89 thoughts on “Kauai Proffers Its Own Reopening Plans, But Not So Fast…”
Joan P.
Aloha
Realy appreciate what you’re trying to do here! Do you happen to know what set of rules apply if you have to change planes in Honolulu for final destination on Kauai or the big island?
Thank you so much!
aloha, being a resident on kaua’i, I can relate to mayor kawakami’s hesitance. He is only doing what he feels will keep the people of kaua’i safe. We live in Hawaii, we have our own eco system, fresh water and most of us do not live in high rise’s. We aren’t dependant upon the mainland, not really…is it worth it? Money before lives? Without lives, there’s no one to make the money! Come on hawai’i, when did you lose your aloha? thank you?
Granted your target market is the average tourist who wishes to visit “Hawaii” and you have no financial incentive to present the “other side of the story”. But I like to believe most of your readers do care about their impact on our residents. What you promote, ie free access to “Hawaii” is feasible for Oahu and only Oahu. They have the medical facilities to be able to react quickly to a virus surge. The neighbor islands do not. By misrepresenting our limited ability to protect our vulnerable citizens on the neighbor islands, you are doing a disservice to your readers and to us.
Wow, Hawaii is finally getting their act together. The Big Island will have a second test at the airport upon arrival 15/45 minutes more time at the airport for incoming tourist. Looks like all other islands will follow also. The arrival test will be paid for by cares monies. so it should be free. The pre-arrival test is paid for by the visitor.
Mahalo Guys
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for this update. I have watched the mayor’s video from October 9 however it was a bit confusing about how the number of cases would be measured. Is this the number of cumulative active cases, that is the number of people current tested positive – 1 each day for a week so for a measure of 7 ? Or is it the number of new cases each day, that is 1 each day for a week and so a measure of 1 ? I would think it is the former but the health director’s explanation made me think it was the latter.
I also think that strong persuasion for a second test after 3 days is a great idea. Hopefully what is meant by signing up industry partners means something like tour companies won’t let you join without the second test.
I think that the biggest risks are going to be visitors bringing certain mainland attitudes to the island. I hope there will very strong enforcement of wearing of masks and social distancing. And perhaps the airlines can play a video explaining this and the fact that there are 7 ICU beds or something like that and you really don’t want to get sick on the island.
We all certainly understand the need to contain this virus. As for travel is concerned – we are planning on traveling December 9-16 to Kauai – changing planes in Oahu only. I’m afraid the tiers could change while we are already there – in essence locking us in our hotel until we depart. I can imagine if we purchased any activities getting refunds would be a challenge as well. Praying for a safe solution in the next month!
My husband and I have been coming to Hawaii since 1994. We have great respect and love for Hawaii, its people and culture. We are scheduled to come to Kauai on 10/30 for five weeks. I am happy to take covid tests, as many as necessary, but of course, they are only point in time tests. But, in my opinion, mask wearing and social distancing is the key, along with frequent hand washing. Many people just don’t do these things as a regular routine.
But, right now, I’m worried about the reception we will get from the local residents. Do you really not want us there? I don’t want to be where I’m not welcomed. This is important for us to know. Thanks for all your information and assistance.
There haven’t been visitors here for a long time. How that will all work out is totally unclear, but our sense is that you will be fine and welcomed. It isn’t the same world it was when you were last here obviously.
I hate to say this but for whatever it’s worth, I did have the experience of mentioning to a couple of locals in a park pavilion here that I had just returned from a same day medical appointment on Oahu. They have me major stink eye and immediately stood up and left. It was one of the most ignorant responses to anything that I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, I don’t think most will react negatively, but I do find that some of the less ignorant people here still basically share that attitude. I would recommend keeping the non local talk low key until you vibe out the mindset of whomever you are talking to a little. Hope it goes well for you. Aloha and mahalo. Brent
Thank you for your comments. I’m relieved to know that we will find open and friendly locals! I agree that visitors who are rude and obnoxious can lead to negative views. There are always a few. We are not among that group. Deep respect for Hawaii.
Aloha Brenda H, my sister in law is also a Brenda H and they live in Oregon. Speaking for myself, and my family… Attitudes are great, there is no resentment towards our visitors. However, negativity brought to the islands is never received well! If we all keep in mind that we are in this together, and that only together, will we be able to conquer it.
Kawakami has political ambitions and, being born and raised rich (his family was the owners of Big Save supermarkets here on Kauai prior to selling out to the Times), he has no instinctual empathy for the effects of restrictions. This is a perfect example. Four tiered systems are typically created when, as with Oahu currently, one is at the beginning tier 1, not already at the end tier 4, as is Kauai. The guy lives to make rules that he believes will curry favor for his political future. Unfortunately, like the vast majority of politicians, he doesn’t have any real understanding of the issues on his own. This allows for acts like our totally pointless curfew a while bac, when they tried to force me into an internment camp concentrated together with all the other homeless, for the safety of the decent members of our citizenry. Now this nonsense. He is simply determined to find some way to out restrict Ige to impress all the braindead, frightened, rules followers in his electorate. It has nothing to do with actual protection or even with legitimate virology. Thank you.
