Travel-related cases rise on Kauai after failed pre-travel testing.
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I don’t understand why Hawaii isn’t going to a system like French Polynesia has in place. Require airlines to check for negative PCR test results at the departure gate. If passengers don’t have it, they can’t board, period. Is it perfect? No, but at least it removes the option of some people skipping the test and doing the 14-day quarantine.
Because the state doesn’t have the legal authority to do that. Countries can just like the airlines check your passport before letting you on the flight.
Aloha Hal,
I totally agree with you! If one wants to avoid the 14-day quarantine, they need to show a negative test. But if one is willing to do a 14-day quarantine, they don’t need to show a negative test and they will still be allowed on the plane. This person may inadvertently be spreading the virus to people who tested negative. Also people are allowed on the plane when their test is still pending. These people could also spread the virus while on the plane. I hope this answers your question. Thank you and aloha!
Just heard of a cruise ship in the the Caribbean where everybody tested negative pre-boarding and post boarding. Then, some folks came down with Covid. All that a negative test means is that Covid can’t be detected; if you are early in the infection it could be mossed.
heels* 🙄
I understand and sympathize with the author’s frustration. Most people are like fk it and wont be traveling.
The only thing that belongs to individuals is private property, not the entire Hawaiian islands. Many posters continue to harass tourists they dont agree with and telling them not to come. That kind of stuff kills tourism and is definately no aloha.
There will always be some rude tourists but the right thing to do is explain the culture and be patient. Some may be reacting to a truely serious problem.
I feel the need to again mention that Hawaii belongs to the usa and is a state, although it seems some posters on here want it to be a sovereign nation complete with uncivilized bannana republic leadership.
This is displayed daily by the confusing and ever changing policies and absolute misappropriation of laws on residents and especially tourists. Massachusetts and California are not nearly as disorganized and they do not confuse Or try to severely punish and arrest tourists or residents. The residents here in ma do not try to police tourists either.
So it seems Massachusetts is showing more” aloha “than hawaii. Hawaii must sit down and think and learn how to be good citizens and love everyone equally and have more integrity and personal bravery and confidence.
Aloha BOH Brothers
No one should be surprised by the rise of positive covid cases after reopen on Hawaii. It has happened every time no matter how many precautions are taken covid cases have risen on any prior closed Islands, States, Countries, Continents etc.
I posted earlier that I thought the mandatory 14 day quarantine would go back into place about the second or third week of December.
I now have inside information that Hawaiian state officials are under extreme pressure from both Hawaiian Airlines and large corporate owned resorts to do everything possible to delay any new mandatory 14 day quarantine until after the lucrative Christmas and New Years holidays.
We’ll see, but I still feel covid numbers on Hawaii are going to soar after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yo Richard C….bra. Thank u for the “inside information”
Any “outside information”,on way to the waves?
Richard, I totally agree. There is a great article in The Garden Island today from which I pulled the following quote:
“Recent COVID-19 spikes in the state and mainland are concerning, Dahilig said yesterday at a Kaua‘i County Council meeting to brief members on how the county is handling tourism in the age of COVID-19. He assured the council the administration is working on various plans.
“The discussion has not ended at this point,” Dahilig said, adding that the county is working with its attorneys on the request. “We need to remain vigilant in ensuring that we do not let the issues rest because there has been a decision in the past.”
A county spokesperson said in an email Thursday that they are working with the state on “adjustments or improvements (that) would be in line with the overall Safe Travels program.” An announcement could come as early as today.”
So more to come. Prior to October 15th we had pretty much “killed Covid” on this island, and now the numbers are rising fast due to travelers. Here is the article title in case you want a good read: “County sees flaws in state’s Safe Travels program”.
we canceled our 12/28-1/9 trip to Kauai yesterday. I’m heartbroken. It was either that or pay the final balance on the condo with a penalty in place of we canceled. I hope to reschedule for next year at the same time but honestly, the Caribbean is cheaper & a lot less hassle. Will take a break from all of this & revisit after the first of the year.
after talking with residents of the bigisland who finally made it back it is very evident that the mayors of all the islands with the exception of oahu are doing a very effective job of killing tourist trade to their island. it seems each one wants to be the “big chief”.
Just a heads up flying to Hawaii!
We arrived in Kauai yesterday with our negative test results in hand from CVS and found out we took the test one day to early! Has to be Test Day 72 hours before departure Not Test Results as it says on the website. We would not have received our test results till we were on the plane.( you would not know if your P/N) We have the option to stay here quarantined for 14 days in our condo or fly home. I am taking option “B” the two couples in line behind us took option “A“ till their test results come in. You get a QR code on your phone from the state website. You can not rent a car or get a room without it. Food has to be brought in, no going out at all. Police Random check on you. If your outside up to 5k fine and jail time. I wanted to have your back so be careful coming over. The approved testing places are almost at capacity (sound filmier). 22 years of travel around the world and this is the first bad trip ever. Respectfully G.
Hi George.
We’re sorry to hear how that worked out, and wish you’d have asked about it here earlier. The state’s official website (https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/getting-to-hawaii/) clearly says “The test will need to be taken no more than 72 hours before your flight departure time. If you have a multi-city flight itinerary, the departure time is from the last city you leave before arriving at a Hawai‘i airport (e.g. if your travel is from Chicago to Seattle to Honolulu, the departure time to look at is your flight from Seattle).”
Aloha.
Thank you George for your clarification regarding when to take the Covid test. I would appreciate a bit of clarification regarding multi leg trips. We plan on flying from Seattle to Honolulu – have a 2.5 hour layover before getting on our final leg to Kauai. We plan on taking the test on Wednesday around 2pm , We leave on Saturday morning with an arrival in HNL at 2pm. We board our flit to Kauai at 4:30pm with an arrival in Kauai at 5pm. Can we take our Covid test anytime on Wednesday or does it have to be exactly 72 hours or less which would require us to take the test on Thursday and hope to have the results back in time before we leave Seattle on Saturday. Can you please clarify if our thought process is correct? Thank you for your help.
Hi Bill.
It needs to be within 72 hours of your trans-Pacific flight.
Aloha.
Aloha,
If you are still waiting to receive your negative test result once you land in Hawaii, where are people quarantining if you are not allowed to rent a car or go to your hotel until you receive a QR code? Are visitors having to wait at the airport?
Thanks BOH for all the valuable information you provide. It’s much appreciated!
Mahalo nui loa!
Hi Mignon.
Probably best to hear from others who have had personal experience. We heard, for example, a quarantine facility was set up near Kapahi on Kauai.
Aloha.
Hi Mignon.
Thanks! We appreciate you being part of this and many comments over the past two years. Happy holidays.
Aloha.
Just returned from 9 days on Kauai. We wore masks everywhere including at the pool and beach. Very few locals especially in Hanalei wear masks. Their mask mandate isn’t being enforced on locals. They need to increase enforcement before it’s too late.
Thank you for your report. Would you please explain which cases are counted for the purpose of moving to the next tier? It seems to me that we should be already in tier 3 since we have 1-3 new cases on an almost daily basis. I am very confused.
Hi Gigi.
We feel the same way and have never seen that explained by the County. If anyone has, please let us know.
Aloha.
According to the County’s tiered system of reopening, Kauai will move into Tier 3 if the weekly average case count increases to two new cases per day.
Sorry to do it but cancelled my trip, Nov 18-Dec 3. Not willing to take the chance of getting results back in time or having to quarantine after spending that kind of money. Thanks for the updates.
Hi Julie.
You’re most welcome. We hope you can return again soon.
Aloha.