Hawaii is in the midst of a seasonal slowdown seen annually. However, this year, it is being exacerbated by Covid fears and by the governor’s request that visitors postpone travel to Hawaii through October. We are all left wondering what will happen next and what that means for Hawaii travel for now and the future.
One thing is for sure; virtually everyone says that Covid-19 isn’t going anywhere soon. As much as none of wanted to believe that. Here are some of the things we are seeing, and we welcome your thoughts and additions:
1. Outbreaks in Hawaii, as elsewhere, will continue, even if, for now, the numbers continue to trend downwards. Today, for example, the state reported another relatively tame 461 new Covid cases. That following days of more than 1,000 cases.
2. Facemasks in Hawaii will continue to be the norm. Indoor mask requirements are not going to be lifted. We don’t even know when that could happen. In addition, the federal government will continue to require masks when flying until at least January or longer. Other Covid policies in Hawaii will continue to unfold when deemed necessary.
3. Covid cases in Hawaii will continue to be worrisome in large part due to the state’s limited and geographically remote medical system.
4. Surges followed by drops in cases appear to be part of the new normal we can expect here in Hawaii and elsewhere.
5. Hawaii travel will remain highly desirable but not be without worry for the foreseeable future. Hawaii is easy since it is domestic, and your health insurance, among other things, works here. At the same time, long flights and often multiple airports aren’t as easy, safe, or desirable as was once the case.
6. Changing international travel restrictions will continue to help Hawaii travel. Even though Europe and other countries seem like great ideas, being in another country at this time can feel daunting for many of us now.
7. Proof of vaccination requirements will continue to expand. This week, Hawaii vaccination passport requirements will be implemented both on Maui and Oahu for restaurants and other activities. We do expect that to expand to the other islands maybe as soon as this week. There are even indications that the federal government might mandate vaccinations for air travel domestically.
8. Commercial vaccination passports will come into greater use in Hawaii. Those three Hawaii-approved passports will be the common denominator for determining proof of vaccination, among other things.
9. Travel insurance will be in all of our minds. For us, cancel-for-any-reason is something that is important to consider since getting out of all prepaid trip expenses for concerns about travel during Covid is otherwise largely impossible.
10. Clearly, there is no end in sight as the waves of Covid continue. It will also remain as political as it is biological.
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Hoping someone can help. Having a terrible time completing Hawaii Safe Travels. Have joined Clear but cannot get the website to upload to Safe Travels for the COVID vaccination information. Have done everything repeatedly. Any thoughts?
Thank you for helping.
Hi Carolyn.
You can simply use Safe Travels itself, rather than using Clear if that is easier. Regarding Clear, this is their Q&A for Hawaii: https://www.clearme.com/support/hawaii-travel.
Aloha.
Being vaccinated does not give you immunity, stop you from getting infected, or transmitting COVID-19. Every visitor and returning resident to the islands should be pretested regardless of their vaccination status.
Thank you, I love this reminder to all travelers. I commend Governor Ige and all of Hawaii for thinking of people’s lives over money. I live in Florida where money and selfish are filling our hospitals and killing teachers, children, and our residents.
I meant selfish unvaccinated people are filling up our hospitals.
We just returned from Oahu. No problems with the safe travels app, non stop from ATL-HNL and used Uber to get around the island. All in all it was a great trip.
Dear Mike, my trip to Oahu is now planned for 2023 & I’m very excited!! 😍❤👒🩴👙🕶🌊🌈🌞🛩🌏🌺🐠🐢🥥🍍🏝🏖🌸 It has been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation & I’m looking forward to the day when I’m sitting on ✈ !! Take care & stay safe. Be blessed….psalms 91:11😇
Hi. Was in Maui, Kauai and Big Island in July when testing was still required even if you were vaccinated. Totally a non issue. Has a blast. Beautiful place. Had a great rental car reservation from months before which was 100% honored in each island. Starting to plan going back next year. Just follow the rules.
Aloha BOH Bro’s
Hawaii travel check list:
New water shoes👍
New rash guard 👍
New Hawaiian shirt 👍
New underwear 👍
New CDC Vac Card👍
New Hawaiian print mask👍
Not much different than my last trip to Maui🤗
Looks lik
Is Hawaii travel permanently changed by COVID? I suggest it will be if not already so.
Given the uncertainties surrounding both the virus and Hawaii’s abilities to respond effectively, I would offer permanent change is inevitable. This shift will be one of a move away from generally stable travel growth policies toward a Hawaii chasing its visitation and tourism plans tail with a continuing series of unpredictable ad-hoc measures. The permanent change will be to a status of turbulent change.