You are very right. I think Kawakami’s political ambitions and insulation from having to earn a living make him come up with all these hare brain ideas.I have been through 3 quarantines in Kauai April 1 through August 10th. During these visits I found out that 1) there are exempted individuals (e.g. all airline crews and construction workers commuting from Oahu and probably many others 2) any resident coming back quarantines at his or his relatives home where he has ample contact with them and the relatives can become the spreaders ( indeed this was how the largest number of Covid cases came into being on Kauai. As to visitors: way at the beginning ( March) there was one case at Mariott and none later. He is trying to get brownie points by blaming visitors. I have visited Kauai on the average 3 to 4 times a year since 1986 and my observation is that Kauai tourists are usually families who are very well behaved and respectful of both the locals and the environment and most of them are return visitors not interested in going to the other islands. Whenever I see a mess or a very noisy gathering at Poipu Beach it is from a local event and not from the tourists. I think if Kawakami has the guts he should come out and say I am closing the Island no matter what the governor says and I will deal with the exploding poverty of those who work in the tourist industry.
Thank you so much for providing all the updates in such a timely manner! Your site is the only Hawaii travel info site I use for up-to-date information.
Can you please explain your POV when asking “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?” Shouldn’t potential visitors who are traveling on vacation during a deadly pandemic have an understanding that this is a very real possibility no matter what today’s mandate is. If the numbers blow up a 14-day quarantine will kick back in, that is a reality. People traveling anywhere for vacation (vs business or family) during a deadly pandemic seems nuts to me. I understand “wanting” to leave it all behind, but this adds challenge to the lives of those at your destination area who now are responsible for you. If you were to come down with COVID as a result of riding on a plane with one or two or ten who perhaps already had the virus, you may require an ICU bed or Ventilator to save your life, but that is in very short supply (using Kauai as an example 9 for 70k+ residents). Traveling to destinations that are challenged by a shortage of health care just doesn’t seem like a win for anyone. Relating to any kind of travel guarantee…you simply aren’t going to get one, unless you can buy travel insurance. Do they still offer this during COVID?
Amen, we’ve been visiting for 25 years, but if there a chance we could end up spending half of our vacation stuck in our hotel room we’d rather stay home and watch it snow. It costs a lot to visit and 9 hours in the air wearing a mask, plus 4 hours in various airports, normally all worth it, but not to sit in a room you can’t leave only to have real expensive takeout delivered and everyone upset you’re there. Especially when you paid to have a negative covid test before you came and practiced safe guidelines for months to stay safe so you would remain negative! Mahalo!
This new plan is pure insanity. As you said, “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?” Four confirmed cases would trigger the 14 day quarantine. No one is going to take that risk. This will effectively keep the island closed and businesses will continue to suffer.
Although Hawai’i is a small state the difference between Oahu and the neighbor islands is dramatic. Honolulu is a large international city with extensive medical resources. If you fall ill to a complex medical condition on a neighbor island it is standard procedure to transfer to either Oahu or a mainland hospital (if you have health care insurance). Opening up Oahu does not represent a major risks to Oahu residents as they have the medical resources to handle a surge in infections. Kauai does not. Dr Fauci clearly stated a second test was far superior to the Governor’s plan….which is obvious to everyone. Kauai has the second tests in hand and ready to distribute. Finally Kauai is in the process of changing marketing to pursue visitors who will stay longer and participate more fully in our environmental culture. Oahu and Maui are better organized to service the volume tourist trade. The Governor’s plan may be good for Oahu but represents a significant risk to neighbor island residents.
Since Kauai has acquired 15,000 test kits, why not offer a second test on a VOLUNTARY basis to arriving travelers at Lihue airport? They could be asked to observe strict social distancing and minimize contact with anyone else (but not be placed in quarantine) until they have the test results. If I were visiting Kauai from the mainland after the last 6-7 months of the pandemic, I would definitely do it, and I am sure that others would readily volunteer. The test could be free or at a nominal charge ($5-$15?) The voluntary test would serve 3 purposes: (1) it would reassure the traveler that he/she/they didn’t pick up the virus in the 72 hours since their pre-test, and (2) it would reassure local residents and other visitors to the island that there would be a greater chance of containing the virus; (3) it would give some predictability instead of the on-again off-again roller-coaster of ideas that have recently been floated. Most visitors to Kauai that I have come into contact with are very respectful and appreciative of the environment and the local culture. Why not place some trust in visitors instead of herding them like cattle to isolate in a hotel or resort for quarantine? Kauai desperately needs an economic stimulus – better from visitors than rely on federal aid.
