65 thoughts on “How Adaptable Are You? | Hawaii Vacations Before Tourism’s Lightning Return”
Nancy S.
Kaua’i without the crowds is an experience of a lifetime. Yes, it is a hassle getting there but worth it. United’s color testing is fast and the flight was not crowded. The beauty of this island lifts your spirits after so many months of lockdown. Just wear your mask always and follow safety guidelines by the State of Hawai’i and you can enjoy paradise.
“Trusted testing partners” are not necessarily trustworthy. We made Walgreens appointments thinking we would have 24 hour results, but when we went and tested 48 hours before our arrival in Hawaii the Pharmacist said “24 to 72 hours”. Neither of us had results on arrival. One result came early the next morning but the other was not received by 72 hours. I called Labcorps and was told they promise two to four days. We’re fairly adventurous, but that’s a lot of confusion and uncertainty. These details need to be smoothed our to convince people to risk their precious vacation time and money.
As someone who works for a lab, I can say that this is normal. Usually the lab process is fast unless the the lab is running at capacity.
It’s the transport of the sample to the lab where things usually hold it up. Pro tip: getting swabbed in dense urban area near the lab is likely to get you fastest results.
The other is with regard to the Hanapepe Art Nights. While the live event has not yet returned, there is new Hanapepe.org website and for your entertainment from near or far, Hanapepe Virtual Art Night that can be found through the website or on Facebook or Instagram by following @historichanapepe. I am the Project Manager that was hired for this effort, and would be happy to speak further to the efforts we’ve got going on in Hanapepe. http://www.hanapepe.org
I am currently on Maui and come about 6-7 times a year to the islands. It is very different but it’s nice to not have it so crowded. The beaches are very wide open compared to the recent past. Lots of the stores in Lahaina and in other areas are boarded up and gone. Most of the larger stores are open (corporations like Quicksilver, Billabong and such). Much less crowded overall and check with your restaurants and places as most of shorter hours and shorter menu’s.
Maui was well organized when it came to the COVID process. Make sure you upload a picture of yourself before you leave on the state site. My situation was a bit different as I did my pre Covid test at CVS in California. I did not get my results until the 5th day so I had to self quarentine in my room for two days. You have to check in on the state of Hawaii site daily until you get your test results. I finally got mine and uploaded the results and my account was immediately changed to non-quarentined. Not sure if CVS is always late in results or not but that was the most stressful thing in visiting Maui. Not knowing when you would be free to go do the things you love to do. My girlfriend did hers through Kaiser and she got hers in time. Mine, not so much.
Shopping isn’t the reason people come to Hawaii. Shopping is about the locals trying to extract as much money from the tourists as possible–the same way the extremely high hotel / occupancy / rental car taxes are about the government trying to extract as much money from the tourists as possible.
And, yeah, specifically in a place like Honolulu–which could really be anywhere in the world with sunshine and water–the experience is going to be quite different now than it was a year ago.
But in a place like the big island, the experience will only be slightly different… because visiting the big island was never about crowded beaches or fancy resorts or drinks with umbrellas in them.
Sure,the local / county governments on ALL the islands are working as hard as possible to keep visitors away and ruin the quality of life fore everyone on the islands during the pandemic–locals and visitors alike. But the natural beauty is so immense and so powerful that even a moron like mayor Ige can’t destroy that… though I’m sure he’s tried his hardest.
What makes 2020–and 2021 different from virtually every other year–is that Americans on the mainland really don’t have any other tropical vacation choices besides Mexico and Hawaii. Nobody else wants us–our COVID numbers are just too high. So, regardless of what Peter Greenburg or the Hawaii county mayors or anyone else says… Americans are going to flock to Hawaii as soon and as long as they are allowed to. Because even Mexico is requiring masks now… and you probably won’t get robbed at gunpoint in your hotel room in Hawaii–like my friends who visited Tulum earlier this year did.
I would love to be able to visit right now. We did all of the energetic stuff back in 2009 on our first trip. We’ve now been 5 times (4 islands). I would bet that a relaxing trip would be awesome.
We are planning on coming to Kauai in May for about 40 days. This is our every othetr year trip destination and we’ve been doing that for the past 25 years. We are definitely concerned and don’t want to being wearing masks all the time. We’re sure hoping things are open and getting back to more normal by then. We feel for the people of Kauai and especially foe all the small businesses that have closed eiteher temporarily or permanently. We love our second home on Kauai, as we call it, and can’t wait to get back. Looking forward to the beach walks, trails, beaches, sunsets, golf and great dining. Our children are planning on joining us in late May and bringing our 2 granddaughters too. Can’t wait to get there. Mahalo for all the updates!
