Updating HB1286 with Hawaii legislature to the forefront. If passed, all islands would follow a single COVID travel policy.
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248 thoughts on “Breaking: Plan to Eliminate Island-by-Island Travel Rules Gets Heard”
The small minority that believes hiding in a cave is the answer seem to always agree that our rogue Mayor and his failed bubble resort silliness is justified as it’s best for Kauai residents. Really ???? Are the results in the failed businesses healthy? Or increased suicides or domestic abuse are they healthy? Or maybe he is serving up more drug and alcohol abuse as being a good trade offs being healthy? Livelihoods after years of hard with are being erased is that Healthy ? When the island was opened there was no large increase in cases nor was the health system overworked at any level. The Mayor is discriminating against the island workers and mainland visitors and second home owners. There is no science behind his policies. It’s all emotion and short term thinking. Workers are leaving the island and will not return – his policies will damage the island for many years to come. As far as options like Florida the person that commented on its result I would suggest they look at beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-ranked-by-covid-19-test-positivity-rates-july-14.html
It is the 19th state in infections and to be clear there’s a 99.4% chance is you get Covid you are through it in 2-4 weeks my mother at 95 with COPD got it and she is somewhat weakened after 2 weeks but she is moving on which is more than I can say about backward inward thinking Kauai. Does the island plan on shutting down for years to come as this virus will continue to exist.
Everyone keeps missing the main point in these egregious government actions. The only metrics that REALLY makes a difference is the mortality rate from those contracting ANY disease and what part of the populace is most vulnerable. Children are not. Healthy adults are not.
The mortality rates are astonishing low and DO NOT rise to the level of a pandemic. But then if you repeat something often enough people will begin to believe it even if it’s not true. Very contagious? Yes. Deathly? For healthy people, no.
And yet the whole nation is suffering in so many more ways than the disease itself.
Well said, Mark!
In your argument, Mark S, you are missing one, important metric — mid-to-long-term health effects from COVID-19.
While the percentage of deaths from those contracting CV-19 might support your argument, once you translate those percentages into actual numbers, your statement that this virus does not rise to the level of pandemic looks, well, silly.
By October 2020, COVID-19 had become the third leading cause of death overall for those between the ages of 45 and 84, following after heart disease and cancer. For those over age 85, COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death, surpassing cancer and following behind heart disease.
The effects of CV-19 on the lung, heart, nervous system and even muscle tissue demonstrates that the importance of vaccination is not to simply lower the death rate. If you think that the “whole nation is suffering” mow, these mid/long-term medical issues are the next wave of real suffering in both medical and financial ways.
In my opinion Kauai has gone rogue with absurd overkill on the quarantine. Basically no one can leave for a visit, or come for a visit without severe financial repercussions.
The economy on the island is squelched. It turned TOTALLY to tourism many years ago and NOW, because of mixed travel restrictions island to island and elsewhere, government officials are killing any opportunity for locals to survive.
Bring on a Statewide agreed to plan and put our families back to work! We deserve to be happy. Bring back the Aloha!
Totally agree that tourists are not a threat to the islands. Especially Kauai. Feel there needs to be one Chief in charge. One set of rules. Kauai’s mayor is proving to be a rogue mayor. Out of control. He is also choosing to establish discriminatory rules with the institution of the resort bubbles. No one is following the rules. The staff go home daily to their families to the market to get gas and then come back to resorts and associate with tourists in the bubble. People are “not” safe or protected in a bubble. Better for everyone to be given a bracelet and quarantine for 3 days then get an affordable test. If the island wants tourists then the state should be paying the majority of the monitor bracelet and the 2nd tests. Not the tourists. They have already paid for one test and paid to get to Hawaii. Trust me there are many other places/islands much more welcoming to tourists. Some of these islands are smaller than Kauai and they are not having COVID issues.
What will the rules be to enter Hawaii when we are vaccinated? We are in Costa Rica. So now we need a test for the us and other to get to Hawaii. Wi that change when we are vaccinated???
Thanks. My name is Lucy, and I want to see Kauai keeps their current policy until there is a vaccine passport. Kauai is a world away from Oahu in number of Covid cases, we currently have 2 ax5uve cases. I think an effort should be make to better educate the public on the current rules.
