Hawaii announced yesterday that it has hit 2,000,000 vaccinations to date, with comments from the state’s two top leaders. So what does that have to do with Hawaii vacations? A lot. Some obvious answers and some surprises lie ahead. Read on for just how long will it be until restrictions are relaxed.
Lieutenant Governor Josh Green.
“We’ve reached now 90% of everyone 12 and older” to have had at least one vaccination. In addition, nearly 5% of the state’s population is believed to have had Covid, “which is to say that there is a lot of immunity,” according to the Lt. Gov. physician, who added, “that’s why our cases keep dropping.” The number of those infected is down by 50% in just the past few weeks, also according to Green, who concluded, “that means our hospitalizations will come down. Fatalities will come down. That will be the rationale to reduce (travel) restrictions.”
Governor David Ige.
Ige said yesterday that, while very pleased that so many people have been vaccinated, it is premature to change any of the rules, including those recently implemented, such as vaccine passports. “We still have too many cases,” he said. The state says that 79% of “eligible residents” are now fully vaccinated.
Ige said he anticipates encouraging tourism this year after asking visitors to stay away through October just a month ago. That admonition, albeit without “teeth,” significantly discouraged visitors and impacted airlines, hotels, restaurants, and activities reliant on tourism.
How long will it be until restrictions are relaxed?
Ige said yesterday, “please be patient for another two, four, six weeks because we are making progress.” That came as the number of new cases was only 255 yesterday and 240 today, which are the lowest numbers in several months. Ige said specifically that he is “hopeful that we will release more restrictions and be able to invite those who are vaccinated back to the islands. We do know it’s important to our economy and important to getting everyone back to work.” He added, Hawaii will again be “more aggressive and active in encouraging visitors to return, especially those that are vaccinated.”Rules we expect to see relaxed first include capacity limits currently imposed across the travel industry.
International arrivals to Hawaii to resume.
The US is preparing to welcome vaccinated travelers from outside the country. While details weren’t mentioned, Hawaii will be joining in that effort. Ige said that “full recovery cannot occur if we don’t have international travelers.” International arrivals make up a significant percentage of Hawaii visitors, and they typically spend more in Hawaii than do domestic tourists.
I haven’t heard any mention of welcoming cruise ships back to Hawaii. We have a cruise booked in November and wonder if it will actually happen.
Ok picture this. In the governors office on a zoom call with all the mayors, there is the Wheel of fortune”. But instead of $$ it has new covid restrictions. Ige spins it, and that is what the islands will be doing this week. The family and I, plus other family friends are still planning to visit Maui Thanksgiving week. It’s kinda funny, the NFL, collage football stadiums are at full capacity as well as concerts for the last three plus weeks. Outside don’t need masks, inside were your mask. Alllegiant stadium in Vegas requiring to show your CDC vaccine card to get in.
Thank you and see you on November. Hopefully!!!!
Hi Markr.
Yes definitely look forward to your being able to return in November.
Aloha
Don’t think Japanese tourists are heading to Hawaii until they can easily return home without a 10 day quarantine requirement. My wife has not been able to see her 90 year old mother in almost two years, and we’re both fully vaccinated.
For us, great Waikiki trip earlier this month. Looking forward to Waikoloa later this year.
Not all of us are trying to just go on vacation. I’ve been trying to get to Honolulu again to see my brother, niece, and great nephews since July of 2020. Thousands ties up in airfare and my favorite hotel, a wonderful old set of beach cottages that really apartments, just waiting to come back. Booked for Christmas week, I still have no confidence it will be a go and if I must cancel it will be my third time doing so.
I agree it is almost offensive to talk about international travelers now. They typically don’t have family in Hawaii. I’ve spent plenty there over the years, and look forward to doing so again. If a fall surge however leads to a re-up of Requirements however, that won’t happen as I cannot get stuck in Hawaii for weeks in a quarantine, etc.
Thank you for the word on lowering case loads, that is good news.
“nearly 5% of the state’s population is believed to have had Covid” according to the Lt. Gov. physician
5%? try 25-50% same as every other state
Thanks for your daily updates! As much as I’d like to visit Hawaii again……I’ll pass! What with the nutcase crazy running Hawaii…. changing their minds about the “requirements” almost daily……well, too many hoops to go through. Sad.
Sadly agree, I will return because family but I’m being very patient. I cannot afford to get stuck there for weeks in quarantine.
Please just test them all..vax or not..test them all
Guess we won’t be coming to Hawaii.
Hello Florida!!
SO, all of a sudden Ige gets excited over the prospect of international travel from especially Japan while Americans still have to jump thru hoops to visit Hawaii!? Yep, that sounds about right even if they also have to use the same apps to get in to Hawaii!
