131 thoughts on “Testing Approved As Hawaii Visitors Demand Essential Information”
Fran G
They’re just about to start trials in the UK of 20 min swab tests. That’s the sort of time frame where they could introduce a procedure at the departing airport prior to say clearing security to check whether you were currently clear of the disease. Therefore you could be confident that you won’t catch it while flying and it would give some degree of confidence to the islands that they weren’t importing cases.
I like the sound of this. I want a vacation but I equally don’t want to get sick. So something which balanced the two desires would be useful prior to a vac cine being available.
Thanks for the update. It helps in these times to know how everyone else is dealing with this so we can share ideas to make things better.
I’m also planing on coming in June. Although the 14 day quar antine would be a hassle, I usually stay for 3-5 weeks, and having my own place would not be as bad as being forced to stay in a hotel room.
I think my biggest issue is that they really haven’t addressed how it works for those of us who own property. How would we get food for the 14 days, if we are forced in to immediate quar intine? Do we have to depend on our neighbors, who may or may not want to help? What if nobody helps, because of their own fear? Are there any resources to help someone, in case they are not able to get food and supplies for the quar intine period, should it be extended into June?
Personally, I don’t think it’s right, nor do I want to be forced to take a test. However, I need to get back and take care of my property, which I have always done every 3-6 months. I plan on taking the Antibody test, because I may have been exposed in February, when I last traveled through three different islands on my way back from Hawaii.
I surely wouldn’t be happy, if I was forced to take a test at the airport, and not allowed to board a plane, knowing that the testing isn’t 100% accurate, and can give false positives at this point. Who would want that?
I don’t think forcing people to test is even acceptable, as it adds to the further progression of stripping more individual rights. If you don’t have a fever, are social distancing, and wearing a mask on flights, that should be sufficient.
The further time goes along, the more data is revealing that this is an issue for a significantly small percentage of the population, and protecting those over 65 should be the main focus.
We have never isolated the entire population before. In my opinion, we should be isolatimg the sick and the most vulnerable, and working toward getting back to normal.
Hawaii’s economy isn’t going to sustain much more than another month or so, before it reaches the point of no return. My biggest fear is not the disease itself. It’s the further economic catastrophe and deaths from the repercussions of the decisions made to handle this “crisis”. It’s already being investigated that this was potentially a manufactured crisis, and that is even scarier, if true.
Mahalo, and if you come across information for part time residents like the ones I posed, rhat would be great!
At present, it is not possible to stop at a grocery store or anywhere else. You will have to get food delivered to you by some means. There should be more clarification on the future of all this soon.
Well as a resident of the big island I can’t imagine why someone would want to travel here on vacation during this. Not for reasons of safety but consider the following:
1) you have to wear a mask on the flight – for 6 hrs! That alone would cause me to cancel my vacation.
2) absolutely nothing is open for business in terms of tourist attractions- no whale watching, national parks, surf and body board rentals, no kayak rentals, no tours of any kind.
3) No restaurants open except takeout which means no memorable dining experiences.
Sure you can go grocery shopping, and get Starbucks, and grab food off a food truck. But there is more to Hawaii than that.
You can do online ordering and home delivery from Safeway on O’ahu. Other islands, I don’t know but you can check online.* We had this all worked out for Honolulu but then decided it wasn’t worth the 2 weeks indoors.
*Here’s what Beat of Hawai’i said last year (July 2019): “A leading same-day delivery service from the mainland [Shipt] has just expanded its Hawaii grocery delivery, bringing it to Kauai for the very first time, and increasing same day service in Honolulu and on Maui. The company claims groceries can be delivered to your door in as little as one hour. “
We, unfortunately, postponed our late May trip to Kauai. I was already counting down the days. We are guests in the Islands and we are willing to forego/postpone our vacation for the safety of those calling the Islands home. Though I must say, I’d much rather be quarantined for 14 days on Kauai as opposed to home!!
Be safe and we look forward to contributing to your local economy soon.
We also have a reservation to Alaska on June 5, and the agent told me you can cancel up to 48 hours prior to your flight leaving (by May 31) and get a future flight credit. I hope that helps you!
The other thing to consider is what is your Hawaiian experience going to be…? Will you be able to go out on a catamaran for a sunset sail?
I got an email last week from my Wyndham timeshare saying that certain amenities are likely to be closed at least for awhile like swimming pools, activity centers, business center, spas…. You might want to call your hotels to ask about their new policys regarding this. The new Hawaiian experience might be quite different from what we are used to. Just speculating…
Hawaii would need to test all of its residents before demanding it of tourists. Otherwise they won’t know how a potential out break started. Vaccination or antibody titers in the future would not be out of the question. That’s what they would have my cats do!
My answer for Pam regarding when or if the airline might cancel their flights. We Were scheduled to depart for Kauai 5/20/20. On 4/9/20 we got an email from American saying our flight info had changed. We always fly thru Phoenix coming and going from Kaua’i, so our flight to Phoenix on 5/20 changed to a later departure time and our flight from Phoenix to Kauai was canceled!. However at that time they left our return flights (on 6/10) intact! We called American and after talking to the agent we canceled all flights. We filed online and got a full refund. Hope this helps.
Aloha
We were planning a family trip to Kona June 16th for 11 days. Had flights, condos, rental car and snorkel charter etc.
We have decided to cancel. The condo let us rebook for next year. No fees or charges. We were flying Alaska all 11 of us and they refunded our son as he is in the military and isn’t allowed to travel till the end of June. The rest of us received our refund as future travel which we plan on doing. Again no issues and fees. The same has been with all the other companies. Even if they do open it in June it won’t be the same so we decided it was better to push it out for year. I rather go back to Hawaii when there isn’t health crisis going on.
Such a difficult time for the people of Hawaii, so much uncertainty and isolation. My prayers are with the Hawaiian people and their leaders. Hope to visit in December and help lift tourism again.
Well said – I can’t imagine how difficult life in Hawaii must be at the moment. I love and miss Hawaii, and especially Kauai. I can’t wait to return when the time is right for Hawaii.
How is it a more “difficult time” for “the people of Hawaii” than it is for “the people” of everywhere else? People that live in Hawaii are not a unique and special race. It’s a mixed bag here like it is pretty much everywhere else in the US–and most places in the world. 25% of the state population is white. 2% black. 38% is Asian. With only about 10% being specifically “native Hawaiian / Pacific islander”. (The rest is mixed race.)
And the problem here in Hawaii is not the vi rus itself… it’s the FEAR of the vi rus–and the knee-jerk over-reactions and poor decisions that have been made here (and many other places) out of that fear. On the big island we have around 220k people–and a total of +/-70 cases from day one–zero deaths–and all but about 2 have recovered / been cleared. And yet, here we still are–completely shut down. For no good reason… other than FEAR.