What is yet to be observed is whether Hawaii can manage these on-off-on-off cycles well enough to avoid its tourism industry dying from either overeating or starvation.
Travel to the Islands is rapidly becoming a nonstarter. Flights are expensive and time consuming, mask mandates on the Islands are ineffective and bothersome, and most importantly who wants to vacation in a place where you’re clearly not appreciated or wanted. There are many other places to vacation, easier to get to, cheaper, maskless, and appreciative of people who make the effort to visit in tough times. There is long term damage being done to the largest business in Hawaii, you have been warned, no crying when you’re all starving in five years.
First of you plan ahead tickets are not expensive and as a matter of fact I just saw a BOH email come in with 99 dollar fares. So if that’s expensive don’t know what more to say.
2nd 99.9999% of the people I saw wore masks around bug crowds even outside when the outdoor mandate had already been lifted. So cry me a river in masks. The people I saw none seemed to take issue with it
3rd. I’ve done a lot of traveling in my time and the 10 days I spent in June on Oahu I have never felt more welcomed and appreciated. Store owners restaurants even at Walmart all very welcoming and nice. So you apparently only want slaves at your feet or something. Sure wasn’t what I experienced.
3rd sure go to Florida. Spend your money where your health isn’t important but money is. Go ahead and enjoy but stop dumping on the beautiful state of Hawaii that I love. I will gladly take your place.
Now take your leave thanks
Stay home, don’t come to Hawaii!
My husband and I will be going to Maui. We will be there on Thanksgiving. Can you recommend a nice place to reserve for Thanksgiving Dinner?
Merriman’s Kapalua
“My body my choice” ok for killing babies with heat beats but not on for forced vacations
Just can’t fix stupid
Always has to be one of you. You lost leave it be
Ditto Steven c
Why should you need a vaccine passport to fly? Your chances of contracting Covid on an airplane are about 1 in 4500. And that was before the introduction of vaccines. You have way more chance of being killed or injured in a car accident than catching Covid during air travel. Are you going to give up driving Paul C.?
Its called rules Curtis. Dont like it dont fly. Period
I don’t mind being tested to insure I don’t have Covid. You can be vaccinated and still get/transmit it. You don’t make up rules that discriminate against people.
We could not come in February ’21. (Testing and all was a bit much since we are coming from the East Coast and testing sites were pretty much non-existent. Now, concerned if we book a non-stop from ATL-HNL and they bring back testing, we will have a problem. From what I read, we can use our vaccination cards now. But still nervous to make plane reservations. And to make a stop on the West Coast for a couple days to test adds some costs to a month long trip.
Second concern is the availability of rental cars. I reserved my car months ago and have a “to die for” rate. (like half of what they are quoting now) I’m concerned we will arrive on the island and they will just choose to say they have no cars because of our low rate. And standing at the rental counter at 8 or 9pm with no car is not my idea of starting a vacation. Love to hear what you all have experienced…especially Kona.
And thanks to BOH for all your great information and updates. Please, Please, please let me see my Hawaiian vacation home in February!
Hi Thom.
Please let us know, and we wish you a great time on the Big Island.
Aloha.
Aloha Thoma,
Back in 2013, mywife & I went to HNL. I had lined up airfare, lodging, and car rental (RAV 4) 6 to 9 months in advance.
When we got to the car rental, they told me that they do not rent out RAV 4s. I showed them MY copy of the agreement, they stuttered and tried to say I don’t have anything reserved.
I had to assert myself and raise my voice (only a little). At this point a supervisor (I guess) came to “help”. He tried to put us in “something comparable” for”X” dollars More per day. When I “asserted” myself a little more, someone else came over to “help”.
Bottom Line…they rented us a jeep that “was” $40-$50 more per day…for the price I had in writing.
Good Luck, keep Everything in writing (receipt from wherever), and don’t be hesitant to Stand Your Ground. (nothing worse than bad advertising).
