New orders from the governor limit occupancy at restaurants, bars, gyms, and social gatherings. What you should do to prepare.
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We are booked to come to Maui from October and November. I made all my reservations for the 4 weeks already through Open Table, so I am set. Cases are going up everywhere, even here in Ontario, Canada. If it stays like this, I guess nothing happens. My main concern is the regular flu. I have seen articles where they say it will come back with great force and combined with Covid cases might bring actually serious problems to the Health Care System. I don’t have a Chrystal Ball, but I am prepared and I hope for the best. If we get a double whammy, who knows what our politicians will do.
We are coming to Hawaii in 3 weeks. Can i make dinner reservations now? Also any info on tours? Should I do that now also. Thank you.
Hi Teckla.
Yes to both of those questions.
Aloha.
Use Open Table. You get 100 points and when you have enough, your get a dining cheque.
Aloha,
I would book any tours or excursions that you want to do as soon as possible. We were unable to book Big Island excursions (Fairwinds II Captain Cook snorkeling trip and also manta ray night snorkeling with the 2 companies we like) because they were completely booked or only had 1 space available the entire 10 days we were on the Big Island.
It was pretty difficult getting restaurant reservations, too, so we suggest make reservations ASAP.
🏝 Have fun in Hawaii! 😎
Dear Teckla, yes I would definitely book everything now well in advance!! The sooner the better, lol.
We have been vaccinated and have proof. Do we need to get a covid test before arriving. Many publications are saying you do and others are saying you do not. Very confusing
Dear Carol, Right now as it stands all you need is your vaccine cdc card uploaded to safe travels program. No testing is required @ the moment, but that could change. It definitely is alot to keep up with!
Dear Carol, when is your trip? Have a fun & safe trip whenever you do go! 🐠🌺🍍🥥🌍🌈🌊⛱ God bless you! Psalms 91:11😇
As subscribers to ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’ we sincerely appreciate the information.
However, at the risk of a rhetorical question, with so many restaurants seemingly qualifying as outdoor, what is the sense, or lack thereof, of a one size fits all policy?
Fifty percent, applied to individual restaurants, will invariably produce something lower, from an industry standpoint, as additional restaurants throw in the towel.
We’re not giving up on our Hawaii vacation #32, but the prospect of frozen dinners on the Lanai is a test of our loyalty.
I really wish that people would stop demonizing the unvaccinated. You do not know their stories. Fauci stated that the viral load in the nazal passage is EXACTLY THE SAME in vaccinated and unvaccinated people. This means that you “holier than thou” vaccinated people will spread the disease when you sneeze just like the unvaccinated. Hate to break it to you all, but covid (in some form) will be with us forever, just like the flu. Therapeutics should have been the focus all along NOT draconion control measures.
You’re missing an important point. Breakthrough cases (ie. those people who are vaccinated and still get sick) are a tiny percentage of the cases in this country. So, yes, that tiny percentage CAN still spread the virus. However, the vast majority of those who have been vaccinated will NOT, therefore, the more people that are vaccinated, the less spread. Add to that the fact that hospitals are once again filling up with COVID patients in places that have low rates of vaccination, like Florida and Texas as well as state governments who have prioritized business over people’s health, here we are in a mess again. So, yes, I can completely understand where some people are upset with those that refuse to get vaccinated. Sure, there are those that can’t get vaccinated for various health reasons, and they aren’t the ones people are mad at. It’s the ones that have bought into the FUD, misinformation, and politics of it all and simply refuse that are the target of anger. And, to bring it back around to Hawaii travel, which is what we are supposed to be discussing on the board. Hawaii is one of those states that has not bought into the misinformation, etc., and has prioritized people’s health over business. Does that create issues, SURE. Have they made some mistakes and bad decisions, SURE. But in the end, it’s all been about keeping the people of the state of Hawaii safe and healthy.
You and Stanley seemed to have missed the point. Covid is here to stay in some variant form, just like the flu. Learn to live with it!
The viral load may be the same but all of the hospitalization and death is among the unvaccinated. It’s the length of time not the peak viral load. For example vaccinated might have that high viral load for an hour while the unvaccinated have it for a month.
The capitol of Australia, Canberra just instituted a snap lockdown of 7 days due to 1 case. This is a city of 400,000 people. The point is covid will be here for good. Restrictions and lockdowns have little impact. Time to open up 100% and continue the push to get more people vaccinated. If not, this hampster wheel of partial levels of open will continue forever and the long term effects will be far worse than covid.