Update: I submitted the comment about voluntary testing before I listened to Mayor Kawakami’s video briefing for today Oct 9th. Kauai is , in fact, going to ask arriving travelers to take a voluntary test – but 3 days after they arrive, not at the airport.
We (9 of us) have not cancelled our thanksgiving week trip with the hope a test will be easily available at a low or free rate. We are flying different airlines which adds to the confusion and some of us will be on Oahu a few days before flying to Maui so the inter island travel needs to be very clear. If we hadn’t already paid for this trip and accommodations we surely would not be going. The stress is just too much!
Had Hawaii’s so-called leaders been governing Great Britain in 1940, the entire country would be speaking German right now! Good freaking grief! Does any of these cowards know how many businesses, employees, and locals lives have been ruined over this cowardice.
I am sorry to be rude, but this is absolutely absurd! Tourist, testing negative are not the problem, and the problem is not nearly as severe as these fools imagine!
Dr.Char, our new Hawaii State Director of Health “One question is how many people who are carrying the virus will test negative. Char said studies indicate the planned test will catch between 20% to 80% of cases.” At least she is honest. A second test is essential for the health and safety of residents. Neighbor islands have very limited medical facilities – and we are isolated with no neighboring state to assist.
The consequences of opening without further testing is almost certainly going to lead to a dual disaster: deaths of both residents and visitors, and a prolonged shutdown.
Kauai has essentially no virus among residents and are mostly adhering to the mask mandate. Since the majority of the risk is from the visitors, why not insist on 100% mask adherence from them in order to keep tourism open and our residents safe? Kauai could impose a $500 fine for any visitor caught in public not wearing a mask. Have them sign a statement on their entry form acknowledging this and also have nice Hawaiian print cloth masks available to them at the airport (handed out like we used to give leis)?
Mask adherence is 64% on Kauai, the highest compliance rate in the state per the Governor’s office. A second test is a far superior method to the requiring our 42 police officers to chase thousands of residents and tourists every day to enforce their wherein of masks.
Yes, but the threat of $500 will make a big difference and the residents mostly comply and aren’t the problem (unless we have a spike which we can prevent if we’re smart about reopening). Tourists are in predictable locations as well. Having a mandatory quarantine while waiting for a second test doesn’t bring tourism back since most won’t come.
Mayor Kawakami is a politician and politicians are great at playing both sides of the fence. This goes back to my belief that none of Hawaii’s mayors want blood on their hands do to reopening.
The island will reopen to tourist, but the covid thresh hold bar is so low that Kauai will go back to mandatory 14 day quarantine within a short period of time. I’m thinking 30 to 45 days.
Then the ball’s in the Governors court if he forces Kauai to remain open then covid deaths will be on his hands.
Mayor Kawakami will then say I tried and get off scott free.
Agee. He knows his political career depends on residents voting not visitors. When the virus rate skyrockets he will go back to 14 quarantine and the Governor will take the blame (as he should).
I feel like a yo yo. Go, no go, go, no go… Made direct flight reservations on United for December 3rd to visit my condo on Kaua’i and am glad that I can put the flight on hold if the Mayor decides to shut it all down again. Thank you United Airlines for helping us travelers out.
If any of the mayors would like to put more restrictions up, I hope that the Governor’s first question back to them is “so how are you addressing the long term unemployed from the tourism industry that you are still keeping shut down due to your policies?”
If they have an answer to that, I have yet to hear of it.
In view of the different 11th hour reopening plans being presented by various island Mayors, I’ll bet visitors that may have already been on the fence about chancing a visit to Hawaii are probably deciding to pass. Hawaii has been in a constant state of turmoil since the onset of Covid. Visitors are already extremely weary about returning. Governor Ige has been totally inept the entire time and now the Mayors of neighboring islands have decided to throw additional gasoline on the already out of control fire. The proposals I have read about are no better than the original 14 day quarantine. Throughout this pandemic I’ve gotten the impression that those governing the islands would like nothing more than to keep the islands locked down until Covid is wiped from the face of the earth. Which … short of a miracle, isn’t going to happen. Are these lawmakers hell-bent on keeping the pedal to the metal until the islands are completely destroyed and visitors have no desire to return?
It’s very hard to imagine that the elected democrat officials could possibly be this stupid!
All I can say is God help the people of Hawaii. Hopefully they will give serious thought to who they vote into an elected office from this point on.
Aloha & Mahalo
TJ
Praying for my Hawaiian brothers and sisters for a safe opening – and hoping for good fortunes. We had to cancel our trip this past summer, but are now planning on visiting next summer.
Can you please update us Canadian Travellers as to Covid Test requirements when flying from Canada — I haven’t booked flights yet but have condo reservations for Dec 31 to hope to avoid quarantine. Thanks so much. Don
What others have said is that they are transiting via the US in order to obtain testing. We don’t know if mail in testing would work in time as a viable alternative. The state must be working on something for Canada soon, we hope.