I’m here in Oahu yes not all open but enough the Beach is great what shop till you drop there’s plenty open Greenberg is wrong it’s wonderful it’s not busy and that’s a plus..we go and find what’s open and it’s brilliant….
As a local from Kauai we are not ready for tourist until government figures this out. We are no longer a tourist playing field ,nor are we ready to accommodate them despite the fact that tourism is our major industry .
I really appreciate all the information you provide to help us plan for our Hawaii trip. We initially booked a trip to Kauai then Maui however with the tier system in Kauai and more restrictions I think it’s better to just go to Maui. I really hope to visit Kauai again next year when restrictions are lifted. Mahalo
Aloha Rob and Jeff.
I constantly read your updates (Thank you, as always.) and am quietly optimistic of a return to the Islands for foreign visitors like myself in the New Year. Fulfilling the wanderlust to other places is nice, but never meets the equal of Hawai’i. Just heard some radio news that a British university has found out that mouthwash kills the virus. Who’d have thought? Maybe hand out Listerine as you arrive and all will be well…
Please post any notification that would suggest that the Irish can come to town.
Regards and Mahalo.
Thanks for staying part of this! We had also read about that ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride a number of months ago, which is found for example in Sonicare Breath RX.
Forgive my ignorance, but what happened in 2008 and how have things changed since then? My first visit to Hawaii was in 2010 so I would like to know what I have missed by not going before 2008. 🙂
We just returned from Maui. I am grateful we travel twice a year. I understand the article as far as there are a lot of activities that are not currently open. A number of stores are closed (done not coming back) open but limited hours. The best thing about the Hawaii environment is eating outdoors – the weather is always pretty nice. We stayed primarily on the west side – when we usually venture out so this was a different trip. I’d say if it’s your first visit you may want to wait. As of this past week the amount of people visiting is by far less. The beaches are more open. It was really nice and even more relaxing than our prior trips. What the past it may of been like.
Make sure you your on top of the testing etc. That was more stressful than anything. They were very organized as you arrived from the mainland.
My ❤️Goes out to our ohana on Maui. It will get better. See you hopefully in may 2021.
We take our vault tests Tuesday afternoon and arrive in Kona (hopefully) this Friday. 10 night trip for family of 5 split on each coast. We are still visiting as long as the flights and tests cooperate. Had some restless nights worrying about it. Specifically about if a flight gets delayed resulting in our 72 hour prior test becoming longer than 72 hours or even worse an unexpected positive result. However, with the reduced airfare cost for a holiday trip and less crowds hopeful it will be worth the risk and we can show the kids what my wife and I fell in love with years ago. We don’t care if restaurants are closed. Hope to do our own exploring of the island even if tours aren’t available. We are used to wearing masks and will of course do so while visiting. Will only eat outside. Will only take off masks if away from others on the beach. Will respect the rules and hope all benefit.
Hopefully we can report back on a successful arrival this weekend!
Thanks for all your comments. Have a great time on the Big Island. Even if your flight is delayed you’ll be fine. The rule is within 72 hours of the scheduled departure, not actual.
Also, Kyle if you visit the Hawaii Covid website under FAQs if your flight is delayed it says it will not affect your testing. I hope you have a great time!
We are headed to the Big Island (Mauna Kea) Dec 2nd for 10 days.. called the Hotel today to double check all the necessities are open, which they are. This is our 4th reschedule since pandemic. Really looking forward to it!!
Hello, Would you be please be willing to check the facts on the following paragraph from an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about some CA lawmakers that went to Maui for a conference?
In reads in part…”He added that he did not decide to go ahead with the conference until last month, when Hawaii relaxed its travel policy so people could visit the state if they had a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours before arriving. Additional safety precautions include an application that guests must download onto their phones to track their movements while in the state and a requirement that they wear masks anywhere outside their hotel rooms.
Is it true that Hawaii travelers are “tracked by an app while in the state?”
I have read about the testing protocols, but not about submitting to a tracking app.
Thanks for all the info. That’s within 72 hours of the scheduled departure of your flight that arrives into the State of Hawaii. We fly Austin, TX to DFW then to Maui. So it’s within 72 hours of our scheduled departure from DFW not from Austin.
Not sure that I agree with CEO Kern’s assertion that “news in the past week of the impending vaccines, and not the vaccines themselves will be what spawn travel’s resurgence.
Certainly the stock of companies involved in travel and pharma should benefit from the anticipated vaccine but why would someone worried about traveling now take a trip in the next 3-4 months when there is virtually no chance they could get vaccinated by then?