You have it backward. Australia has been 100% open, EXCEPT when there’s an outbreak. Then they lockdown in a targeted way till the outbreak is over. It’s been a VERY successful strategy that has balanced lockdowns with openness and kept the people of Australia safe.
You are sadly mistaken. You have no ability to understand the harm of the totality of government imposed civil liberty restrictions with individual risk tolerance and freedoms. One example, Australia is using the military to enforce certain lockdowns. I gather you endorse such dangerous tactics. Enjoy your day.
Thank you as always for the updates, BOH. We’re anxious about the ever changing rules, good thing we’re staying in a condo and have booked some activities in advance so trying to get restaurant reservations is not a concern. Hoping there aren’t anymore changes before we get there in 1.5 weeks. Stay safe and healthy everyone. Mahalo
Hi Inah.
We hope that your vacation goes perfectly. Please let us know.
Aloha.
Very interest article
Thank you
Dear Inah, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Hawaii in April(2022). I’m going to do all my bookings for hotel & tours well in advance! 🐠🐢🌺🍍🥥🌍🛩🌈🏖🏝🕶🛍👒 I’m getting very excited for whenever I do come😍 stay safe & may God bless you, always! Psalms 91:11
We just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Hawaii. 1 week on the Big Island and the rest of the time on Maui. The BI had VERY limited options for dining out. Lots of empty storefronts. We stayed in Waikoloa and the shops had only a few restaurants open and most you couldn’t get into. The ice cream shop was open the day we got there and the next day, it was literally closed for good! Signs on the windows saying they’re closed after 13 years! So sad. There was a shave ice place that was open noon-6pm-and lines down the street. So basically we couldn’t get treats, which was a bummer. Employee shortage is very real and very obvious. Maui was in much better shape. It didn’t feel much different than the last time we went to 2 years ago- albeit more people. Let me know if you have any questions as we just got home!
Do you have any suggestions for restaurants? We’re staying in the condos next the grand hilton. Suggestions for activities. Thank you
Hi Joan.
No we do not, but would suggest Yelp for restaurants and TripAdvisor for activities. Others may add their suggestions.
Aloha.
Open Table for restaurant reservations. We are headed for the big Island on 8/21 and we have already made ours, but since the capacity rules have changed, we are concerned that we may lose some of our reservations.
WE’ll be at Waikoloa in November. Are the Kings and Queens shops open? I’m interested to find out if either Foster’s Kitchen, and/or Roy’s are open. How about the Queen’s Marketplace? Sure hope this pandemic ends soon, before all of our favorites go out of business.
i am a nurse comig for 9 days. who could I contact to help with vaccination clinics?
can’t type–coming dang I would love to volunteer for 3-4 days!!
Hi Janet.
Perhaps start with the Hawaii Department of Health with offices on each island.
Aloha.
Dear Janet, Mahalo for your service to your community! May God bless you always 🙏Psalms 91:11😇
how many restaurants are doing take out? which are best in lihue? thanks
Hi Janet.
Your question would probably be answered better with research on Yelp or TripAdvisor.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for always keeping us informed. Just curious, if the tourists represent a small number of the cases, what’s going on? Residents traveling and returning without testing and then spreading to family while quarantined? If that even still exists, not sure, haven’t kept up lately. Also, what’s the vaccination rate in Hawaii? I believe the vaccine is widely available for anyone who wants it, so is there a logistical problem getting residents vaccinated? Thank you so much for always clarifying as we’re trying to plan a future trip and when things change back and forth like this, it makes it hard to imagine we’ll ever get there. Best to all.
Hi JC.
The majority of cases are community spread including some clusters at specific locations. Las Vegas travel by residents is also mentioned as one of the factors. The current vaccination rate is just over 60%.
Aloha.
Yes, the Lt Governor said that most of the cases are from locals who went to the mainland for vacation and brought it back. Most of them don’t get tested before coming back, they simply “quarantine” in their home. But of course that is useless because they pass it to their families while they are in quarantine.
What are the rules for being at a pool or laying on the beach please
Hi Joan.
We haven’t seen any changes, so outdoors, masks are not required.
Aloha.
That’s a relief..I can’t imagine wearing a mask sunbathing..what a funny tan that would be..
I have our 12 day trip scheduled late Sep. Making outing plans and booking as soon as I can at the different activities. Since this not our first trip to Maui we don’t need to be doing a lot of things and can stay at the resort with ease.
We are choosing to drive from NM to AZ so we can fly non-stop from there and won’t have to go through LA. All 4 of us are vaccinated. Hopefully the islands can recover from all the set backs. We love visiting and are hoping to do Kauai next year.
