Can you travel To Hawaii without stress given the latest unprecedented Covid situation?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Leave a Comment
351 thoughts on “Safe To Travel To Hawaii? Anxiety About Shutdown Amid All-Time Record Covid”
Can you travel To Hawaii without stress given the latest unprecedented Covid situation?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Mahalos for providing a safe space to discuss sensitive topics: medical science vs “rights,” public health vs “freedom,” facts vs opinions, everyone’s needs vs personal wants, etc.
My wife and I had a trip home planned for May 2020, but due to COVID cancelled. We re-booked the trip for October 2021, but have now cancelled that trip too. We’re vaccinated and masked, but worried about breathing an airplane’s recirculated air for five hours, and about encountering some rabid anti-masker on the flight. Our main concern though is our impact when we arrive. After being in a crowded airport and on a tightly-packed plane we don’t want to be unknowingly carrying COVID and then spreading it to everyone when we get home. We don’t want to be super-spreaders, don’t want to turn the children of hotel staff, restaurant and retail workers, etc into orphans. Nothing we do should cost other people their lives. My want to revisit Zippys, Leonard’s, Side Street Inn, Rainbow, L&L, and even a local 7-11 for a musubi should not negatively impact anyone’s need to live. I have no right or freedom to end others’ lives.
Cancelled outings cut off peoples’ incomes everywhere, Hawai’i included. But here’s the deal: I would rather everyone be alive and poor than dead and rich. No exceptions, including people I disagree with: I’d rather you be around to disagree with me than that you become a COVID statistic. I’d rather hear you complain about masking and vaccinating than have to read an obituary written by the family you left behind.
We’ll try again, we’ll reschedule our trip for 2022 maybe. I know that when we get home, Hawai’i will be a very different place than I remember. But home is home, ohana is ohana, and I will always defend the people and places I love.
Hi Robbos.
Thanks for your input on this important topic. We appreciate it.
Aloha.
just got back from Maui, got a positive covid test four days after I got home. In the plane As soon as the pretzels come out, the masks come off. Yes, I was vaccinated, and we wore masks while we were there. Good luck if you decide to go.
Nancy, I really hope you and anyone else who tested positive are doing well.I’m going to suggest to you that the cause of your positive test came from somewhere other than the short period on the plane when people were eating snacks. Can I ask what airline you flew with. This quote comes off website of the airline we are flying to Maui on in 8 days. Wife and I have agreed to forgo eating and drinking for the 5 hours in the air. Not the easiest thing to do but in 5 hours no damage will come to the human body by not eating or drinking fluids. Here’s the quote>>> “On transpacific flights, our cabin air is cleaned through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that create a dry and essentially sterile environment, inhospitable to the growth of viruses.”
It was either the plane or airport, we tried to stay 6 feet apart in line, but personal pushed us along. We ate all meals at the condo, and really stuck by ourselves. I’m recovering, and no one else got sick. I’m just fortunate it happened on our way home. Am I going back to Hawaii? yes, anytime soon? NO!
“We’re vaccinated and masked, but worried about breathing an airplane’s recirculated air for five hours, and about encountering some rabid anti-masker on the flight.”
Robbos, do you know that stress and worrying will kill you?
Research teaches you that you’re statistically safer traveling in an airplane, than shopping at your local grocery store. The cabin airflow in a commercial plane is renewed (not recirculated) through the entire cabin within a 2-3 minutes window. Virtually all modern airliners (including those that go to Hawaii) have HEPA filtration systems installed in them…the same type of systems in hospital operating rooms.
Seriously though, why would you think it’s sensical to say, you “would rather everyone be alive and poor than dead and rich”…exactly how do you rationalize the finality of that statement? The reality is that most people with significant wealth have little issues/struggles in times like this. You’re actually suggesting that people would be better off destitute and suffering, where they’d have a greater chance of dying from things like starvation, mental illness and suicide, by losing all they worked for their entire lives. AND, they could STILL catch this virus and die on top of that! 🤦♂️
Then you’re going to infer people “have no right or freedom to end others’ lives.”?
Since when did it become my responsibility to make sure you take care of yourself, so I don’t end your life from a virus that I didn’t create?! If everyone took care of their own health, we wouldn’t have all this death. Do you comprehend that?
