In the never-ending Hawaii travel news cycle, here’s’ the latest.
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304 thoughts on “Updated | Kauai Now Proposes 4 Day Quarantine – Will You Bite?”
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In the never-ending Hawaii travel news cycle, here’s’ the latest.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Thank you for posting updates, we appreciate them. As much as we love Hawaii and it’s hospitality, it doesn’t appeal to us to pay a high price for serving a jail term aka quarantine. We cancelled our trip to Kauai and may choose to vacation there when things return to normal. We have to request time off from work way ahead of time, plan and book a vacation, which is not easy. When the uncertainty and cost are too high, it’s not worth it
I could do 4 days no problem. Could I do it at my timeshare, Lawai Beach Resort?
I was ready to book about 2 weeks ago then everything was changed.
As visitors we really need to know what’s going on so we can make plans please.
According to a statement from the county, you have to be staying at a bubble resort in order to qualify for the 3 day quarantine and second test. All other travelers, including returning residents, are subject to the 10 day quarantine. This is unfair to the county’s residents, creating greater burdens for them than those lucky enough to afford an expensive resort stay.
While I understand wanting travel to open safely, it seems that if a 3 day quarantine and second test is sufficient, it should not matter where you are staying. This request appears to be more about filling rooms at bubble resorts than about a fair and safe way to open to visitors. Rules should be made that benefit the entire island and all people fairly.
My thoughts exactly! This is arbitrary,discriminatory and unconstitutional. This new ruling isn’t based on science, and is once again catering to the hotel industry and the affluent. Clearly he is motivated by something other than trying to keep COVID numbers low…
Thank you for your always up to date information. For me;I am concerned how this change will be applied to interisland travel,residents. —thank you and have a relaxing;peaceful Christmas.
Hi Jeanne.
Thanks. We’ll see if we can get more clarification on that important aspect.
Aloha.
There is absolutely no chance I would put my family through this crap. February trip is officially canceled. It was a big enough hassle getting a Covid test before my last trip. The test cost nearly as much as the flight. Looks like the the other islands will be getting all the business. There will be zero recovery for Kauai with this policy.
We are supposed to go to Kauai June 2021. If we have to quarantine for any amount of time, we are going to cancel. We rented a vacation home and see no point in coming if we aren’t even allowed to quarantine there.
I do want to know, if we are vaccinated, can we skip a quarantine all together? At what point will you allow visitors again without making them quarantine… ?
Unfortunately, we would not be willing to spend thousands on plane tickets and then thousands more on hotel rooms just to sit in some “Quarantine Hotel” for three or 4 or more days. Although we understand the islands reluctance to open up while this covid thing is ongoing, we will just wait until the mashup of different rules and regulations gets put to bed and we are all able to just visit, without having to be imprisoned on an island. We hope the best for Kauai, and hope to return for our 12th Anniversary of getting married on that beautiful Island.
Aloha BOH,
My wife and I own a condo at Islander on the Beach in Kauai. Would we be able to stay in quarantine at our own property instead of an approved hotel? This is technically our own home and are the residents allowed to return from the mainland to their own homes without first going to a hotel?
Mahalo for all you do.
Hi Richard.
Thanks. So as not to provide incorrect information, we suggest you check with the county.
Aloha.
“Any quarantine is a non-starter…”
Oh well. COVID is exploding all over the mainland and on the Cancun area of MX (a place many who did not come to HI did go in the end.) Officials are begging people to stay home, don’t travel. So either get two tests and quarantine, or better yet, please stay home for now, because most of us do not welcome people coming here and potentially infecting more of us. It’s really not that difficult. This is a very poor time to travel, in general, in the entire world…not just to HI.
That’s pretty short sighted. Why not allow people to visit who test negative? It’s working on the other islands. What makes Kauai so special? Or afraid? We test negative, wear a mask and socially distance. I think you’ll be fine and people can get back to work. Seems like a decent plan.
My wife and I have switched to the USVI and their Safe Travel program and Portal worked quite well, enough so that we are going back in February which is generally when we go to our timeshare in the islands. Not worth the 15 hour flight as opposed to the 3+ hour flight and no quarantine if your test results come back negative before traveling.
Mike, with all respect, you can test negative 72 hours ahead of your flight and be exposed and contract the virus before arrival…in-flight, at the airport, and in your normal life activities before travel. The test is a snapshot in time.
What on God’s green earth is wrong with a two-test system – a pre-travel test and an on-airport rapid test – for all islands? The second test would essentially be three days or more after the first test. The proposed 4-day quarantine essentially means no visitors of any significance. I think it is time for BOH to explore whether Kawakami has another agenda that he is pursuing. Because the only rational explanation for his actions at most every turn since March is that the he wants to use this opportunity to severely curtail the visitor industry. Nothing he does even hints that he’s interested in finding a safe way to bring visitors back. His energy is entirely devoted to making sure they don’t. Sadly, he is getting his wish.
You asked…if I were planning a trip right now, just the thought of getting on a plane would probably make me cancel. If I could get over that, a second test and a 4 day quarantine at a lodging not of my choice , costing who knows what, would make me think that I had rocks in my head for even considering this.