Mahalo!
So here’s what can happen under the mayor’s rule. Think about it based on the clusters on the island in the past. Dad comes home and gets sick. Mom, brother, sister and auntie who visited recently test positive. Family of 5 now tests positive. Shut down the entire island. That will happen. One family no matter where they got it, complete shutdown. Is that an alternative for you? Would you book a trip to Hawaii in 2 months knowing that? Thats what I thought.
Aloha!
Once travel resumes, flight schedules will be dictated by demand. So we don’t know what that will be and frankly neither do the airlines. No, masks aren’t required at the beach.
Mayor Kawakami – or perhaps it should be Kamikaze as he’s essentially committing political suicide with these over the top, one-off requested restrictions – needs to realize that while there is risk in opening up and having cases increase, there is greater risk in there being no available income for a large majority of that island. Kauai is heavily dependent upon tourism and without it, the people there are suffering. For the love of everything holy, stop the madness.
Please use some common sense and look to the other tourist areas of the world that have safely and successfully opened up. Some without ANY pre-travel test requirements. Please stop the bleeding that you’re inflicting upon those that you’ve sworn to serve and should have THEIR best interest in mind. Not yours.
We’ve gambled and kept our reservations for 10/20-29 to come and enjoy Kauai. Hoping to be able to enjoy and spend money liberally to help the locals there. We’ll see if the gamble pays off.
The mayor and the county government are not worried about the economy. Their jobs are safe….I have not heard about
reductions in staff or salaries.
Total, perfect safety is a pipe dream unless you turn Kauai into a modern day version of the Molokai Leper Colony.
By all means continue the wearing of masks, social distancing etc.
None of the mainland states have instituted such drastic measures and yes they have Covid cases but they are dealing with
as best they can, not expecting perfection.
Waiting for a vaccine is fool’s gold. It will not be available in the near future and it will not be 100% effective.
We all need to learn to live with this disease (we have learned to live with the Flu) and mitigate it’s impact without completely
devastating the economy.
Mayor Kawakami needs to wake up and address the current economic condition of the island.
Hoping for a brighter future for this beautiful island and it’s people .
I agree with you, Nate B. Political suicide is a realty now for our Mayor. I’m surely not inclined to vote him back in after putting so many out of business.
A vast majority of Kauai residents support our mayor. A two step testing plan has been developed and funded. Visitors who do not wish to take a second yeast after traveling through multiple virus hot spots included airports, planes, mainland restaurants should visit Oahu. Their beaches are spectacular.
With each day comes a new plan. Travelers cannot plan a visit under these circumstances. I’m really sorry that we already committed to airline and accommodation payments for March, because I cannot be sure that trip will really happen. Somebody there needs to clear the lines of communication between Gov and Mayors, and get a plan that travelers can count on. As Dr. Fauci says, open up carefully or your economy will crash. What a mess. Thanks BOH for keeping us up to date.
Aloha-I agree with LG Green. If you don’t want to open say so. This plan is worse than any before. At least with previous ideas, and even a 14-day quarantine you know what you are getting into ahead of time. We have postponed until April. I hope they get it figured out by then.
Aloha
Realy appreciate what you’re trying to do here! Do you happen to know what set of rules apply if you have to change planes in Honolulu for final destination on Kauai or the big island?
Thank you so much!
Hi Joan.
Thanks. Yes, you will be fine changing planes in Honolulu. It won’t be subject to quarantine as long as you have a negative test.
Aloha.
aloha, being a resident on kaua’i, I can relate to mayor kawakami’s hesitance. He is only doing what he feels will keep the people of kaua’i safe. We live in Hawaii, we have our own eco system, fresh water and most of us do not live in high rise’s. We aren’t dependant upon the mainland, not really…is it worth it? Money before lives? Without lives, there’s no one to make the money! Come on hawai’i, when did you lose your aloha? thank you?
Granted your target market is the average tourist who wishes to visit “Hawaii” and you have no financial incentive to present the “other side of the story”. But I like to believe most of your readers do care about their impact on our residents. What you promote, ie free access to “Hawaii” is feasible for Oahu and only Oahu. They have the medical facilities to be able to react quickly to a virus surge. The neighbor islands do not. By misrepresenting our limited ability to protect our vulnerable citizens on the neighbor islands, you are doing a disservice to your readers and to us.
Looking forward to visiting this beautiful island paradise while following the CDC guidelines. Common sense should be exercised by all parties
Wow, Hawaii is finally getting their act together. The Big Island will have a second test at the airport upon arrival 15/45 minutes more time at the airport for incoming tourist. Looks like all other islands will follow also. The arrival test will be paid for by cares monies. so it should be free. The pre-arrival test is paid for by the visitor.