It takes four weeks and two doses before someone would supposedly be protected by the mRNA vaccines. Add to that the time and logistics of getting the huge number of doses manufactured, distributed and administered to the clamoring public horde and you are looking at months, not weeks before there is widespread coverage. It would likely be late spring or the summer of 2021, at best.
And that assumes the final results and safety studies are satisfactory. I put almost no faith in the recent announcements by Pfizer and Moderna which were little more than PR news releases to goose their stock prices and heighten the demand for their vaccines. The statements when read in detail admit that the data is interim, incomplete and somewhat speculative. Still, there is little doubt they will be approved.
Finally, it is likely the State of Hawaii would benefit from having a more standardized mask policy across the islands. But such a policy would be foolish, autocratic and a nonstarter for me if it requires masks to be worn outdoors in a setting that allows for adequate distance from other human beings.
Thanks for your thoughts on this. Travel stocks are up, that’s for sure. A more standardized policy in Hawaii is inevitable it seems, although that may wait until January.
We plan on coming our usual time, in February. We’re hoping things are better by then but we figure we can watch the whales from our room if boats aren’t running, and that is really why we come. And the beautiful weather, of course.
I am still hoping to go to Kauai in late February early March. I have my house reservations but will wait until December to make a final decision and/or, purchase my airline tickets. I appreciate all your updates and insights.
Sorry Hawaii we were due to come Wednesday 11/18 and stay gor 2 weeks but too much uncertainty to warrant traveling from the East coast with small children. We wanted to keep our travel money in the US but could not take the risk this year, not the risk of covid but the risk of being quarantined in paradise. So we are on to another paradise. See you in 2 years
Masks are mandatory on Maui. Residents are happy to snap a picture of non compliance and then report the location. We only have 10 ICU beds to service the entire county which includes Molokai, Lanai and the island of Maui. Please remember to wear a mask, maintain 6’ distance and frequently wash your hands.
I unfortunately canceled my trip to Oahu today. We had planned to go in February. Hoping things improve so we can go later in 2021. This will be the first time in 15 years we won’t be able to visit paradise.
Mahalo for your posts. I’ve been a fan of your website for years. Keep up the great work!
While vaccines will come available, the fact that it won’t be available to the general public until maybe beginning 2nd quarter 2021, and it takes two shots with three weeks after each (6 weeks total) so the average joe has no chance of being “safe” before the end of June 2021…but that’s an “if all the ducks line up perfectly” scenario which is unlikely. Then you have to account for the half of the population that won’t get it (25% will never, and the other 25% will have to see that we have no zombies walking the streets from the rushed vaccine protocols. So, for at least the next year you can expect not a lot to be changing much (we’re not all throwing away the masks after they approve a vaccine) except I can only imagine the massive rumblings that we’ll hear when all the rich and famous go on Instagram and Twitter to tell us all about the vaccine they got…the one that no one except first responders and old people should be getting yet? It should be a real farce to see old people waiting for protection while Jared and Ivanka and the connected all show off their injection marks…
We just returned from Maui. I have been going annually for over 20 years. Was it a different experience that previously? Yes. However, that was not necessarily a bad thing. My main purpose for returning to Maui year after year is to relax and recharge my battery. I was easily able to do this. It was also nice not dealing with crowds everywhere (although Maui is never horribly busy). Some of my favorite places are closed, but many places are still open. Miso Phat is still serving incredible sushi. Dollies is still showing football on Sunday. Lahaina Fish Company still has delicious food with great views. And the beaches are still beautiful. I feel fortunate that my vacation happened to be slightly after the reopening, and prior to what appears to be a potential reclosure. Looking forward to my return next year.
Still hoping to come in March from Canada.
Looking forward to a quieter Hawaii experience, I just hope some of my favourite places are open for business.
I know we’ll have pre-travel PCR testing and a small amount of vaccine rollout but the border is still officially closed. Fingers crossed.
I am currently visiting Maui and I am finding less visitors (less crowds) to be quite refreshing. It is correct some restaurants or shops remain closed, yet many are open. Even with limited capacity these businesses are worth a stop. I was up in Lahaina (Front Street) a couple days ago and found most storefronts and restaurants remain boarded up, contrary to the comments in your post. Some are open, but far more are closed. I recommend a Hawaiian getaway now yet it depends what one expects. Beautiful weather, blue and aqua waters, breezes and swaying palms …. it’s worth it to me masks and all. Aloha!
Thanks for the update on the KCC Saturday Market – one of the highlights of each week we’re there! Can’t wait for 12/27/20 when we’ll be on a plane! Our first visit to Kauai was about 2 years after Iniki and nothing was open – well, almost nothing! So we will be adventuring and searching and hopefully finding new wonders to experience!