Let’s start thinking rational and making sense, eh? You might reevaluate your logic, because most people would rather not be living in poverty and sacrificing their own happiness and wellbeing to keep you safe, especially when it’s up to YOU to take care of yourself. I take care of myself and family the way I see fit. I don’t expect you to stop your life for me, and I expect the same reciprocity.🤷♂️
Wow, your sense of entitlement is breathtaking.
Indeed
Thanks for sharing your perspective Jim. I wish you health and happiness.
Amen!!
We’re continuing with our plans–Kauai, 2 weeks, leaving in 25 days. This announcement was made too late to cancel our condo. The agency wouldn’t even allow rebooking for a later date. Our trip insurance doesn’t cover the Governor asking us not to come. We have several restaurant reservations and a Capt Andy boat trip that have not notified us (yet) of cancellation. We’ll do our best to keep our distance from others and continue to mask up–just like we’ve been doing since March 2020! Fully vaxxed and wondering why businesses in Kauai aren’t mandating vaccines for their employees. Wouldn’t that be better for the economy than discouraging tourism?
My best advice as a tour guide here on Kaua’i is stay out of enclosed restaurants. Fresh air is your friend on this trip to Hawaii
Most (not all) tourist-centric restaurants on Kauai are “open air” – meaning no closed windows or doors, but they all have roofs. Apparently, the state considers anything with a roof to be indoor dining. Example is the Olympic Cafe in Kapa`a, where being inside is not much different than being outside, especially when the rain goes sideways. The owner there gets a lot of grief from the COVID hysteria folks because he complains about the state rules limiting patrons, masks, etc. There are reasons to be cautious about the Olympic (never look in the kitchen), but lack of fresh air circulation is not one of them.
OT – Rumor has it the waitstaff at a certain restaurant on the north shore (rhymes with mistro) are “revolting” over the reduced patron rules, since the reduced tips it hits their wallets. What that actually means? IDK. We’ll stop by on our way to the house next week to check it out.
Thank you KauiDoug. I wish more people understood the dining situation. A lot of folks must’ve flunked science class. You wear your mask the whole time in and out of the restaurant, but take it off to eat. It’s not like the virus yells, “Time Out!” and heads to the corners while you’re eating. Help out restaurants by ordering take out or delivery, but stay safe. We do a lot of eating in our car or we picnic. Or take the food back to your condo/resort. Just think about how the virus is a tiny aeresol that can hang in the air, even after the covid infected person has left the room.. and consider what you’re doing.
Aloha,
Here’s solution to Hawaiian Covid problem. But first let’s review the facts as noted in a Beat of Hawaii article this week.
“Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki was more blunt, noting that public health statistics show residents, not tourists, are mainly responsible for spreading Covid-19.”
It time to get tough with residents who are not vaccinated in Hawaii. Tell all residents they have 3 choices: 1) get vaccinated, 2) be subjected to confinement at their home and wear ankle GPS monitoring bracelets connected to local police personnel or 3) leave Hawaii. Anyone not vaccinated under house arrest, err, house detention that leave their home can be welcomed by police to new accommodation in a small room with metal bars. Applying these 3 solutions will bring Covid cases way way down.
Jim
Vaccinated Long term Hawaiian Property Owner and Hawaiian Resident
Im going if i can be let in. Have family there and im going to see anither new grand baby. The hospitals are not over run, the cases of “vaxd” people are huge not rare because its not a vax in the first place. We need to stop listening to the people who are lying to all of us and get on with our lives like normal. The CDC admitted there is no actual test for the covid-19 virus so in the oast 18 months evryone who had a cold or flu or anything associated with a respiratory sickness was counted as the covid CDC said it them selves, so please stop being manipulated by politicians.
(Deleted – warning on not adhering to https://beatofhawaii.com/comment-policy/)
Your callous disregard for the 4.5MM people worldwide who have died from covid is astonishing. Children have been orphaned, millions have lost their spouses and/or grandparents due to this pandemic.
I guess it is just an inconvenience for you.
(Edited – warning on not adhering to https://beatofhawaii.com/comment-policy/)
I’m cancelling our trip – 4 of us all but the 4 year old not vaccinated. No one is happy but when the locals are such a high risk its just too risky since we’ve all been told younger kids and even those vaccinated are getting sick. IF we were to get sick how would we get home? So sad.
