This highly controversial concept just got wings of a sort.
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92 thoughts on “Kauai Resort Bubble Starts. But Will It Help or Hurt?”
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This highly controversial concept just got wings of a sort.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We just booked a timeshare stay in Kauai for July 2021, and hope that we will be able to actually visit. We had to cancel our Big Island vacation plans for 2020, but I’m optimistic. There is absolutely no way, however, that I would want to stay in a resort bubble! Having visited Hawaii over a dozen times, we are there for the culture, for people we have come to know, and for an experience that means a whole lot more than a pool or a beach. I just can’t believe that travelers would find a resort bubble to be an acceptable way to visit Hawaii! Surely the people who are making these decisions for travelers are fully aware of the fact that Hawaii vacations are so much more than a resort.
As much as I love Hawaii, and Kauai is my home resort, just NO. I normally do at least 2 islands and sometimes 3. I have a trip for next April/May with 8 days on the Big Island and 10 days on Kauai. This doesn’t work for me at all. I want to experience the beauty of these islands, not just a resort. Also, this does nothing to help the suffering restaurants that rely on tourists.
I’m fine with getting tested, but I’m not staying put at my resort. I’ll just cancel and I think most other people will too.
How many people does BOH think this might attract to Kauai?
My guess is less than a few hundred or so over a 6 week period. That doesn’t provide many ‘tourist jobs’
Our visits on Kauai are about chatting with the people who run/work in the restaurants, enjoying the great beauty of the Napali Coast, Ke’e beach, The Canyon lookouts, Hanalei Bay, Kalaheo light house, etc. etc. etc.. The view of the entrance to Nawiliwili harbor from our time share is beautiful, but not sufficient to want to spend 2 weeks looking at it.
I’m not sure the Mayor and the elected state administration understand why people want to spend their vacation in Hawaii.
Hi Gary.
We concur with your concerns and questions about how popular this could be. And the issue might not even matter with the announcement from the governor this afternoon. These are crazy times indeed.
Aloha.
As always, thank you for this information. Aside from helping some of the few resorts who may sign into this, I don’t really see this helping, or having much of a positive impact to Kauai’s economy. Just my proverbial “two cents.”
Hi Deb.
Thanks for your comment.
Aloha.
The idea of not being allowed to go to the beach or stop at Costco on the way to the resort for graoceries sounds ridiculous. We stay at our timeshare in Princeville so getting groceries is not optional. We go to spend time on the beach relaxing and snorkeling. Without that available there is not point in going. We would save money on an unnecessary car rental but then spend even more having to always eat at a restaurant if we stay at another resort. This also means we are paying twice for our accomadations since the fees for the timeshare are already paid. All in all a very poor idea, at least for us. Thanks for the update. I now have to cancel our October trip. I just hope that things are open for our February one. How hard is it to just open up with pretrip testing? in fact, that is not a bad idea for anyone getting on a plane to anywhere, much less to Hawai’i.
Hi Diana.
Thanks for your comment.
Aloha.
Wear a bracelet ( like a criminal) or tracked by an app. Line up to have temperature taken, wear a mask all the time in 80 plus degrees…ugh. If this wasn’t so bad I’d laugh. Thanks but no thanks I’ll pass.
I can find much cheaper places to go on vacation where I can actually go out and enjoy myself and not be locked down in an expensive hotel. Sounds depressing to me
I’ve already prepared myself mentally that I won’t be going to any of the Islands until at least 2022. 😥😥
Mahalo BOH for all the updates. Wish there was more hopeful news to report on Hawaii actually welcoming guest to return.
Hi Donna.
Thanks for all of your comments. Well, news moves fast these days and it was only a few hours later that the governor released what appears to be good news.
Aloha.
Sure, what a brilliant idea! Sign me up for a two-week prison sentence. Idiots!
Resort bubbles are such a bad idea. Really, Kauai? Does that sound like a fun vacation? We won’t be coming in December if that policy is in place. But thank you, BOH, for keeping us informed about the discussion.
Hi Regina.
Thanks for commenting. Hopefully, this won’t be an issue following the governor’s announcement that followed.
Aloha.