And Yeah for no cruise ships! They dock at Nawiliwili and are so rude about taking up our beach chaises even though the sign says in big letters… “Marriott Kauai Beach Club Guests ONLY!”
That is the KCC (Kapiolani) farmers market on Oahu that is open. The Kauai Community College one, as far as we can tell, is gone permanently. Personally, the one across the street in Puhi is far superior to the college one. It is huge in size, well spread out, with an abundance of vendors, and customers. Best we’ve experienced on Kauai.
From what I’ve seen as an armchair epidemiologist Dec 15 is about when the Covid19 hospitalizations from Thanksgiving holiday get togethers will start so I am afraid Christmas will be on hold as on mainland. Book with trip insurance.
I’m with Expedia, we go twice a year but are in No hurry to get there and have to wear a mask at the beach, pool, or just walking? Time will tell I suppose
Appreciate all the up to date information. We have a vacation scheduled for March and are still on the fence about going. Wearing a mask on the beach is not our idea of a vacation. Question ~ what are the plans if a person has had the new vaccine? Still required to do all the covid testing? Will it help relieve some of the restrictions?
We have been on Maui for 2 weeks now and almost no one is wearing a mask at the beach. People are in their family clusters, 10 or 12 feet apart at least, and no one even walks within 6 feet of another person. With the ocean breezes, we feel safe.
Thanks for this interesting article. We purchased a second home in Lahaina right before the pandemic. We waited and hoped for travel re-opening with pre-testing. Finally, we came over at the beginning of August and did our quarantine. We did get tested prior to travel just to be good citizens. We spent over three months and it was a very unique and ultimately worthwhile visit. The first two months we experienced Maui as we never had before. Yes, it was very sad to see the shops closed in town. But we did witness many businesses re-opening at the end of October and into November. We will return next month and look forward to a wonderful experience.
Sadly, we decided to cancel our spring break 2021 plans to visit Kauai. Knowing that things can change at any time as far as travel restrictions made it so I don’t want to risk ending up with restricted timeshare points if we had to cancel last minute (like last year). Hawaii will be there for us when things are better. Sending Aloha!
Aloha-
As I stated on previous articles, the slow roll, quiet, masked up Kauai is ok for my family. We are adaptable. We may see if there are 1 or 2 paid activities we can safely do, but we are happy with just hiking and walking around the beauty and history of Kauai . We don’t need the tourist shops or dine-in experiences. But We are happy to help the economy and spend money if a shop is open.
I did want to post here if there is anyone else from the CA Bay Area looking for Covid tests, that I called and talked to the OAK airport testing site because I was confused if they only offered the 48/72 hr test when articles stated they offered rapid. This was a growing concern to me if HI decided to not let passengers on the plane without result (which is how it should be). They said when I show up to my appointment I have the option for the free 48/72 test or to pay for the rapid 7-8hr test.
Mahalo
Thanks. Just to re-state this. The state of Hawaii has no authority to require testing before a flight. That is solely within the purview of the federal government.
Hello,
We are trying to hold … but to be honest, the fact that an island can shutdown her door at anytime is a big risk.
It means reschedule on site and lost a lot of money (hotel, Airbnb, flights…)
It’s a dream to visit several island and that’s why we hold … but if we follow the put logic, we should postpone unfortunately…
T-T
Let’s cross our fingers 1 more week !
I have already cancelled two trips to Hawaii this year. The policies are too risky (for the traveler) and inconsistent. Your policymakers really need to get it together.
We are rescheduled for Kauai in April. I hope (but am not counting on) their tiered system being a thing of the past. That would be an argument to go now before you can’t.
Kaua’i without the crowds is an experience of a lifetime. Yes, it is a hassle getting there but worth it. United’s color testing is fast and the flight was not crowded. The beauty of this island lifts your spirits after so many months of lockdown. Just wear your mask always and follow safety guidelines by the State of Hawai’i and you can enjoy paradise.
“Trusted testing partners” are not necessarily trustworthy. We made Walgreens appointments thinking we would have 24 hour results, but when we went and tested 48 hours before our arrival in Hawaii the Pharmacist said “24 to 72 hours”. Neither of us had results on arrival. One result came early the next morning but the other was not received by 72 hours. I called Labcorps and was told they promise two to four days. We’re fairly adventurous, but that’s a lot of confusion and uncertainty. These details need to be smoothed our to convince people to risk their precious vacation time and money.
As someone who works for a lab, I can say that this is normal. Usually the lab process is fast unless the the lab is running at capacity.
It’s the transport of the sample to the lab where things usually hold it up. Pro tip: getting swabbed in dense urban area near the lab is likely to get you fastest results.