The Governor seems to be acting pretty reasonably lately. He has not overreacted to the recent surge in covid cases or blamed tourists when the numbers indicate otherwise. Also there appears to be a flattening in cases the past few days nationwide and in Hawaii as well with numbers back down into the 400s. One good thing that may come if this is more people getting vaccinated again and hopefully Hawaii reaching its 70 percent target eventually.
As we start to plan for February, 2022 (we had to cancel 2021) it looks like we will have to make a West Coast stop (1 or 2 nights for testing and results to be uploaded) I fear booking a non-stop to HNL not knowing who may offer the right test here in Georgia. It feels like 2020 all over again. So sad.
I mean no offense, but can’t you just get vaccinated? Then you don’t need to be tested at this time.
Best of luck to you.
Just wait until it’s over. Our biannual trip of 10 days were impacted (Aug23-Sep3) and we can’t stand it.
But, in the interest of keeping our family safe, we cancelled.
Hawaii will be there.
Aloha
Be vaccinated and you won’t have to test unless you have children under 12
Just came back from 10 days in Kauai. It was amazing. We scheduled excursions every day we were there. The only thing I didn’t like was you need a car to get around bc lyft/uber/cabs are unreliable. So I would definitely find a way to rent a car for your stay.
I am sorry to hear about the change to restaurant capacity being decreased but am not surprised. I know restaurants in our city and all through CA struggled to get patrons back in and then have been hit also with limited staff or needing guests to sit outside in tents. Although we really wanted to go in September to make up for missing our anniversary trip in September 2020 we have decided to just put it off another year.
Dear Kym, I’m suppose to be going to Hawaii in April(2022) but with the cases going up as of now I’m not so sure. When December rolls around I will reevaluate the situation. If need be I can postpone to another year, but I’m hopeful things will have calmed some! Take care & stay safe! God bless you, Psalms 91:11🐢🌺🍍🥥🌏🛩🌈⛱🌊🕶🛍👒🏝
When we travelled in June the capacity limit was 50%, and masking was required. I fully agree with you that reservations for restaurants and activities should be made well ahead of travel dates. I made mine a month out, and had to be very flexible with times, as the usual dinner hours were fully booked, even that far ahead. For one of our favorites there were no reservations available at all. Fortunately we did have a condo with a kitchen and we were able to have at least two meals each day in our unit.
Thanks for keeping us up to date on the current situation and requirements. We return for a business trip in October, and a family trip in November. Hoping the Delta variant is finished by then.
Hi Lee.
Thanks for your many coments! Glad you will be returning this fall.
Aloha.
Yea, that’s right… keep injecting the experimental gene therapy into people, most of which, if less than 65 and no underlying comorbidities, have a 99.7 + chance of recovering from Covid.( for you non-believers, you can verify this stat on CDC’s wbesite). While you’re at it, check out Robert Kennedy, Jrs CHD website for the side of the story that’s never talked about. Maybe the government should be stressing how to better take care of the environment before beautiful places like Hawaii are no longer beautiful ( I’ve been to Hawaii recently; the reefs are being destroyed by sunscreen, plastic, etc)
Actually Tom, Robert Kennedy’s position has been talked about a lot and well covered.
As his physician sister is on record saying. He’s a good person but he is simply wrong.
You never know what sends some people down a rabbit hole but he has been debunked by people far more qualified to make the call then he.
Shame, he has done some great work for the environment lending his celebrity to the cause, but that doesn’t mean he is an expert on everything. The worst though is that Dr Mercola, he is a first class scammer who has made a lot of money selling his “Alternatives” to vaccines.
These people have killed so many by spreading misinformation….or don’t you believe all the stories in the news about anti vaxers wishing they had taken the shot before they died. It’s happening a lot and no it’s not fake news….unless of course maybe you believe in Chem Trails? 🙂
There is no actual heritable genetic material in the vaccines.
If you’re over 65 and have a few comorbidities you have a 3% chance of dying and if you’re over 80 an 18% chance of dying.
BTW there is a trillion times as much sunscreen in the aquariums that the coral reef studies were done in than from 1 million tourists dripping with sunscreen on Waikiki beach. It’s actually a sextillion times more but I thought that might be misunderstood.
Surviving COVID can like surviving a massive heart attack or stroke, you are technically alive but you have no quality of life. COVID actually attacks the microvasculature or tiny blood vessels throughout your body, that is why it is dangerous, it can attack any and all organs in your body.
