of masks are effective? Some researches have even proved the opposite. I often wonder if people have lost they ability to think critically. Masks are nothing but a illusion. A fake sense of safety – with the exception of the use on those who are coughing or sneezing… I will not use a mask except when entering any indoors facility. No matter how many fines they give me and I’ll fight them in court if necessary. The constitutional rights are above the Governor’s mandate.
Beat of Hawaii: Refer to our link above Julie from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We aren’t experts and are simply following the guidelines offered. Sorry, but you shouldn’t come to Hawaii now if you feel like this.
Amanda responded to Julie: Julie, you may have missed this: Asymptomatic virus carriers (that means people who feel perfectly fine) can be spreading the virus just by talking, laughing, shouting. They do not “know” they are spreading the virus. They are not coughing or sneezing. And they may never actually have symptoms because their body fights it off…but they are still spreading. The virus spreads in aerosols through the air….you, yourself, could pass someone while you are talking and spread virus aerosols in their personal space. Sheesh! Wearing a mask until we have this virus under control protects everyone from you…and protects you from everyone who may be spreading.
Rob L: It may be ridiculous but that is the rule, as mentioned here on BOH. A person is also subject to one year in jail, I guess depending on the severity of the case and the arresting officer’s discretion.
Pam M: I cannot believe that no one can agree on the mask issue and Hawai’i has lost it’s Aloha completely if no one agrees to communicate clearly with one another.
Beat of Hawaii: Thanks for mentioning the Aloha Pam. We’ve just seen new masks emblazoned with the words “Sharing Only Aloha.”
Vicki G: Incidentally, the local people having their week-end picnics and bar-b-ques DO NOT wear masks and are definitely not social distancing. Can you explain why they are not following the rules and not given citations but the visitors are targeted?
Beat of Hawaii: These rules apply to everyone. Not just visitors.
David W: Here is the thing. Nobody should need a mandate. Everyone knows by now what is required if you want to minimize your chances of getting the disease or spreading the disease. Social distancing, wear a mask anytime you are indoors or near anyone outside, wash or sanitize your hands often. That all should be obvious by now and nobody should need to be told that. Otherwise Hawaii will be shut back down very quickly. I’d like to see some kind of fine but that shouldn’t be necessary. For now I can’t see traveling there until this all plays out a little more.
Sandra K: Yes masks are required. It’s a pandemic.
Reg Y: I mask up when I go outside; to work and around others. It’s best to just wear a mask, err on the side of caution. It has been shown that anyone can get Covid, so why take a chance? Nobody knows about the long-term effects on a person’s health. So please wear a mask. If you’re not at home, then you need to wear a mask. There’s some minor variation among islands, but if you put on a mask when you’re not at home, without trying to pick at the loopholes, then you’ll be in compliance anywhere… If you’re not at home, put on a mask, easy as can be to understand.
Peg H: Just wear a mask. Is it really that confusing for you? We know they work. At most a very minor inconvenience. People that cannot understand this simple dynamic are why we’re here eight months later.
You may want to draw this out as long as possible but most people don’t.
Cindy W: As a resident who lives at the end of Kapiolani Park, where people exercise heavily (90% of the time without masking) and someone who keeps up with the WHO and CDC Recommendations, I applaud Ige for coming forward with a Mask Wearing Mandate, Finally!!! Now post the Mandate including the fines in the elevators and lobbies of every hotel, condo, park, bus stop, grocery store, restaurant, restroom, tennis court and retail establishment on the island.
I may never come to HI again. There is much to love, but I’m not a herd animal. Nor do I subscribe to false fears. Viruses are real. Illness is real. Both have been with us forever. Government overreach is out of control. It’s very disappointing. I can’t patronize that position.
Sad, Bill C. More U.S. deaths this year mark the largest single-year percentage leap since 1918, when tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers died in World War I and hundreds of thousands of Americans died in a flu pandemic.
Overall deaths in the United States this year are more than 85% higher than in places such as Germany, Israel and Denmark after adjusting for population size.
Your attitude is exactly the reason that Hawaii requires testing, re-testing at random, and contact tracing. Through “government over reach”, Hawaii has managed the pandemic. Thank you for deciding not to visit.
I am a new resident. Just moved over from Sacramento, California. People fight wearing the mask. They will come into small spaces and say, “oops. Forgot my mask. I will only be a minute.” This happened in some way or another every day for the eight days I was there. 1 out of 2 people wear the mask under their nose. California has over 1 million cases. Wonder why? Oh yeah, no Kuleana. I decided to quarantine, again. This is the only way I can 100% keep my community safe. I do this for them because they wear a mask for me. This pandemic is not forever but a mask is for everyone.
Please be kind. Please be safe. Let’s stop fighting each other and start fighting for each other.
