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186 thoughts on “Mandatory Contact Tracing Approved by Governor”

  1. TRACY Y

    Ok, I download the App, show the airport screener … and then I leave my phone in my room when I’m out … or I turn the Bluetooth off … now what??? The App is rendered useless if the phone is sitting on a countertop or the Bluetooth is disabled. This is beyond ridiculous!

  3. Ron J

    Thank you BOH for all the updates! This newest requirement is disheartening. It’s a little nonsensical when 80% of the positive COVID cases on Maui can be traced to community transmission, 17% to returning residents, and only about 3% to visitors. (I think you guys reported those numbers earlier this week?) And yet the visitors are the ones required to install the app. One can see why; can you imagine DUI style app checkpoints for all residents and visitors alike? LOL. I think these contract tracing app are not well used in the US as compared to some other countries as we are very protective of our rights and privacy issues. And with good reason, I believe. I had read about Mayor Victorino’s request to Gov Ige, and also that he granted it, but I’m looking forward to reading the comments here. Thanks again!

  5. Curt S

    Not wanting to spend too much time reading the ever changing rules for coming to Hawaii, I would like to ask this question – if one comes into contact with someone that tests positive, and that is picked up in contact tracing, are you and your family then required to quarantine? If so, why would anyone risk an expensive vacation to Hawaii when there is a very reasonable likelihood of coming into contact with someone that has the virus any time one goes to a restaurant, bar, swimming pool or any other place where large groups gather? Also, would it matter if one comes into contact with someone with the virus if they have been vaccinated?

  6. PAM M

    Ahh yes, inequality as per island.

    Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for the timely information.

    It’s my humble opinion that I have nothing to hide, therefore I have no problem with the tracing. Will residents be required to comply?
    After all, it seems perfectly reasonable to me.

    Aloha and blessings always 🌺

  7. Sandi B

    I always appreciate your travel updates. We were going to travel to Maui in April and already booked lodging. I will cancel. This is ridiculous and unnecessary. It is so unfortunate. Florida, here we come!

    Mahalo!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Sandi.

      Thanks for your comments. Sorry that Maui won’t work out for you this time, but we hope to welcome you back again.

      Aloha.

    2. MainlandAnnie

      It is ridiculous! Next thing you know, they will be bugging our hotel rooms and putting cameras in the bathroom.

    3. Steven S

      Aloha Sandi B,
      We too are booked and yet still planning for our late April trip to Maui. We booked our timeshare back in July 2019 (before anyone ever heard of COVID) so right now, we are a wait and see before we cancel. This would be our last trip to Hawaii forever, so we want to be absolutely sure what the situation develops into by then before we cancel. We are boycotting Florida (we live in NJ) until their State gets their COVIDIOTS out of office as they are almost as bad as California with their caseloads.

  8. Robin D.

    Just a “heads up”! My wife and I took our Honeymoon in Hawaii, back in 2007! We visited all three Islands then! However, we will NOT be back! You people have gone covid crazy! We have absolutely no interest in going somewhere that has officials that have lost their collective minds! I sincerely hope that many more “potential” travelers, follow our choice to make the Hawaiian Islands, a destination that is not desirable! We intended to visit the Islands again this year but changed our minds, now that we see how insane your government has gotten! Tourism is the life Blood of the Islands and let’s see how well you do when it has declined to a point that living there is no longer feasible!

    1. MainlandAnnie

      Us too–we were Maui’d on K’aanapali Beach and returned in 2015 for a second honeymoon to Oahu. No way are we returning for this type of tyranny

    2. Denise

      I really don’t see any big deal.
      That’s why Maui’s positivity rate is so low.
      I have not been to Maui in 13 months and I am going crazy.
      Can’t wait to go in April.
      Aloha

      1. Lanell

        What you said is spot on, Denise, and exactly what I was going to say… except we are planning for October!

        Whatever we can do to end this pandemic! Contact traci g is a must!

        Thanks, BOH, for all the info!

        Lani

      3. Jasmin L.

        I agree! That’s why it’s so low and they want to keep it that way. These islands absolutely cannot afford to have any kind of outbreak. It seems reasonable to me as well. I just downloaded the app and turned it on and that’s it. Took me 30 seconds.

