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See the latest delay on reopening without Kauai Resort Bubbles.
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The resort buuble is really house arrest at $1250 a night. You will be locked in your room not allowed out and denied access to the beach, pool and restros. Might have to ware a prisoner ackle bracelet to insure you don’t escape your resort.
It’s the for a federal judge to grow a pair and state the obvious that this is unconditual denial of rights.
Derek Kawakami is using this issue as political cover for the franken food seed industry 9n kauii which is causing ecological damage. Watch doc on rt.com which goes into how the pols are ignoring the will of the Hawaii residents.
Time to hit his donors up with boycotts and docs to get them to drop thei support for him so he just quite.
I believe people can in fact freely roam the hotel grounds, as defined by an electronic monitoring fence. Just like people have for dogs. The guests do have to wear electronic monitor, but I think is on their arm/wrist not leg. I suppose better than a shock collar. That’s why it’s called Enhanced Movement Quarantine. You are correct on the “No Beach for You” part.
FWIW – we are seeing some rental cars on the North Shore. Nothing compared with BC (“Before Covid”), but they are out there. Apparently, some people voluntarily agreed to be locked in a room for 10 or 14 days. Or maybe they are still here after pre-Dec 2 arrival? IDK. We recently sat next to a young couple that just bought a condo in Princeville and moved here from Boston. They work remotely. Kauai island RE is a sellers’ market, with people buying based on nothing more than internet pics. What could go wrong?!
For the inter island application of the within 72 hour negative test requirement, assuming a fast response test will be acceptable (given there will already have been a previous negative PCR test to get to island #1), are there presently fast response testing capabilities on, say, the Big Island?
Aloha Guys,
It seems clear that the Mayor is not reading this, and obviously is not listening to the 98%, some of whom are Kauai residents.
I’m curious if you are seeing a ramp up of homelessness and/or people being forced to leave Kauai, in order to keep from being homeless?
It’s really time for this out-of-control rollercoaster to stop, as it’s about to go off the rails, if it hasn’t already.
Mahalo, Rob and Jeff, it must be frustrating for you having to wade through this craziness and report on all these ridiculous weekly changes. I think I speak for almost everyone who follows your website…we definitely appreciate your dedication and fortitude! 👍
Hi Jim.
The appurtenant issue is listening vs. reading. Thanks and happy new year!
Aloha.
It is not the “best scenario” but it would be acceptable to me. I would be happy to stay in a resort bubble as long as sufficient restaurants are open and I was able to get a few groceries.
We have gone to Kauai 1-2 times per year the last 15 years. We love the Island and have had nothing but great experiences during our time there. After having to cancel our trips three times this past year due to covid restrictions, we booked a trip to Florida and had a great time with beautiful beaches.If Kauai doesn’t Figure it out and open up soon, they will loose a lot of regular tourists, including us. Very sad!!
These “resort bubbles” absolutely make sense in Kauai–since they are in a “moron bubble” a place where up is down, left is right and really bad ideas are the toast of the town.
The fact that 98% of respondents thought it was a stupid idea goes to show just how retarded Derek Kawakami really is.
Nope… He’s local Japanese ( I believe) he is smarter, wiser and more caring…kidding. A vast majority of locals in Kauai disagree with him.
I worked with Kauai girl recently. I asked her if the locals there approve. She said no way.. Kawakami is a trust fund baby who’s never had a real job.
She also said they edit the Kauai Facebook comments. Filter out the negative comments to make his decisions appear more accepted.
Yup, I’ve got to cancel my trip. I understand, but the impact to business is going to be devastating. I wonder if Kauai will ever recover.
The rule changes don’t mean much realistically!. We’ve cancelled reservations we had both in December and in January.
Hotel bubbles are worthless and even through we own a condo in Princeville; we aren’t considering a trip to Kauai with a 10 day quarantine or a three day stop over on another island.
Why can’t Kauai require a negative test within 3 days of arrival and do another test on everyone at the Lihue airport when people arrive?
The situation would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
Wow… another rule change. So creative! Looking forward to see next “creative” restriction next month😀
What are the bubble resorts
Time to cancel my March spring break trip. Real bummer, but the resident biased rules are blatantly unequitable.
I mean, Miami is absolutely going off tonight with healthy happy people unparanoid about some “pandemic”,
Good luck Kauai.
absolutely..My whole immediate family is in FL. My retired parents are with other retirees listening to live bands, dancing, eating..
Enjoy misery People of Hawaii. It is a wonderful feeling to face impending financial doom. Best of luck.
I have family and friends there… life is actually enjoyable in Florida
Your current brain trust changing the rules every month, seems to be oblivious to the fact that 20 million Americans have contracted Covid, survived, and now test negative. Two recent studies have shown they are immune for at least 8 months. Yet, the powers that be, can’t seem to recognize that these people pose no threat for contagion, and currently insist they too be locked up for 10 days. Even with another negative test 72 hours before arriving. Looks like Kwami was born on that 8th Hawaiian island of Schiffer!