Get rid of the bubble period. Things are only improving
Hawaii should institute a statewide policy. I understand that each island has its own specialty, however, it causes too much confusion not just for the visitors that want to go and help the Hawaii economy, but the residents as well.
Why aren’t they listening to the tourist? It is not practical to expect people to spend any time quarantined while on vacation. No one wants to spend loads of money to be held prisoner in a bubble resort. It is totally ludicrous to ask that of people hoping to explore the islands.
The lack of travelers to Kauai is more than enough proof that their policy is a complete failure and those responsible for this insane policy should be removed from their positions.
I just wanna say that you guys are making it so hard for us to plan a trip to Hawaii. I don’t mind getting Covid test, I understand that precaution. But trying to get a Covid test here locally within three days of flying is really hard. The test takes at least two days to get it back. And Walgreens will not promised that they’ll have it back in time for our trip. CVS said if you’re flying to Hawaii don’t contact us. That’s pretty bad. You guys need to come up with a better way of doing things. The airport will do it but it’s $250 a person. We have five people wanting to come! And we want to spend money in Hawaii, you are making it very hard.
It makes no sense to me that each island has it’s own policy, and it’s very difficult to plan a vacation to Kauai (where we’ve owned a timeshare for more than 25 years) because of the bubble requirements.
it’s insulting to us.
The differing rules for each island is damaging to the whole state. I’ve been personally in communication with many visitors who’d booked trips to Kauai who have switched to Maui, Oahu or the Big Island…or destinations other than Hawaii altogether. Many voices on this site have confirmed that they are just “throwing in the towel” regarding travel to any Hawaiian island because it’s near-impossible to keep track of let alone comply with the differing regulations and get all the necessary tests in a timely manner (not to mention the extra costs).
As you say, HB 1286 doesn’t state what the statewide policy would be. Having one single statewide policy for Hawaii wouldn’t necessarily mean that the impact on all islands would be identical. Other states have color-coded “Tier” system that have varying consequences in different parts of the state depending on quantifiable metrics such as daily new cases and percentages of positive tests. Hawaii could surely do the same. The important thing is that they would be pre-determined measurable criteria defined by the state, rather than each county/island coming up with their own widely varying solutions.
National COVID cases are decreasing…. People are getting vaccinated.
Time to make a positive move for entry of tourists.
I’ve now rescheduled 3 times for Kauai. The decision may be a make or break for my family and the two other families we travel.
Crossing our fingers…
We come to Kauai for three months each year. Since we were unable to use our time share last year, we have six weeks this year. If we don’t use it by the end of the year we are out $4000.
My husband and I are both 70 years old and will have had both COVID shots before arriving. What is the risk of our visiting Kauai?
Go to Florida.. they not only follow basic protocols, but do so in a common sense., non-violation setting.
Florida understands that masks aren’t needed at the beach, on sidewalks or in parks. They also understand common sense as it pertains to standing or sitting with a mask. Call it having more common sense than West Coast States and Hawaii. They realize that just because one stands up at a restaraunt or bar, doesn’t mean they need to be scolded for standing. They also realize that Civid doesn’t know what your seated position is.
Go to Florida, where the residents are vastly happier.
Thank you for the update. I see things are still a ways off from bearing fruit. To put things in to perspective for small islands with limited resources – We have been trying to get back to Moorea in French Polynesia for months now. France’s policy for French Polynesia before this latest shut down had been that everyone, regardless of tourist or native returning home, required a negative test result prior to boarding the plane AND they give you a self test that you have to take and turn in after being in French Polynesia 3- 4 days. If the test comes up positive then you are required to quarantine on the island at your expense AND you must carry a travel insurance policy that would cover those expenses. Once they reopen again, the preflight testing to fly there, 4 day testing after arrival AND a negative test result prior to boarding your flight home will be required. Far as I have heard it doesn’t matter if you’re vaccinated or not. They are again limiting people flying to French Polynesia right now to just to people going for medical reasons, returning to family, for work. When they made this last travel change people in the midst of vacationing there could finish up the week but anybody who had plans to stay longer were told to check their airlines for flights out. French Polynesia, like Hawaii, is very concerned for the people who live there and their limited medical capabilities.