    3. Kavika C

      Amen and Amen! Could not agree more!
      Absolute insanity and fear being driven by people who love power! I cannot believe how quickly and easy people are willing to give up personal freedoms. Once it’s gone the freedom never comes back, tyrants are ruthless. Taking our vacation $ to Fla where common sense is still found
      Mahalo

      1. Elay s

        Sadly see politics and a bit of indigence in some of the comments. Thank you but no one place has worked it out. If you don’t know anyone who has suffered due to Covid then you are lucky. And my household has an at risk not Covid related member who might not get a bed now. The stories of the health care workers are tragic too.

    4. Virginia

      Agreed! They have gone completely insane. We visit yearly as well, but looks like we will vacay on the mainland. Mahalo for the memories!

    5. Lori L

      Things are crazy everywhere because of the unpredictability of Covid-19. Please do not judge the islands for the actions of a few in the confusion. First and foremost should be the health and well being of the people of Hawaii. You are free to travel wherever you choose, but as a “potential” traveler, I will never consider Hawaii undesirable…ever. There will always be multiple reasons why visitors value their stay. “Comme ci, comme ca” (Come see,come saw)…..to each their own!

      1. Robin D

        The “few” that you speak of, happen to be the policy makers for the Islands. So under the current circumstances, I too, find it undesirable! As you said, “to each his own”! No thanks!

  9. Jasmin L.

    Aloha! Long time reader, first time commenter. I fly out to Maui tomorrow morning (1/17). From your article it looks as if I am arriving by the skin of our teeth. I think I may just download this app just in case. We’ve followed all other protocols for Maui (negative NAAT COVID test results from approved provider uploaded yesterday to Safe Travels site, 24 hr questionnaire filled out this morning, etc.) I am soooo thankful I follow this blog or I would NEVER have caught this. Thank you so much for all you do in keeping your readers abreast of all these changes! What would we do without you?

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Jasmin.

      Thanks so much! We hope you have a great time on Maui. Let us know how everything goes if you have a chance.

      ALoha.

      1. JASMIN L

        Aloha! I’m currently here on Maui and everything went perfectly upon arrival on January 17. Our flight arrived an hour early (2:11pm!) so there was absolutely no line and no wait for the COVID clearance. They wanted proof of negative COVID test and our QR codes from the pre-travel questionnaire we filled out. This is when staff will update your Safe Travels account to show that you’re exempt from quarantine. The whole process was about 5 minutes. I did download the AlohaSafe app just in case however she said we didn’t require it. We didn’t check any bags which saved us tons of time. We went straight to the car rental area, no line again as it was only 2:30pm. Car rental counter asked for proof of negative test as well. When we checked in to the resort they had us log in to our Hawaii Safe Travels accounts and show them that we were exempt from quarantine. Easy peasy. Check-in was otherwise normal. That’s it! We’re now here and it’s just fine! Masks on in public required but we knew that. Nothing infringe-y or “Big Brother-y” about the process. Everyone had been exceptionally nice and welcoming and seem genuinely happy to have visitors.

        I read a couple comments about hour plus long wait times for COVID clearance and my simplest tip to combat that would be to choose the earliest arriving flight available that way there just aren’t that many people there yet. That’s what we did with our 3:03pm arriving flight. The bonus was that we arrived an hour early at 2:11pm! Also, have your QR code(s) ready! Many people neglected to take the pre-travel questionnaire on their Safe Travels account in order to get the QR code and that will definitely add time if you have to do it upon arrival. If you’re arriving after January 19, download the app! We didn’t require it but it will be required just like your COVID testing. It’s a simple thing, it took me 30 seconds to download it and turn it on. That’s all. You never have to look at it again. You’ll forget you even have it.
        Mahalo!

    1. Dn

      Right. It only says you have to have it in arrival. I will for 5 minutes. So if they see you have contact, they throw you into quarantine? Nuh uh.

    2. Chris G

      Why would you have this reaction to an app that could tell you if you are at substantial risk of infection? Please do not come to Hawaii if you’re hostile to even the most minimal of safety measures.

    5. Kathleen P

      I don’t see how they can control this. Why put into place things you have no control over once someone walks away from you. I have been to Maui twice since Oct 15th, jumped through every hoop they set up and arrivals went smoothly. I will go again this year because I love Maui and I will download the app because they require it but they have no control over how much I carry my phone, keep it on, etc.

    7. Matt

      Exactly. Though, it sounds like if you get pulled over or stopped by police they can ask you for proof of app working/registered? Is that right BOH team?

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