What is the difference if I get a test 72 hours before arriving on Maui, stay there 3 days and then go to Kauai,, OR get a test 72 hours before arriving in Kauai direct? That would give a traveler 3 days to contract covid in Maui before going to Kauai.
Do these people get paid to come up with these things??
Bill S
Shockingly yes… They all get paid, and usually more than their experience and intelligents should allow.
After all, Victorino managed a McDonald’s. Apparently McDonald’s didn’t deal with numbers larger than 100.
Definitely discouraging a trip to Kauai
Kauai has killed any tourism for the foreseeable future. Good luck to them. Very Sad. Florida has been free and friendly and awesome. ❤️
Why is Kauai choosing to be the most difficult? I have been traveling to Kauai for 40 years, and I love my Kauai ohana, but I don’t understand why Kauai is different than the other islands. I can’t use my real estate, my airline stopped flying to Lihue, and I try to understand why. I’m not on a ‘side’ in this thing, I honestly just don’t get it. We need stable, moderate decisions. There’s no way to plan a trip there. Like many friends and family, we plan to try again in 2022, hopefully. This indecision has wiped out our earlier options.
With So Many Changes with no regard to those traveling. Who in their right mind would go to Kauai
What kind of test is used in the fourth day? Is it a rapid test that you get the results right away or do you have to wait another 2 days for the results? It is unclear in all the things I’ve read. Thanks, love your website.
Hi Lisa.
Thanks. Concur that some clarification is needed, as we indicated in the post. We’ll update as soon as we hear more.
Aloha.
This will cause me to cancel my trip to Kauai. I will book it to go to another Island. Such a bunch of bull. I somewhat understand with out having pretest results, but this is ridiculous. Who wants to spend almost half there vacation locked up at the resort
Every week it changes…unfortunate the ones in charge should be quarateene then something will be done!
It is obvious that Kauai, for some unknown reason, has no interest in their residents who make a living from the tourist industry. They won’t stop until everyone on the island is on welfare and all commercial interests either go under or move to another location.
It is a political push.. Kawakami wants more affluent travelers. He has said those words in previous interviews.
I’m wondering if there will be different rules applied to those that have completed COVID-19 vaccines prior to traveling
Thank you,
Hi Tana.
Yes. See this: https://beatofhawaii.com/vaccination-passport-hawaii-travel-set-to-begin-february/.
Aloha.
Glad I’ve already visited the various islands of Hawaii numerous times, because there’s no way I’m jumping through all the ridiculous hoops now. Already have 2021 reservations elsewhere. They’re happy to take my money without restrictions.
I’m afraid we’ll have to relocate our week in Kauai to a week in Maui. I don’t have the time to stay an additional 3-4 days or the desire to pay for it on top of what we’ve already budgeted for the trip. Our timeshare isn’t a “resort bubble” and, even though it’s a trip to “work from Hawaii”, I would like to enjoy the sun/sea/air/beautiful island at least some while I’m there. Maybe next time, Kauai. 🙁
Many thanks to Beat of Hawaii for all the travel news. You’ve been a lifesaver as far as current info goes with this.
Hi Stephanie.
Thanks. We hope you can travel to Kauai another time.
Aloha.
Already cancelled the Kauai portion of our trip. Maybe next year
I don’t think it’s complicated to fly to any other islands. There are soooo many caveats in these proposals, it is self limiting. It feels like there’s gonna be a catch 22 somewhere. I am still on hold for a trip to Kauai. But the clock is ticking and none of these makes it easier.
We have VRBO reservations on Kauai the first week in April. We will be travelling with teenagers, so even a vaccine won’t help us. Am starting to wonder if we should start working on Plan B. Any guesses for what the situation will be come April?
I work in a travel related field in Hawaii.. Go elsewhere.. Florida, Mexico etc…
The disdain for mainlanders out here is appalling. Factor that in with restrictions and its borderline ridiculous. The Kauai Mayor thinks it’s perfectly fine to place GPS trackers on law obiding Americans.
Hi there,
Great website for information! I have some questions, as I didn’t see a lot of answers on Kauai’s COVID 19 website.
1) What happens if you test positive with your 2nd COVID test, either on another island, or if you are at a resort bubble. Does one have to quarantine for 10 more days, before traveling home? I assume yes.
2) If I want to stay on another island first, for 72 hours, prior to going to Kauai – do I need to make an appt at a safe travels approved testing site on the other island? That could extend my trip by another few days.
3) If I want to test after 72 hours at a resort bubble, can that be a rapid test?
Thanks again so much. I have an airbnb booked at the Cliffs which is an approved resort bubble.