Hi Kym.
Thanks for sharing your experience with P.F.
Aloha.
I just have to say, all the Hawaiian Islands are governed under one state flag, why does Kauai have to be different, your inability to get the tourists back with all your restrictions and mandatory staying in a bubble hotel for three days is just hurting the beautiful people of Kauai financially, I don’t know anybody who wants to spend money and time confined to a room, if soneone has tested negative they should be no restrictions period, the people of Kauai are in our thoughts and prayers, can’t wait to go back. Ahola
I totally agree. We can’t even quarantine at our own home and is forced to stay at a resort bubble or fly to another island. Did the mayor forget money is tight. We in kauai can’t afford to do this. If we have a negative test coming here and been vaccinated with both vaccines. Why are we being treated like this.. We are paying rent and being told to dish out money to stay at the most expensive hotels. So not fair for the local people. Is someone going to pay for these rooms and for the 1st and second test. I’m al for it but we have too. I thought getting vaccinated will be a good thing. It’s all for nothing. Pay for 2 test. Pay for hotels. Really. I’m just so sick of all this nonsense. This pandemic is not going anywhere. Are we going to continue to suffer. This is the new norm. We have to o deal with it no matter what. Why do we have to live like prisoners and pay for unnecessary hotels when we have our own home to quarantine. So frustrating.
This is just my two cents (well maybe I am up to ten cents) as a business owner on Kauai and investor in a business related to travel on Oahu.
1. The legislative process is a long one. Do not expect Hawaii to vote on this bill anytime soon.
2. The only thing to get one state one rule through is the Governor. He needs to get some backbone and after 89 days not extend any restrictions. That probably won’t happen either. He is spineless and not the sharpest tack in the Hawaii toolbox. This is about politics and not science.
3. The Mayor of Kauai always said it was about the science, protecting the vulnerable and keeping hospitalitions down. Even when the island reopened, that happened. Numbers never went down a tier. Very few people were hospitalized and no ventilators were ever used. Even in non covid times, severely ill patients do not stay on Kauai. They are moved to Queens in Oahu.
4. The uptick in cases in November were due to travelers (both residents and very few visitors) who had not gotten their test results back when they landed. They were in forced quarantine.
5. The majority of cases since December have been residents who traveled, did not have to pre test because of the change of Kauai’s rules, and got sick in “quarantine” and passed it onto their family members.
6. One recent case was actually a false positive. Did you know that?
7. It is not difficult to have second testing done all over the island if thats what is needed for peace of mind (or random testing). Maybe Mr Mayor shouldn’t have spent $250,000 of Cares Act money on a skate park that has become a maskless, party central, kids out of school at noon, hot bed of germ spreading. Abbot Labs has testing for about $25 pp. Prices are going down too.
8. I know people want to return to Kauai. I see everyone’s comments but I also see my own survey. Kauai does that. Its hard to stay away. Most travelers are respectful and cautious especially on Kauai. One state, one rule!
Single policy makes the only sense if we are to get Hawaii tourism back!
The Mayor lives in an alternate universe. There is massive investment in Kauai housing/lodging/businesses from mainland individuals. What if a legal case came forward showing the Mayors actions constitute “a taking “ and all properties impacted need to have their taxes eliminated or severely reduced as the owners are being suppressed from using their respective properties as intended and as taxed. In addition value decreases would also become a liability of the county.
The only reason he acts as he does is he thinks he has that revenue whether anyone can use their property or not. He of course needs to go but with any more inverse condemnation of property – the island will be taken to task. They may be able to act via edict but that doesn’t mean they are not culpable in damaging property values and in turn losing significant taxes that they take for granted.
I agree with what Lt Gov Green has said and done. His safe travels program has worked very nicely, the numbers prove that. It has also become a model for others. There needs to be only one plan for the islands. Having so many competing individuals only makes for confusion and disfunktion. It would have been nice if everyone concerned could have gotten into one room at the beginning and worked something out.
