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524 thoughts on “Kauai Not Reopening Travel Soon + Kauai Resort Bubbles And More”
See the latest delay on reopening without Kauai Resort Bubbles.
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We have plans to be in a bubble resort April 1st at the Kauai Hilton Garden Inn in Wailua. I have tried calling them to find out details of their procedures but on hold for more than 30+ minutes. I’d like to find out if getting a rapid test there is an option as we would hope to not have to stay much longer than 3-4 days at a hotel. Thank you.
Hi Pati.
As far as rapid testing goes, it would be best to check with them. The reason is that as we understand it, they will need to take you to the test or the test will need to come to you. There is one option we know of that comes to you, albeit expensive. https://poipumobilemd.com/.
Aloha.
Two items of note:
1) Did you guys see the article on two Louisiana visitors who were arrested for attempting to bribe the safe travels inspector upon landing at Honolulu on Feb 12? Apparently they offered $3000 to avoid quarantine. Were arrested, charged, paid fine and were sent back. YES!
2) Would you continue to publicize the results of the Hawaii study of who is spreading the disease. It bears repeating. It’s not the visitors. Its community spread. Everyone should read the chart and pay heed. Wear masks when around other not in your bubble, social distance (indoors for sure), wash hands, and don’t touch face. We are our own worst enemy.
Stay safe and be well.
Hi all,
Thank you for all of your in depth report ing on Hawaii travel. I am traveling to Kauai Wed. We have filled out the safe travel Hawaii document and will get out covid test today by an approved partner. Even thoug this is not necessary. Is there anything more that is Specific to Kauai. I need to do? I am finding all of this confusing. Mahalo
Joy
Hi Joy.
You didn’t say whether you were doing 1) a bubble resort, 2) are staying on another island first, or 3) will be in a 10-day quarantine. Those are the only options currently available.
Aloha.
Oh sorry we are doing a resort bubble 1st then onto another condo. Thank you. Joy b
Hi Joy.
For the resort bubble, yes, just testing within 72 hours of your mainland flight’s scheduled departure. Then you’ll test again to exit the bubble.
Aloha.
Going to Kauai:Got Covid test 48 hours in advance, booked resort bubble do I need to download this to the Hawaii Safe Travels ? Do I also need the Kauai travel questionnaire ? Anything else to get into Kauai?
Thanks jm
Hi Joy.
There is a Kauai arrival form that the County website says is completed when you get here (https://www.kauai.gov/covid-19). Would suggest you talk with the bubble resort for any other recommendations, and review the county website.
Aloha.
I tried to go from Maui to Kauai, but could not find a safe travels testing partner that would result in 72 hours prior to a flight to Kauai. I stayed put on Maui.
I just returned from Maui for 7 nights and I agree with Ed. Less snorkelers, minimal traffic, lots of parking. Easy to walk in and get a pie at Leoda’s!
I agree. I just returned from Maui and it was wonderful. I was able to do the Magic Merman snorkel tour, and a road to Hana tour. It felt like pre-pandemic times, in terms of my enjoyment! I snorkeled 6 days out of 8 days and saw a turtle daily. Most restaurants were open.
Has anybody stayed on Oahu for the 72+ hours then tested and gone to Kauai? That is what we are trying to do and I was just curious if anybody else had and if so, recommendations on the quickest test results that satisfies the requirements. Thank you all so much.
I live on Oahu. I have used the Hawaii kidney foundation site at the airport (outside of baggage claim where group tours meet) for my inter-island travel. I have found them to be the cheapest and they gave the fastest results. Sign up online and pay your 125.00 and you can go anytime between 9am and midnight. The lines are short and it goes quickly.They say results are 6 hours but I have had results in 3 but also as long as 12.
That is awesome!! You just made my day! Thank YOU!