Mahalo Guys
Hi Roy.
We should hear what is finalized perhaps Monday, from the governor.
Aloha.
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for this update. I have watched the mayor’s video from October 9 however it was a bit confusing about how the number of cases would be measured. Is this the number of cumulative active cases, that is the number of people current tested positive – 1 each day for a week so for a measure of 7 ? Or is it the number of new cases each day, that is 1 each day for a week and so a measure of 1 ? I would think it is the former but the health director’s explanation made me think it was the latter.
I also think that strong persuasion for a second test after 3 days is a great idea. Hopefully what is meant by signing up industry partners means something like tour companies won’t let you join without the second test.
I think that the biggest risks are going to be visitors bringing certain mainland attitudes to the island. I hope there will very strong enforcement of wearing of masks and social distancing. And perhaps the airlines can play a video explaining this and the fact that there are 7 ICU beds or something like that and you really don’t want to get sick on the island.
Hi AW.
We don’t know the answer to that. Thanks.
Aloha.
Do you have any idea about the Big Islands plan? Is Mayor Kim on board with the Governor’s plan or opting out.
Aloha,
We all certainly understand the need to contain this virus. As for travel is concerned – we are planning on traveling December 9-16 to Kauai – changing planes in Oahu only. I’m afraid the tiers could change while we are already there – in essence locking us in our hotel until we depart. I can imagine if we purchased any activities getting refunds would be a challenge as well. Praying for a safe solution in the next month!
Thank you..
Thank you.
Succinctly put.
🤙🏼🏝😎
Watching your updates closely as we plan to visit Kauai in January. Thank you. ….fingers crossed.
Hi CHristie.
Thanks. We’ll continue to update this as it evolves.
Aloha
My husband and I have been coming to Hawaii since 1994. We have great respect and love for Hawaii, its people and culture. We are scheduled to come to Kauai on 10/30 for five weeks. I am happy to take covid tests, as many as necessary, but of course, they are only point in time tests. But, in my opinion, mask wearing and social distancing is the key, along with frequent hand washing. Many people just don’t do these things as a regular routine.
But, right now, I’m worried about the reception we will get from the local residents. Do you really not want us there? I don’t want to be where I’m not welcomed. This is important for us to know. Thanks for all your information and assistance.
Hi Brenda.
There haven’t been visitors here for a long time. How that will all work out is totally unclear, but our sense is that you will be fine and welcomed. It isn’t the same world it was when you were last here obviously.
Aloha
I hate to say this but for whatever it’s worth, I did have the experience of mentioning to a couple of locals in a park pavilion here that I had just returned from a same day medical appointment on Oahu. They have me major stink eye and immediately stood up and left. It was one of the most ignorant responses to anything that I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, I don’t think most will react negatively, but I do find that some of the less ignorant people here still basically share that attitude. I would recommend keeping the non local talk low key until you vibe out the mindset of whomever you are talking to a little. Hope it goes well for you. Aloha and mahalo. Brent
Hi Brent.
Thanks for your insightful comments.
Aloha.
Janice H.
Thank you for your comments. I’m relieved to know that we will find open and friendly locals! I agree that visitors who are rude and obnoxious can lead to negative views. There are always a few. We are not among that group. Deep respect for Hawaii.
Mahalo and Aloha
Aloha Brenda H, my sister in law is also a Brenda H and they live in Oregon. Speaking for myself, and my family… Attitudes are great, there is no resentment towards our visitors. However, negativity brought to the islands is never received well! If we all keep in mind that we are in this together, and that only together, will we be able to conquer it.
Kawakami has political ambitions and, being born and raised rich (his family was the owners of Big Save supermarkets here on Kauai prior to selling out to the Times), he has no instinctual empathy for the effects of restrictions. This is a perfect example. Four tiered systems are typically created when, as with Oahu currently, one is at the beginning tier 1, not already at the end tier 4, as is Kauai. The guy lives to make rules that he believes will curry favor for his political future. Unfortunately, like the vast majority of politicians, he doesn’t have any real understanding of the issues on his own. This allows for acts like our totally pointless curfew a while bac, when they tried to force me into an internment camp concentrated together with all the other homeless, for the safety of the decent members of our citizenry. Now this nonsense. He is simply determined to find some way to out restrict Ige to impress all the braindead, frightened, rules followers in his electorate. It has nothing to do with actual protection or even with legitimate virology. Thank you.