ALOHA,
Guy
Aloha 🌺 Thoma, I have decided to postpone my trip to Oahu for 2023 for the 3rd time. I am disappointed, but I believe this is the best and smartest choice for me to make to keep others and myself safe! It has been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation, so what is alittle more time?! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects since I have a deep connection to us 🇺🇸! Pearl Harbor is #1 on my itinerary & my itinerary has been completed for months now. ❤🌍🏝🛩🥥🍍🩴🌈🕶🏖🌊🐢🌸🐠🌞👙👒🛍🎉 As human beings we all need to be taking steps to keep everyone safe! We are in this situation together. I’m dreaming of the day when I will be sitting on the 🛩 coming to Hawaii☺ Stay safe, take care of yourself, & be blessed…pslams 91:11😇
My Wife and I will be going to Oahu late October. I have had friends visiting the Islands with not a hassle!! All the Negativity has to stop!! Follow the guidelines of the Hawaiian Safe Travels and Everyone will be just fine!!! Thank You Beat Of Hawaii for all the updates!! Love n Aloha!! Mahalo!!
Radford High 86!!!
Ian P.
-Awe,such a positive response. Yes,travel has changed but those of us who love to travel adjust. Have a wonderful trip
Dear Jeanne, I am one of those people who ❤ to travel & will definitely adjust. God bless you 🙏😇🌈🩴🥥🍍🛩🏝🌍
exactly. All the whining pining and complaining about it does no good. Just do what you need to do to get there and enjoy!
Right on Paul! 🏝🌈🌏🛩🍍🥥🏖🕶🌺
Aloha Ian,
It’s good and nice to hear people experience a smooth vacation. I am wondering though. Are there any excursions open (luau, Pearl Harbor, PCC, etc)?
I had plans of taking a friend that has never been to HA and want to show her some of the “tourist” type ecursions.
Aloha,
Guy
Dear Guy, my trip to Oahu is now planned for 2023. #1 on my itinerary is to pay my respects @ Pearl Harbor & I’ve always wanted to do this since I have a deep connection with 🇺🇸 history. My Grandfather was in Navy & in Pearl Harbor!! Stay safe & be blessed 😇psalms 91:11 🌈🩴🍍🥥🛩🏝🌍
Dear Guy, you could look on their website & I’m sure there is a phone # on it so you could call them to ask questions.
Well said Ian!! I agree with you. Stay safe & be blessed 😇 psalms 91:11🌺🏖🍍🥥🐢🌈🌊
I find it interesting that foreign countries who originally were headed to vaccine passports have now done away with them. The UK just announced it will no longer use them. We seem to be going in the opposite direction with mass protest in New York City today as thousands took to the streets against their vaccine passports. I think our last trip we will ever take to Hawaii was the one in May with our 3 kids. Wonderful memories created but I’m afraid the way our economy is going and inflation, I better start saving our vacation money for hard times ahead.
I hope that people that uploaded the cdc vaccine card to the safe travels website wont have to do a covid pre test
Thank you
Fully vaccinated people can still contract COVID and spread it to others. Pre travel testing is necessary to stop the spread.
Other than the obnoxious smelly pointless face cloths indoors, the only negative impact of the current restrictions that we’ve run into on Kauai island is the limited restaurant occupancy and table spacing rules, coupled with continued staffing shortages. I don’t know if “Vaccine Passports” would make any difference (better or worse) as far as customer demand and/or staffing shortages. If it gets implemented, we’ll find out ….
I see you must never clean or change your facemask huh? I also have discovered brushing your teeth keeps your mask from smelling. Ever think maybe its just you? HAHAHA sorry couldnt help it
Will Hawaii recognize fully vaccinated Canadians? My province does the vaccinations. BC. I can photo my vaccination card to upload. Will it work?
I hope that people will still be able to show proof of vaccine to travel to Honolulu
To avoid the quarantine in
October
thank you
Was hoping things would calm but the govts are headed in wrong direction. Have had multiple previous great visits but with places closed or restricted, Vaccine passports and masks being required ….. What’s next? It’s a slippery slope towards total control by govt … No thanks … I’ll visit elsewhere till those are removed.
Whatever dude
Lol please do
👍
Also in the Duke University legal letters clear notice was given that it is fully understood that the pharmaceutical companies never claimed the vaccine would prevent someone from getting or transmitting the Covid virus, but rather it would lessen the symptoms if you did become infected.
See the Duke University liability letter. The only entities not having liability for negative effects of the vaccine are the pharmaceutical companies. If someone says they need to fly and you force them to get the vaccine when they clearly inform you that they fear getting Ill or dying from the vaccine YOU CAN BE HELD LIABLE by the person or their families.
Our Maui is just pushing people away, we have rescheduled twice and are done!!Other places welcome us with open arms
Hello BOH, thank you for all of your updates! Have you heard anything about whether Canadian vaccine cards will be recognized at Oahu and Maui restaurants? Currently we have to covid test to travel to Hawaii as our vaccination status isn’t recognized to waive the quarantine period, just wondering if it is the same for restaurants, etc. Thank you!