Hi Stephanie J. We stayed on Oahu for our preliminary 72 hours and we used the Hawaii Urgent Care clinic in Waikiki. They have 2 other branches. The test takes 15 minutes there, you need a reservation. It’s definitely the fastest test but it is substantially more expensive than the one at the airport (which takes a few hours). If you are already on the ground in Honolulu it’s probably more convenient than going into the airport too, and with its speed depending on your incoming flight time it may shave off an extra night you might otherwise need to spend (didn’t work for us since our incoming flight landed just a bit too late in the day).
So, the State of Hawaii is adjusting their 72 hour testing window to allow for mainland weather delays in getting results….. BECAUSE… it’s all SCIENCE…..
The sooner everyone realizes there is no science behind their decisions, the sooner you will realize you’ve been duped for a whole year…
Once you all realize that, maybe just maybe those that have been convinced it’s a big scary world, will stop being sheep.
Reference MSNBC interview with Biden’s Covid liason. They have no idea why lockdown CA is doing no better than open FL….. Pay attention to when Governors like CA’s Newsom and NY’s Cuomo, decided to lift various restrictions… As soon as they were in political hot water they opened some things up. In NY’s case, Cuomo opened restaurants 25% at or near the high point of their infection rate. Same with Newsom. As soon as his recall effort was roughly at 1 million signatures, he opens some restaurant restrictions and announces his effort to open schools.
Thank you so much for always keeping us informed. I just want your honest opinion- is it worth traveling to Oahu or Maui this summer, as far as opened restaurants, activity options still available or hold off until next summer? We got canceled last year and am anxious in going back to Hawaii but want to enjoy my time. Do you have to wear a mask on the beach? Just want a realistic view. Thank you for your time!
Hi Laura J.
Thanks. In many ways, this is a great time to visit. That in the sense that there are fewer visitors which is a nice feeling and makes it easier to get around. On the other hand, it comes with issues, like some things aren’t open. So it could depend on how much you are counting on certain things being open, which you can certainly check on. We don’t see masks on the beach very often but a few people do. Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Aloha.
Laura J – We are on Maui as I write this. There is very much a feeling of “normalcy” here. Most things are open, but many businesses have closed permanently, it appears. As far as excursions, etc., many are open and running. We’ve been on 2 whale watching trips this week. They do have Covid-19 protocols in place as far as the number of people on the boats and in restaurants. People are wearing masks TO the beach, but very few ON the beach because there is plenty of room for social distancing.
What if you had both your shot’s do you still need to be locked up
yes, our Mayor has extended the bubble resorts through May
To John L:
If the county wanted to limit tourism, they would not be approving and building a huge new condo complex in Poipu. The prices start at over $700,000 to over $900,000. That is not for local housing. Most residents can’t afford those prices. So who will buy those 2-4 bedroom condos in a tourist area? Mainlanders wanting a second home in a VDA location so they can rent them out when they can’t be there (think Pili Mai). Another project on the books is GLAMPING in Princeville. For $500 a night you can pretend you are in an African tent on the Makai Golf Course with a home someone DOES live in full time right next you. Oh thats a good idea….not! Kauai has enough vacation homes. They have enough timeshares. They DO need local housing in areas right behind Keoki’s Restaurant. they do not need to clog the roads in Poipu and Kapaa any more.
So as that moves forward (I just got an email to see if I was interested in buying….no thank you….) there are hundreds of vacant timeshare units and condos/vacation homes sitting empty due to the Mayors restrictions on vacation rentals unless you are a bubble. Mahalo for letting me update John L on the “progress” of building up Kauai and ruining the beauty that Poipu has with its open land and sacred burial grounds.
Hi Joan
In away you are right Kauai wants tourism, but not the over tourism of the past.
Those 700k to 900k condos are exactly the kind of development that Kauai’s Mayor and county council are looking for to reshape tourism on the island. Those condos are going to be upscale and rent for big bucks.
The majority of Kauai’s retired senior residents, the mayor, the council and big tech land owners want to choke off low budget condo tourism to the island. Which right or wrong has come under fire for the main problem of over tourism on the island.