You are very right. I think Kawakami’s political ambitions and insulation from having to earn a living make him come up with all these hare brain ideas.I have been through 3 quarantines in Kauai April 1 through August 10th. During these visits I found out that 1) there are exempted individuals (e.g. all airline crews and construction workers commuting from Oahu and probably many others 2) any resident coming back quarantines at his or his relatives home where he has ample contact with them and the relatives can become the spreaders ( indeed this was how the largest number of Covid cases came into being on Kauai. As to visitors: way at the beginning ( March) there was one case at Mariott and none later. He is trying to get brownie points by blaming visitors. I have visited Kauai on the average 3 to 4 times a year since 1986 and my observation is that Kauai tourists are usually families who are very well behaved and respectful of both the locals and the environment and most of them are return visitors not interested in going to the other islands. Whenever I see a mess or a very noisy gathering at Poipu Beach it is from a local event and not from the tourists. I think if Kawakami has the guts he should come out and say I am closing the Island no matter what the governor says and I will deal with the exploding poverty of those who work in the tourist industry.
Thank you so much for providing all the updates in such a timely manner! Your site is the only Hawaii travel info site I use for up-to-date information.
Hi Alex.
Thanks for saying that.
Aloha.
Can you please explain your POV when asking “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?” Shouldn’t potential visitors who are traveling on vacation during a deadly pandemic have an understanding that this is a very real possibility no matter what today’s mandate is. If the numbers blow up a 14-day quarantine will kick back in, that is a reality. People traveling anywhere for vacation (vs business or family) during a deadly pandemic seems nuts to me. I understand “wanting” to leave it all behind, but this adds challenge to the lives of those at your destination area who now are responsible for you. If you were to come down with COVID as a result of riding on a plane with one or two or ten who perhaps already had the virus, you may require an ICU bed or Ventilator to save your life, but that is in very short supply (using Kauai as an example 9 for 70k+ residents). Traveling to destinations that are challenged by a shortage of health care just doesn’t seem like a win for anyone. Relating to any kind of travel guarantee…you simply aren’t going to get one, unless you can buy travel insurance. Do they still offer this during COVID?
Hi Jill.
Yes, you can still buy travel insurance, and cancel for any reason option provides the most flexibility.
Visitors just will not come with either a quarantine possibility, be it short or long, or separate rules by island.
Aloha.
Amen, we’ve been visiting for 25 years, but if there a chance we could end up spending half of our vacation stuck in our hotel room we’d rather stay home and watch it snow. It costs a lot to visit and 9 hours in the air wearing a mask, plus 4 hours in various airports, normally all worth it, but not to sit in a room you can’t leave only to have real expensive takeout delivered and everyone upset you’re there. Especially when you paid to have a negative covid test before you came and practiced safe guidelines for months to stay safe so you would remain negative! Mahalo!
Kauai should not open.
thanks
This new plan is pure insanity. As you said, “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?” Four confirmed cases would trigger the 14 day quarantine. No one is going to take that risk. This will effectively keep the island closed and businesses will continue to suffer.
Although Hawai’i is a small state the difference between Oahu and the neighbor islands is dramatic. Honolulu is a large international city with extensive medical resources. If you fall ill to a complex medical condition on a neighbor island it is standard procedure to transfer to either Oahu or a mainland hospital (if you have health care insurance). Opening up Oahu does not represent a major risks to Oahu residents as they have the medical resources to handle a surge in infections. Kauai does not. Dr Fauci clearly stated a second test was far superior to the Governor’s plan….which is obvious to everyone. Kauai has the second tests in hand and ready to distribute. Finally Kauai is in the process of changing marketing to pursue visitors who will stay longer and participate more fully in our environmental culture. Oahu and Maui are better organized to service the volume tourist trade. The Governor’s plan may be good for Oahu but represents a significant risk to neighbor island residents.
Succinctly put.
🤙🏼🏝😎
Mark W., couldn’t have stated the dilemma facing the neighbor islands better myself…mahalo
Since Kauai has acquired 15,000 test kits, why not offer a second test on a VOLUNTARY basis to arriving travelers at Lihue airport? They could be asked to observe strict social distancing and minimize contact with anyone else (but not be placed in quarantine) until they have the test results. If I were visiting Kauai from the mainland after the last 6-7 months of the pandemic, I would definitely do it, and I am sure that others would readily volunteer. The test could be free or at a nominal charge ($5-$15?) The voluntary test would serve 3 purposes: (1) it would reassure the traveler that he/she/they didn’t pick up the virus in the 72 hours since their pre-test, and (2) it would reassure local residents and other visitors to the island that there would be a greater chance of containing the virus; (3) it would give some predictability instead of the on-again off-again roller-coaster of ideas that have recently been floated. Most visitors to Kauai that I have come into contact with are very respectful and appreciative of the environment and the local culture. Why not place some trust in visitors instead of herding them like cattle to isolate in a hotel or resort for quarantine? Kauai desperately needs an economic stimulus – better from visitors than rely on federal aid.
Update: I submitted the comment about voluntary testing before I listened to Mayor Kawakami’s video briefing for today Oct 9th. Kauai is , in fact, going to ask arriving travelers to take a voluntary test – but 3 days after they arrive, not at the airport.
With no quarantine or tiers?
