Governor Ige late yesterday approved the mandatory contact tracing requirement for all travelers from both the mainland and interisland to Maui. We have more details on when that starts and how it will work below. When contact tracing on Maui was first proposed, you were outspoken and mostly opposed to the idea in the comments we received.
Tip: You must download the AlohaSafe Alert App on your phone before departing for Maui. If you do it on arrival, it’s too late (see below).
Interestingly, the governor found the issue adequately compelling to issue yesterday’s emergency health rule. At the same time, however, that left us wondering why it would not apply to the entire State of Hawaii rather than just Maui arrivals.
One of the most frequent complaints you’ve addressed for months now is the inconsistency of rules between islands, and here is just another example of that still happening.
Lastly, it is interesting to note that there are a few limited exemptions to the requirement.
Contract tracing app controversy.
Last summer, the government’s NIH said about these apps, “Contact-tracing apps might be an effective way of controlling the pandemic through the next phases. However, to be effective, contact tracing must be supported not only by solid technology, capable of minimizing the risk of attacks but also by a system offering safe communication with appropriate authorities.”
A Brookings Institute article stated, “Contact-tracing apps have to be administered by someone, and that someone is usually a government-led public health system. Many communities have deep and justified concerns that their governments will use the public health crisis to expand surveillance and violate their rights, and continued, “We worry that contact-tracing apps will serve as vehicles for abuse and disinformation.”
Exceptions to the Maui contact tracing requirements.
There are only a few situations that will not require the AlohaSafe Alert App. And we aren’t sure if all of them even make sense. Consider number three, for example. In any event, the exceptions are as follows:
1. Use an alternative contact tracing app. (Must be a Google-Apple Exposure Notification System).
2. Anyone under the age of 18. (Makes sense).
3. Those who do not possess a mobile device, when at least one person in the party has the app. (Here, they assume that everyone stays together on a Maui vacation when we know that’s not the case).
Go to Pre-Health Emergency Rules to read the proclamation.
New Contact Tracing Rules Start 1/19/21.
The latest emergency rules read as follows. “All travelers into Maui County, whether interisland or transpacific, who wish to avoid quarantine by pre-testing within the State’s Safe Travels Program, must additionally download either the AlohaSafe Alert application or another Google-Apple Exposure Notification System application, or enable their exposure notification setting on their mobile device. Proof of registration, such as showing airport screeners or any law enforcement officer, the application installed or setting enabled on a traveler’s mobile device, is required. Failure to register with an exposure notification system before arrival into Maui County shall result in mandatory quarantine, except for any individual under the age of 18 or who does not possess a mobile device. Only for those who do not possess a mobile device, at least one individual in their traveling party will be required to comply.”
We appreciate your thoughts.
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Barbara B. says
So…I downloaded the AlohaSafeAlerts on my phone….now what? There wasn’t anywhere to add my name, etc? How does it work???
JM says
Hi,
We are traveling to Maui our final destination in March. However could not get a direct flight there. So we are connecting via Honolulu airport, flight leaves for Maui 2 hours after we land. 1) Do we need to make sure our covid negative test is 72 hrs prior to our Honolulu to Maui flight? or Just the Seattle to Honolulu portion? 2) is 2 hours enough time to connect to Maui?
Thanks,
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi JM.
It needs to be taken within 72 hours of your trans-Pacific flight to HNL.
Aloha.
Becky G. says
Don’t the people of Hawaii remember the tragedy of the Molokai Leper Colony? Forced quarantine was abolished in 1969. It seems 50 years is enough to erase the mistakes of the past. So sad for the people of Hawaii.
“In total over the decades, more than 8500 men, women and children living throughout the Hawaiian islands and diagnosed with leprosy were exiled to the colony by the Hawaiian government and legally declared dead. This public health measure was continued after the Kingdom became a U.S. territory. Patients were not allowed to leave the settlement nor have visitors and had to live out their days here. In 1969 the century-old laws of forced quarantine were abolished.” [20][21] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molokai
After almost a year, it’s time to decide – do we value individual freedom and the founding principles of the USA or are we now a “collective” willing to abdicate control over the lives of our families to politicians and bureaucrats with dubious credentials?
I’ve always loved the people, culture, and beauty of Hawaii. I will be missing you until this madness ends:
Aloha’oe, aloha’oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho’i a’e au
Until we meet again
CAROL F says
Aloha, planning a trip to Maui in February. I don’t own a smartphone. Would I be able to share my husbands cell phone? since we will be together all the time? I have a tablet that is hooked to Wi-Fi but NO internet connection. Mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Carol.
Yes, one person having a smartphone with the tracking app should suffice, unless there is any change in rules.
Aloha.
David B says
Dave W,
My unsolicited advice, which you can ignore:
Is it not possible for you to just keep your (social) distance from these “life threatening” locals? Just stay away from them. They don’t want you around them, anyway. Win-win. If this is not possible for whatever reasons, you should go someplace else, where you don’t feel your life is being threatened. Maybe just stay home until you get yourself vaccinated? In the meantime, expecting others to change their behavior to please you will leave you sorely disappointed.
Dave W says
David B.
Actually I got caught up in a bit of sarcasm to the original poster saying that tourists are dangerous. Actually we are having a great time and have come to understand why locals probably don’t mind a few (a lot) less tourists. We also enjoy less traffic, less crowds etc in comparison to years past. For us it is like the good old days. Honestly, I believe that I am enjoying the safest state in the country. Sorry I wasn’t clear.
David B says
Dave W,
Good to hear. I am often the one being sarcastic and people take me literally. I fell for it! Poe’s law in action.
Good to hear you’re having a great time. Over here on Kauai, we have even less traffic and crowds, and we get our local beaches nearly all to ourselves. But, then I read stories like this in today’s paper, and I am reminded that this comes at a steep price.
thegardenisland.com/2021/01/21/hawaii-news/sheraton-kauai-resort-furloughed-employees-get-food-help/