There’s been no cover up to the fact that Kamakawi is an elitist he wants to turn back the clock on Kauai’s tourism and return the island back to it’s citizens.
Been traveling to Kawai for well over a decade at least twice a year, never again though. There are many places in the world to travel without ridiculous hassles and headaches
Wow, we canceled our trip to Kauai 2 times last year..re-scheduled for May this year…looks like we will cancel all together and head to Maui. So sad to see the Govt on Kauai continue to hurt his economy.
excellent choice! Maui’s infection rate is soaring and you can add to it!
That depends on how long you are on Oahu. You must be on the island at least 72 hours before you can test. There is a testing site at the HNL airport that can test you and give 5 hour results that is an approved partner. I remember that the cost was over $200 when I researched it.
Thank you for the continued updates. Although frustrating it is wonderful to be updated with the latest policies and process. You are always several steps ahead with the news.
One note on the free COVID tests in Lihue. I spoke to someone at the Marriott, she said they have limited tests and are not rapid tests. Passing this along in case it helps others.
Hi Cynthia.
Thank you. We don’t know what lab is processing those tests or how long it is taking for results. Perhaps someone can share their experience.
Aloha.
If your test after 72 hrs is not a rapid test they have you quarantined for at least 6 days! And it should be different if you’ve had the vaccine. You should not have to quarantine at all!! Can u get a rapid test on property at the Marriott? Do weekends or holidays interfere with the process.?
Does not sound easy to get out of the bubble. And is it true you don’t have ocean access? What are the actual boundaries at the Marriott?
I was told today from rep at Marriott that they do rapid testing onsite for $99 after you have stayed there for 72 hours at their bubble resort. No access to ocean while you are in the bubble.
I just spoke to a staff member at Marriott tonight. They do rapid testing onsite for $99 after 72 hours at their bubble resort.
Is Hawaii still requiring that pre-travel testing be the NAAT test?
To John C- we had a trip in June and cancelled due to all of this. Hawaiian Airlines gave us a credit though that must be used by Oct. of 22. Still not sure we will go then:( How did you get a full refund vs. a credit when you cancelled your May 2021 trip?? Thank you!
I have previously posted that I cancelled a trip planned for November 2020 and moved to May 2021 – I have cancelled that trip. I understand the local push back on opening up Kauai over concerns with Covid. The hard reality is that the majority of the local economy is based on the tourism. Without visitors, there is no feasible way that local population can drive a recovery. I also understand the local desire to limit tourism in the future. But the way it looks like at this time, the entire economy is going to fail. I have made many friends during my many visits to Kauai and feel for each of those folks. I look forward to returning to Kauai, but it will not be anytime soon.
We are suppose to arrive mid April is there any chance the legisture will be able to pass a law that could change this bubble rule. If not we will be forced to cancel again.
Again the mayor is rogue. He is destroying the heart and soul of kauai. The small mom and pop business are quickly closing as they cannot live without tourism. It is sad and disgusting. He again is still penalizing owners by not allowing them to 3 day quarantine in their own homes and then test out after 72 HOURS. DISGUSTING. He is doing nothing for the people of kauai except fabricate fear. He is making tourists not want to go to kauai and he is teaching the rich on kauai to be rude and nasty to the tourists that do end up going
Thanks Beat of Hawaii for keeping us updated. I hope Mayor Kawakami gets what he asked for (i.e budget cuts, furloughs, food insecurity, homelessness). We are cancelling our fourth planned trip to Kauai and going to South Africa instead – yes, it’s actually easier to travel to Africa than to Kauai. One PCR test from any approved lab and boom, you’re in. We are vaccinated and the world is our oyster…except Kauai.
Your elderly are vaccinated and protected, now what’s your excuse? What are you going to do when the federal funds stop rolling in? How are you going to rebuild your economic infrastructure? Who will pay for those ICU beds when your uninsured outnumber your insured? Nothing Kawakami does makes any sense at all.
Hi Archer.
