It appears returning locals and visitors are not always observing quarantine and other rules.
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81 thoughts on “Updated: Kauai Quarantine Buster Surprises”
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It appears returning locals and visitors are not always observing quarantine and other rules.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Hawaii/Kauai’s heavy handed, jack booted response to a virus with a less than 1% mortality rate has been an eye opener. I Love Kauai but will probably never return. It’s obvious the Hawaii/Kauai government officials would stop at nothing to exert there totalitarian will over their resident sheeple.
Kaua‘i has a total of 111 licensed hospital beds, nine ICU beds and 15 ventilators, according to statistics provided by the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i.
How would you feel if you needed a ventilator and there were 15 or more people ahead of you? Given these numbers it’s clear to me why the mayor is trying to protect the citizens and visitors in Kauai.
Spouse and I had Covid early in Feb and have antibodies tests (2) . We have canceled our yearly vacation to Kauai 4 times, last of which we couldn’t get test results in 72 hours for you. It takes 5 days for testing and results or more. We have family that are residents but choose not to quarantine with them or in a hotel. Quarantine is almost impossible on Kauai
We completed our 14 day quarantine on last Thursday, July 16. We arrived on a non-stop Delta flight from LAX. The next day after our arrival a Kauai police officer knocked on our condo door and asked to see us and our id’s. A day later we received a call on our condo phone from Quarantine Enforcement Agency. After that we received another call on my cell phone and a third call on condo line. Each time they wanted to speak with both of us.
In addition when we checked in, we were escorted to our to our villa by Marriott security where we were let in but not given a key. We believe that the Marriott staff worked in cooperation with quarantine program to make sure we fulfilled our quarantine requirements.
We had every intent to do our part in keeping Covid off the island and we were not interested in ways to beat the system.
Since Thursday we have driven around the island visiting friends and old favorite places. We have been out every day and have not noticed any evidence of an unusual number of tourists and rental cars. In fact, we have seen very few tourist if at all at the usual tourist spots.
I don’t see how you can identify a rental car anyway. Many years ago rental car companies stopped making rental cars obvious due do to break-ins and key scratching.
We have been coming regularly to Kauai for over 40 yeaars and have been spending 3-4 months per year for the last 10 years. We know Kauai as well as anyone.
No system is ever going to be perfect and returning residents will be difficult to monitor if they choose cheat the system, but we believe that Quarantine Enforcement Agency and the Kauai Police Department is doing a good job.
It’s called getting a count from the company
I agree the police are doing a great job.
I’m keeping to quarantine on Kaua’i. It’s tough, but I am clear I want to help keep us all protected.
😊😊
Aloha; If non-residents violates Quarantine rules. Why don’t they be banned from returning to that Hawaiian Island and be sent back to Mainland. Maybe other’s would think twice before doing it.That would help if it was enforced. Thank you very much, Robin
Hi Robin.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I am a returning resident to Kauai. I had a family emergency on the mainland and am now 10 days into my 14 day quarantine. I have had been contacted twice by phone and twice by the National Guard in person, even checking my ID. I expect I will have another check by the time my quarantine ends in 4 days. In my opinion, they are doing a pretty good job keeping track of people, although I am sure there are people that will always disregard the quarantine. I am just not one of those people. I can’t wait to go for a swim! 😊
Same situation.
Look forward to freedom. 🌈😊
My opinion The longer you have this quarantine the more violators you will have. It goes against everything people are use to. The freedom to move around work and enjoy life. I don’t have an answer that’s for sure but I do have a history I’m 74 years old. We had Polio a Viral disease that effected children and young adults. We did social distancing But it was not mandated it was voluntary the state didn’t enforce any of it. [Edited].
that is more than likely because your generation vs this one actually respected the rules
so I guess what is not clear with the quarantine, if you have a condo and your next to the beach can you walk down to the beach? Or do you literally have to stay inside?
You have to stay inside. That’s the problem we have in West Oahu, people renting condos in our building to tourists and they think they can hang out at the pool and beach right after check in. Quarantine means stay inside. I have a severe autoimmune disease and my pops is almost 75 so we dont play with this, yea?
I was planning a week in Kaui May but didn’t because of the Corona Virus.
I can’t wait for the Corona Virus to get better so my husband and I can make the trip to Kaui that has been on my bucket list for years.
Was wondering which is one of the best places to stay on rhe island?
Rubbish. I had to travel out of state and I have an essential worker quarantine exemption. In 4 days, I got Three phone calls, a text message, three police officer visits, a conversation with the emergency Management team, and a national guard visit. This talk of lax enforcement is nonsense. I can actuay legitimately leave my residence and they’re still enforcing the quarantine and checking on me.