My family and I were supposed to visit Maui at end of September-October but I respect the governers request for visitors to postpone so that’s exactly what we’re doing. Eventhough we’re all vaccinated (except my 10 yr old) we know there are still risks and we would hate to add to the islands overwhelming medical situations should something unexpected happen. We’re all bummed that we can’t come now but when it’s safe, we’ll get there. I hope others can and will respect the rules of the islands and get this under control.
We had planned a trip to the Big Island last year in December, cancelled it and didn’t go. Rescheduled for this September 2-12-2021. With Gov Ige’s request to wait we got very confused. Wondering what to do. What if we get sick and get stuck in Hawaii, with anything covid or any other issues. After long talking it over, we decided to go. Taking extra caution by taking 72 hr covid test anyway for travel. We both are fully vaccinated. We also tried to reschedule for October or November with no hotel openings available. We are using our timeshare for this vacation, get a away. Not always easy or impossible to change without any loss of money. As of today we are still going
We planned as a family of 6 a trip to Oahu and Kauai to celebrate my 35 year anniversary. We made all the reservations in February with the vaccine coming out thinking all would be behind us by September!! This week, with the governor advising tourists to stay away I contacted all 3 houses we will be staying at and only one was flexible enough to give us credit fie a later stay. We spoke as a family and decided it would be a big loss on the other 2 houses 6k dollars worth of stay we would lose so we are going with lots of precautions and everyone vaccinated!!
We had a trip planned last year for our 35th Anniversary. We had also qualified for the Southwest companion pass which is one reason why we chose Hawaii. Southwest extended the pass to December of 2021 so we rescheduled our trip for November 7-19. I have spent countless hours planning this, now that we have to be our own travel agents. So as of today, we are still going.
Our daughter and her husband have made a plan to meet us in Kauai for 4 days. I’m not sure all of this could come together again, so the plan is on.
Leaving Indiana September 11. Arriving at KOA and spending 3 days on each island. Staying in remote VRBO properties. Avoiding any crowded situation except Pearl Harbor. Car rental prices and availability are improving. My wife and I are vaccinated and will be tested within 72 hours of travel. We are currently starting 14 day self quarantine. We will wear masks and social distance. Looking at eating more from our kitchen or food trucks. We desperately hope they don’t shut down and listen to the scientists’ advice that it’s not the tourists (only 2%). I hope people will go and get the FDA approved vaccine.
We have reservations for October 15th thru the 29th on Kauai and have no intentions to cancel our reservations. My wife & I are fully vaccinated and have been looking forward to this vacation. We were on Kauai the same time last year, right after the shutdown lifted, and made it through and we will survive it again. Looking forward to being back again.
What you failed to mention is that the hospitals and ICU’s are full to overflowing. That it is irresponsible to travel and potentially bring in another case of Covid to share with the residents. That unlike on the mainland, Hawaii is isolated, without the resources to combat a larger surge.
Yes the spread is mainly among residents, however if you allow that only 1% of tourist arriving in Hawaii have Covid that would be 9,000 in July, and they spread it to the hotel staff, tour operators, restaurant staff etc. Who take it home and spread it to their family and friends.
But then again you are in the business of making money off of selling the islands.
We are arriving Sunday to Kauai. We have a 3 week trip to Kauai, Oahu and Big Island. There is just too much money tied up to lose. We were in Maui in March so figure it would be the same scenario though this time we are vaccinated. Since we plan to be in the water most of the time and ordering takeout vs waiting to sit inside, we are just going to avoid large crowds and do outside activities. We have Airbnbs but hotel for Oahu. In hindsight, I wish I booked a place with a kitchen for that one to avoid the expected crowding of restaurants. I want to support local restaurants but I think takeout and a picnic will be our go-to mode of eating.
Unless the Governor can guarantee refunding me my money back for cancelling, I’m not cancelling my trip. It’s as simple as that. I sacrificed for 2 years to save that money for my trip. Money doesn’t grow on trees for some of us. We’re vaccinated & we follow all safety protocols. We’ll be safe while on the islands and enjoy our vacation.
Canceled our trip for the first week in October. Very disappointed. Very much need a vacation . Now going back east for Fall colors.