Guess what? It’s not 1720. or 1820. or 1920. It’s 2020. We have SCIENCE. We have MATH. We have DATA. We have no business and no excuse for acting out of fear instead of FACTS. Oahu is not “Hawaii”. It is simply one part of the state–and not even a very big one. And yet–even before this –ALL decisions affecting ALL of the islands have been made and mandated out of Oahu / Honolulu. This needs to stop. We’re not stupid enough to build 10 billion dollar rail lines on big island. We shouldn’t have to pay for that. And we did not have 700 cases of this here… so we shouldn’t be inflicted with the same policies and procedures that Oahu is. Why kill ALL of the economies on ALL of the islands just because of a fairly minor (15 deaths) health issue on ONE of the islands.
Oh, and re: Maui–I seem to recall that they were the MOST vocal about sending the tourists home and banning new tourists from arriving–so, hey, if they’re economy is the most negatively affected–they have no one to blame but themselves.
So it’s not OK to empathize with the entire state, just parts of it? No one is claiming that Hawai’i is unique (although in fact is it, obviously). As for facts and science and numbers: the fact is that if masses of people come pouring in a significant percentage of them will be carriers and they in turn will infect a significant number of people. As long as there is mass travel, anything like this will spread quickly. The rapid spread of diseases by white “discoverers” in the Pacific and the Americas was early evidence of that. You’re right, it’s not 1720 or 1820 or 1920. More people travel now, and to more places. So now something that started in an inland area in China has covered the world in a matter of weeks. As for fear: people aren’t afraid but they’re not stupid, either. Fact is that according to the most recent surveys, even if all restrictions were lifted all over the US tomorrow, most people still wouldn’t feel comfortable about going to crowded places or sitting on full airplanes. This is a serious disease that has already killed at least 94,000 Americans and is still taking people out at well over 1,000 per day. Many of us don’t want to play with poisonous snakes, don’t want to surf with great white sharks, and don’t want to chance a really serious illness (survivors can be left with lifetime problems of lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, GI tract, and brain).
If the Big Island opens up and no one else does, people will pour into the Big Island. Then your low numbers will disappear in a hurry.
We were supposed to fly to Kauai 2nd week of May and our Airline, Hawaiian, just canceled our flights May 2nd. I believe they waited to see if the quarantine would be extended. Other family who were traveling with us had their flights, Southwest, canceled middle of April.
Hello: So will the quar antine will be lifted by Sunday June 14 ?
Neither Hawaiian Air or Resort asked for any testing when I booked on Saturday. We don’t want to come and be stuck in the room for 2 weeks.
Thanks
Departure testing, if one would be positive how would the destination deal with the information? refuse deplaning? Keep at the airport and send back on the next available transport? Hard to determine, no?
Dear BOH,
Thank you so much for providing us up to date information, or at least as much of it as you have! After planning for over a year, we are supposedly traveling to the Big Island on July 3rd and then to Maui on the 10th. We sincerely hope that we can travel and are anxious to hear more. We will gladly take a test prior to coming if there is testing available, but we certainly can’t come this year if we have to quarantine for two of our three and a half weeks. Again, mahalo for keeping us updated. Right now we’re just crossing our fingers and waiting for any new information.
All the best,
Adel and family
Aloha, me and my ohana were setup to be arriving on the 28th of May, but had to cancel. The Hotel was shutdown and the required quar antine of 2 weeks just wasn’t possible. Our travel planner is working to get our money back, and told could take 30-90 days? AAirlines will refund us hope soon? I don’t think anyone going there doing late May to early June should go? My Ohana there are mad at the visitors breaking the rules. I don’t want to be one of them either. Too bad there isn’t a check to be screened to fly on any plane any where. Why should Viena only be doing these checks? That way we could go there? Aloha for your information. Btw I loved watching the live video of Amy and her brother sing last Sat. I’ll be listening to more of them. God bless
My word! I just checked American for two different dates to fly in June from Memphis to Honolulu. The cost of flights $1,000-$2,100 from Memphis to Honolulu for the 11-12 hr. flights. You can fly for the nominal rates but flight time is 35-37 hrs. Wait until September the rates are normal with good connections. Why is this?
WE are scheduled to fly Hawaiian Air to Kona in late September but we need to advise our condo Management office by mid-august to avoid major cancellation penalty. Is it likely that we will be free to travel at that point or should we be thinking of postponing our trip – to perhaps Sept. of 2021?
And the lt. Governor can WANT all he wants. That is something that has to has to be passed through Congress and EVERY ONE can’t afford $200 after they have spent thousands on the trip. And what about families that take the whole family. That could be expensive for them.
There has to be a middle ground. Those that need and want to come the island and are willing to get a RAPID test should be allowed to come and stay if they test negative. If they test positive, they should be the ones quar antined or sent home. This is an easy solution and will help everyone all around. The people that rely on tourism will be able to get some of their business back.
I am scheduled to be moving there June 1 and I should be able to move if I test negative. I have no issues paying whatever the fee is for the test.
These are interesting times for those of us who adore the Hawaiian Islands, and in our case, Kauai. While we can’t use our timeshares there, we aren’t seeing a cut in our annual dues either. Considering a 14 day quar antine period, the three timeshare groups we belong to will not even book trips for the foreseeable future. Add to that, not being able to get to Princeville, we are, simply put, SOL…..
Hoping for improvements so we can come and help the local’s as soon as possible…
First: I recall you are based on Kauai. How you and your neighbors doing? We are in the St Louis area of Missouri. In our suburb, residents are being quite respectful. However, I haven’t been to a store in 7 weeks or even put in gas so I don’t know how that’s going.
Second: I read the email from Southwest about what to expect as they prepare to ramp up. I read comments from the CEO of Ryan Air about the distances between people even with the middle seat empty. I’m thinking that the thought of pre-departure testing doesn’t sound that unreasonable to protect the residents of Hawaii. Logistically, a nightmare just even thinking about we from the midwest who would have to be tested at the at a hub or the west coast; I can’t imagine testing out of St Louis as the airport functions primarily as a regional airport albeit are large regional airport.
Third: For me, I’m in for testing. I’d be less anxious on the plane and I’d feel “next to normal” as a tourist knowing that visitors had been tested.
Again, our travel is booked for January, I’d be willing to postpone even at the last moment knowing that, there will probably be another opportunity. I’d be willing to accept credit as opposed to a refund as if I was willing to spend the money in January of 2020, I’d be willing to spend that amount at a later date, and would say thank you if there was a “perk” for taking the credit.
Things are fine on Kauai. We are weary of the situation, that’s for sure. But knowing there are no health concerns here at the moment, certainly feels good. Thanks for asking. We appreciate your many comments!