Aloha Beat of Hawaii, I have some info for you from Kaua’i that might be more up to date than when this went out. Maybe you’d consider updating?
The first being the Farmers Market at Kaua’i Community College. It re-opened on November 14th. https://hfbf.org/farmers-markets/
The other is with regard to the Hanapepe Art Nights. While the live event has not yet returned, there is new Hanapepe.org website and for your entertainment from near or far, Hanapepe Virtual Art Night that can be found through the website or on Facebook or Instagram by following @historichanapepe. I am the Project Manager that was hired for this effort, and would be happy to speak further to the efforts we’ve got going on in Hanapepe. http://www.hanapepe.org
Mahalo for considering – Renee
Hi Renee.
That is Kapiolani Community College. Not Kauai – Oahu.
Aloha.
I am currently on Maui and come about 6-7 times a year to the islands. It is very different but it’s nice to not have it so crowded. The beaches are very wide open compared to the recent past. Lots of the stores in Lahaina and in other areas are boarded up and gone. Most of the larger stores are open (corporations like Quicksilver, Billabong and such). Much less crowded overall and check with your restaurants and places as most of shorter hours and shorter menu’s.
Maui was well organized when it came to the COVID process. Make sure you upload a picture of yourself before you leave on the state site. My situation was a bit different as I did my pre Covid test at CVS in California. I did not get my results until the 5th day so I had to self quarentine in my room for two days. You have to check in on the state of Hawaii site daily until you get your test results. I finally got mine and uploaded the results and my account was immediately changed to non-quarentined. Not sure if CVS is always late in results or not but that was the most stressful thing in visiting Maui. Not knowing when you would be free to go do the things you love to do. My girlfriend did hers through Kaiser and she got hers in time. Mine, not so much.
Shopping isn’t the reason people come to Hawaii. Shopping is about the locals trying to extract as much money from the tourists as possible–the same way the extremely high hotel / occupancy / rental car taxes are about the government trying to extract as much money from the tourists as possible.
And, yeah, specifically in a place like Honolulu–which could really be anywhere in the world with sunshine and water–the experience is going to be quite different now than it was a year ago.
But in a place like the big island, the experience will only be slightly different… because visiting the big island was never about crowded beaches or fancy resorts or drinks with umbrellas in them.
Sure,the local / county governments on ALL the islands are working as hard as possible to keep visitors away and ruin the quality of life fore everyone on the islands during the pandemic–locals and visitors alike. But the natural beauty is so immense and so powerful that even a moron like mayor Ige can’t destroy that… though I’m sure he’s tried his hardest.
What makes 2020–and 2021 different from virtually every other year–is that Americans on the mainland really don’t have any other tropical vacation choices besides Mexico and Hawaii. Nobody else wants us–our COVID numbers are just too high. So, regardless of what Peter Greenburg or the Hawaii county mayors or anyone else says… Americans are going to flock to Hawaii as soon and as long as they are allowed to. Because even Mexico is requiring masks now… and you probably won’t get robbed at gunpoint in your hotel room in Hawaii–like my friends who visited Tulum earlier this year did.
I would love to be able to visit right now. We did all of the energetic stuff back in 2009 on our first trip. We’ve now been 5 times (4 islands). I would bet that a relaxing trip would be awesome.
We are planning on coming to Kauai in May for about 40 days. This is our every othetr year trip destination and we’ve been doing that for the past 25 years. We are definitely concerned and don’t want to being wearing masks all the time. We’re sure hoping things are open and getting back to more normal by then. We feel for the people of Kauai and especially foe all the small businesses that have closed eiteher temporarily or permanently. We love our second home on Kauai, as we call it, and can’t wait to get back. Looking forward to the beach walks, trails, beaches, sunsets, golf and great dining. Our children are planning on joining us in late May and bringing our 2 granddaughters too. Can’t wait to get there. Mahalo for all the updates!
Hi Tom.
Thanks. Glad you’ll be able to return to Kauai. Mask wearing won’t be gone anywhere by then, beyond that it is anyone’s guess.
Aloha.
I’m here in Oahu yes not all open but enough the Beach is great what shop till you drop there’s plenty open Greenberg is wrong it’s wonderful it’s not busy and that’s a plus..we go and find what’s open and it’s brilliant….
As a local from Kauai we are not ready for tourist until government figures this out. We are no longer a tourist playing field ,nor are we ready to accommodate them despite the fact that tourism is our major industry .
I really appreciate all the information you provide to help us plan for our Hawaii trip. We initially booked a trip to Kauai then Maui however with the tier system in Kauai and more restrictions I think it’s better to just go to Maui. I really hope to visit Kauai again next year when restrictions are lifted. Mahalo
Hi Inah.