I can’t imagine that anyone would even consider this plan. It sounds like a bureaucrat’s dream but not a vacationers dream. I too have cancelled a 10 day trip already, and have rescheduled for May, but I wouldn’t consider this.
I am not one bit interested in a resort bubble! This idea will be harmful to the island of Kauai. This will not help small business or the local economy in any way shape or form! What makes the mayor think employee’s will want to stay at the resort for days on end without seeing their families?
I went to CVS in Placentia Ca today their test is a PCR it will take 4 to 7 days for the results, also went to Walgreens same test a PCR 3 to 5 days for results. Neither store was aware of any negotiations with the state of Hawaii for a 72-hour test doesn’t look too promising for getting the test that we need to come to Hawaii, maybe it will get better as time goes on. Thanks Beat of Hawaii for all the great info you give us.
Hi Jim.
It’s hard to imagine that the state didn’t work something out with the announced partners, CVS and Kaiser. But there were no further details provided.
Aloha.
Thank you for the update. This is so disappointing to see the mayor of Kauai wasting his and other government officials time on this implementation. Why would anyone spend all the time and expense flying to and from Kauai to have a tracking mechanism placed on them to ensure they don’t leave hotel grounds, while being unable to see and experience the beauty of Kauai? What hotel would waste their own money and resources for this?
That is like a communist country. Join Russia be part of them then… it’s making me sick Hawaii. Monitor us. You guys over there are disgusting. I have spent thousands of dollars in Hawaii and to be treated like a dam dog.
The bubble with pre-testing, temp checks and wrist bands sounds like a prudent approach. It would allow visitors to contract the virus though unless the workers that travel to and from the bubble every day are tested. Goggle Jurassic World: Dominion to see how that studio is handling safety with the coronavirus in mind, they have an excellent plan and process in place.
I am curious about car rental policies in light of Kauai’s new bubble resort initiative. It was my understanding the rental car companies basically have shut down. One other note about bubble resorts. Apparently, they plan to take the temperature of guests daily. However, Covid-19 patients present with a fever less than 30% of the time so taking a temperature is better than nothing but not a very effective way to test for the virus.
Thanks.
Hi Gary.
Car rentals won’t be an issue now that the governor has just announced reopening on October 15.
Aloha.
That plan is like a Club Med prison. We don’t go to resorts and for my family that is a no go. We LOVE Kauai and the beautiful people there and pray for a full reopening of your beautiful island and peoples economic recovery. We will be back and happily leave plenty of money behind when it’s sorted out.
Stay safe HI!!
What a joke! A bad one at that.
This is a no for me and I wish the governor would make the announcement soon. All travelers with reservations made pre-COVID are in limbo. We are scheduled to depart October 2. Clearly, Hawaii is not going to open, but we are stuck as Hawaiian Airlines is not willing to work with me at all until the official announcement comes out. Why does the state wait so long? This is unfair for travels and is a complete turnoff for me to want to return to the islands anytime soon, which is sad since we come every year. We are planning on taking our family on a lovely trip to Mexico instead, but I need the governor to make the official announcement. Any idea when that will be?
A ridiculously bad idea. Who goes to Hawaii to be stuck on a compound?
I can’t imagine being stuck at a resort ( which I’m not inclined to go to anyhow—I’ve always rented condos), & not be able
to see the island, go to Kee beach or Polihale, or Waimea, or…the list goes on—so much breathtaking beauty on Kauai to miss.
And someone said it: who will be tasked with policing non-compliant guests? And yes, what about protection for the staff of the resort
if someone tested negative 72 hours before arrival, but because of the window of infection, were really positive on arrival?
Or, contracted the virus on the plane, because the airlines aren’t testing?
And true: it offers zero economic relief to the rest of the population on the island if tourists can’t eat at restaurants, go to parks,
go to the market or shop. As I’ve said in a previous post: cooperation from the airlines is critical: COVID testing immediately
before boarding is the only way to go.
I have a 2 wk trip booked to Kauai end of December. I am not interested in a resort bubble. I just can’t wait any longer for Hawaii to get their act together. Sadly,it’s time to start looking at rebooking another destination.
I think this is ridiculous. ALL in coming visitors should be tested prior to getting on a plane. All of the workers would be exposed for those who may be positive. The travlers should also pay for the cost of the testing.. If you are not able to get a test done within the 72 hour window you should not be allowed on the plane.