Thanks for your comments. Having been there multiple times, we concur that SA is also wonderful but definitely has its own significant issues for travelers. Safe travels.
Aloha.
As typical, the wealthy connected elite who can afford hotels/expensive properties given
priority access
Us avg folk need to stay away indefinitely.
Thanks for your excellent coverage of this pressing issue. It’s incredibly hard to understand why vaccination isn’t being taken into consideration for Kauai travelers. That just doesn’t make any sense. What more assurance do you need that (1) the traveler is a responsible human being and (2) that they’re as unlikely as anybody to be spreading the virus around. I was pretty sympathetic to Kauai’s travel restrictions earlier in the pandemic but, at this point, it’s hard to see how anyone benefits from this. Is the mayor trying to knock down real estate prices so he can buy some cheap property?!?
Hi Jason.
Thanks. We appreciate your input on the situation.
Aloha.
We live on O’ahu and went to Kaua’i and Ni’ihau this past weekend. We were pleasantly surprised at how many places that were open. Granted we only hit the south side of the island but places were open. Many places had amended hours and were not open their usual hours. There were people on the beaches but it appeared a vast majority were locals. No issues either, everyone was friendly. The airport was rather empty though and only Starbucks was open. No other food or drink places were open so if you’re flying long distance come prepared!
When comparing volume of visitors, did you mean a comparison date of 2020 rather than 2021?
I am currently scheduled to travel to Kauai the second week of April after 3 nights on Oahu, assuming the Grand Hyatt reopens in time. If it does work out, are restaurants and other sites open for tourism? Trying to gauge if it’s even worth the hassle to get to Kauai if most places will be closed, or if we should look to go to Big Island instead. Thank you to BOH for all of your timely and informative updates…it’s been the one saving grace in trying to plan (and re-plan) my Hawaiian vacation since early 2020!!
Hi Michelle.
Thank you. We question whether the Hyatt will return to operation prior to Kauai rejoining Safe Travels. There are restaurants open and stores too. Not everything, but enough. It’s hard to say what percentage, maybe half. Others may have different thoughts but that is what we see driving around.
Aloha.
We fell in love with Kauai during our first visit in December 2019! We had to cancel our December 2020 plans and have rebooked for mid May. This is disappointing news as is seems we will have to cancel again. Looking forward to visiting beautiful Kauai! Prayers.
We flew with Hawaiian Air to Kauai. Checking in with their trusted traveller covid testing site which was the Hawaii Kidney Foundation. Their staff said we could test within 72 hours of arrival to the state. So we did.
Arrived in Kauai and we were refused entry ! We were told Kauai rules are to test after arriving in the state.
So we were hooped. Told to take a flight back to Honolulu. No flights available. Started calling bubble resorts. Finally got a reservation code , the only thing to get us out of the airport.
The young national guard people were pleasant. The in charge KPD fellow was nothing less than a bully and extremely rude to us. We are senior travellers who had planned this trip for months. The event was an un budgeted amount of approximately $1000 USD (I’m Canadian) .
The bubble hotel was fine and we were not the only ones misinformed.
Two words caused a lot of grief !
The insanity of the Dictator of Kaua’i continues. We are currently on Maui and have to say it is wonderful. It feels like “normal” albeit much less crowded. Still, there are a lot of people here. People wear masks and social distance. I so wish the people of Kaua’i would wake up to the destruction of their island their Dictator is bringing upon them.
Mahalo for all you do, BOH.
Hi Ed.
Thanks for your input and your dozens of comments.
Aloha.
That mayor is the worst thing that has happened to Kauai. The governor needs to implement a state wide standard for entire state, and get money and jobs back to the island.