Thanks for letting us know. Enjoy your time on Maui.
Aloha.
Aloha Rob and Jeff.
I constantly read your updates (Thank you, as always.) and am quietly optimistic of a return to the Islands for foreign visitors like myself in the New Year. Fulfilling the wanderlust to other places is nice, but never meets the equal of Hawai’i. Just heard some radio news that a British university has found out that mouthwash kills the virus. Who’d have thought? Maybe hand out Listerine as you arrive and all will be well…
Please post any notification that would suggest that the Irish can come to town.
Regards and Mahalo.
Hi Michael.
Thanks for staying part of this! We had also read about that ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride a number of months ago, which is found for example in Sonicare Breath RX.
Aloha.
Forgive my ignorance, but what happened in 2008 and how have things changed since then? My first visit to Hawaii was in 2010 so I would like to know what I have missed by not going before 2008. 🙂
We just returned from Maui. I am grateful we travel twice a year. I understand the article as far as there are a lot of activities that are not currently open. A number of stores are closed (done not coming back) open but limited hours. The best thing about the Hawaii environment is eating outdoors – the weather is always pretty nice. We stayed primarily on the west side – when we usually venture out so this was a different trip. I’d say if it’s your first visit you may want to wait. As of this past week the amount of people visiting is by far less. The beaches are more open. It was really nice and even more relaxing than our prior trips. What the past it may of been like.
Make sure you your on top of the testing etc. That was more stressful than anything. They were very organized as you arrived from the mainland.
My ❤️Goes out to our ohana on Maui. It will get better. See you hopefully in may 2021.
Mahalo for the updates.
We take our vault tests Tuesday afternoon and arrive in Kona (hopefully) this Friday. 10 night trip for family of 5 split on each coast. We are still visiting as long as the flights and tests cooperate. Had some restless nights worrying about it. Specifically about if a flight gets delayed resulting in our 72 hour prior test becoming longer than 72 hours or even worse an unexpected positive result. However, with the reduced airfare cost for a holiday trip and less crowds hopeful it will be worth the risk and we can show the kids what my wife and I fell in love with years ago. We don’t care if restaurants are closed. Hope to do our own exploring of the island even if tours aren’t available. We are used to wearing masks and will of course do so while visiting. Will only eat outside. Will only take off masks if away from others on the beach. Will respect the rules and hope all benefit.
Hopefully we can report back on a successful arrival this weekend!
Hi Kyle.
Thanks for all your comments. Have a great time on the Big Island. Even if your flight is delayed you’ll be fine. The rule is within 72 hours of the scheduled departure, not actual.
Aloha.
Also, Kyle if you visit the Hawaii Covid website under FAQs if your flight is delayed it says it will not affect your testing. I hope you have a great time!
We are headed to the Big Island (Mauna Kea) Dec 2nd for 10 days.. called the Hotel today to double check all the necessities are open, which they are. This is our 4th reschedule since pandemic. Really looking forward to it!!
Hello, Would you be please be willing to check the facts on the following paragraph from an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about some CA lawmakers that went to Maui for a conference?
In reads in part…”He added that he did not decide to go ahead with the conference until last month, when Hawaii relaxed its travel policy so people could visit the state if they had a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours before arriving. Additional safety precautions include an application that guests must download onto their phones to track their movements while in the state and a requirement that they wear masks anywhere outside their hotel rooms.
Is it true that Hawaii travelers are “tracked by an app while in the state?”
I have read about the testing protocols, but not about submitting to a tracking app.
Thank you.
Hi Olga.
No guests are not tracked, and it is not 72 hours before arrival. It is within 72 hours of scheduled departure.
Aloha.
Thanks for all the info. That’s within 72 hours of the scheduled departure of your flight that arrives into the State of Hawaii. We fly Austin, TX to DFW then to Maui. So it’s within 72 hours of our scheduled departure from DFW not from Austin.
Hi Dan.
Yes. It is within 72 hours of the trans-Pacific flight scheduled departure time. Have a great time on Maui.
Aloha.
Not sure that I agree with CEO Kern’s assertion that “news in the past week of the impending vaccines, and not the vaccines themselves will be what spawn travel’s resurgence.
Certainly the stock of companies involved in travel and pharma should benefit from the anticipated vaccine but why would someone worried about traveling now take a trip in the next 3-4 months when there is virtually no chance they could get vaccinated by then?
It takes four weeks and two doses before someone would supposedly be protected by the mRNA vaccines. Add to that the time and logistics of getting the huge number of doses manufactured, distributed and administered to the clamoring public horde and you are looking at months, not weeks before there is widespread coverage. It would likely be late spring or the summer of 2021, at best.