Nice to read that Hawaii officials are doing their duty by enforcing quarantine laws. I’m very concerned with Hawaii’s economy … Very catch 22 dilemma that frustrates me.🌴
Aloha Beat of Hawaii –
I have emailed you a correction to the article. Please confirm you have received it and made the necessary corrections. Thank you!
Hi Addison.
We did not receive anything. We did however find your letter to the editor of the Kauai newspaper and quoted that change in our revised article. Thanks for pointing that out to us.
Aloha.
I recommend double checking your facts. The Garden Island Newspaper sometimes misses salient facts. For instance Dr. Bulosan did not violate quarantine. He accidentally went to a state park, unawares that state parks were off limits.
On another note – Perhaps we could form a citizens group that could assist the police in checking on those in quarantine (safely).
That worked great….in East Germany until 1994!
Mahalo! I have 4 months of time share in Lawai so I don’t mind bringing my food/supplies to last 14 days and stay in my unit. I’ve stayed on shelter in place at home alone since March 9th and thought I could stay alone just as well in Kauai. This of course is only if it’s safe to fly and get a ride to Lawai. I pray everyone will wear their masks, wash their hands and keep to themselves so we can all get back to opening up the Country. Aloha!
Hi Nani.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I am a resident quarantining after going to mainland. The military has come to my home twice and the police once. Seems to me there checking
Maybe the cars were rented by locals from neighbor islands visiting since there is no quarantine for locals traveling to neighbor islands.
I’m from Oahu, arrived Kauai July 7 departed July 9 for celebration of life, rented from Enterprise car rental and stayed with sister inlaw.
I have a vacation rental property in Princeville and I got my first guests since Covid hit this past weekend. They were visiting from the Big Island.
I think it isn’t right of you to say “Within the past two weeks, we have seen well over 100 rental cars on Kauai” and assume that means they should be in quarantine. My partner is on Kauai since May and he could not get a rental car until he completed the 14 day quarantine. The rental companies are required to check and the renter must provide proof. I think many property owners are coming to their homes there and waiting out the quarantine. That’s certainly the case in our complex…. Our property management bought everything needed to wait out the quarantine.
Jeff and Rob have lived in Kauai for many years. Reporting on major issues facing the islands is their business. I’ve been following them since the inception of BOH, more than 10 years ago. I can honestly say that to date, I haven’t been led astray by their reporting. Their also quick to make a correction if needed. Being that they live there full time I’m sure they can see what’s going on. My bet is that the rental car companies are probably coming to the realization that what Governor Ige is doing is illegal. Ige far over stepped his boundaries months ago. Rental car companies, along with hundreds or Possibly thousands of businesses, are going bankrupt. What do the rental car companies have to lose? As Jeff stated, a local officer said, they are not capable of enforcing the quarantine. Word like that gets around quickly.
I believe that Hawaii residents re going to begin to see more and more of this. Especially now that the additional $600 that the Feds provided in unemployment benefits is running out at the end of July. The little bit of assistance that U.S. citizens have been receiving will vanish. People need to work. I’ll bet that the public will no longer be reporting visitors because their needed.
Beat of Hawaii; please keep up the excellent and accurate reporting that you provide to us. We can not get the information that you provide from any other source. Keep up the good work and stay healthy!
TJ
Hi TJ.
Thanks so much for those nice words and for being a part of this for so long! Much appreciated.
Aloha. R/J
My daughter, born and raised here, returned home in late May. She abided 100% by the 14 day quarantine and is Covid free. She had 3 phone calls and 3 visits. Twice visited by the National Guard and once by police. I was pleased. I have heard it varies, but was glad to witness the follow up. Just my experience.
Well TJ, I guess I can’t give another first hand account at least in reference to rental cars. I guess no one can possibly give a different account of things than Beat of Hawaii? This was an attempt to provide additional information, not knock them down. I have first hand knowledge of this having been on Kauai during the quarantine (and following the rules). Quarantine breakers are definitely a problem and I agree with the rest of the article. I am disappointed in the Beat of Hawaii response and that they didn’t respond to my comment at all.
Aloha Jason,
If you were expecting a response, then you should probably ask a question, and follow the “Read this first:” section under the “LEAVE A REPLY”. Although they can respond to any comment, they receive dozens of emails a day (if not hundreds for some topics), and don’t have time to respond to every single one. Frankly, I am surprised they have time to respond to as many as they do. It would be more than a full time job, if they answered everyone.