Aloha Guys
We recently flew to HNL and on to Kona last week. We took the Costco/Azova test and sent it in on Wednesday for our Saturday morning flight out of PHX. We recieved the results at 10:30 PM Thursday night and was able to upload all the documents to allow us to enter Honolulu which was seamless and easy, However, when we reached Kona we were put in line again, asked to show QR scans for Hawaii entrance and then was told we had to have another Covid test before entering the Big island. As a health care provider that administers Covid tests to my own employees and patients I was appalled at the lack of sterility or even clean technique. Masks, gowns, tables, specimen containers were all toughed by people who never changed their gloves. I doubt the true (+) or (-) tests taken on Kona. A universal acceptance of the safe travels program through the State of Hawaii would have mad our experience much more pleasant than we experienced. I certainly hoe that adopt universal procedures for all the islands soon so we can come back again.
Gary
We too had the second test done at the Kona airport. I too was appalled at how unprofessional that test was. People in line with no social distance, many people with poorly fitting mask placement. Testers a few inches off your face and moving from person to person with no sterile procedure. The small waiting room was also a spreader event.
We had our first Rapid test done at Walgreen’s. That test was very professional, no one ever came within 15/20 feet of us. Everything was kept very profesional with use of tables and medically sealed envelopes. The two test were like night and day.
The data is very clear when you take a deeper look at it: *people will die* on Kauai if this bill gets passed and Kauai is forced to re-open before high-risk people are vaccinated. 26 people are already dead on Maui due to the re-opening without sufficient safeguards there. Kauai has had zero community-acquired cases for weeks now. This is a choice.
26 people in a year… for that everyday healthy citizens are suffering, kids out of school, finances ruined, lives ruined.
get a grip
Just a correction of a typo on my previous email. My name is Linda and not Lind. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed. I submitted testimony on the bill.
Hi Linda.
Thank you. We corrected your name.
Aloha.
Anyone that believes air travel will ever be safe with pretesting and masks should read the article published Feb 8th in Medscape “Study Shows How Easily SARS-CoV-2 Can Spread on a Flight”, by Doug Brunk. The article summarizes a flight with all current precautions that resulted in seven infected travelers to New Zealand. The CDC also published this information.
Who can say when or if flying will ever be safe again?
I am in favor of HB1286. The current “system” is confusing and unnecessary. I am glad the legislature is stepping up to add some balance to the Governor’s recent unlimited power.
Mahalo again for your coverage of COVID news. Is there any public data about unemployment and ruined businesses on Kauai since early 2020? It also would appear that the Dept of Health has reaffirmed data that was reported in December about infection rates of residents vs. visitors. It is baffling how this seems to be ignored by the County government. I sincerely hope the Legislature passes this bill.
Hi Peter.
Thank you. We haven’t seen any data on that, but we can say empirically, that the loss of businesses on Kauai has been huge.
Aloha.
After having to cancel my Hawaii vacations twice we decided that Mexico would be our next best, and guaranteed, option for us. However, when the CDC announced that starting at the end of January anyone traveling from out of the Country will be required to provide a proof negative test before boarding the plan, I was like Not Again! Needless to say, got an email from my resort within 2 days of the CDC announcement assuring us that they will have onsite rapid testing that will meet the CDC guidelines at a cost of $17 per test. They also assured us that every measure/precaution is being taking to minimize the ability to spread Covid on property. Now If a small resort in Mexico can come up with a solution to ensure our safe and carefree travel, in 2 days, it boggles the mind that Hawaii cannot figure it out in 11 months and counting.
Also, of course I will take personal responsibility to wear masks, social distance, and limit interactions with anyone outside my family to protect hotel workers, other guests, and my family.
Greg R., the thing that stood out to me in your comment was the $17 per test. In the U.S. the cost of testing is upwards of $200-$250 per test. Seems to me like price gouging, but our leaders don’t seem to have a problem with it.
I agree Mr Anderson! We went to Mexico in January came back prior to the new testing mandate but …the hotel offered free onsite testing, a room for $1 per night for 14 days if you positive and medical care policy in case you needed advance care or a flight home for medical care…i was so blown away by that…and…while we were there, we were thanked by everyone for choosing to come there for a vacation…the appreciation on was amazing….i want to go back…i am a bit turned off by the anti tourism sentiment coming from HI both by those that live there and the government…its a bit of a turn off…
Agreed. And well put!!