And that assumes the final results and safety studies are satisfactory. I put almost no faith in the recent announcements by Pfizer and Moderna which were little more than PR news releases to goose their stock prices and heighten the demand for their vaccines. The statements when read in detail admit that the data is interim, incomplete and somewhat speculative. Still, there is little doubt they will be approved.
Finally, it is likely the State of Hawaii would benefit from having a more standardized mask policy across the islands. But such a policy would be foolish, autocratic and a nonstarter for me if it requires masks to be worn outdoors in a setting that allows for adequate distance from other human beings.
Thanks for another great update.
Hi Mike.
Thanks for your thoughts on this. Travel stocks are up, that’s for sure. A more standardized policy in Hawaii is inevitable it seems, although that may wait until January.
Aloha.
We plan on coming our usual time, in February. We’re hoping things are better by then but we figure we can watch the whales from our room if boats aren’t running, and that is really why we come. And the beautiful weather, of course.
Rum tasting is available again at Koloa Rum =)
Yeah!
I am still hoping to go to Kauai in late February early March. I have my house reservations but will wait until December to make a final decision and/or, purchase my airline tickets. I appreciate all your updates and insights.
Hi Lee.
Thank you. We hope that works out for your February trip to Kauai.
Aloha.
Sorry Hawaii we were due to come Wednesday 11/18 and stay gor 2 weeks but too much uncertainty to warrant traveling from the East coast with small children. We wanted to keep our travel money in the US but could not take the risk this year, not the risk of covid but the risk of being quarantined in paradise. So we are on to another paradise. See you in 2 years
Masks are mandatory on Maui. Residents are happy to snap a picture of non compliance and then report the location. We only have 10 ICU beds to service the entire county which includes Molokai, Lanai and the island of Maui. Please remember to wear a mask, maintain 6’ distance and frequently wash your hands.
I unfortunately canceled my trip to Oahu today. We had planned to go in February. Hoping things improve so we can go later in 2021. This will be the first time in 15 years we won’t be able to visit paradise.
Mahalo for your posts. I’ve been a fan of your website for years. Keep up the great work!
Be well and stay safe! Aloha!
Hi Elizabeth.
Thank you! Sorry to hear you won’t be coming this winter, and hopefully it will work out for later in the year.
Aloha.
While vaccines will come available, the fact that it won’t be available to the general public until maybe beginning 2nd quarter 2021, and it takes two shots with three weeks after each (6 weeks total) so the average joe has no chance of being “safe” before the end of June 2021…but that’s an “if all the ducks line up perfectly” scenario which is unlikely. Then you have to account for the half of the population that won’t get it (25% will never, and the other 25% will have to see that we have no zombies walking the streets from the rushed vaccine protocols. So, for at least the next year you can expect not a lot to be changing much (we’re not all throwing away the masks after they approve a vaccine) except I can only imagine the massive rumblings that we’ll hear when all the rich and famous go on Instagram and Twitter to tell us all about the vaccine they got…the one that no one except first responders and old people should be getting yet? It should be a real farce to see old people waiting for protection while Jared and Ivanka and the connected all show off their injection marks…
We just returned from Maui. I have been going annually for over 20 years. Was it a different experience that previously? Yes. However, that was not necessarily a bad thing. My main purpose for returning to Maui year after year is to relax and recharge my battery. I was easily able to do this. It was also nice not dealing with crowds everywhere (although Maui is never horribly busy). Some of my favorite places are closed, but many places are still open. Miso Phat is still serving incredible sushi. Dollies is still showing football on Sunday. Lahaina Fish Company still has delicious food with great views. And the beaches are still beautiful. I feel fortunate that my vacation happened to be slightly after the reopening, and prior to what appears to be a potential reclosure. Looking forward to my return next year.
Still hoping to come in March from Canada.
Looking forward to a quieter Hawaii experience, I just hope some of my favourite places are open for business.
I know we’ll have pre-travel PCR testing and a small amount of vaccine rollout but the border is still officially closed. Fingers crossed.
I am currently visiting Maui and I am finding less visitors (less crowds) to be quite refreshing. It is correct some restaurants or shops remain closed, yet many are open. Even with limited capacity these businesses are worth a stop. I was up in Lahaina (Front Street) a couple days ago and found most storefronts and restaurants remain boarded up, contrary to the comments in your post. Some are open, but far more are closed. I recommend a Hawaiian getaway now yet it depends what one expects. Beautiful weather, blue and aqua waters, breezes and swaying palms …. it’s worth it to me masks and all. Aloha!