🤙🏼🏝😎
We (9 of us) have not cancelled our thanksgiving week trip with the hope a test will be easily available at a low or free rate. We are flying different airlines which adds to the confusion and some of us will be on Oahu a few days before flying to Maui so the inter island travel needs to be very clear. If we hadn’t already paid for this trip and accommodations we surely would not be going. The stress is just too much!
Both Japan and S Korea did not have to shutdown their economies however, they do wear mask and we… ?
Mahalo Guys
Hi Roy.
Thanks. Have a good weekend.
Aloha.
We cancelled Kauai when we heard this, going to Maui instead. Maybe next year for Kauai.
Had Hawaii’s so-called leaders been governing Great Britain in 1940, the entire country would be speaking German right now! Good freaking grief! Does any of these cowards know how many businesses, employees, and locals lives have been ruined over this cowardice.
I am sorry to be rude, but this is absolutely absurd! Tourist, testing negative are not the problem, and the problem is not nearly as severe as these fools imagine!
I am surprised Fauci isn’t saying 2030. He has been against any form of reopening for ever.
Dr.Char, our new Hawaii State Director of Health “One question is how many people who are carrying the virus will test negative. Char said studies indicate the planned test will catch between 20% to 80% of cases.” At least she is honest. A second test is essential for the health and safety of residents. Neighbor islands have very limited medical facilities – and we are isolated with no neighboring state to assist.
The consequences of opening without further testing is almost certainly going to lead to a dual disaster: deaths of both residents and visitors, and a prolonged shutdown.
Kauai has essentially no virus among residents and are mostly adhering to the mask mandate. Since the majority of the risk is from the visitors, why not insist on 100% mask adherence from them in order to keep tourism open and our residents safe? Kauai could impose a $500 fine for any visitor caught in public not wearing a mask. Have them sign a statement on their entry form acknowledging this and also have nice Hawaiian print cloth masks available to them at the airport (handed out like we used to give leis)?
Mask adherence is 64% on Kauai, the highest compliance rate in the state per the Governor’s office. A second test is a far superior method to the requiring our 42 police officers to chase thousands of residents and tourists every day to enforce their wherein of masks.
Yes, but the threat of $500 will make a big difference and the residents mostly comply and aren’t the problem (unless we have a spike which we can prevent if we’re smart about reopening). Tourists are in predictable locations as well. Having a mandatory quarantine while waiting for a second test doesn’t bring tourism back since most won’t come.
Aloha Guys
Mayor Kawakami is a politician and politicians are great at playing both sides of the fence. This goes back to my belief that none of Hawaii’s mayors want blood on their hands do to reopening.
The island will reopen to tourist, but the covid thresh hold bar is so low that Kauai will go back to mandatory 14 day quarantine within a short period of time. I’m thinking 30 to 45 days.
Then the ball’s in the Governors court if he forces Kauai to remain open then covid deaths will be on his hands.
Mayor Kawakami will then say I tried and get off scott free.
Pretty smart.
Hi Richard.
Thanks for your plethora of comments. Interesting thoughts.
Aloha.
A plethora of insightful comments, I like it.
Agee. He knows his political career depends on residents voting not visitors. When the virus rate skyrockets he will go back to 14 quarantine and the Governor will take the blame (as he should).
I feel like a yo yo. Go, no go, go, no go… Made direct flight reservations on United for December 3rd to visit my condo on Kaua’i and am glad that I can put the flight on hold if the Mayor decides to shut it all down again. Thank you United Airlines for helping us travelers out.
If any of the mayors would like to put more restrictions up, I hope that the Governor’s first question back to them is “so how are you addressing the long term unemployed from the tourism industry that you are still keeping shut down due to your policies?”
If they have an answer to that, I have yet to hear of it.
In view of the different 11th hour reopening plans being presented by various island Mayors, I’ll bet visitors that may have already been on the fence about chancing a visit to Hawaii are probably deciding to pass. Hawaii has been in a constant state of turmoil since the onset of Covid. Visitors are already extremely weary about returning. Governor Ige has been totally inept the entire time and now the Mayors of neighboring islands have decided to throw additional gasoline on the already out of control fire. The proposals I have read about are no better than the original 14 day quarantine. Throughout this pandemic I’ve gotten the impression that those governing the islands would like nothing more than to keep the islands locked down until Covid is wiped from the face of the earth. Which … short of a miracle, isn’t going to happen. Are these lawmakers hell-bent on keeping the pedal to the metal until the islands are completely destroyed and visitors have no desire to return?
It’s very hard to imagine that the elected democrat officials could possibly be this stupid!
All I can say is God help the people of Hawaii. Hopefully they will give serious thought to who they vote into an elected office from this point on.
Aloha & Mahalo
TJ
Hi TJ.
Thanks for your many (over 40) comments.
Aloha.