No travel, no where for us until we all are vaccinated. The numbers don’t lie- this virus is a killer.
Thank you! We look forward to welcoming you back when we can all be safe together.
Would you all do me a favor? Everyone write to governor Ige? He needs to see your comments. You can to to Hawaii.gov and find his comment section. He needs to know how everyone feels. Do it tonight please. Thanks for listening.
Hi Joan.
Good idea. We can also assure you that county and state officials see Beat of Hawaii comments. As do the airlines and other Hawaii travel stakeholders.
Aloha.
Aloha,
With 5 people in the family, we will wait until the testing and quarantine conditions end. We have been told the fire code prohibits more than 4 people to occupy a hotel room. Guessing we would have to book 2 quarantine rooms or upgrade to an expensive suite. All of of this is a big ask by government to visitors.
There are still too many variables/delays in getting the timing of taking the test/getting the results to the right authorities in a timely fashion. Visitors could do everything right only to have technology fail them. Labs are doing the very best they can but in the end there are only so many hours in the day.
As our family grew, we switched to condo stays and it turned out to be economical to cook/eat in to make the extra costs of flights workable. We take a vacation every other year and we are not willing to spend time in lock-down with our vacation time/dollars.
DC and NY have similar testing/quarantine requirements–we will not be traveling there, either. Unfortunately for 2 of our kids, their DC school trip which we paid for pre-covid will likely get cancelled or maybe rescheduled as it’s not feasible to quarantine kids and see DC sights in a short time frame.
If testing/quarantining become a new travel requirement, sadly there will be places we cross off the list to see.
Praying for everyone’s good health and happiness in the new year.
Thank you for the timely updates!
Hi Olga.
Thanks for the feedback and for your other comments.
Aloha.
quarantines? Just say no. Quarantines have consequences. Vacations matter.
Aloha Guys,
I’m almost 💯% sure that, with an average vacation to Hawaii being only 7 days (because it’s what middle class people can barely afford), the vast majority will not come to Hawaii, if they have to do any quarantine at all.
Being a part time resident, coming for 1-2 months at a time, I wouldn’t even do a long term quarantine (7 days is too long). I might go to my home island, if I had to do a couple days of quarantine, but I definitely would not come to Kauai, for any quarantine period, if I am forced to isolate in a hotel room and not be able to rent a car. I’d rather go somewhere else for a vacation, if I’m coming to Kauai..of course also grabbing a coffee and talking story with you two, and hopefully that day will be sooner than later.
As usual Rob and Jeff, Mahalo for the provoking thought and up-to-date information.
Hi Jim.
Thanks for being part of this with nearly 200 comments!
Aloha.
I would be open to a 4 day quarantine but not if I can’t select where I’m staying. If you want my tourism dollars, you need to be more flexible.
When Hawaii’s government gets it right, I’ll return. Until then, plenty of other very nice places get my tourist dollars. I’ve got all the time in the world to wait.
The potential of Any Kind of quarantine is what keeps my travel plans 50% confirmed. We are scheduled for 24 days in February on the Big Island. At this time this is the hoops we are going through:
1) Fly to Oakland on Saturday to get our testing done (2 stay in a hotel for 2 nights as our Kona flight leaves Monday afternoon 3) cost of rental car in Oakland to try and see something while we are there — if anything is open? There are other steps but I’m not disclosing those.
Then the fear of arriving in Kona and a positive test appears somehow? These quarantine hotels? I’m not paying for accommodations when I’ve paid for my timeshare. I’ll sleep on the lawn at the airport!!! Oh, and what happens to my rental car?
I have the luxury of making a final decision about 10 days before we travel. But this is one heck of a lot of stress for a vacation.
I expect there will be some kind of change in the program in January. I am not that excited about coming only because I’m so afraid of one of the pieces of this travel puzzle falling out of place.
I did just get a new hot tub but using it in 40 degree weather does not compare to 85 degrees and a beach in Hawaii!!
Not much of anything to do or see in Oakland right now. All restaurants are closed to indoor and outdoor dinning- take away only. Museums and other indoor amusements closed.
I’m so sad for Kauai residents. I know there is fear but my goodness killing off businesses is surely misguided. We were there first week of November but will not be coming back until these crazy travel restrictions cease! Not willing to give up vacation days to stay in quarantine. Too bad for Kauai since other islands are not as restrictive.
We have airfare and Grand Hyatt Kauai booked for June for eight nights. We would not go if a quarantine is in effect then. Been hoping vaccines will be generally available by May. Seems optimistic, unfortunately. Mahalo.
Unfortunately, I think it is a bit to late in the game for Kauai this season. People have made other plans or ditched the ones they had. Until things stabilize for Kauai, it is to volatile .
I hope the local people can make it then this.