We’re vaccinated, we’ll be “visitors” (~2% of the cases), we follow the science without hysteria. We’re planning on coming the 1st week of October despite the foolish statements of your out-going govenor.
We cancelled our September trip to Maui after the governor’s request that people not travel to Hawaii. We don’t want to add to the chaos by imposing our vacation on the people there. Also if group size is limited and restaurants are at 50 percent capacity it likely will not feel like much of a vacation. Maybe next year…
Stay afraid.. Stay very afraid.. the end of Covid is near… Ige said so himself.. Wear your mask and things can get back to normal very soon.
We have been planning our Hawaii vacation ever since our wedding in September 2020. We were going to be celebrating our first anniversary on our honeymoon! We are going to Maui and Kauai and understand that right now Resources are being stretched that but there was still a hospital bed availability. Our big concern is if we get into a medical situation, will we get the treatment we need considering how much covid-19 is stretching hospital resources? We already have several reservations for restaurants, as well as other activities and I’m wondering if they will contact us if they meet the requirements of 25 people or less for outdoor activities or 50% capacity for restaurants?
Thank you!
Hi Laura.
We’d suggest you contact those places directly since they are likely understaffed.
Aloha.
I called my resort and car rental (a local company vs big chain) and the gent at the car rental said “please come, we want you to come” !! sounds good to me. I’ve done everything I know to do re pre travel verification with Safe Travels and Clear so all I need is the QR code and I’m good to go. I have the Reefdancer booked and the ferry to Lanai and waiting to book the rooftop dinner at Fleetwoods. Other than that, just enjoying the lanai and ocean breezes and hiking around the area bird watching. No big plans since I’ve been to the island many times and don’t need to do all the touristy things fortunately. Will be staying 12 nights in Lahaina and just not going to worry myself over something I can’t control. I’ve done what I can and I’m in God’s hands now. My goal is to enjoy the trip and do what I can to keep the locals safe from my coming as well.
Hmmm…
Masks, restrictions, mandates, forced vaccinations..
And end result….
Hawaii no safer, and probably less safe than States that offer freedom and freedom of choice… Intriguing, whowuld have thought that would happen?
Clown show and dumpster fire comes to mind
Gee….like Florida?…🤡
If the Governor was serious about stopping the spread of COVID on Hawaii, he would have said “Residents, get vaccinated, don’t travel to the mainland, and if you have COVID, quarantine for 10 days.” 98% of the COVID cases on Hawaii are from Community Spread and residents who are unvaccinated traveling to the mainland. Visitors are contributing 2% of the new cases.
right and you will be flying both ways with infected residents.
We are headed to Kauai 9-1-9-8 VRBO will not refund our $$$. We are trying to do our part and stay home as suggested by the state of Hawaii.. We feel helpless not sure what else to do and the $$$ loss is not an option for us.
I feel where you’re at. We booked back in February through Costco and the trip insurance would only kick in if the trip cancelation was not because we decide not to go. One person did comment on flying to and from with residents who it seems are the cause of 98% of their cases. Does make one wonder. We are going, fully vaccinated and will test within 72 hours of travel September 5.
Will children be allowed to travel to Hawaii? Ours are under the age of 4 and unable to be vaccinated?
Investigating delaying or cancelling. Costs to cancel all appear to be just under $1000. And since I didn’t buy CFAR insurance, which would have been $1300, it’s likely we will at least postpone for a year.
I’m wondering why so many chose to travel to Hawaii for the first time (‘a lifelong dream’) during a worldwide pandemic. It seems that expectations are going to be pretty high, wouldn’t you want to visit without all the hassles and dangers of travel right now?
There are three Covid testing sites at LAX that claim to be acceptable for Hawaii Travel but do not say what Clinic of Medical facility they are connected and they are not listed as a trusted partner on the Hawaii Covid website. Can anyone tell me if a test there is valid fo Hawaii travel?
We are heading to the Big Island on September 1. We are all vaccinated, dedicated to wearing masks, renting a condo, planning to cook at home or order takeout, don’t have any high expectations, if we have to mix our own drinks and sit on our patio looking out over the Pacific Ocean for 6 days, it’s still better than being at home.
