Kauai County mayor, Derek Kawakami, came forward yesterday with the next version of Kauai’s unique proposal towards reopening. Now up for debate is a four-tier plan based on the COVID risk assessment that visitors need to know about. Read on for our take on this controversial idea.
You’ll recall that the mayor previously called for a second mandatory test 72 hours after arrival and a quarantine period between arrival and negative results being obtained from that test. Thus visitors were being asked to spend 1/2 or more of a typical Kauai vacation in quarantine. The governor rejected that plan.
The current proposal is as follows:
Tier 4. That is where Kauai is at present in terms of virus count. It represents the lowest risk level when active cases of two or less have been the average over the past seven days. This tier permits mainland travelers to avoid the mandatory 14-day quarantine so long as they have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72-hours of mainland departure.
Tier 3. Being more restrictive, it limits the size of social gatherings when the average virus count is between two and four but still allows visitors to avoid quarantine.
Beat of Hawaii Viewpoint:
Our strong sense is that Kauai will open next Thursday, October 15, with the rest of the State of Hawaii. It is not clear whether or not Governor Ige would ultimately accept this or any proposal deviating from one encompassing all of the islands. Hawaii is too small, and it is not feasible for there to be a difference in rules when flying to any of the islands. Visitors are already exceedingly confused about the statewide plans and this can only exacerbate that frustration.
The very existence of this plan can’t help but further deter visitors from Kauai vacations. How can Garden Island-bound visitors safely plan, buy tickets, and pay for accommodations, etc., with any real prospect that between the time of their purchases and their actual arrival, they could become subject to an unacceptable 14-day quarantine?
Whether the governor will address this proposal directly at this time or not remains to be seen. We would be remiss to not at least mention that there may be as much at play politically here, all the way around, as there is a concern for safety.
According to Dr. Fauci, who had a conference this week with Lt. Governor Josh Green, “Hawaii can reopen but should do so carefully.” He understands the reopening anxiety residents feel on islands like Kauai where the infection rate is low. Fauci went on to say, “On the other hand, if you don’t open up, the economy is going to crash even more than it is crashing. You can’t throw caution to the wind when you open.”
That means in addition to the pre-travel testing, everyone needs to practice social distancing, wear a mask, and wash hands.
These restrictive policies will continue to destroy the tourism industry in Hawaii. The rest of the country is figuring out how to live with the virus while keeping businesses going. Hawaii better figure it out as well. Personally I have cancelled 3 planned trips to Kauai this year and will not be planning another until these ridiculous restrictions for pre trip testing and quarantining are lifted.
Open all islands now. No quarantine or test. Open all restaurants with employee wearing PPE. Or travel related business is wrecked. Ban travel from China.
Since I am tourist and not a residence, I understand my viewpoint is different from those who live there. My family has also rescheduled our plans multiple time, this last time for Christmas hoping that would be long enough for Kauai to form a safe return for tourism. And I know Alaska may not be as much of a tourism spot as Hawaii with a bit lower population, but they have had the 1 pretest in place and continue to have lower numbers and seem to have it in control. I do believe destination spots like Hawaii should have a pretest in place, as well as a limited capacity for flights and resorts to help keep some control as we navigate back to safer times. But to layer on more and more restrictions will continue to effect tourism. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the place is. Most people only get 1-3 weeks of vacation a year and can not spend even 3days in quarrantine waiting for a second test. So I’m sorry for the islanders that don’t agree, but the rest of the country is learning how to cope to regain the economy because this virus is not going away anytime soon.
And thank you to the Beat, I have been watching this website for the best up to dates.
Hi Lynde.
Thanks for your thoughts and kind words.
Aloha.
For safety please put a pre test and after arrival test for covin 19.
For all people!
Or quarantine for all people arriving on the islands.
I. In favor of 2 tests for ALL.
Thanks you
We spent last week in Frisco, TX at the pool in 85-degree weather. On Friday, we went and enjoyed Texas BBQ brisket and attended a high school football game. There is nothing like Friday Night Lights in Texas. Everybody that we met was using common sense on Covid-19. We never felt threatened. It ain’t Kauai, but you can still have a good time here on the mainland.
BOH coverage of this pandemic has been excellent. Mahalo.
Hi Curtis.
Glad things are going well. Thanks for your many comments and nice words.
Aloha.
This is the third time my family from the mainland have rearranged their travel plans to Kauai and they are due to arrive on the 28th Oct. The businesses on the island are gearing up for the 15th, do they have any redress if it is rescheduled again. Many having ordered perishable supplies and got staff back in for work. We have to open sometime as carefully as possible, perhaps antigen testing on landing would help.
What happens if the tier changes while you are there? Just shut the island down. No one will come under this system
Regardless if it’s more confusing or not it is the safest way of moving forward. LT.GOV. GREEN has made his motivations very clear in the last month and safety is not his or Caldwell’s first priority. I don’t think having different rules will be a deterrent honestly, Hawaii is such a special destination that the ppl who want to come will figure out what rules apply to which island and with the airlines allowing free rescheduling, there is no reason Kauai’s plan can’t be implemented.