Thanks so much for the updates! Please continue the good work! My husband and I have plans to go to the Big Island in March. Our COVID test is set up through a trusted partner the proper time (one that promises next-day results), so that when we arrive, we do not have to quarantine at all. We would never go to any place that would make us quarantine for even a single day–much less half our vacation–so Kauai is out for us! If things change and the BI starts making people quarantine regardless of test results, we will be cancelling our plans! (I watch this site and other HI news sites like a hawk!) The only people this quarantine rule could possibly work for are those who are returning to live there or plan to stay for an extended period of time.
Hi Maranda.
Thanks for the feedback and sharing your BI plans.
Aloha.
We are planning the Big Island for 24 days in February/March. You simply can’t vacation there without a car and I fear we would be ripped off making a new last minute reservation. And if you get that negative test and then test in Kona and don’t pass, then what?
The testing and quarantine situation in Hawaii is so confusing and changing that the only thing that one can be sure of is staying home and not going until the vaccine is admistered to enough people so we can go to Hawaii in 202_ like we did in 2019. Travel is supposed to be enjoyable, fun, and unstressful not a bunch of rules to remember, keep up with the changes, making sure to follow the current ones. I retired to enjoy myself and not have to jump through hoops anymore. If I wanted a job I would go back to work.
This is getting more confusing and irritating by the minute.
Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka all! Will I bite?!? Not a chance! Unfortunately these quarantine rules seem to change by the minute not even by the day! We will just wait it out and hope to get back to the beloved islands…maybe 2022!
Mahalo for doing your best to keep us informed.
Hi Tea.
Thanks for the feedback and dozens of other comments.
Aloha.
Crazy nuts mayor. Not interested in spending half my vacation in a hotel forced upon us – which means we’d probably be paying for the quarantine hotel, plus wherever we originally booked. Why on earth would people pay money to do this? I just hope someone knocks some sense into them before June when we are now scheduled after changing 3 previous times.
A Government Mandated four day Prison Stay sounds so much better? Really? Why would ya??? The Mayor & Governor have changed the rules so many times without notice, so what’s going to be different this time?
It’s a travesty what they’ve done to the wonderful peoples of Hawaii. The worst is yet to come when the government coffers run dry. Missing a years worth of the various taxes from the travel industry such as airport fees, rental car fees, vacation rentals tax, property tax, excise tax will all ripple throughout the state. Peoples lives have been ruined and there won’t be revenue to sustain the expected level of “free” government provided services. There won’t be any funding for already neglected infrastructure.
What a mess. You get the government you deserve. Such a travesty.
Please, Too many chiefs!!! bob
Maybe the residents of Kaua’i should recall the mayor and replace him with someone that is going to help the residents and not someone who is trying to make himself only look good? Just saying
Nope
Aloha,
Absolutely not would we travel to quarantine for any length of time.
Add the fact that this changes almost daily it seems! We had a scheduled trip January/February but the stress of traveling with all the unknowns we have canceled.
Thank you for all of these updates. It has been extremely helpful.
Hi Darla.
Thanks for letting us know.
Aloha.
I’d pass on this. Not worth spending 3 days locked in a room.
We have timeshares in Princeville for which we already pay through maintence fees. Paying more for alternate housing makes no sense, even though we usually stay for 2 weeks. The cost to stay in a hotel is very high compared to our timeshare. This quarantine plan is not really any better than previous ones. Our usual fall trip was moved to Maui. We do not plan on going back to Kauai until next fall at the earliest. Hopefully the vaccine will have all of this resolved by then. We still love going to the islands but sorry to avoid our first love of Kausi.
Kauai and to be honest the whole Hawaii “roller coaster” has ended any plans for a return to the islands until all are vaccinated and things have stabilized. I learned as an 18 year old in the very early 70s while on tour of SE Asia compliments of the U.S. Army that whatever I cannot control is out of my control and therefore, not to waste any life energy. We have rescheduled our trip twice (and cancelled twice) and now will simply wait until good vibes return. Safe and healthy New Year to All….Cheers.
I cannot imagine how the business owners, the people of Hawaii and tourist are able to make a living and visit when you have indecisive leaders like this. This is 2020 good grief make a decision and stick to it. Is it really that hard? We were planning on a 1-2 month visit this year but opted out since the rules change daily and we have had enough stress this year without adding the ever changing guidelines. If you have a negative test then you should be free to move about the island as you wish. Why would someone want to spend 4 days in quarantine with a negative test??
Kinda like DC- can’t make a decision- we just canceled our 30 days- thanks for nothing
There aren’t very many people that would spend all the money you need for a Hawaii vacation and go thru a required quarantine and this kind of uncertainty. It’s hard to believe all the changes leadership has put residents and potential visitors through.
NO to quarantine
I would rather test and go to Maui, even a ten day vacation who’s going to want 4 days quarantine and then go take another test on 5th day too much wasted time…🙄😥
I’ll test and go to Maui!
Just came back from Maui had a great time…
Well I think that most visitors are going to wait until there is a final plan in place. I have a trip scheduled for end of Feb and beginning of March. I as just patiently waiting for all the particulars are ironed out so that we can come to be with ohana with no restrictions. I have faith that it will soon be agreed on for the health of the Kauaiian residents. Thank you and stay hopeful and calm.