I am not sure about anywhere else, but you cannot just say “I want to be tested” around here and then get tested. You have to actually think you have symptoms and get a doctor’s order.
If very recent testing is required before coming to Hawaii, and especially if it is after departure from StL and perhaps before leaving the ‘West Coast’ – we will cancel our trip early next year. Once there are too many hoops – it is just easier to stay home. :0( It might be time to give away the timeshare :0/
Bugs will always be with us. Illness is a part of life. The fearful and vulnerable should self quar antine. Others should be allows to ‘live.’ My 2 cents.
There are no easy answers. But the more complicated it gets, the more inviting a ‘stay – cation’ sounds. May have to switch back to summer vacations to the Mountains of Colorado. Much less hassle.
Thanks for the updates Jeff. Always appreciated. Hope we haven’t made our last trip to Hawaii. Who knows?
We already received cancellation for our May 9th thru 20th trip. We are waiting for restrictions to lift to reschedule. So if we have to be tested first, do we do it at our drs office or where are we suppose to get it done? And if we have to get tested to fly into Maui, then Hawaii residents need to be tested before they can leave the island to go to another state. If visitors have to do it coming in, then Hawaii residents should do it to leave. I’m considering just giving up on Hawaii and going to Florida. Testing is such a waste of time. There are so many “what ifs” to getting tested and getting results in time for our flight. My husband has already gotten tested at his work. So can he use those results? So many unanswered questions and things up in the air. We are contacting our travel agency to go to Florida instead.
Thanks for this info. opportunity ‘Beat of Hawaii’! All 12 of us are looking forward to our 50th Anniversary family trip. The time and $’s invested is nothing compared to a loss of a once in a life time experience. I too have felt the frustration and fear of the locals, its real. But just think how many of us visitors are waiting to know if and when we can travel to your beautiful State. Tough job for the governor but thousands are in the same situation we are. Let us know sooner than later and keep the Aloha spirit!
I have a visit back to HNL booked for early June. Keeping in touch with Hotel and Airline. Would be nice to have more certainty but I figure that many people have a lot more at stake than me worrying about my travel arrangements so I just have to wait and see. Mind you as regular almost commuter it is simply an inconvenience. I can imagine for those planning a honeymoon or the trip of a lifetime, it must be very very disappointing. But it will be a question of waiting for things to get right. Hawaii is not going anywhere and the Hawaiians are not going to stop being a welcoming and cultured people. So wait it out and your trip will be worth it when it does happen.
Hawaiian Airlines says that my 5/30 flight from Boston to Honolulu is on Schedule! My friend tried to book the same flight on the same day and they said there were no flights! What the heck is going on here! They’re lying through their teeth because they said my flight is on schedule for 5/30! What gives? Be honest Hawaiian Airlines. You just don’ t Want to give refunds! It’s obvious! 😩
Hawaiian Airlines notified me that my flights had been changed just one week prior to travel. I requested a refund online and didn’t receive a response after a week. I called and they would only offer me credit. You have one more data point that HA is not wanting to give refunds like they are supposed to under the DOT clarification on April 3.
This is not Austria and not Dubai. We in the USA have sick and first responders in the USA who cannot get tests. Our government seems to be unable to do anything to ramp up the testing to help slow down the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. I doubt we’re going to see perspective Hawai’i holiday makers being able to test for anything less than a small fortune anytime in the near future. (I guess the cost of the Austria test is 119 euros. ) Most would argue that we shouldn’t even think about testing holiday makers until this Unimaginable and intolerable death rate at least slows. If testing is the condition for visiting Hawaii then Hawai’i should get ready for a long, long wait before tourists and their wallets return.
Is the death rate in Hawai’i from the flu this year REALLY “Unimaginable and intolerable”?
Let’s do the math.
In Hawaii, as of this moment, there have been 621 known cases, and 17 deaths. That’s a death rate of 2.7%–of KNOWN cases. Virtually ALL health authorities and immunologists/etc agree that the infection rate is MUCH higher than the KNOWN cases (which require a positive test result). MANY people have/had no symptoms at all–or symptoms so mild they never even know/knew they have/had it. Some estimates are 10x more infected than have tested positive. but lets just cut that down to 1x more–so, twice as many ACTUAL infected than KNOWN cases. That cuts the death rate down to 1.37%. Which aint bad. I’d take a 1.37% death rate over total global financial collapse any day of the week.
Which doesn’t mean the state and counties of Hawai’i should take all reasonable and prudent precautions IN ORDER to OPEN the state back up to ALL (reasonably healthy) visitors as soon as possible. Even BEFORE the flu season this year Hawaii County was $500,000,000 dollars in debt–and the state was $5 BILLION dollars in debt. With tourism–and therefore tax revenues–essentially at zero right now… where do you think the money to operate the government is coming from right now??? (Answer: MORE DEBT)
Sadly, yesterday we finally cancelled our annual trip to the Kohala Coast. We were to travel in July but without knowing how we are able to move about the island (I’ve heard rumors of ankle bracelets)or our resort, no buffet breakfasts, maybe no pool or beach access, we thought the better of it and will plan something for 2021. United charged us $250 per person to cancel and Hawaiian (inter-island flights) let us keep the credit for 2 years. Not happy about that, but it is what it is… Praying Hawaii heals all around and you are back to the vibrant beautiful place we all know and love. Thanks for your daily posts!!
The thing about getting a test on Monday, to travel on Saturday, is that test on Monday could be negative (or a false negative), but by the time you travel on Saturday, you could be infected and asymptomatic. So, how safe is that?
Then there’s the whole question of antibodies. We still do not know definitively whether antibodies give immunity or for how long.
Of course, your fun trip and tourist dollars mean way more than my life or my neighbour’s life, so have fun.(Good thing we’re not fighting something like WWII, or we’d be the losers.)
Josh Green is amazing and on the right track. Yes, every person traveling to Hawaii at least until there’s a vaccination, should prove their tests results PRIOR to getting on a plane. Similar to what is required to bring a pet into our state. But that needs to be decided upon and announced federally NOW, so people have time to acquire the proper tests and paperwork. Otherwise be prepared for another 30 day shut down in June…
I am a Native Hawaiian and I spent much of my childhood on Maui and Big Island. I now reside on the mainland and have brought my family of five (3 small children) to the islands as often as twice a year for the last 8 years. And sadly it seems as though that is all coming to an end. I have been stunned by the attitudes and actions of many of the “residents” of Hawaii. Confrontations with people because they may not be “locals”? National Guard checkpoints? Tourist bans? Hotels reporting on customers? Nah. Not for me. Hawaii for Hawaiians? It’s all yours. I am Hawaiian and quite happy spending $12k a year in Mexico or the Caribbean.