Perhaps it wouldnt spread so much if there were bathrooms in restaurants in which you could wash your hands. Ive never been to a state in which you can get food and not have facilities to wash prior to eating. This state is ill prepared for so many reasons I can understand their over compensating and making people stay at home like hermits.
Let’s keep this simple
If you don’t want to follow our laws or rules then just stay put and please don’t endanger us as you endanger yourself or your lived ones.
Please wear a mask. It is simple and temporary. I worked in Cardiac Surgery for 34 years. If you don’t think they work maybe I won’t need a mask during your surgery. We are not in the 18th century where doctors refused to wear masks and gloves because they thought it didn’t help.
It’s the 2020 fashion statement! 🙂
We are trying to get to Honolulu this weekend to visit our son. We are scheduled for the < 72 hour testing requirement at the only Trusted Partner in our area but have our doubts on whether the results will arrive before we have to board for Hawaii.
Does anyone know if the rapid test facility at the Oakland airport takes walk-ins? Their website seems to indicate no appointments available until January.
Also, if we arrive in Honolulu still awaiting our results where do we have to quarantine?
Find out yourself. Hawaii.gov a good place to start. Don’t rely on someone else.
We have three different snorkeling trips planned and paid for the end of December. One company isn’t responding. How do I know who has gone out of business, and who is just slow to respond? Thank you for being a great resource!
Hi Tonya.
Thanks. We’d suggest you constate the state’s consumer affairs division. https://cca.hawaii.gov/.
Aloha.
Done – easy! Thank you!
I know it was meant as more of a joke but I really like the idea of having a mask that matches my swimsuit!
It’s the 2020 fashion statement! 🙂
Hawaii, Their house, their rules. And as for a tourists point of view on not wearing masks, just show some common courtesy, observe boundaries or what ever you want to call it. In some obscure way its like a guest coming over to your house, and next thing you know their rearranging your furniture. Tourists are guests and need to show some respect for the local rules. . A need for a suntan on your part doesn’t constitute a death for someone else..
First where is the data. They always say the data shows the people without masks caused the outbreak. CONME ON PEIPLE. Has anyone seen the data. Let’s just say want we want the narrative to be. It’s not going to change. The democrats across this country believe the mask and Hawaii is heavy democrat. Bottom line dont travel there unless you want to be traced. No thanks. There is other places to go
On Maui right now. No masks by locals on beach and no danger. Wake up Governor, go to a beach and see how safe it is!
I wear a mask, CDC says wearing a mask does not help one bit in stopping surges in the virus and the virus particulates are too miniscule for even a n95-99 mask to be effective. I live on the big Island and as far as I know a rule is a rule and not a law . to arrest people and charge fines for something that is not a law is a violation of constitutional right. I don’t know how any state can say that they will incarcerate and fine people for what is not a law but a rule or emergency mandate without out declaring martial law is anything but a baseless threat that if you are an American should be disregarded as such. it’s unconstitutional and a violation of law. but I still wear a mask.
Hello , just spent a week on the big island! I took all the required covid tests and even some prior to the week of travel to be extra safe! As someone who works with the general public daily ( I am a barber) I have no issue abiding by the mask wearing rules anywhere I travel to. I feel it does not ruin my vacation, it is the new norm. I love to support local businesses, being in one myself. I feel like if you can’t abide then don’t travel! For everyone else who has no issues with mask wearing, I’ll have to say I truly enjoyed my time on the big island and talked to lots of friendly locals! It was a great escape from city life and I’m great full for the opportunity to come and enjoy the island. Just follow the rules 🙂
My son and I arrived in Oahu on oct. 20 with negative covid test in hand. We had planned on moving there permanently included with that making the island my primary personal and business address. I was bringing 12 new jobs to be hired with me. The mask issue, big brother watching attitude and unfriendly people has turned my stomach. There is no Aloha spirit there anymore. I did not see one smile the entire time. Living in fear is not living at all. Since 1991, I have traveled there every year. No more. Worst experience in my life! We just packed up and left. Biz will be relocated also.
We are here.We are respectful of the land,spending money,and wearing a mask.Thank you Maui.
Please no political responses.
Your comment is a breath of fresh air compared to those of the nay sayer’s Life goes a lot sweeter. If one is given a lemon and makes lemon aid from it rather than just bite into it.
Announcement: Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that beginning Nov. 6, travelers from Japan may bypass Hawaiʻi’s mandatory 14-day quarantine if they pass a trusted coronavirus test within 72 hours of departure and receive a negative result. All trusted testing partners are in big Japanese cities. Please tell me when you hear that they have expanded to testing at the airports – before departure.
Mahalo for your good work…………….
Hi Nancy.
We kept an eye out on that for you and are really happy you’ll be able to return to Hawaii now. Great news.
Aloha.