Also, I saw no question in your statement, so they likely felt there was no need to respond. You simply just gave an opinionated statement by saying, “I think it isn’t right of you to say “Within the past two weeks, we have seen well over 100 rental cars on Kauai” and assume that means they should be in quarantine.”
First; you “assumed” that they “assumed”, and you know what assume does, right? Second; personally (in my opinion), I think the way you phrased it could have been viewed as an attack on their credibility (with your initial statement), which is likely why TJ responded the way he did. If you left off the initial statement (which could be interpreted as an attack), then you probably would not have received the response you did get from TJ. You did correct yourself, of the intent of your original message, and I appreciate that. Sometimes rereading a “potential post” a few times before hitting “send”, and evaluating how others interpret it, will help one realize it wasn’t meant that way…
Hi Jim.
Thanks very much!
Aloha.
Sad to see violators….
Much better addressing the issue in Hawaii in comparison to mainland….no bite behind our protocols here…..
We are patiently waiting your state’s ok to come back, our annual trip postponed so far twice…. will get testing if required ……hope it resolves by anticipated Nov departure.
Dont back down…..tempered with need to resume the economy….your way has so far been more enlightened than any mainland state…..mahalo.
Hi to Mary, Milagra, and also our favorite valet, at Sand Villa.
Easy to say “Don’t back down” when you have an income and a vacation planned. For locals unemployed for 12-16 weeks and bills piling up….or asmall business owner trying to hold off bankruptcy….not so easy.
Question….how are rental cars identified? Do they have special stickers on them? I’ve always wondered that!
They have barcodes in the windows, about an inch or so big. Some states they have different plates but not here. Look for new usually American standard sedans, minivans or occasionally convertibles that have no local frame on their plate or anything else, then check the back window and you will usually see.
I’ve worked in hospitality for a long time 🙂
Thank you, Kaila, for pointing this out! I’ve never noticed.
My husband and I arrived June 14. We followed the rules and quarantined as required in our Princeville condo. We had friends shop for us. We checked in online each day and we were visited by police on 2 occasions. We do have a rental car which we picked up on day 15 by way of Uber. We continue to wear our masks and sanitize our hands. We are respectful of of the locals, the virus and others. We extended our stay once and we may do so again since we are not able to rent our condo. We hope and expect other visitors are mindful. But please don’t assume all visitors are not following the rules.
Same exact scenario here! We used a grocery delivery person (fee). Cooked all meals in our lovely rental house on beautiful large property on the beach and actually enjoyed quarantine. On day 15, after a itinerary check from our rental car company we got a rental car, and only then! Having such a great time, we extended a second month! Aloha!
Aloha Laura!
How did you get from the airport to your rental property since we can’t get a car until day 15?
Mahalo! Nani
Taxi
Aloha – I thought all of the hotels on Kauai were still closed? And only VRBOs were available. Is that not true? Are some Kauai hotels back open? Also, I read The Garden News online every day. And twice within the past week, I’ve e-mailed a Garden News writer to point out that the paper shouldn’t be running photos of groups of people with NO face masks and NO social distancing. Sends the wrong message to their readers.
Hi Tom! Actually, the reserve of that is true. On 6/10, Ige’s 9th Proclamation states in part that vacation rentals are now legally able to operate but short term vacations are not permitted as designated quarantine locations. https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2006097A-ATG_Ninth-Supplementary-Proclamation-COVID-19-distribution-signed.pdf
Most of the military on Oahu are restricted from traveling to the mainland right now so families are taking advantage of the deals on flights and hotels and are opting for inter island travel instead. This likely explains a good portion of the cars rented.
My sister came a few weeks ago for a 3-1/2 month visit. During her quarantine she had 3 visits from police and at least 3 phone calls. Please don’t think that just because some haven’t been really checked that it’s ok to come and avoid quarantine. Think of our kapuna: I live with two of them🤗
I live on Oahu and just recently did interisland travel to Kauai. There were a lot of interisland travelers when we went and they all rented a rental car. I got so many bad looks driving in my rented Jeep. I so badly wanted to put a sticker on the car that said I was a resident. Our entire plane was full but they did have middle seats blocked off. And everyone wore their masks.
I do feel that Kauai was more lax on the rules while Oahu it is really enforced. That’s my own personal opinion with what I saw.
Aloha all! I’ll quote my grandma “this is why we can’t have nice things”
How important (in the big scheme of things) is it to travel and party that people can’t simply be grown ups, be patient and wait their turn? I vacation 3x a year due to a stressful job (with at least 2 of those in Hawaii, multiple islands), but I’m not going anywhere any time soon. Am I heartbroken? Fact. Do I miss snorkeling every day? Fact. Do I care enough about my fellow human race to stay put and not just think about me and my wants? Fact.