Thanks for the update on the KCC Saturday Market – one of the highlights of each week we’re there! Can’t wait for 12/27/20 when we’ll be on a plane! Our first visit to Kauai was about 2 years after Iniki and nothing was open – well, almost nothing! So we will be adventuring and searching and hopefully finding new wonders to experience!
And Yeah for no cruise ships! They dock at Nawiliwili and are so rude about taking up our beach chaises even though the sign says in big letters… “Marriott Kauai Beach Club Guests ONLY!”
Hi Barbara.
That is the KCC (Kapiolani) farmers market on Oahu that is open. The Kauai Community College one, as far as we can tell, is gone permanently. Personally, the one across the street in Puhi is far superior to the college one. It is huge in size, well spread out, with an abundance of vendors, and customers. Best we’ve experienced on Kauai.
Aloha.
Cool!
From what I’ve seen as an armchair epidemiologist Dec 15 is about when the Covid19 hospitalizations from Thanksgiving holiday get togethers will start so I am afraid Christmas will be on hold as on mainland. Book with trip insurance.
Headed to Maui on 11/26 for our rescheduled honeymoon from March. We are beyond excited to travel back and experience a quieter island!
We will be there unless deterred by the virus, government, or God!
I’m with Expedia, we go twice a year but are in No hurry to get there and have to wear a mask at the beach, pool, or just walking? Time will tell I suppose
Appreciate all the up to date information. We have a vacation scheduled for March and are still on the fence about going. Wearing a mask on the beach is not our idea of a vacation. Question ~ what are the plans if a person has had the new vaccine? Still required to do all the covid testing? Will it help relieve some of the restrictions?
Hi Joanne.
It is far too early to know what the rules may be for March. We’ll let you know as we learn more.
Aloha.
We have been on Maui for 2 weeks now and almost no one is wearing a mask at the beach. People are in their family clusters, 10 or 12 feet apart at least, and no one even walks within 6 feet of another person. With the ocean breezes, we feel safe.
Thanks for this interesting article. We purchased a second home in Lahaina right before the pandemic. We waited and hoped for travel re-opening with pre-testing. Finally, we came over at the beginning of August and did our quarantine. We did get tested prior to travel just to be good citizens. We spent over three months and it was a very unique and ultimately worthwhile visit. The first two months we experienced Maui as we never had before. Yes, it was very sad to see the shops closed in town. But we did witness many businesses re-opening at the end of October and into November. We will return next month and look forward to a wonderful experience.
Hi Kevin.
Thanks for sharing your experience. We appreciate it.
Aloha.
Sadly, we decided to cancel our spring break 2021 plans to visit Kauai. Knowing that things can change at any time as far as travel restrictions made it so I don’t want to risk ending up with restricted timeshare points if we had to cancel last minute (like last year). Hawaii will be there for us when things are better. Sending Aloha!
Aloha-
As I stated on previous articles, the slow roll, quiet, masked up Kauai is ok for my family. We are adaptable. We may see if there are 1 or 2 paid activities we can safely do, but we are happy with just hiking and walking around the beauty and history of Kauai . We don’t need the tourist shops or dine-in experiences. But We are happy to help the economy and spend money if a shop is open.
I did want to post here if there is anyone else from the CA Bay Area looking for Covid tests, that I called and talked to the OAK airport testing site because I was confused if they only offered the 48/72 hr test when articles stated they offered rapid. This was a growing concern to me if HI decided to not let passengers on the plane without result (which is how it should be). They said when I show up to my appointment I have the option for the free 48/72 test or to pay for the rapid 7-8hr test.
Mahalo
Hi Lynde.
Thanks. Just to re-state this. The state of Hawaii has no authority to require testing before a flight. That is solely within the purview of the federal government.
Aloha.
Hello,
We are trying to hold … but to be honest, the fact that an island can shutdown her door at anytime is a big risk.
It means reschedule on site and lost a lot of money (hotel, Airbnb, flights…)
It’s a dream to visit several island and that’s why we hold … but if we follow the put logic, we should postpone unfortunately…
T-T
Let’s cross our fingers 1 more week !
I have already cancelled two trips to Hawaii this year. The policies are too risky (for the traveler) and inconsistent. Your policymakers really need to get it together.
We are rescheduled for Kauai in April. I hope (but am not counting on) their tiered system being a thing of the past. That would be an argument to go now before you can’t.
I really, really hope I am wrong.
Mahalo for all you do to keep us informed!
Hi Jon.
We hope that works out for your April trip to Kauai. Thanks for your comments.
Aloha
KCC’s Farmers Market (Honolulu) opened last Saturday, Nov. 14th.