If you travel to a foreign country you need a passport, you pay for that. If you visit Africa you need shots, u also pay for that yourself. Anyone who can vacation in Hawaii can afford to take a test. This would of been our 9th summer on the Big Island we are rescheduled for Nov 22-30th. Fingers crossed. You have to start somewhere and I believe the negative test prio to travel is the best bet.
As much as we love Kauai, we will not visit during the restrictions. We come for the island & the beauty. We want to experience the local restaurants(have no problem will pickup) I don’t want to spend my time stuck at a resort! Plus, we like staying in a condo where you have more space. Hopefully, someday we will get a chance to return, just not in the near future
Maybe the dumbest concept EVER thought of for travel in the USA which last I checked, Hawaii is still a part of!
Aloha BOH! I definitely don’t really like the idea. It is better than no Hawaii travel at all I suppose…..however I can’t imagine being in Kauai and not being able to go to Hanalei Bay for the day or being able to visit my favorite restaurants if they are not on the property I’m staying at ( shout out to Red Salt and Puka Dog! ). There are so many beautiful places to see on the island, it’s a shame to be there and not be able to experience them. On the other hand we reopened here in Vegas as much as possible and did experience a spike in COVID cases in July although it has started to go back down . No easy answers here !
Hi Lisa.
Thanks for all your comments.
Aloha.
I don’t see many legit, worth visiting, resorts jumping on this bandwagon. What a logistical nightmare.
It’s hard enough for businesses to have to deal with customers that walk in without a mask on (I am NOT a proponent of masks at all, but I wear them when the businesses require them) and then expect their employees to try to enforce the requirement while not being confrontational and creating a scene with the said customers. Could you even imagine the poor resort staff having to deal with people that are there to vacation and will refuse to follow protocols at all costs?
It will be a disaster and either employees with get fed up and quit, leaving the resort understaffed, or the resorts will just throw their hands up and say to heck with trying to keep everyone in check and they’ll stop wasting all the extra money that it will take to enforce the rules – thus moving back to a more normal state on their own since the elected officials don’t care about them small guys enough to make a real, workable and sensible plan.
Again, Ige needs to get out of his own way, swallow his pride, admit defeat, and allow a real business minded leader to get the economy moving in conjunction with the health officials. Until that happens, don’t count on tourism returning until late in 2021 IF and when a vaccine is widely available to the general public.
I’m not in favor of the bubble for visitors. They can do it if they want, but it’s no real solution. I don’t understand who would want to. It also doesn’t help the local attractions, retail, and local vendors. Pre-testing seems to be the answer (and possibly post-arrival testing as well). Please Hawaii put a pre-travel test program in place soon!
I am scheduled to come to Kauai for 2 weeks on October 17 but will be canceling to next year. I feel sorry for the business people there. My opinion is this is a way over reaction. If your tourists get tested before add another test 3 days after we get there ? I am going to rebook yo Mexico. Wanted to keep my money in USA but I guess Gov does nt want it. Sorry
This is an absolute joke. Do they really think visitors will come back under these conditions?!
I think a resort bubble just does not do it for me. When we come to Kauai we come for the entire island not the resorts.
I think that requiring testing and wearing masks would be more effective.
Oh, and will you be allowed to take off the bracelet to swim?
The unsightly and large awkward tracker bracelets are waterproof apparently…
This wouldn’t work with my timeshare. Can’t imagine coming to Kauai under those circumstances.
Absolutely no way will I step a single foot in Hawaii if there is any kind of location monitoring. Talk about Big Brother! This is Big Brother who is married to the Mafia and will come and break your legs if you step 1 foot in the wrong direction.
Hawaii is so behind the times on this! The Big 10 just said that they were going to play their regular football season and to do that the entire football team and staff were going to be Covid tested EVERY DAY during the season! If the Big 10 can figure it out why can’t Hawaii???
I agree with you BOB
SERIOUSLY?
The insanty just keeps on coming.
Rock-‘n’-roll.
Ugh
If this means that we are not allowed to drive and look at the beauty of the island, I would not want to travel using the resort bubble. We need to purchase groceries at Costco, drive by beaches and waterfalls. I’m ok with not going onto the beach, but sure want to go see them.