I am a resident of Hawaii that has to make frequent trips to the mainland. I have had an account on Hawaii’s “Safe Travels” website and used it several times in the past 2 years to upload my trips, COVID tests, and vaccinations. Not that the Governor has ask people to stop coming to Hawaii, I can not log in to my account for my next trip. I have tried changing my password but that doesn’t work either. I am locked out. Now what am I suppose to do? they have my email account sill on record. How do I get my QR code? Clear and Common Pass do not recognize the location for my Pfizer Shots in Virginia.
What are those of us who own fixed timeshare weeks to do ? We pay our fees and taxes ahead of time. We can’t get that week back no points to bank , 15 years I have brought my family of ten support the hotels, restaurants, fishing boats , stores what about them.
We grappled with our decision also, but are still planning to come sept 5-19. Last year, our timeshare in Princeville accommodated rescheduled plans, but this year, we stand to lose our investment if we cancel. We are homebodies and and enjoy simply being present in Hawaii, so we won’t be contributing to the crowds. We are fully vaccinated, but are a heathcare couple, so caution is our priority. N95 will be the name of the game.
My husband and I have our trip to Hawaii scheduled in about 2 weeks. This is our third effort to come to Hawaii over the past year and a half. At this point we are still planning on arriving. We are all vaccinated and we wear our masks whether it’s mandated or not and practice social distancing and prefer not to attend crowded places and events and are willing to do Covid-19 testing, if required.At this late date, it would be difficult to cancel our reservations without losing funds. Thank you for keeping us informed.
My wife and I have been reading Hawaii news on line daily for the past few years, and this site for the past year.. Over the past 2 years we have based many Hawaii travel decisions using the news as well as BOH and two other sites as a guide to help us with making the correct decision. In addition, we also have close friends, and extended Ohana on the BI who keep us posted on Island life. Due to COVID and the Delta strain we have decided to wait until 2022 and have booked 2 hotel stays which we can cancel up to a week before without penalty. We did not book rental vehicles, or airlines yet and won’t do so until we get closer to travel plans and can make an educated decision. As per today’s news(8/27) some restrictions may be announced later today
Our opinion is that since the hospitals are mostly full and strained and the State is asking people not to come we have made the correct decision for us. We visit Hawaii for its beauty , but mostly to visit and be close to our friends and family. There is a lot of hugging and being close, and know that we would have to restrain from being that close because we run the risk of spreading, or becoming infected with the virus. It’s just not the right time FOR US. Hopefully 2022 will be less stressful. We have canceled 4 trips over the past 2 years and hope that Hawaii can heal so we can return.
Planning on vacation in early October. Cancelled last year due to covid. However hoping it will all work out this time around. I have never been to Hawaii and excited to celebrate 24 year anniversary.
Covid is not the boogie man/it’s a real virus, that being said it really depends on which island you decide to go to. Some islands are more crowded than others, also depends on the activities you choose to want to do..if they do have your activity it will probably cost three times the cost that they used to be at this point in time, some have canceled the activities all together which you should look into before you arrive in Hawaii. The water is the same the sand is the same but the daily living there is not.. places are closed up some places are not stocked. Just know that things there have changed during covid. Going to Hawaii this year will be different, be safe and follow (safe travel Hawaii) that you need to download and complete before you go..Mahalo
Our trip to Maui and the big island is scheduled for mid-September. This would have been our first time experiencing Hawaii. We booked our trip last December; received our 2 doses of the Covid vaccine; and felt confident enough to finally book a vacation….after 18 horrible months of dealing with Covid, wearing masks, and social distancing. However, Hawaii’s governor stated earlier this week that due to Covid concerns, he recommends business only travel; vacationers should not bother to come until after October 30. In addition, the island of Maui wants a total shutdown for 3 weeks; pending the governor’s approval to do so. Um…..so what does that mean for those of us who planned on vacationing there this September and October? We’re in a state of limbo. Defy the governor’s request and still go to Hawaii or stay at home? We don’t relish the thought of being restricted strictly to the hotel complex; not be able to do anything because everything is closed and most of all, not be able to experience a true Hawaiian vacation. Will we be able to recoup the money we had to pay in advance for hotels, airline tickets, activities, etc. The expense of a Hawaiian trip is great. We are devastated. Should we modify our hotel reservations, cancel the luau reservations, cancel the zip line adventure reservations, car rental and airline tickets? It is our hope that we will not be financially penalized for decisions made by the state of Hawaii. Please advise us what we should do.