Did we miss an update on HB 1286? This latest news on Kauai not rejoining the Safe Travels program leaves us to believe that last week the legislature did not vote to require the same travel rules/restrictions for all of the islands – or are they still in session discussing that? We’ll be spending 9 days on Maui in April, so we’ll get our test at Kaiser 72 hours before we move on to Kauai for 2 weeks. We’re beginning to wonder however, if there will be any restaurants open for us to eat at, or shops to shop in. If the Grand Hyatt isn’t going to be open, we assume that our favorite restaurant, Tidepools, will also not be open. It’s too late to cancel our timeshare, unless we want to deposit our weeks with II – so we just hope that your mayor doesn’t decide to drop the inter-island travel testing option prior to our move to Kauai on April 9th. As always, Beat of Hawaii is our source for both the good news and the bad news – THANK YOU!
Hi Donna.
Thanks. No you didn’t miss anything. That bill is still in process and the outcome isn’t clear. For now, each island can act independently.
Aloha.
Rebooked last years canceled trip to Kauai for the end of June, including a nice 4 bedroom home. If needed I will cancel again. How disappointing. I would think if everyone going were all vaccinated with both shots prior to going along with proof of vaccinations it would be safe and acceptable. At some point we are going to have to get Kauai and businesses up and running.
This guy needs to Open His Eyes!… Does he know how to read? Pathetic!
My heart goes out to those living in Kauai! This man will ruin them!
As more people are being vaccinated, will those who have received the vaccine be exempt from the restrictions such as quarantine and pre/follow-up testing? We are anxiously waiting to return for a lengthy vacation on the Garden Isle.
But if you go through either the resort bubble or go to another island first, when you get past the quarantines on Kauai, will there be anything open to enjoy (restaurants, shops, etc ?).
As I read each & every new update I can’t help but see how each one gets further & further away from Kauai opening up to travelers. I see no logic whatsoever in this current travel plan. I want to travel safe & vacation safe. I would never think of going if I didn’t think it was possible. I cannot help but think something smells very fishy in the costs passed on to mainland travelers. I do not understand why I could not do the exact same protocol at Waiohai & use my weeks/points while being in my home resort. I would be fine not leaving my room for 3 days & getting an additional test. These resort bubbles are a joke. The end result is to prove we are not contagious. I wish someone can explain to me how in the world this policy is good for the residents of Kauai. What is going to happen to the Garden Island? One word – heartbreaking. I miss Kauai & it’s people. yes
Just one example. I am a permanent resident on Kauai. Poipu Shopping center is near my residence. 75-85% of the businesses and restaurants are closed. Several will probably never reopen. The mayors policies are killing local businesses owners. Hawaii needs one set of rules for all islands.
Aloha George,
I own an condo in Poipu as well and have not been able to travel since the Covid thing started. I missed the travel cutoff with test back in December by one day!! Some of my friends have told me of a few places which have closed…but I have not confirmed the few he has mentioned. Can you please make a list of the businesses which have closed in Poipu? If not, no worries!
First visit to kaua’i in 1967 and our family used to rent the two story home just West of Poipu Park. Been a property owner since 2000. See so many changes. Miss the old Tahiti Longhouse, Koloa Broiler, etc. but still go into the TipTop for Breakfast every Am on island. All the best! Mahalo and stay healthy!
Facts (from Hawaii.gov) – the state of Hawaii’s 7-day average case count is 48, as of today. It hasn’t been that low since late July, 2020. In that same time period, over 900,000 visitors have come to Hawaii – and 90% of those have come since October 15, 2020, when Safe Travels began. So bottom line, nearly a million visitors have come to Hawaii – those same visitors that were going to bring a plague of Covid to the islands, remember? – and case counts are now hitting an 8-month low. An 8-month LOW. It’s undeniable that the Safe Travels program is proving itself to be highly effective. And yet somehow Kauai can’t be a part of it? Kawakami’s decision to opt-out could not have been more wrong. His action alone has brought economic calamity to his own small business owners.