One may ask, why am I risking a trip cancellation and going through so much stress to go now? I may be starting a demanding healthcare job in February and need a breather, even if I have to jump through hoops! I am thinking of going elsewhere, but I do want to go to Kauai, when it is quieter and less crowded. I’m open to feedback!
Hi Helen.
Thank you. Good questions. 1) We assume so but don’t know. 2) As we indicated in the post, the testing isn’t clear. 3) We believe so.
Aloha.
I’m in AZ enjoying the sun and freedom! Came right in, no questions asked!
Hmm…. maybe this is why our Covid cases are skyrocketing….🤔 same thing happened when governor opened up the state and others stayed locked down….. FYI….. it is not warm here right now 🥶🥶
This has the same “half-baked” feel as everything else Kawakami has proposed. How will you get to your bubble resort if you can’t rent a car? How will you get to the testing facility to test out of quarantine? What happens while you wait for results that might take 48-72 hours (in reality doesn’t that mean it’s not 3 days in the bubble, but 5 or 6?)?
This will be a boon for tourism alright – for the other islands. No visitor in their right mind will put themselves through Kauai’s “resort bubble” gauntlet when they can go to any other island and skip all that. For Kauai this proposal is just another nail in the coffin of small businesses. Ige needs to order Kauai to get back into the Safe Travels program. After 2 1/2 months, it’s working fine for Oahu, Maui, Big Island, et al. Why is that not good enough for Kauai?
They have a mobile in room testing service set up for your second test at your expense. And you are not allowed to rent a car while in the resort
Boycott Kauai.
The Governor did approve the inter-island quarantine exception, and it’s now published on the Kauai Covid19 website as Mayor’s Emergency Rule #23 Amendment 1. Three days on another island sounds a lot better than a resort bubble…and probably less expensive too.
“Three days on another island sounds a lot better than a resort bubble”
Agree! If only I had confidence that this will still be an option in another month, we’d like to visit the mainland for some skiing and what not. Would give us a good excuse to spend a few days on Oahu (or maybe another island) on the way back.
But, who knows what the rules will be in a month, and they can change before you return, so it’s a crapshoot, and best to equip yourself for the full ten days when you get back, just in case.
In any event, this is really helpful for Kauai residents who need to get over to Oahu for a short trip for business or family emergencies, since no test needed to go to Oahu, and just the one test to get back, and you could take it right after you land if your visit is no more than 72 hours.
The Emergency Rule states ““Intercounty travelers five and older are exempt from quarantine if the travelers receive a negative test result from a test taken after they have been physically present in the State of Hawai‘i for at least 72 hours. Upon entry into the County of Kaua‘i, the traveler must
upload into the State’s Safe Travels program or otherwise provide written hard copy confirmation from a State Department of Health (“DOH”) approved COVID-19 testing facility of a negative test result, using a DOH-approved form, from an observed test administered to the traveler within 72 hours from departure.”
It’s not 100% clear, but it seems that if you took an inter-island trip from Kauai to Oahu, you might need to be physically present in Oahu for at least 72 hours before taking the test, then you could fly back as soon as you get the negative result.
For most people planning a trip to Hawaii takes several months. When the state of Hawaii and the individual counties keeps moving the ball around that makes travel virtually impossible for most people. It would be helpful if the state of Hawaii would behave as one state and not five states. Until Hawaii can behave as one state there’s just not going to any numbers of tourist coming to Hawaii and just maybe that’s what the state wants.
Aloha Guys, your daily updates make travel a possibility.
Hi Roy.
Thanks. We appreciate all your input. Hauoli Makahiki Hou.
Aloha.
The new inter island travel plan where you stay 3 days on another island and take a 2nd test is meant for returning residents so they don’t have to stay in a bubble resort upon their return to Kauai. It was not made for visitors, although smart visitors will figure out that they can take advantage of the plan too by spending 3 days on another island and then come here. It is a nice slow way to open back up as we were over touristed before with 1,389,300 people visiting the island in 2019, way too many for this tiny island. Hopefully the slow re-opening will stop the hotel construction and our wildlife, which has come back tremendously during the pandemic, will stay this time as new visitors enjoy the real, laid back and uncrowded Kauai lifestyle.
Unfortunately Doug, the only way most new visitors will be able to see your wildlife or new laidback Kauai landscape, is from the room of their prison room for the first 10 days. BTW, I’m pretty sure the damage to the wildlife and landscape out at Polihale, has nothing to do with tourists. We didn’t drive our jeeps all thru the dunes and vegetation. If things are coming back though, congrats. That’s great newd!
Hawaii is an island with limited resources, you threatening to withhold your money and not visit sounds like a breath of fresh air. The return of tourists do nothing personally for the locals except threaten their already limited resources and crowd our beaches. It’s not easy to go from your state being completely shut down, to watch it open up for families who are recreationally traveling for funsies during a pandemic. We are still in recovery and repair mode. I recommend Florida!