Enjoy your fantasy world until COVID reaches out and kills you.
If people would just get vaccinated much of this hardship is needless.
Aloha
Pretty much sums it up!
Thanks for the article, BOH! I just read on Maui News that Maui had never opened up restaurant capacity beyond 50%. The new restrictions, apparently, won’t affect Maui too much.
We’re planing to fly over to Maui the end of October, hoping we can!
Lanell
Hi Lanell.
Thanks for that. Not sure if that’s true or why Maui wasn’t operating at 75% per the state’s rules. The 75% limit went into effect statewide on July 8. Glad to hear you will be flying over this fall.
Aloha.
It’s ironic that some elected officials would like to see vacation rentals go away and yet they are an option to the already stressed for space restaurants. Let’s keep in mind that LEGAL vacation rentals are a boon to Hawai’is visitor economy. It’s the ILLEGAL vacation rentals which can be bothersome to neighborhoods and unpaid income for counties and the state.
The only positive out of the reduction in restaurant capacity is that high season should end in the next week or so. So tables should be easier to get.
Staffing shortages at restaurants is really bad here on the BI. Kona Brewery has really been swamped with tourists and not enough servers.
They are now closed on Sunday to give the people who are showing up to work a much needed break.
As always, thank you for the info.
Kelly
Hi Kelly.
Thank you. Yes, high season is ending, but this year isn’t normal, and it looks like, depending on how things go, now through fall will be very busy.
Aloha.
Thanks guys for the newest update, looks like this reduced restaurant capacity situation will be around for a while , most likely at Halloween when I make my 4th trip to Hnl using safe Hawaii. The only one that worked smoothly was the January 1 trip . On the second trip in may carbon health and safe Hawaii had technical issues that did not allow for tests to download . As far as the 3 rd trip on July 29 I did ask safe Hawaii why I was required to download a picture of my vaccine card at sfo on even though I was approved by safe Hawaii by using clear and linking it to safe Hawaii . Safe Hawaii told me that was a United airlines pre clearance employee and the airlines have their own policies. All I can guess is is was a new employee who wasn’t sure exactly what she was doing . Hoping my next trip goes smoothly.
Time for the powers to be to get their collective heads out of their rear ends. In the article, Governor indicated this isn’t coming from tourist. So whom does that leave? Don’t punish those who have taken responsibility by getting Covid shots. Hold those responsible for not doing their part. It is that simple!!
What will happen at restaurants already booked at 75% capacity? I am personally interested as we are a month off from a much anticipated Maui trip.
Aloha BOH Bro’s and followers
The new reality of covid management is upon us it’s been reported on several news sites that within the next 48 hours the FDA is expected to authorize booster shots for immune compromised individuals.
My guess is next seniors over the age of 65 who were vaccinated 6 plus months ago will be notified that they will require a third booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna.
Welcome to the new covid reality.
Thank you for keeping us informed.
My husband and I are traveling to Oahu in October. We have been vaccinated since February with the Moderna 2 doses. We adopted masks in March 2020 before it was recommended. I believe there is so much we should do to take care of ourselves and others. I’m not apposed to restrictions for safety of Hawaiian residents and ourselves.
We have continued to mask when indoors in any shopping areas or with lots of people. We have grandchildren too young for the vaccine. We need to make sure We are responsible to keep them safe from us.
We are prepared to wear masks in the airports and planes and outdoors if necessary.
We are fortunate to have a full kitchen for our 2 week stay. We will do take out and cook. And most of all enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Hawaii.
Looking forward to our trip.
Hi Patti.
Thanks. Have a great time this fall on Oahu!
Aloha.
We have given too much power to our “clown” leaders and need to take back that power. From local leaders, all the way up to the White House. Maybe if “we” goverment spend trillions of dollars covid might go away. Oh but wait there’s more. Just add one more variant after another that will cause more fear.
I went to the Big Island in July and had no problem getting a rental from Avis. They were so great and offered me a Jeep or Convertible, even though I just reserved a suv. They had plenty of cars. I had such a great time and the service was outstanding from car, hotel, eating places. I felt Aloha everywhere I went. Can’t wait to go back. Thank You Bev
Hi Bev.
Thanks. Glad you had a great time last month on the Big Island and we appreciate you sharing that.
Aloha.
Stupid. Crazy. Rules make no sense. I wanted to visit Hawaii……but forget it! WAYYYY too many hoops! Black Hills of South Dakota sounds much better…..freedom! No mandates of any kind!