I just read your article About travel to maui opening at the end of May and possibly Having to get a test before being able to visit Maui. I have plans to visit the first week of June and this is the first I heard of this and I’m concerned there would be no time to do this. If this is their plan may need to announce this right away.
I am supposed to fly to Hawaii on May 24. My condo is up for sale and we need to remove belongings and a car. I need to change my reservations but unsure if I can even fly in June. I do not think Hawaiian airlines and United will let us keep changing flights with hefty change fees .
Thank you very much.
Sherry D
We cancelled our 5/31 arrival. Just too much up in the air on what would our trip look like once we arrived. It was to be our first trip and we are so sad. No idea when we will be able to reschedule.
I believe blood testing on arrival for a fee is the right path. Foreign visitors will either be unable to get a suitable test or it will not be acceptable to Hawaii authorities. That is why I do not think it can be done at airport of departure as California, Texas, New York, Nevada, Georgia, Illinois, Washington and DC will likely have different tests, The latest ones give a result in 35 minutes, So there may be misunderstandings between states. Paying for a test on arrival, distancing, wearing a mask etc and proof of accommodation such as hotels for the duration fo the stay that can provide accomodation and facilities with 6 ft distancing. Stores and restaurants will need to impose limits on customers at one time to preserve the distancing. The worry is that stupid folks will treat it as a joke like some do with the agriculture and animal forms, so there need to be immediate return to airport fo departure for breaking the rules whether visitors or residents so they understand it is not a joke and second getting foreigners with little English from CHina, Korea or Japan to understand and stick to 6ft distancing will be hard.
Hello!
Quite honestly, given the tone on many of the local social media pages by the Hawaiian people, I wouldn’t plan on travel to the islands for quite some time. Rightfully so. The damage done by over tourism has really put the disdain and dislike for tourists over the top. Not by all, but by many. Can’t argue the point. I’ve been travelling to the islands once or twice a year since the mid 70’s and even as an outsider, I’ve witnessed and felt the changes over the years.
Maybe it IS time to let the islands and the people of the islands heal from the abuses to their land. I realize that without tourism, the islands fail. To an extent. Might be time to look at limiting the numbers some.
Just a thought and thanks for listening.
Mahalo nui, Michael for your thoughtful and kind comment. You’re so right. We need to really rethink the way we do tourism here. I hope that our leaders have the political will, and strength (because they’re under a great deal of pressure from the industry) to take us into a different, more sustainable, direction with tourism. More quality over quantity.
Thank you this insightful comment. Hawaii currently hosts 3O million visitors a year! This is considerably more than when the jet age began in the early 60’s. I was born and raised in the 50’s when tourism had a very different look in Hawaii. I just wish more tourists had your knowledge regarding Hawaii and it’s resources and the dangers they are facing.
What I find more damaging is the “development”. The gradual desire to turn the Islands into Southern California in the Tropics. Tourists can be a pain at times but they do bring jobs and money to the islands. Developers knock down the history and put up a new high rise and take the profits back to California or New York and most of the properties are at prices that local people and businesses cannot afford. IF we are to protect Hawaii and Hawaiians from cultural pollution it is redevelopment that needs to be much more carefully evaluated.
While I don’t disagree with most of your comment, it is too late for Oahu. Heading that way for Maui as well. IMHO. Save the others while there is still time! And remember, it’s not just the mainland where the $$$$ are going to.
Thank you Michael. We actually stopped going to Maui after 20 years because of overcrowding and the unpleasantness that comes with it. IMHO giant hotels and cruise ships are somewhat at fault. We love the older and quieter areas. Don’t know when we can return. Love our memories. Who remembers when no one ever honked their car unless they knew you!
Aloha Micheal,
You couldn’t more RIGHT about letting the Island and the Hawaiians heal from the long time abuse to the Island! However, the correction would be this….. Without tourism the Islands certainly won’t fail, the large corporations and resorts will fail and the economy will “suffer”…..but the Hawaiians are VERY strong and very connected to their Land and Culture and this “little reprieve” JUST MIGHT give them the breathing room, to get back to their roots of being more self sustaining, like their Kapuna were and to be able to take care of their ocean land, ….so that it can in return, take care of them! It’s quite remarkable for us to witness the dedication as we live here!
Aloha. I did say “to an extent” and I believe that to be true. Quite honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for some of the aspects of the islands to fail. I immediately think of a few of the shops on Front Street.
As of today, tourist numbers are climbing, from what I’ve read. The governor wants to open the islands again. It won’t be long before hundreds become thousands. There is no time for breathing room.
Changes need to take place now.
Be safe. Be healthy.
American Airlines canceled our flight when they did away with the Phoenix-Kona hub. If they had notified me when they canceled it, I would have been able to get a full refund on my rental. Since I didn’t learn until 58 days prior to arrival, I only get 1/2 the deposit back. I am not getting anything back on the 2nd rental I had booked. No cancellation refunds. We were scheduled to land June 7th. After I learned the flight was cancelled, I decided to wait to see how things played out with the pan demic before rebooking the flight.
I check all my flights every 3-4 weeks and AA had canceled my June flights and put me on connections that did not work. Called them up and I was offered an instant refund without asking as they had canceled flights. Will rebook when we have some clarity in Hawaii and US rules. As usual AA could not have been more helpful.
They’re just about to start trials in the UK of 20 min swab tests. That’s the sort of time frame where they could introduce a procedure at the departing airport prior to say clearing security to check whether you were currently clear of the disease. Therefore you could be confident that you won’t catch it while flying and it would give some degree of confidence to the islands that they weren’t importing cases.
I like the sound of this. I want a vacation but I equally don’t want to get sick. So something which balanced the two desires would be useful prior to a vac cine being available.
Thanks for the update. It helps in these times to know how everyone else is dealing with this so we can share ideas to make things better.
Hi Fran.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Aloha Guys!
I’m also planing on coming in June. Although the 14 day quar antine would be a hassle, I usually stay for 3-5 weeks, and having my own place would not be as bad as being forced to stay in a hotel room.
I think my biggest issue is that they really haven’t addressed how it works for those of us who own property. How would we get food for the 14 days, if we are forced in to immediate quar intine? Do we have to depend on our neighbors, who may or may not want to help? What if nobody helps, because of their own fear? Are there any resources to help someone, in case they are not able to get food and supplies for the quar intine period, should it be extended into June?
Personally, I don’t think it’s right, nor do I want to be forced to take a test. However, I need to get back and take care of my property, which I have always done every 3-6 months. I plan on taking the Antibody test, because I may have been exposed in February, when I last traveled through three different islands on my way back from Hawaii.