We went to Mexico for our daughters wedding in January. No one got sick. We came home two days early so we would not have to test! If the policies of Kauai continue we will go back to Mexico. They treated us like royalty!!
Mahalo
I own a condo on Kauai and have tries 4 times this year to get there only to be shut down because of some crazy bubble scheme. I have a bad immune system do to a recent kidney transplant and I cannot stay in these so called bubbles or whatever you want to call them. All I want to do is come home and spend time healing from my transplant. I have talked to many, many people on the mainland and they all ask me how do we travel to Kauai, and I say you don’t. The program in place is absurd, and is killing my friends business on the island, I pray for this to open up soon, to save all those who have lost jobs. Pre test and if you need a second test while there so be it but don’t lock us up in your bubble and not lets us come home!!!
Did you read the other option? 10-day quarantine in your condo. My daughter and her family did the 14-day when that was the rule, stayed for another month, worked remotely and followed safety protocols. You sound stressed from your surgery. 10 days of relaxation away from the mainland mess fits the best prescription.
I think the message is clear for most not to visit hawaii now or into the long term future.
Florida usvi and the other states in continental usa have been basically open since june 2020 with only strongly suggesting quarantine but little enforcing it. You fly in and then go do your thing. Not in hawaii.
There is slso with getting things shipped into hawaii w the covid. Not a fun time
Florida. Third highest case total in the U.S. Fourth highest death total. Yup, ideal vacation spot if you are deaf, blind and dumb.
Actually they (Florida) are 30th. With 8090 cases per 100k
Check CDC gross numbers and get back to me. The day of fake news is over.
Case total is irrelevant. Florida’s cases per 100,000 population is 8,154. California’s cases per 100,000 is 8,469. (CDC numbers} Florida is wide open. Schools are open. Restaurants are open. Theme parks are open. Tourists are visiting. California has been in total lock down for months. Lock downs and cowering in fear in your basement do absolutely nothing.
Florida = 1,790,749 cases;28,526 deaths
4th in actual cases and deaths of all 50 states
I guess 28,526 dead Floridians, 1.8 million infected people AND an out-of-control infection rate makes that covid shoreline just a peachy place to vacation.
3rd highest population, 2nd highest elderly total, most of thenpopulation condensed along the coastlines..doing better than cimparable lockdown States.
Most importantly, people happy, economy chugging along, schools open all year.
Hope your basement is comfortable, you’ll be in there awhile.
So we are told to follow the science? My guess is only political science to be followed, not scientific science!!!! Thank you to the Beat of Hawaii allowing us to vent. I hope the Beat of Hawaii is becoming our voice. The state health department can’t seem to get their story correct. Must be color blind. Is it visitors and residents that are spreading the virus?
Hi Mark.
Thank you. The data from the Department of Health is quite telling.
Aloha.
We are going to Kauai in a few months. We will have to spend an additional 2000 dollars to test twice, and then stay in a bubble hotel for 3 days before moving to our timeshare. We are vaccinated and this is totally overkill. If we were not staying for an extended period it would not be worth it. Please get your act together and have one rule for all islands. We love Kauai but will not continue to visit if things do not change for the better.
Mahalo!
Go to one of the other islands for the 3 days since you don’t need to quarantine. You also can stay in a vacation rental or a hotel. No resort bubble necessary. This is considered as inter-island travel so you don’t need a 2nd test.
I am not a proponent of big government, so I believe Kauai should be allowed to choose its own rules. However, they must also face their own consequences.
Should they choose to not participate in the Statewide Safe Travels plan, I expect they will indeed lose much needed revenue from tourism.
If that happens, based upon Kauai’s own decision, then Kauai should exclude itself from all government aid that the other counties might get relative to economic damage from tourism losses.
Please understand that this is not intended as punishment to Kauai, but rather a simple recognition of the consequence of its own choice.
It seems that the lack of medical facilities is being way over played by Kauai County Government. The Federal government and National Guard could and should be deployed to reinforce the medical services industry on the Island if indeed such a need becomes apparent.
All of us have the right to choice. Along with that, we have the responsibility of living with the results of that choice.
I wish the best for the people of Kauai. I hope they will make wise choices.