A friend with a condo on Big Island (who finally arrived home in CA after trying since early March due to Airline cancellations)reported to me that a local doctor there who had been on the Mainland arrived with no testing there or on arrival, went to his office & infected 9? people as
reported to my friend. True or not, I’m not sure but whoops!
ps Miss Kauai so much but peruse photos each day especially North Shore.
I understand there is a 14 day quarantine. Question – If a visitor flies from the mainland to an island, say Oahu, stays one month including the 14 day quarantine and then flies from Oahu to Maui, is there another 14 day quarantine required upon arriving on Maui? I would assume not but want to make sure.
As long as you completed the 14-day quarantine, you do not have to quarantine again when going to another island. The Governor opened inter-island travel on 6/16 with no quarantine. https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/
Do you know how we can get from the Lihue airport to our condo to quarantine for 14 days? Mahalo!
Hi Nani.
We’re aren’t sure really. Call a cab?
Aloha.
You can take a cab (or Uber/Lyft) from the airport. That’s what I’ve done. There are usually ones there. It is allowed to do that to get to your quarantine location. However, you can’t go to any store so someone out of quarantine will need to shop for you…
I was at a restaurant the other day getting take out, and I suspected there were non-island residents waiting for their food. What’s the best way for kamaaina to enforce others’ quarantine? Should we call the police?
For violations call local law enforcement on their non-emergency lines. On Oahu, call 9-1-1 and ask for the non-emergency line; Maui County’s non-emergency line is (808) 244-6400; Hawaii County’s non-emergency line is (808) 935-3311; Kauai County offers online reporting at https://www.kauai.gov/KPD-Online-Reporting
You “suspect”? Holy cow, are you kidding?! Yes, you should totally call the police. (BIG sarcasm). That’s exactly what Hawai’i needs. Lets waste the time of our police from important work because you “suspect” others are doing wrong. Unless you’re 100% certain they’re breaking quarantine, leave the police alone. Good grief.
Gee who is SHOCKED By this? NOT ME! And you all wonder why Hawaii is closed. You say OH we would be safe we wont break the rules! RIGHT, locals arent following rules you really think mainlanders are going to obey the rules and be respectful!? HAHAHAHAAH
THIS is exactly why my group and I decided we would put off our vacation to Hawaii till sometime next year.
MANY of your readers who make comments are the VERY people who would disregard these rules and think that rules do not apply to them
Paul,
I don’t know why you are claiming “Hawaii is closed”, when it is NOT closed, nor has it ever been “closed”. Airlines may have stopped flying as much, because of the Hawaii mandated quarantine, but people are STILL able to travel as they please, whether they abide by the regulations or not.
Your negativity regarding others opinions on here is growing OLD, fast. You talk about people being respectful, yet you do nothing but mock and berate others for their own personal opinions, while giving your own.
When you make comments like, “MANY of your readers who make comments are the VERY people who would disregard these rules and think that rules do not apply to them”, it’s not only highly inaccurate (since you have no knowledge of other readers backgrounds, or what they would actually do), it’s 100%, blatantly, disrespectful. Maybe you should try practicing what you preach…just sayin’, because with your attitude, I have absolutely ZERO respect for you at this point.
Jim R ok so your opinion counts and mine does not okiedokie.
First of all we all know people are selfish, self centered and mostly (not all) think about themselves NOT others. The comments here attacking Locals or Natives or the governor etc are way over the top. Yes there are many of us who would definitely respect and follow the rules but all one has to do is look around the country at the maskholes(those who absolutely REFUSE to wear a facemask) to see that MANY not all wont follow the rules as they feel entitled. Also people are disgusting germ ridden people. Dump their garbage and generally are just gross. This is not to say all but you see it all the time. I could care less if you have respect for me have respect for HAWAII.
My negativity. Gee MY TRIP has been rescheduled TWICE now and finally we have decided to put it off. I want to be there SO badly perhaps thats why I come off a bit strong on those who want to flaunt the rules or think Covid is a joke. Its not. I have had two personal friends both young both healthy now DIE from this.
As for the MANY OF YOUR READERS comment. All you have to do is READ the comments! Its all RIGHT THERE> I dont have to do a full background check and family history you can easily read their words. I have been attacked a number of times here and called names. I want to go as BAD or worse than ANYONE commenting here. You have yourself a very nice day. I will NOT disrespect you and your opinion like you have mine. Take care!
I thought you were unable to rent a car if your coming from the mainland?
Aloha
Where is the picture from that heads up this article
Mahalo
Bill
Hi Bill.