I surely wouldn’t be happy, if I was forced to take a test at the airport, and not allowed to board a plane, knowing that the testing isn’t 100% accurate, and can give false positives at this point. Who would want that?
I don’t think forcing people to test is even acceptable, as it adds to the further progression of stripping more individual rights. If you don’t have a fever, are social distancing, and wearing a mask on flights, that should be sufficient.
The further time goes along, the more data is revealing that this is an issue for a significantly small percentage of the population, and protecting those over 65 should be the main focus.
We have never isolated the entire population before. In my opinion, we should be isolatimg the sick and the most vulnerable, and working toward getting back to normal.
Hawaii’s economy isn’t going to sustain much more than another month or so, before it reaches the point of no return. My biggest fear is not the disease itself. It’s the further economic catastrophe and deaths from the repercussions of the decisions made to handle this “crisis”. It’s already being investigated that this was potentially a manufactured crisis, and that is even scarier, if true.
Mahalo, and if you come across information for part time residents like the ones I posed, rhat would be great!
Hi Chuck.
At present, it is not possible to stop at a grocery store or anywhere else. You will have to get food delivered to you by some means. There should be more clarification on the future of all this soon.
Aloha.
Unacceptable
Well as a resident of the big island I can’t imagine why someone would want to travel here on vacation during this. Not for reasons of safety but consider the following:
1) you have to wear a mask on the flight – for 6 hrs! That alone would cause me to cancel my vacation.
2) absolutely nothing is open for business in terms of tourist attractions- no whale watching, national parks, surf and body board rentals, no kayak rentals, no tours of any kind.
3) No restaurants open except takeout which means no memorable dining experiences.
Sure you can go grocery shopping, and get Starbucks, and grab food off a food truck. But there is more to Hawaii than that.
I have lots of information on that topic. Wish we could “talk” Currently in that quarantine!
You can do online ordering and home delivery from Safeway on O’ahu. Other islands, I don’t know but you can check online.* We had this all worked out for Honolulu but then decided it wasn’t worth the 2 weeks indoors.
*Here’s what Beat of Hawai’i said last year (July 2019): “A leading same-day delivery service from the mainland [Shipt] has just expanded its Hawaii grocery delivery, bringing it to Kauai for the very first time, and increasing same day service in Honolulu and on Maui. The company claims groceries can be delivered to your door in as little as one hour. “
We, unfortunately, postponed our late May trip to Kauai. I was already counting down the days. We are guests in the Islands and we are willing to forego/postpone our vacation for the safety of those calling the Islands home. Though I must say, I’d much rather be quarantined for 14 days on Kauai as opposed to home!!
Be safe and we look forward to contributing to your local economy soon.
We also have a reservation to Alaska on June 5, and the agent told me you can cancel up to 48 hours prior to your flight leaving (by May 31) and get a future flight credit. I hope that helps you!
Then don’t go
Are you Hawaii resident? Currently employed? Did you forget how most of the jobs in the state are generated? Don’t go. Great solution.
The other thing to consider is what is your Hawaiian experience going to be…? Will you be able to go out on a catamaran for a sunset sail?
I got an email last week from my Wyndham timeshare saying that certain amenities are likely to be closed at least for awhile like swimming pools, activity centers, business center, spas…. You might want to call your hotels to ask about their new policys regarding this. The new Hawaiian experience might be quite different from what we are used to. Just speculating…
Hawaii would need to test all of its residents before demanding it of tourists. Otherwise they won’t know how a potential out break started. Vaccination or antibody titers in the future would not be out of the question. That’s what they would have my cats do!
My answer for Pam regarding when or if the airline might cancel their flights. We Were scheduled to depart for Kauai 5/20/20. On 4/9/20 we got an email from American saying our flight info had changed. We always fly thru Phoenix coming and going from Kaua’i, so our flight to Phoenix on 5/20 changed to a later departure time and our flight from Phoenix to Kauai was canceled!. However at that time they left our return flights (on 6/10) intact! We called American and after talking to the agent we canceled all flights. We filed online and got a full refund. Hope this helps.
Aloha
Open Hawaii
There are very low numbers of cases and no deaths on some of the islands, at least open the big island.
The Big Island just had 5 New cases today via the County’s update.
We were planning a family trip to Kona June 16th for 11 days. Had flights, condos, rental car and snorkel charter etc.
We have decided to cancel. The condo let us rebook for next year. No fees or charges. We were flying Alaska all 11 of us and they refunded our son as he is in the military and isn’t allowed to travel till the end of June. The rest of us received our refund as future travel which we plan on doing. Again no issues and fees. The same has been with all the other companies. Even if they do open it in June it won’t be the same so we decided it was better to push it out for year. I rather go back to Hawaii when there isn’t health crisis going on.
Such a difficult time for the people of Hawaii, so much uncertainty and isolation. My prayers are with the Hawaiian people and their leaders. Hope to visit in December and help lift tourism again.
Well said – I can’t imagine how difficult life in Hawaii must be at the moment. I love and miss Hawaii, and especially Kauai. I can’t wait to return when the time is right for Hawaii.
How is it a more “difficult time” for “the people of Hawaii” than it is for “the people” of everywhere else? People that live in Hawaii are not a unique and special race. It’s a mixed bag here like it is pretty much everywhere else in the US–and most places in the world. 25% of the state population is white. 2% black. 38% is Asian. With only about 10% being specifically “native Hawaiian / Pacific islander”. (The rest is mixed race.)
And the problem here in Hawaii is not the vi rus itself… it’s the FEAR of the vi rus–and the knee-jerk over-reactions and poor decisions that have been made here (and many other places) out of that fear. On the big island we have around 220k people–and a total of +/-70 cases from day one–zero deaths–and all but about 2 have recovered / been cleared. And yet, here we still are–completely shut down. For no good reason… other than FEAR.
Guess what? It’s not 1720. or 1820. or 1920. It’s 2020. We have SCIENCE. We have MATH. We have DATA. We have no business and no excuse for acting out of fear instead of FACTS. Oahu is not “Hawaii”. It is simply one part of the state–and not even a very big one. And yet–even before this –ALL decisions affecting ALL of the islands have been made and mandated out of Oahu / Honolulu. This needs to stop. We’re not stupid enough to build 10 billion dollar rail lines on big island. We shouldn’t have to pay for that. And we did not have 700 cases of this here… so we shouldn’t be inflicted with the same policies and procedures that Oahu is. Why kill ALL of the economies on ALL of the islands just because of a fairly minor (15 deaths) health issue on ONE of the islands.
Oh, and re: Maui–I seem to recall that they were the MOST vocal about sending the tourists home and banning new tourists from arriving–so, hey, if they’re economy is the most negatively affected–they have no one to blame but themselves.