Praying for my Hawaiian brothers and sisters for a safe opening – and hoping for good fortunes. We had to cancel our trip this past summer, but are now planning on visiting next summer.
Can you please update us Canadian Travellers as to Covid Test requirements when flying from Canada — I haven’t booked flights yet but have condo reservations for Dec 31 to hope to avoid quarantine. Thanks so much. Don
Hi Don.
What others have said is that they are transiting via the US in order to obtain testing. We don’t know if mail in testing would work in time as a viable alternative. The state must be working on something for Canada soon, we hope.
Aloha.
They just keep muddying he waters. I don’t know anyone that would book a trip to Kauai under this plan. If I want to gamble, I’ll go to Vegas.
At this point, I have to wonder if all of this is an intentional plan to destroy Kauai’s economy.
Mahalo!
So here’s what can happen under the mayor’s rule. Think about it based on the clusters on the island in the past. Dad comes home and gets sick. Mom, brother, sister and auntie who visited recently test positive. Family of 5 now tests positive. Shut down the entire island. That will happen. One family no matter where they got it, complete shutdown. Is that an alternative for you? Would you book a trip to Hawaii in 2 months knowing that? Thats what I thought.
Aloha!
Do you foresee there being more flights added in November of LAX-LIH? The options are few and very expensive right now.
Also, is Hawaii (Kauai) requiring masks on the beach?
Hi Bobby.
Once travel resumes, flight schedules will be dictated by demand. So we don’t know what that will be and frankly neither do the airlines. No, masks aren’t required at the beach.
Aloha.
Mayor Kawakami – or perhaps it should be Kamikaze as he’s essentially committing political suicide with these over the top, one-off requested restrictions – needs to realize that while there is risk in opening up and having cases increase, there is greater risk in there being no available income for a large majority of that island. Kauai is heavily dependent upon tourism and without it, the people there are suffering. For the love of everything holy, stop the madness.
Please use some common sense and look to the other tourist areas of the world that have safely and successfully opened up. Some without ANY pre-travel test requirements. Please stop the bleeding that you’re inflicting upon those that you’ve sworn to serve and should have THEIR best interest in mind. Not yours.
We’ve gambled and kept our reservations for 10/20-29 to come and enjoy Kauai. Hoping to be able to enjoy and spend money liberally to help the locals there. We’ll see if the gamble pays off.
The mayor and the county government are not worried about the economy. Their jobs are safe….I have not heard about
reductions in staff or salaries.
Total, perfect safety is a pipe dream unless you turn Kauai into a modern day version of the Molokai Leper Colony.
By all means continue the wearing of masks, social distancing etc.
None of the mainland states have instituted such drastic measures and yes they have Covid cases but they are dealing with
as best they can, not expecting perfection.
Waiting for a vaccine is fool’s gold. It will not be available in the near future and it will not be 100% effective.
We all need to learn to live with this disease (we have learned to live with the Flu) and mitigate it’s impact without completely
devastating the economy.
Mayor Kawakami needs to wake up and address the current economic condition of the island.
Hoping for a brighter future for this beautiful island and it’s people .
I agree with you, Nate B. Political suicide is a realty now for our Mayor. I’m surely not inclined to vote him back in after putting so many out of business.
Please feel free to go elsewhere.
Heard Maui is nice.
Don’t worry – we avoid Poipu like the plague, so you’re good.
Poipu is NOT the plague, or anything like it – less so since this pandemic.
” … me tinks Drumpf Tower da bettah analogies, bruddah” 🧙🏽♂️🤔🙄😉🏝
A vast majority of Kauai residents support our mayor. A two step testing plan has been developed and funded. Visitors who do not wish to take a second yeast after traveling through multiple virus hot spots included airports, planes, mainland restaurants should visit Oahu. Their beaches are spectacular.
Ditto. We love our mayor.
Thank you so much for this update! God bless you all and Lord willing we’ll all be free to travel to & fro to at liesure soon!! 💯 😃
Hi Ronda.
Thanks for your comment.
Aloha.
With each day comes a new plan. Travelers cannot plan a visit under these circumstances. I’m really sorry that we already committed to airline and accommodation payments for March, because I cannot be sure that trip will really happen. Somebody there needs to clear the lines of communication between Gov and Mayors, and get a plan that travelers can count on. As Dr. Fauci says, open up carefully or your economy will crash. What a mess. Thanks BOH for keeping us up to date.
Hi Lee.
Thank you for nearly 40 comments over the past years. We hope it works out for your March trip.
Aloha.
Aloha-I agree with LG Green. If you don’t want to open say so. This plan is worse than any before. At least with previous ideas, and even a 14-day quarantine you know what you are getting into ahead of time. We have postponed until April. I hope they get it figured out by then.
thanks
Hi Jon.
By April we have to assume the system will be well greased.
Aloha.
We are soon after you on July 4th 🇺🇸 week !