Aloha
Actually the state of Hawaii has a tourist economy, until the stated develops another way to replace the 30% or more of the State GDP Hawaii needs the tourism to keep financially sound.
Without the stimulus checks sent by the Fed Hawaii would be in a depression, you don’t actually have the resources to feed your population without tourist dollars the state would stop being able to import the stuff it does. Including food and fuel, TV’s, cars, close etc. You don’t even produce much in the way of pineapples and sugar cane anymore. What Hawaii does produce is vacation memories for the millions of tourists that come and spend an average of 500$ a day to hang out and soak up some sun and aloha… (the 500/day figure is from 15 years ago when I had a business in Hawaii).
But hey, I’m totally with you all tourists should go elsewhere, that will make the property values in Hawaii plummet (since thousands of people will head to other places in search of work) I’m just waiting to snap up a great deal or two your short sighted thinking will create
that will make it more affordable for me to move back to the place I consider Home…
Rule #24, Really? Hawaii has only been open 2 1/2 months and we are up to rule #24. Anybody want to guess what rule # we will be up to 2 1/2 months from now?
Thanks to BOH for keeping us updated and please keep up the good work.
Hi Jim.
Thanks. Yes, and we’re still trying to sort out the language on the latest rules. \
Aloha.
Hawaii can’t “behave as one state” when the healthcare delivery capabilities vary as much as they do from island to island. What might be a treatable infection on Oahu could be a death sentence on another island.
Let’s hope the vaccines change this situation quickly.
The rules date back to March when the pandemic started. Rule #1 came out in March, not October 15th
Ever changing rules make planning a trip to Kauai impossible for me.
And I hope proof of one dose of vaccine does not serve as a waiver … It takes two doses for maximum effectiveness, whatever that may be. It’s just too soon to resume “normal” activities, in my opinion.
The new proposal will do absolutely nothing to encourage me & my family to visit Kauai. There is no way we would agree to stay in the resort bubble. As far as going to another island and getting a Covid test 72 hours prior to arriving in Kauai … no way! All of this is much too complicated!
Currently, we have a trip planned for two weeks beginning 06/25/21. We reserved & paid for airfare and condo reservations. Between my family & extended family there are 12 of us. Certainly, that represents quite a bit of money on the line. It also equates to lost revenue for Kauai. I’m sure there are hundreds if not thousands of visitors in the same situation. I’m also sure that those potential visitors, along with my family, are considering cancelling reservations. There are no winners in this situation. Potential lost revenue for Kauai & lost vacation plans as well as possible loss of money for visitors.
June is a way off, & it’s possible that “once again” Ige & the mayor could change the rules. But, how long are visitors going to wait before changing their plans. And … will potential changes be better or worse? There is so much uncertainty on the island of Kauai. Why can’t rules be consistent throughout the state? It would make things so much more simple.
This past Thanksgiving my family and I visited Oahu. Although Oahu has never been a favorite island for us, we had a wonderful time. We followed the rules & all was good. The only stressful time was waiting for Covid results. We were concerned they might not come in time. However the “Vault” company came through with flying colors. Oahu was very quiet, as most visitors have still not returned. But, everything was doable and mask requirements were no worse than at home on the mainland.
BOH, do you think the resort bubble and the 10 day quarantine for direct arrival from the mainland will be lifted before summer? Just a guess would be appreciated.
Mahalo,
TJ
Hi TJ.
We do think it will change by summer, but in what way, we simply cannot say. Also, we don’t know whether changes will be via the governor or via the Mayor. Plus there will be vaccine travel starting in February we believe. Hope that helps and sorry to not have more answers.
Aloha.
Kauai didn’t do it right. Obviously Josh Green and the rest of the state got it right regarding a safe way to open with a 3 day test. They proved is wrong. Admit it and join in. Or, if the intent is not to promote a covid free environment, but rather to limit the number of visitors to kauai indefinitely, do it in a straight forward manner, not under the guise of a pandemic.
Why doesn’t our Mayor listen to the large percent of Kauai’s needs ?
Business /Tourism need to open!
He is killing our economy!!
Hurt. Until derek is removed from power I don’t think anyone should even think abt traveling to lih. Seriously is he getting kickbacks from the $1200 a night bubble resorts as no one outside of cuba is going for this insane idea. Even if you went there like much of power drunk commie er democrat run cities what’s left open? Why isn’t there a recall effort started. Will the last person leaving kauii turn off the lights. For like a few cases this is massive over reaction that given how well the program is going makes him look like the giant fool that he is. Is he doing this to draw attention from all the franken food test ing going on the island?
Yep…. Another state ruined and an economy destroyed. What political persuasion us there…. Let me think now!?!
What will Kauai rules be for those who have received and have proof they got vacinated?