Hmmm. Evidently, having natural immunity + vaccinations doesn’t count for much.
I understand the issue, but “the science” doesn’t support the over-reaction by government.
Wanted to echo comment below – you guys are THE BEST. Could not believe it when last week while at our hotel bar, two different gentlemen stated they had no knowledge of Safe Travels and no knowledge of the car rental debacle until they encountered each of those when coming to Kauai earlier that week!!!! Needless to say – I suggested they go to Beat of Hawaii before next trip!!! (But it does beg the question, if it weren’t for you, how WOULD we have known anything! Airlines do have banners across the top but they’re not insistent.) (Sorry we couldn’t visit – I was in pain most of the trip to where I was feeling sorry for myself and not very social. Apparently arthritis is worse in humidity and doc confirmed this morning that horrid left knee was major arthritis under the knee cap. We’ll try again in January!)
Hi Barbara.
Thanks! Sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well, and we sure want to meet up in January. Hope you are doing better now at home.
Aloha.
I find it interesting that the government knows the case count resulting from the Delta Variant, yet not even the CDC can respond in any definitive manner about the Delta Variant. They can recognize the Covid 19 protocols in people, but seemingly cannot determine this variant in people. Something is terribly wrong that delta can not be identified yet they can attribute the case count to Delta. What really is happening here???
Aloha, I’m arriving on Maui next month for 7 nights and have reservations for breakfast and dinner for all 7 nights, I wonder with the reduced capacity if some, if not all my reservations will be affected. I’ll follow up when I get back.
Hi Phil.
Good question. Please do let us know.
Aloha.
Really interesting question. I’m heading to the Big Island in a couple of weeks, and I have reservations for dinner every night as well. so FAR no notice from Open Table about my reservations being canceled. But it will be interesting to see what happens when we get there.
Just because the high number of new Covid/Delta cases cannot be attributed to visitors, doesnt mean that visitors shouldnt be held to a certain level of accountability. Once again the Gov lis moving at a snails pace. Changes to Safe Travels will come because managing the number of people attending “gatherings” is impossible and Covid will continue to spread. The summertime crowds coming in will have their months-in-advance restaurant reservations disappear with the new 50% capacity restriction. The Gov is reliving 2020 all over again … didnt learn a thing!
Residents want to know how many visitors are getting tested and where do their test results get recorded? Do they count where they reside or in Hawaii? It appears rather suspect that we have never ever gotten a number on how many visitors test positive. There is a great deal of suspicion about Ige’s claims that residents are contracting Covid but zero visitors have.
Surprised by your comment. They know more about all of the tourist arriving because of protocols that are required versus their own state residence. Just a fact!!
Residents want to know? All visitors must be vaccinated or have a negative test before getting on a plane. How are visitors bringing covid to Hawaii? Maybe the question should be visitors want to know how many of the residents are testing positive after flying to the mainland? Apparently residents don’t need to test or be negative before returning to tge islands?
What about conventions? Are lectures limited to 10 or 25 or 50 people?
Even meetings held in huge halls with social distancing?
Since the surge in covid cases is among natives who do not test or vaccinate and claim to do quarantine, best way of stopping the spread is requiring everyone who wishes to travel outside the island take a test 72 hrs before leaving as well as after 72 hours coming back.
Or require every one complete a two dose vaccination schedule before leaving the island.
Also all quarantine in hotels with national guard follow up for violations as it used to be before safe travel program
Thank you very much for keeping us posted of Hawai’i’s rules concerning the Corona Virus pandemic! Your article’s summarizes the Governor’s ruling and wraps it in a nutshell so we don’t have to second guess! Please keep up the great articles!
Truly
Senior citizen
Hi Joyce.
Thanks. We’re glad it was helpful to you and appreciate your first-time comment. Hope to see you again soon.
Aloha.
Boy did we time our trip right!!!
Too much indecision. Reluctantly, we are postponing our Hawaii trip. :0( Hope we see you next year or the year after.
If you are vaccinated you don’t have to postpone your trip. Just download a copy of your vaccination card.
Do I understand you right? That as long as we have our vaccinations cards, we do not have to test 72 hours before we arrive?
Dear Sharon S, that is right for now. Upload vaccine card to Safe Hawaii travel site. No test required yet.
Have no intention of wearing masks and waiting in long in Hawaii, testing, etc., etc., . We will postpone. There is no way to know what the Protocols will be from One Day To The Next. Maybe another year.
We are right there sharing your same feelings. Until this debockle is behind us does not look like our yearly trip to Maui will be anytime soon.