Agreed
Agreed. Kauai has cried about lack of medical to help. No one is in the hospital for COVID. The islands got a lot of $$ from the federal government if they needed to revamp the hospital then they should have. What did kauai do with the $$$. Homeless Situation is out of control island wide. Sad but true. Don’t keep covering this up. I have seen it with my own eyes. What is the mayor doing about that?? Nothing.
Please pass HB 1286. Mainland property owners are experiencing severe financial expenses with it almost impossible to visit or rent with the current restrictions. The lack of visitors to Kauai has severely impacted the states & individual residents financial security. Mahalo
It is high time that Hawaii state legislature imposed a single criteria for all the islands./ Otherwise the impact is negative for all the state.
I have said it before and I will say it again, Kauai’s decisions are the outcome of a class warfare carried by the well to do who do not need to work against the working people of the island. Instead of taking steps to protect themselves they are forcing the closure of the island. If you look at the authors of the opinion letters written against this bill in the garden island newspaper recently you will immediately see this. Mayor and the other government employees are in the same group. They try to achieve their goal by fear mongering. Kawakami used the death of an 85 year old (whom we learn later that had lung cancer) as an excuse to shut the island down. Most people do not know that the life expectancy of a stage 4 lung cancer patient is only 10 months, so they believed in the mayor’s lie about death from COVID. Then there was the excuse about having only 9 ICU beds- none of which have been used at all. Mayor also boasted about the success of his bubble system having graduated 1400 in 60 days- which comes to 23 persons/day. I wonder how many businesses 23 persons/day can support? I came to Kauai three times last year when the rule was the same for all the islands and had my negative test each time and stayed in quarantine for two weeks or 10 days depending on which rule was in effect. However, I will not come to Kauai if the mayor is allowed to continue to rule like a dictator.
Agreed!
Thank you! Much appreciated bringing this information to light. The mayor has gone rogue. His main goal is sports to stay open for kids. Sad but true. Kauai is being destroyed by his dictatorship. Businesses are closing. Only the huge like Costco can survive. People of kauai don’t want to file for bankruptcy but are being encouraged by the mayor to do so. And. The locals are treating the tourists that do make it there horribly. They are being threatened, harassed and told to go home. No aloha spirit there right now. But. They are learning from their mayor. Sad. But true.
retired.. enough said
BOH,
Aloha, I understand trying to have conformity fo the State of Hawaii, however, I totally understand why Kauai wants higher standards. They are a small Island and they are trying to protect their people.
I love Kauai and can’t wait to return, but if everyone is sick and can’t work or worse, there will be nothing to return to. I had to cancel a huge trip there for our 45th Anniversary. We were bringing and footing the bill for 10 family members from all over.
Please stay safe.
Mahalo
If the majority of cases coming into the Islands are coming from returning residents, and not from visitors, perhaps the differing rules should apply to those returning residents. The state now has the data. It seems to me that getting something in place for visitors who have been vaccinated should also be a priority, as a growing number of people have had the vaccine. This would open up a pool of visitors, and those of us who have family we haven’t seen for over a year, and who have been vaccinated might have a chance to visit. We canceled our March trip because of the possibility that a second test would be required (very costly) 4 days after arrival, as we didn’t want to take the chance of having to quarantine due to a false positive. This constant discussion and changing back and forth has to be confusing for not only visitors but residents as well.
Mahalo for keeping us up to date. Will follow to see what happens with the hearings.
Hi Lee.
Thanks again. We appreciate your repeated input.
Aloha.
For a state with only one primary contributor to the economy – tourism – it makes no sense to not have a uniform health policy for all travelers to the islands.
Without it, you end up with one island getting a competitive edge over another for the wrong reason, health and well-being.
Thank you for your encapsulation of the hearing. I’m curious what you think the timing is on a final decision? I watched the whole thing on YouTube, and found it hard to understand, with the leaders wearing masks. Clearly big passions on both sides, and I was surprised at how uninformed many of the committee members were of the situation.
Kawakami continues to stonewall and only speaks of their wonderful record of 1 case a week, but never mentions plans or guidelines to reopen from his “temporary” shut down.
Hi Laurie.
Thank you for all your comments. We don’t know what is next, as nothing was stated in today’s (as you said), hard to follow hearing.
Aloha.
All islands should have the same travel requirements! Period!