So it’s not OK to empathize with the entire state, just parts of it? No one is claiming that Hawai’i is unique (although in fact is it, obviously). As for facts and science and numbers: the fact is that if masses of people come pouring in a significant percentage of them will be carriers and they in turn will infect a significant number of people. As long as there is mass travel, anything like this will spread quickly. The rapid spread of diseases by white “discoverers” in the Pacific and the Americas was early evidence of that. You’re right, it’s not 1720 or 1820 or 1920. More people travel now, and to more places. So now something that started in an inland area in China has covered the world in a matter of weeks. As for fear: people aren’t afraid but they’re not stupid, either. Fact is that according to the most recent surveys, even if all restrictions were lifted all over the US tomorrow, most people still wouldn’t feel comfortable about going to crowded places or sitting on full airplanes. This is a serious disease that has already killed at least 94,000 Americans and is still taking people out at well over 1,000 per day. Many of us don’t want to play with poisonous snakes, don’t want to surf with great white sharks, and don’t want to chance a really serious illness (survivors can be left with lifetime problems of lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, GI tract, and brain).
If the Big Island opens up and no one else does, people will pour into the Big Island. Then your low numbers will disappear in a hurry.
*Typo: it has killed over 94,000 Americans. (Request: add an “edit” button?)
Hi Dave.
Fixed. Good suggestion. We’ll check into it.
Aloha.
We were supposed to fly to Kauai 2nd week of May and our Airline, Hawaiian, just canceled our flights May 2nd. I believe they waited to see if the quarantine would be extended. Other family who were traveling with us had their flights, Southwest, canceled middle of April.
Hello: So will the quar antine will be lifted by Sunday June 14 ?
Neither Hawaiian Air or Resort asked for any testing when I booked on Saturday. We don’t want to come and be stuck in the room for 2 weeks.
Thanks
Hi Gary.
We will be updating as soon as we have more information.
Aloha.
As to
Departure testing, if one would be positive how would the destination deal with the information? refuse deplaning? Keep at the airport and send back on the next available transport? Hard to determine, no?
Dear BOH,
Thank you so much for providing us up to date information, or at least as much of it as you have! After planning for over a year, we are supposedly traveling to the Big Island on July 3rd and then to Maui on the 10th. We sincerely hope that we can travel and are anxious to hear more. We will gladly take a test prior to coming if there is testing available, but we certainly can’t come this year if we have to quarantine for two of our three and a half weeks. Again, mahalo for keeping us updated. Right now we’re just crossing our fingers and waiting for any new information.
All the best,
Adel and family
Hi Adel.
Thanks. We are anxious to be able to update you and others as soon as possible.
Aloha.
Aloha, me and my ohana were setup to be arriving on the 28th of May, but had to cancel. The Hotel was shutdown and the required quar antine of 2 weeks just wasn’t possible. Our travel planner is working to get our money back, and told could take 30-90 days? AAirlines will refund us hope soon? I don’t think anyone going there doing late May to early June should go? My Ohana there are mad at the visitors breaking the rules. I don’t want to be one of them either. Too bad there isn’t a check to be screened to fly on any plane any where. Why should Viena only be doing these checks? That way we could go there? Aloha for your information. Btw I loved watching the live video of Amy and her brother sing last Sat. I’ll be listening to more of them. God bless
Hi Gerianne.
Thanks.
Aloha.
My word! I just checked American for two different dates to fly in June from Memphis to Honolulu. The cost of flights $1,000-$2,100 from Memphis to Honolulu for the 11-12 hr. flights. You can fly for the nominal rates but flight time is 35-37 hrs. Wait until September the rates are normal with good connections. Why is this?
I love the information you provide.
Thank you.
Hi Pamela.
Thank you. Not sure about AA, but DL is $494 RT any day you choose including weekends with reasonable 14 hour duration.
Aloha.
WE are scheduled to fly Hawaiian Air to Kona in late September but we need to advise our condo Management office by mid-august to avoid major cancellation penalty. Is it likely that we will be free to travel at that point or should we be thinking of postponing our trip – to perhaps Sept. of 2021?
And the lt. Governor can WANT all he wants. That is something that has to has to be passed through Congress and EVERY ONE can’t afford $200 after they have spent thousands on the trip. And what about families that take the whole family. That could be expensive for them.
There has to be a middle ground. Those that need and want to come the island and are willing to get a RAPID test should be allowed to come and stay if they test negative. If they test positive, they should be the ones quar antined or sent home. This is an easy solution and will help everyone all around. The people that rely on tourism will be able to get some of their business back.
I am scheduled to be moving there June 1 and I should be able to move if I test negative. I have no issues paying whatever the fee is for the test.
These are interesting times for those of us who adore the Hawaiian Islands, and in our case, Kauai. While we can’t use our timeshares there, we aren’t seeing a cut in our annual dues either. Considering a 14 day quar antine period, the three timeshare groups we belong to will not even book trips for the foreseeable future. Add to that, not being able to get to Princeville, we are, simply put, SOL…..
Hoping for improvements so we can come and help the local’s as soon as possible…
Governor Ige should implement testing programs at the airports and major hotels. He should have thousands of test kits by now. Open Hawaii.
First: I recall you are based on Kauai. How you and your neighbors doing? We are in the St Louis area of Missouri. In our suburb, residents are being quite respectful. However, I haven’t been to a store in 7 weeks or even put in gas so I don’t know how that’s going.
Second: I read the email from Southwest about what to expect as they prepare to ramp up. I read comments from the CEO of Ryan Air about the distances between people even with the middle seat empty. I’m thinking that the thought of pre-departure testing doesn’t sound that unreasonable to protect the residents of Hawaii. Logistically, a nightmare just even thinking about we from the midwest who would have to be tested at the at a hub or the west coast; I can’t imagine testing out of St Louis as the airport functions primarily as a regional airport albeit are large regional airport.
Third: For me, I’m in for testing. I’d be less anxious on the plane and I’d feel “next to normal” as a tourist knowing that visitors had been tested.
Again, our travel is booked for January, I’d be willing to postpone even at the last moment knowing that, there will probably be another opportunity. I’d be willing to accept credit as opposed to a refund as if I was willing to spend the money in January of 2020, I’d be willing to spend that amount at a later date, and would say thank you if there was a “perk” for taking the credit.
Hi Thomas.
Things are fine on Kauai. We are weary of the situation, that’s for sure. But knowing there are no health concerns here at the moment, certainly feels good. Thanks for asking. We appreciate your many comments!
Aloha.
We, too, are from the StL area.
I am not sure about anywhere else, but you cannot just say “I want to be tested” around here and then get tested. You have to actually think you have symptoms and get a doctor’s order.