Thank you.
Hi Rhonda.
There could be provisions made for shopping (we assume someone shops for you), but we haven’t heard about that yet. Remote beaches and waterfalls are out.
Aloha.
Still an unworkable concept, at least for us. We stay at Kiahuna Plantation every year, and have reservations for February next year, which probably won’t happen. I doubt if KP will participate anyway, since they have permanently closed their restaurant and they have no pool. The resorts with the facilities may participate- if they can get guest reservations of a certain number above the break even point. If it’s below that number, they won’t. And only a few resorts, at least on Kauai, have the on-site facilities required for a resort “bubble”. I doubt if this concept will go anywhere.
But thanks BOH, for the update.
Hi Rob.
Thanks for your input and the three dozen comments too.
Aloha.
Crazy idea! Why would I pay to be a prisoner? This is the kind of idea you get when you have democrats/socialists in charge.
Can we PLEASE stop with the politicization of this? This isn’t a Right vs. Left problem. This is a public health problem. What you see here with his ‘resort bubble” idea is a desperate attempt to open back up in the middle of a pandemic. But as others have said, it’s not a very good idea for any number of reasons including the fact that MOST of the resorts in Hawaii aren’t “Sandals” type of places with 5 restaurants, 10 pools, their own private beach, etc. Again, as mentioned, I come to Kauai to drive round l look at the beautiful scenery, and so forth. So, no the idea of “resort bubbles” doesn’t work for me either. Personally, since this has all been made so political people won’t do even the simplest thing to help curb this pandemic so I think that we are stuck until there is a vaccine that’s widely available. At BEST, that means the middle of 2021. So I’m not planning any trips to Hawaii until at least then. That breaks my heart, frankly, because we just LOVE coming to Hawaii, and Kauai in particular.
Still would not come under these conditions. With only 1 “resort” somewhat interested, it is pointless. This also will do nothing for the overall economy of the island. People can’t rent cars, or go to shop or eat off property, so the only one benefiting is the corporate resort. I would also have to question what kind of company would want to be known as the Covid police or the enforcers who are responsible for the arrest of a wayward guest? Seems like bad PR to me. Add to that the fact that if someone shows up positive then everyone in the resort has likely been exposed somehow, either by direct contact with the person or through contact with hotel employees. This all just sSounds like a way to make it look like they are actually doing something when in reality, the chances of this getting off the ground are slim to none, and they know it.
if you can’t go to the beach or hike, you might as well stay at a resort on the mainland and avoid thewhole thing
What will the beach situation look like? Not worth travelling all the way to Hawaii if the resort bubble doesn’t include some beach access. I will not fly there to sit by a pool. Is this being addressed?
I disagree with resort bubbles as featured here.
It is a must to have negative covid test first before come. Then there should be a post test once arrive after a couple of days on the airplane to ensure no covid was picked up at the airport.
The people must always wear masks, social distance with everyone except own family members where could walk, swim, hike, surf with them. These rules must be enforced or those who don’t care about others would not wear masks…just look at other cities where people didn’t wear masks and some more Covid was spread. The terrible thing about Covid is it kills, there is no cure as of now, the damage lingers after Covid is over, people have neurological damage, lung and breathing problems. Covid is awful and it needs to be contained as best we can by wearing masks.
Eating causes people to be exposed since mouths are open during eating so eating IMHO needs to be done in your unit and away from other diners. Common sense says always have to wear a mask around strangers and those not in household then it’s important to do that always now until a cure otherwise people will contract it in a crowd someone will spread it and someone will get it.
Lets just open it up with pre-flight covid testing. The government is picking winners and losers. The losers being all the really great condos. I would like to travel to my place before the end of the year but also run a business on the mainland and can’t be gone for two weeks. Thanks for the update.
Hi Scott.
Thanks for your comment. We haven’t heard the end of this.
Aloha.
Hi. I think you should use the same tech for locals returning from the mainland to ensure the obey the 14 day quarentine. They are probably creating more covid problems than tourists who keep to themselves.
No Thank You!! When on vacation, I don’t want “Big Brother” watching my every move. Try again Hawaii, before your whole state goes bankrupt.