Hi Julie.
No, we have not heard anything about that. For now, testing is the only way that those vaccinated outside of the US can avoid quarantine. If we hear anything, we’ll definitely provide an update.
Aloha.
Aloha BOH Bro’s
Is Hawaii Travel Permanently Changed By Covid?
No different than 9/11 changed air travel forever. Remember all the 9/11 travel mandates that were supposed to be temporary that are now not temporary.
Sort of like a “temporary” tax increase?
I’ve resigned myself that I probably will not visit Hawaii anymore. As much as my family and I have loved visiting in the past, doubtful it will happen again. We have a lot of beautiful area’s on the mainland I haven’t seen, that I can get to by car. Flying has become a nuisance, mandates closing so many business’s, it has taken to much of the fun out of the visit.
I totally agree
Good for you ten of us will take your place
Seems like things such as hospitalizations will decline Permately when vaccinations reach 85% and higher. Employers will likely need to require workers to be vaccinated in order to reach that level. For me I want any EMT, nurse, doctor, chef/cook, waitress/server, police officer, teacher, minister, etc., to be vaccinated in order to serve me.
Exactly
You want to be “served”. Pretty selfish outlook on life.
Aloha all, I’ve spent the last week on Maui and am flying back to the mainland tomorrow, my thoughts on my trip so far, being vaccinated no test required, uploading our vaccine cards to the safe travel website provided seamless passage through the Maui airport,we made our restaurant reservations a month in advance so we had no problem getting a table for all our meals out,even with 50% capacity we never had to wait. Overall, didnt see any long lines for any dining, every employee, shopkeeper and hotel staff seemed very happy to have us there, no stink eye anywhere we visited, mask requirements were really no problem at all, just go with it and you’ll be fine, do I regret going, absolutely not, one of the best trips to Hawaii yet, just do a little advance planning and you’ll be fine
Totally agree with everything you said Phil. We arrived on 9/6 from Phoenix and will be here until 9/23. Got the vaccinations in April, downloaded everything in to safe travels and got our wrist band at Phx airport on way out, smooth sailing all the way around. We’ve been to Maui numerous times and already have our next trips planned for April & Sep next year. We’ve actually enjoyed the smaller crowds, made the dining reservations far enough in advance and everything has gone quite smoothly…heck even our rental car price dropped over $1000 from the original reservation!! Our only concern was with all the Covid concerns here is still the large gatherings of people on the beaches and/or parks, yesterday 9/12 we drove down past Big & Little Beach and there had to be at least 250 cars parked on the road for those 2 beaches, it seemed quite ridiculous for these times….I would guess 75% of those people were local and yet the locals want to keep us tourists out because we bring Covid, ruin their island etc etc, things that make you go hmmmm.
did you have any issues with rental cars? I’m so concerned we will arrive in Kona and they will not honor our reservation (I got a “to die for” rate months ago) and I fear they will just say they don’t have a car, so they can rent if for twice what my reserved amount is. And you know if you are standing there and they say sorry, you have no recourse whatsoever…and you cannot do the Big Island without a car.
Thank you for posting this. We head to Maui in 2 weeks. I was a little concerned with all the changes since our last trip to Oahu, 3 years ago. It’s nice getting a recent first hand view. Again Mahalo.
Thank you Beat of Hawaii, I really look forward to your emails. We are part of a group of 7 coming to Oahu for Veterans day. Booking our restaurant reservations now and planning a layed back trip. My husband and I will continue on to Maui the following week. Many prayers for all that are sick with covid and all of those in the medical field taking care of them. Most of us are vaccinated, 3 are working on getting theirs before we leave. Keep up the good work BOH keeping us informed of what changes occur daily.
Mahlo
Hi Kathy.
Thanks for that and for your first-time comment. We wish you a great trip on Oahu and Maui.
Aloha.
Well I’ve enjoyed going Hawaii for the past 30 years. At least I got to go one last time a couple weeks ago.
Yes and I believe it should change. We have for too many years spread our germs on others, gotten sick from others and masking has kept many of us from colds the flu and yes even covid19.
I am all for the vaccine passports. It is something that should have happened long ago everywhere you fly.
I will be back in October visiting family and again in January and whatever it takes to get to the island paradise I will do!
So vaccine passports for us?
Not quite right don’t ya think?