If very recent testing is required before coming to Hawaii, and especially if it is after departure from StL and perhaps before leaving the ‘West Coast’ – we will cancel our trip early next year. Once there are too many hoops – it is just easier to stay home. :0( It might be time to give away the timeshare :0/
Bugs will always be with us. Illness is a part of life. The fearful and vulnerable should self quar antine. Others should be allows to ‘live.’ My 2 cents.
There are no easy answers. But the more complicated it gets, the more inviting a ‘stay – cation’ sounds. May have to switch back to summer vacations to the Mountains of Colorado. Much less hassle.
Thanks for the updates Jeff. Always appreciated. Hope we haven’t made our last trip to Hawaii. Who knows?
Hi Collen.
Thanks for your comment – that makes an even 200 to date. Mahalo!!
No you had better come back as we’re really looking forward to seeing you.
Aloha. R/J
I’m not sure a June opening is realistic. I just read this article: “Trump Administration Estimates 3,000 Daily Deaths By End of Month” Link: https://www.newsmax.com/us/coronavirus-reopening-daily-deaths/2020/05/04/id/965996/
If we still have 3,000 deaths a day, a tremendous number of Americans are going to die to open things up.
Good Luck All!
We already received cancellation for our May 9th thru 20th trip. We are waiting for restrictions to lift to reschedule. So if we have to be tested first, do we do it at our drs office or where are we suppose to get it done? And if we have to get tested to fly into Maui, then Hawaii residents need to be tested before they can leave the island to go to another state. If visitors have to do it coming in, then Hawaii residents should do it to leave. I’m considering just giving up on Hawaii and going to Florida. Testing is such a waste of time. There are so many “what ifs” to getting tested and getting results in time for our flight. My husband has already gotten tested at his work. So can he use those results? So many unanswered questions and things up in the air. We are contacting our travel agency to go to Florida instead.
Quite a bit of Florida is a hot spot right now. They have very little social dist ancing enforced.
Thanks for this info. opportunity ‘Beat of Hawaii’! All 12 of us are looking forward to our 50th Anniversary family trip. The time and $’s invested is nothing compared to a loss of a once in a life time experience. I too have felt the frustration and fear of the locals, its real. But just think how many of us visitors are waiting to know if and when we can travel to your beautiful State. Tough job for the governor but thousands are in the same situation we are. Let us know sooner than later and keep the Aloha spirit!
Hi Pat.
Thanks. We’ll let you know as soon as there is more info.
Aloha.
I have a visit back to HNL booked for early June. Keeping in touch with Hotel and Airline. Would be nice to have more certainty but I figure that many people have a lot more at stake than me worrying about my travel arrangements so I just have to wait and see. Mind you as regular almost commuter it is simply an inconvenience. I can imagine for those planning a honeymoon or the trip of a lifetime, it must be very very disappointing. But it will be a question of waiting for things to get right. Hawaii is not going anywhere and the Hawaiians are not going to stop being a welcoming and cultured people. So wait it out and your trip will be worth it when it does happen.
Hawaiian Airlines says that my 5/30 flight from Boston to Honolulu is on Schedule! My friend tried to book the same flight on the same day and they said there were no flights! What the heck is going on here! They’re lying through their teeth because they said my flight is on schedule for 5/30! What gives? Be honest Hawaiian Airlines. You just don’ t Want to give refunds! It’s obvious! 😩
Hawaiian Airlines notified me that my flights had been changed just one week prior to travel. I requested a refund online and didn’t receive a response after a week. I called and they would only offer me credit. You have one more data point that HA is not wanting to give refunds like they are supposed to under the DOT clarification on April 3.
I doubt you’re going to fly Hawaiian
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FShowTopic-g28932-i36-k13295382-DOT_approvals_granted_for_suspension_of_flights_to_Hawaii-Hawaii.html&h=AT2Y8Mpcc387Rut6Iqt53aOpueuQcGLlx-oNotHpjnGaARv-2hYmoLBStIEIWPEGZU0bZGrdgoL_Jepu_A-uy_fu1jcGDfeC2YEqRxLq9vzKPtli9aE7a4tcT60BpCA&s=1
Oops typo… 190 euro and not 119
It’s seems the Governor is keeping the local residents in the dark as much as the future visitors
This is not Austria and not Dubai. We in the USA have sick and first responders in the USA who cannot get tests. Our government seems to be unable to do anything to ramp up the testing to help slow down the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. I doubt we’re going to see perspective Hawai’i holiday makers being able to test for anything less than a small fortune anytime in the near future. (I guess the cost of the Austria test is 119 euros. ) Most would argue that we shouldn’t even think about testing holiday makers until this Unimaginable and intolerable death rate at least slows. If testing is the condition for visiting Hawaii then Hawai’i should get ready for a long, long wait before tourists and their wallets return.
Is the death rate in Hawai’i from the flu this year REALLY “Unimaginable and intolerable”?
Let’s do the math.
In Hawaii, as of this moment, there have been 621 known cases, and 17 deaths. That’s a death rate of 2.7%–of KNOWN cases. Virtually ALL health authorities and immunologists/etc agree that the infection rate is MUCH higher than the KNOWN cases (which require a positive test result). MANY people have/had no symptoms at all–or symptoms so mild they never even know/knew they have/had it. Some estimates are 10x more infected than have tested positive. but lets just cut that down to 1x more–so, twice as many ACTUAL infected than KNOWN cases. That cuts the death rate down to 1.37%. Which aint bad. I’d take a 1.37% death rate over total global financial collapse any day of the week.
Which doesn’t mean the state and counties of Hawai’i should take all reasonable and prudent precautions IN ORDER to OPEN the state back up to ALL (reasonably healthy) visitors as soon as possible. Even BEFORE the flu season this year Hawaii County was $500,000,000 dollars in debt–and the state was $5 BILLION dollars in debt. With tourism–and therefore tax revenues–essentially at zero right now… where do you think the money to operate the government is coming from right now??? (Answer: MORE DEBT)
I agree
Sadly, yesterday we finally cancelled our annual trip to the Kohala Coast. We were to travel in July but without knowing how we are able to move about the island (I’ve heard rumors of ankle bracelets)or our resort, no buffet breakfasts, maybe no pool or beach access, we thought the better of it and will plan something for 2021. United charged us $250 per person to cancel and Hawaiian (inter-island flights) let us keep the credit for 2 years. Not happy about that, but it is what it is… Praying Hawaii heals all around and you are back to the vibrant beautiful place we all know and love. Thanks for your daily posts!!
The thing about getting a test on Monday, to travel on Saturday, is that test on Monday could be negative (or a false negative), but by the time you travel on Saturday, you could be infected and asymptomatic. So, how safe is that?