So sorry for you guys but this was our third reschedule. I’ll just cancel this time. Just way tok much hassel! We’re even vaccinated. We’ll just stay home in beautiful San Diego. Mahalo
To those commenting about everyone getting vaccinated…. Not everyone can take this vaccine due to other health reasons. Secondly over 200 business owners and residents met last night over the very issue of opening up Kauai. Derek Kawakami (the Mayor) felt the need to go on Hawaii News Now this morning explaining his logic for his Draconian orders. This has now been going on for a year. So much for “it’s only two weeks”, “it’s only to flatten the curve”, “it’s just a mask”, and now “it’s just a vaccine”. A vaccine that according to the CDC is only good for 3 months. A vaccine that doesn’t STOP or KILL the virus. A vaccine that only has a 90-95% effective rate against a virus with a 99.5% survival rate.
I still own property on Kauai but I’m NOT going to take this vaccine, nor am I going to pay these highway robbery rates for a four night stay in a Resort Bubble Hotel, AND pay for a 2nd Covid test. Kawakami is desteroying Kauai’s economy and it’s residents. The other islands will reap the benefits of Kawakami’s stupidity.
As a property owner (it seems like part time?) did you read the other news today about increased property taxes on non-resident owners and decrease of taxes on kauai income and businesses? Kawakami and Ige see a way out of this fiscal mess – they’re raising the property taxes of over 40% of Kauai homeowners. I’m really tired of paying for their poor decisions – it may be time to pull out our stakes and let the Kauai voters be accountable for their many bad choices.
Understandable that not everyone will be able (or want) to get the vaccine. However, may I reply to the “JUST 99.5% effectiveness” of the vaccine? The vaccine is actually 100% effective in that if taken, you will not die of COVID-19 or get seriously ill. The small percentage of people that can still get it, post-vaccination, will only be mildly ill or asymptotic. P.S. Thanks BOH for all of the great travel info! Aloha!
Hi Rachel.
Thank you. We appreciate your first time comment.
Aloha.
Rachel S. -Please share where (in the real world of medicine) did you see someone actually put in print that the vaccine is 100% effective that you will “not die of COVID-19 or get seriously ill”. Do tell, as someone who is in health care here on Kauai and has been for almost 30 years, I’ve yet to get that memo. Aside from that, we are trying to protect those who have not been able to get the vaccine and are still at risk for getting covid because EVEN if you do get the vaccine, you can 100% still transmit it to someone who has not had the opportunity or been able to be vaccinated. Super curious who said it was 100%…..I support the opting out of safe travels and keeping out local resident and health care workers safe. We can reopen SLOWLY and safely, but not just open up to anyone and everyone, if if you’re vaccinated. We should NOT reopen until our schools are back in session in person and our people are able to move freely…we get that right before a visitor does. Maybe pick a location that isn’t making it difficult to get it, which should be your first sign that people probably aren’t going to be that welcoming to you choosing to travel during a global pandemic when the CDC still states not to travel, especially to a place with such limited medical resources. Do you think it’s cheap to be flown to Oahu for emergency medical care? Better yet, do you think it’s easy? It’s not. Our Mayor…is pretty amazing. BOH – I know you both and am terribly disappointed that you are allowing people to bash our Mayor and his efforts to keep YOU safe, since you reside here. Those who put their eggs all in one basket in business ventures almost always get greeted with difficulty at some point. It is the unfortunate truth of economics 101. I am so saddened by the constant undertone of entitlement that I am reading on here. We all want to travel, but we are trying to do our part in mitigating death from this terrible virus. Aloha.
I am disappointed to hear these restrictions continue with so few cases. The destruction to the Kauai economy is self inflicted. I hope this ends soon.
Thanks Beat of Hawaii! The Kauai Mayor should have a confidence public vote to stay or resign. If your getting unemployment at$600/ week why work. Why open up Kauai, go back to work & give up free money? No crowds on the beach, much less traffic. Property taxes up, rentals in the tank…so when is the real estate values going to plunge? Aloha? Welcome? MAHALO? WHAT happened to the beautiful Kauai prople & supporting travel & enjoyment of the Garden Island?
The Waikiki Urgent Health 15-minute rapid test is a bit cost-prohibitive at $250 per person…