Between honoring the Governor’s announcement of “he anticipates encouraging tourism this year after asking visitors to stay away through October just a month ago” and staying here working with my bird dog Blue, I suppose I’m going to steady up with Blue for a while. He is happy to see me, work with me, and he doesn’t mess up the hunt with barking, false starts, and coming back in without that he is supposed to get.
This is the first I’ve seen, at least here on BOH, that Ige or Green, in this case Green, has acknowledged that natural immunity has contributed to the increase in COVID immunity. It’s about time. Maybe the next step will be to accept positive antigen tests for entry into Hawaii and access to hotels, restaurants, and venues.
Hi Rob L.
Your thoughtful post has me thinking about natural immunity and positive antigen test.
One might think those are good reasons to allow for reducing restrictions. I do. But I also think that currently and for the foreseeable future they have a huge problem. Not with the science of course, but rather with politics.
Aloha BOH Bro’s
With last weeks low airfare war and covid numbers falling I feel a mini surge to Hawaii beginning after October 15th.
Questions on Hawaiian travel sites have changed from do I need to cancel to help I can’t find any bookings for Luau’s, restaurants, rental cars or activities for October or November.
Hi Richard.
Yes the rollercoaster ride continues.
Aloha.
I think one of the most difficult if not impossible things about travel to Hawaii, is the fact that plans must be made many months in advance and sometimes as much as a year.. Also, people expect full payment 60 to 90 days before arrival. All of the last minute changes from the state of Hawaii is just a no starter for great many people. However, I’m not sure there is a good solution to this problem.
From USA Today.
“‘I’m conflicted’: Travelers weigh Hawaii plans after governor begs tourists not to come amid COVID-19 surge”
The numbers are down because of this type of article, only 1 month ago.
Thousands have cancelled trips to Maui, yet only a month later, now it’s safe?
The Gov should be recalled. His “sky is falling” scenario costs so much money!
The Governor is trying to keep people alive. Do you not see how infectious this disease is? And how quickly it can overwhelm a hospital system? What are loved ones lives worth to you? Stop complaining and follow the CDC guidelines and we can all return to normal. Thank goodness more Hawaiians are getting vaccinated.
The CDC guidelines!? Now that there is just plain funny because they could not make up their minds about anything not to mention how the “director” overrode her approval board as to how the next round of shots should be or if they should be given out! Guessing that 99+% rates of survival still escapes you not to mention that NEITHER the governor or the so called LG “doctor” never bothered to ask for the US Navy ship to be sent over IF the hospitals were that overwhelmed! Stop living in FEAR! False Expectations About Relaity!
The CDC and congres are not mandated to take the vaccine just that in itself should open your eyes.
Hello GV
Regarding following the CDC guidelines. Most where I live aren’t complaining. They just aren’t doing it any more.
All of this just seems to indicate to these country folk there must not be much need now for all of this. As a result, it has became sort of difficult to get everyone here to continue to be very much concerned with what the CDC says, as well as with wearing mask, shots, testing, and so forth.
But this is rural Georgia and we aren’t very sophisticated.
Aloha. That is very awesome news. Coming home in a few weeks. Super exited to see the ohana its been two long years since our last visit to the big island. See you guys soon.
I am headed to Oahu on Monday for ten days.. what is open for shopping, eating and tours?
Also someone that is not vaccinated is planning to travel. Or will have first shot. By today. What restrictions will be in place .
You better read up on restrictions in Oahu before you travel. You might be in for a big surprise what you can and cannot do. And if you do not already have reservations, I would reschedule my trip!
Thank you. I have been reading. I am fully vaccinated a few months ago. Plus had Covid back in December. I don’t plan to do anything special but enjoy the beach, pool and maybe a massage. Looking forward to my visit. It’s been 15 years. Time to relax.
Your friend will most likely need to show a negative Covid test every 48 hours to visit restaurants, attractions etc. To be considered vaccinated they need both shots and two weeks to pass after the second. If you are here for 10 days, friend will need 5 Covid tests. 1 every 48 hours. Unless things change, it will cost them for each test if you want to go out to eat and sit in a restaurant or bar
Thanks. I’m actually hoping they cancel as they only planned 4 days there.
(fingers tapping on desk) I keep shopping airfares, and this IS GREAT news! Coming from the East Coast, we are in fear that the testing requirement would come back, and it’s almost impossible to get it done here. Maybe we are turning the corner again! Now, to catch a sale!
Thank you & I look forward to returning by the end of the year.
Aloha…
Yes, that’s good news for the fully vaccinated travellers from abroad. Very selfishly, I am sob looking forward to revisiting – hopefully in the New Year.
It has been a long, hard and worrying road for Islanders and us all. Let’s hope that we are on the cusp of a ‘new’ normal…
Again, Nathalie for the continued updates.