Then there’s the whole question of antibodies. We still do not know definitively whether antibodies give immunity or for how long.
Of course, your fun trip and tourist dollars mean way more than my life or my neighbour’s life, so have fun.(Good thing we’re not fighting something like WWII, or we’d be the losers.)
Josh Green is amazing and on the right track. Yes, every person traveling to Hawaii at least until there’s a vaccination, should prove their tests results PRIOR to getting on a plane. Similar to what is required to bring a pet into our state. But that needs to be decided upon and announced federally NOW, so people have time to acquire the proper tests and paperwork. Otherwise be prepared for another 30 day shut down in June…
I am a Native Hawaiian and I spent much of my childhood on Maui and Big Island. I now reside on the mainland and have brought my family of five (3 small children) to the islands as often as twice a year for the last 8 years. And sadly it seems as though that is all coming to an end. I have been stunned by the attitudes and actions of many of the “residents” of Hawaii. Confrontations with people because they may not be “locals”? National Guard checkpoints? Tourist bans? Hotels reporting on customers? Nah. Not for me. Hawaii for Hawaiians? It’s all yours. I am Hawaiian and quite happy spending $12k a year in Mexico or the Caribbean.
I just read your article About travel to maui opening at the end of May and possibly Having to get a test before being able to visit Maui. I have plans to visit the first week of June and this is the first I heard of this and I’m concerned there would be no time to do this. If this is their plan may need to announce this right away.
I am supposed to fly to Hawaii on May 24. My condo is up for sale and we need to remove belongings and a car. I need to change my reservations but unsure if I can even fly in June. I do not think Hawaiian airlines and United will let us keep changing flights with hefty change fees .
Thank you very much.
Sherry D
Hi Sherry.
Thanks. We should know more about June very soon.
Aloha.
We cancelled our 5/31 arrival. Just too much up in the air on what would our trip look like once we arrived. It was to be our first trip and we are so sad. No idea when we will be able to reschedule.
I believe blood testing on arrival for a fee is the right path. Foreign visitors will either be unable to get a suitable test or it will not be acceptable to Hawaii authorities. That is why I do not think it can be done at airport of departure as California, Texas, New York, Nevada, Georgia, Illinois, Washington and DC will likely have different tests, The latest ones give a result in 35 minutes, So there may be misunderstandings between states. Paying for a test on arrival, distancing, wearing a mask etc and proof of accommodation such as hotels for the duration fo the stay that can provide accomodation and facilities with 6 ft distancing. Stores and restaurants will need to impose limits on customers at one time to preserve the distancing. The worry is that stupid folks will treat it as a joke like some do with the agriculture and animal forms, so there need to be immediate return to airport fo departure for breaking the rules whether visitors or residents so they understand it is not a joke and second getting foreigners with little English from CHina, Korea or Japan to understand and stick to 6ft distancing will be hard.
Hello!
Quite honestly, given the tone on many of the local social media pages by the Hawaiian people, I wouldn’t plan on travel to the islands for quite some time. Rightfully so. The damage done by over tourism has really put the disdain and dislike for tourists over the top. Not by all, but by many. Can’t argue the point. I’ve been travelling to the islands once or twice a year since the mid 70’s and even as an outsider, I’ve witnessed and felt the changes over the years.
Maybe it IS time to let the islands and the people of the islands heal from the abuses to their land. I realize that without tourism, the islands fail. To an extent. Might be time to look at limiting the numbers some.
Just a thought and thanks for listening.
Hi Michael.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Mahalo nui, Michael for your thoughtful and kind comment. You’re so right. We need to really rethink the way we do tourism here. I hope that our leaders have the political will, and strength (because they’re under a great deal of pressure from the industry) to take us into a different, more sustainable, direction with tourism. More quality over quantity.
Again, Mahalo.
Thank you this insightful comment. Hawaii currently hosts 3O million visitors a year! This is considerably more than when the jet age began in the early 60’s. I was born and raised in the 50’s when tourism had a very different look in Hawaii. I just wish more tourists had your knowledge regarding Hawaii and it’s resources and the dangers they are facing.
Mahalo,
Maleko
Hi Michael
What I find more damaging is the “development”. The gradual desire to turn the Islands into Southern California in the Tropics. Tourists can be a pain at times but they do bring jobs and money to the islands. Developers knock down the history and put up a new high rise and take the profits back to California or New York and most of the properties are at prices that local people and businesses cannot afford. IF we are to protect Hawaii and Hawaiians from cultural pollution it is redevelopment that needs to be much more carefully evaluated.
While I don’t disagree with most of your comment, it is too late for Oahu. Heading that way for Maui as well. IMHO. Save the others while there is still time! And remember, it’s not just the mainland where the $$$$ are going to.
Thank you Michael. We actually stopped going to Maui after 20 years because of overcrowding and the unpleasantness that comes with it. IMHO giant hotels and cruise ships are somewhat at fault. We love the older and quieter areas. Don’t know when we can return. Love our memories. Who remembers when no one ever honked their car unless they knew you!
Could not agree with you more.
Aloha Micheal,
You couldn’t more RIGHT about letting the Island and the Hawaiians heal from the long time abuse to the Island! However, the correction would be this….. Without tourism the Islands certainly won’t fail, the large corporations and resorts will fail and the economy will “suffer”…..but the Hawaiians are VERY strong and very connected to their Land and Culture and this “little reprieve” JUST MIGHT give them the breathing room, to get back to their roots of being more self sustaining, like their Kapuna were and to be able to take care of their ocean land, ….so that it can in return, take care of them! It’s quite remarkable for us to witness the dedication as we live here!
Aloha. I did say “to an extent” and I believe that to be true. Quite honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for some of the aspects of the islands to fail. I immediately think of a few of the shops on Front Street.
As of today, tourist numbers are climbing, from what I’ve read. The governor wants to open the islands again. It won’t be long before hundreds become thousands. There is no time for breathing room.
Changes need to take place now.
Be safe. Be healthy.
American Airlines canceled our flight when they did away with the Phoenix-Kona hub. If they had notified me when they canceled it, I would have been able to get a full refund on my rental. Since I didn’t learn until 58 days prior to arrival, I only get 1/2 the deposit back. I am not getting anything back on the 2nd rental I had booked. No cancellation refunds. We were scheduled to land June 7th. After I learned the flight was cancelled, I decided to wait to see how things played out with the pan demic before rebooking the flight.
I check all my flights every 3-4 weeks and AA had canceled my June flights and put me on connections that did not work. Called them up and I was offered an instant refund without asking as they had canceled flights. Will rebook when we have some clarity in Hawaii and US rules. As usual AA could not have been more helpful.