Hi Joni.
That is a personal decision and there is no advice we can provide. You’ll find an enormous number of comments from others that may provide what you are looking for.
Aloha.
Cancelled a trip in May 2020. Cancelling my September trip at this late date means losing money on condo rental, car rental and Hawaiian airlines gives credit not reimbursement. If Ige backed his advise to not come with request to hotels, condos, car rentals, airlines to reimburse travelers cancelling plans, there would be more travelers staying away.
Where did you see that Maui wants a 3 week shutdown? I have googled many combinations of words to that affect and have come up with zero articles stating that.
I recently read that story in Maui News Today. Not sure when it was dated, but I cant find it on their web site. Wonder if it got memory-holed????
possibly written back when all of this was in the earlier stages??
Maybe, but I don’t think so. The story referenced current events. And I looked it up on m phone after reading Joni’s comment.
found it I believe. It’s not quite the shut everything down that it seemed the person who wrote this earlier made it sound like. As a person who has had trip plans since February it’s very disappointing to see but if we do end up coming in 9 days we will certainly comply with what is asked of us. mauinow.com/2021/08/24/breaking-maui-mayor-asks-for-voluntary-21-day-rest-from-non-essential-activity/
Planned our trip to Maui arriving September 16, for 13 days, then going to Oahu for another 13 days. I have family on both islands, and they can’t wait to see us. Can’t believe this is happening, canceled a trip in may of 2020. We’re so undecided right now.
Please, for the health and safety of Hawaii, stay home. We are all on edge. Keiki quarantining from school, weddings/ funerals/ kids birthday parties all cancelled. The very least you can do to show your respect and care for our islands is to postpone. We care begging foreigners to consider our health and well-being and livelihood over their own desire for a vacation.
I think you mean tourists, not foreigners. I live in the same country you live in.
Mary K – On our first trip to Kaua’i many years ago, we were exploring the island and found Salt Pond Park. We pulled in and it was obvious some sort of rally was going on. Many anti-US signs on display. The one that stands out in my memory said “Hawaii is not the US and never will be.” We didn’t stay long at Salt Pond Park.
She very well could mean “foreigners” if she is of that same mindset.
The governor should close the state so people can get their money back. How about the state give people a credit to be used on anything that is legal in Hawaii as a thank you for canceling.
I am so angry at those who refuse to get vaccinated. They are causing this surge and the rest of us suffer.
So what is the basis of your anger? Do you like to decide what you put in body? Why isn’t it ok for me to exercise my God-given right to decide for myself what I put in my body? There’s another side to vaccine story which should be part of the debate in deciding whether these shots are ” safe and effective”.
By suffer, do you mean you ” don’t get to go on vacation”?
We have a trip planned to the Big Island October 29-November 6. That’s at the tail end of the Governor’s request. We are not sure what to do. We are leaning towards postponing the trip but our hearts want to go.
Any advice based on our scheduled timing?
Wow!…was planning a trip to mauii October 13-23..a gift for my wife for her birthday….with a day fly over for a pearl harbour tour as I’m a marine corps veteran..our first time going to Hawaii… but if they close down it would be ashame!😔…and yes we’re both fully vaccinated!
Focus your heart on the health and well-being of the Hawaiian people and residents. Please do not come here, the responsible thing to do is cancel/postpone your trip.
We are still planning to come in mid September. Vacation that was postponed from April 2020. We are all vaccinated and do not plan to go out to restaurants much. We have an airrbnb condo.
We too are planning to go, as planned and booked, 9/25-10/9. We are vaxxed and will test prior to departure to ensure we are traveling safely and not bringing Covid to the islands. We are also renting condos in Oahu, Maui and Kauai. At this point, we feel we will not be responsible for spreading the virus. We understand some of the experiences may be limited, I.e. restaurants, luaus, tours. But we have rental cars booked and hope to be able to experience the unique beauty of Hawaii without too much limitation that way. We do hope for more clarification over the next few weeks. Still a little confused about what a total shut down in Maui means. Would appreciate shared thoughts from others like us.
Yup me tooo
Hi Noreen, and yeah we feel the same way…we have our shots, have rented a condo, don’t intend on being in groups of 20+ people (except the plane ride) and until the Governor completely shuts it down and we can get our money refunded we are going.