Road to Polihale State Beach Park on Kauai.
Aloha.
Hello.
I am a visitor who has come to visit my daughter and her husband, and help care for their new baby while his parents are at work.
I have been on quarantine at a friend’s condo who is off island.
I can’t say that being on quarantine is much fun, but I can say that it is entirely possible, with some planning.
There are delivery services on Kauai. I used Instacart, and arranged for my online order to be delivered to my door a few hours after my arrival on Kauai. That worked very well, and was less expensive than some of the on island services who are geared toward tourists. I tipped well, and was happy to put a few extra dollars in a local person’s pocket.
Yes, it’s hard looking out the window, or sitting on the lanai, and not being able to leave and explore, but I knew that before I arrived.
I have been here 5.5 days. I was screened at the Honolulu airport. Filled out forms there. I was then screened again at LIH, and filled out more forms, and answered more questions.
Driving out of LIH I had to hand in a form, and answered more questions. The night of arrival, I was called on my cell to make certain that I understood what quarantine entails, and to see if I had questions. A few days later, I had a call from Kauai police, to check on my location. A few minutes later, an officer was at my condo, asking for my ID.
I’d say they are doing a pretty good job. It would be impossible to enforce the quarantine 100%, but it’s certainly clear to any visitor that they mean business. Thank you.
Oh C’mon people, really? You KNOW the rules and you CHOSE to come and go based on those rules! No pity here – this is an island and we aren’t allowed to bring a piece of fruit from the mainland, what in God’s green world makes you think it’s ok to bring a virus and infect the island instead! 2 weeks – in paradise, like that is so hard! Can’t do it? Then don’t leave! I’m here on the mainland and it urks me to no end how cavalier and disrespectful others are to each other. $1,000. bond is ok, it should be $2,500 next time and triple the next!
Your safety begins with my safety! Mahalo!
2 weeks staring at ‘paradise’ through a window? I can put an IZ tape in at home for cheaper!
How is Mark Zuckerberg and security detail able to visit Kauai?
Did he quarantine? Highly unlikely. Media coverage of his visit has raised lots of eyebrows and suspicion for the 1% billionaire part time resident. Seems as if enforcement and compliance are giving special treatment to some folks.
Aloha Dan,
When you have your own personal Jet, and don’t have to associate with other people, while being quarantined on a 700 acre $100,000 compound. It’s not like he can’t have food and supplies delivered anytime he wants. Hawaii is not technically closed to tourists, let alone residents, even if only part time. Not really sure why you would think it’s highly unlikely he didn’t (or hasn’t) quarantined. He has no reason to leave his compound, does he? He can come and go to the Airport as he wishes, but each time he returns, he would be subject to another 14 day quarantine. This has nothing to do with “enforcement and compliance”, as he is on his own property, which encompasses 2500 feet of beachline. It’s fairly remote, where most people can’t access the beach area. I don’t believe he has to provide beach access, although it would be cool if he did. The only access us normal folks would typically have is by boat.
I think it might be good to reflect on the fact that much of Hawaii is not particularly well staffed with medical facilities, primary care, and specialty doctors. I’m no epidemiologist, but if c0vid does get allowed to flare up, the consequences will be disastrous. All the ‘good vibes’ and ‘aloha’ spirit need to be turned to acting intelligently and protecting one’s self and others. This might mean taking a chance on an angry encounter by reminding the ‘maskless’ and careless what is at stake. Thank you.
Hi Bernie.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I’m growing tired of hearing how poor health care is in Hawaii. An AARP survey taken in 2017 said that Hawaii was #1 for health care in the entire United States.
Please save my MAUI for me!!!!! As well as The Mahana!!!
Yeah, this guy who just flew in for the weekend certainly wasn’t quarantining [link to nypost.com article on mark Zuckerberg].
My husband and son went to the mainland for my father-in-law’s funeral services. After they returned they had to quarantine. They were visited three times in person and received two-phone calls.
My neighbor went to the mainland to house hunt – she is relocating there. After she returned she had to quarantine. She was visited two times in person and received one phone call.
My boss went back to the mainland for his daughter’s wedding. After he and his family returned they had to quarantine. They were visited five times in person over the two week span.
This demonstrates that the authorities are at least attempting to monitor and enforce the quarantine rule.
My land partner came to Kauai and isolated herself in her tiny home. She never had a visit, just a text. The national guard made a visit on the day that she left…… She is a nurse and took the quarantine very seriously.
On Saturday 1,293 people arrived in Hawaii via air travel. How does this compare to normal air arrivals pre-covid?
Thanks,
Brian
Hi Brian.
Less than 5% of normal.
Aloha.