186 thoughts on “Mandatory Contact Tracing Approved by Governor”
David B
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
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
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.
This is scary… so essentially they are goin to know where you are all times? And if you are close to someone it will let them know? Wow I couldn’t hate this idea more. This is up there with forced vaccination but maybe a bit more terrifying.
PAM M
I’d like to say that I don’t disagree with any requirements that have been put forth.
People have choices. If you so desire to visit our islands, do so without complaint. The COVID-19 cases are stacking up and our hospitals are filling up.
This is an unprecedented pandemic of epic proportions.
Yes, the economy is fragile. Yes, money is a necessary evil.
But please keep in mind, lives lost cannot be replaced.
Who amongst you can decide who will die because of the carelessness of others?
Until adequate testing and a proven success rate from the vaccine is established, it’s a crap shoot.
Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for all you do for others. You’re simply amazing.
Aloha and blessings to all🌺
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Pam.
Thanks for both your kindness and wisdom.
Aloha.
Dave W
I agree with Pam’s remarks about my choice to come as a tourist and especially that lives lost can’t be replaced. This brings me to my concern about seeing locals gather at the beach. I am on Maui for five weeks. Two down. I see large groups of locals with no masks hugging when they meet and greet at the beach. Perhaps an extended rainy season would be good for knocking down the Covid numbers. Yesterday I wanted additional books for the beach so I headed to the mall and the friends of the library used book store (which is a great store). Again, we saw local young men not wearing masks in the mall. Maui has it figured out how to harness the actions of the incoming. It is time for Maui to work on the locals who threaten our life.
Christine
I am confused as to why the app has to be downloaded prior to arrival. What are they looking for? Does it say when it was activated and where you have been? Why can’t it be downloaded at the airport? I imagine there are A LOT of people that are going to be caught by surprise by this…I was and I am living on Oahu. I would think letting people download it after arrival would prevent a lot of ticked off tourists that thought they were jumping through all the hoops and then STILL have to be quarantined.
Jared R
Oh Hawaii…. just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water. Ige is back at it making rules that only apply to some, and are difficult to interpret or enforce. I so want to return to Maui, but just canceled our 10 day vacation with 10 people, and heading back to Cabo. I will kick my flight credits on Hawaiian down the road and hope that the lack of government intelligence dissipates as the virus vaccination continues. I have canceled 4 trips in 2020, and now 0 for 1 in 2021.
Helen S.
Hi,
Thank you BOH, I have the utmost respect for all of your posts and comments!
I have a separate question that I need help on:
I will be fully vaccinated post 2 weeks, before I have a tentative trip to Kauai. (2/13-2/20). I can change my flight with no change fees and cancel my resort reservation with a full refund. I have booked the 72 hour EMQ bubble at Ko’a Kea resort, and they do have some socially distanced activity there. They are extremely, kind and flexible, and they will allow me to bring my own FDA approved at home rapid antigen COVID test kit, that won’t cost an arm and a leg. (around $25-$50)
It seems that bc I will be a solo traveler and want a mixture of chatting with people here and there, and also nature – people are saying to go to Maui instead of Kauai. I don’t mind turning the tracking app on in Maui, as many of us in San Francisco Bay Area turn it on.
What are people’s thoughts on Kauai vs Maui, if I’m traveling alone? Also Maui will be warmer.
I know that my thoughts go against the grain of most other people’s opinions about HI right now, but I do want to support the economy in a safe way.
Warmly,
Helen
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Helen.
You might get as many opinions of whether to choose Kauai or Maui as there are comments. Hopefully, others will lend a hand. It is all a matter of personal preference. One isn’t inherently better or worse and you will find nature and conversation in either location. The weather could cut either way too. Poipu is warm, as is Kaanapali and South Maui, and warm is relative, given that it is winter. Today is a very cool day in the islands, with a storm going by, a high of 70 and gusty winds.
Aloha.
Helen S.
Thank you. I decided to go to Maui for 4 nights and get tested the day before leaving for Kauai.
Warmly,
Helen
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Helen.
That sounds like a great plan. Please let us know how it goes.
Aloha.
Roy H
Hawaii is not what it was. Many places require proof of negative test, restrictive numbers of people in restaurants, pools, beeches, and many other areas. Many places are closed, It’s still a beatiful place but, now it comes with a good many restrictions and wait times.
Aloha Guys
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Roy.
Thanks for the feedback and many comments.
Aloha.
sean
Maui is a dump outside of the resorts. The mountains and ocean are nice to look at…That’s about it. Drive in any town on Maui NOT associated with a resort, you will be suprised.
The beaches are average at best, especially the ones not fronting a resort. Go to FL or Mexico.
Sandi
I respectfully disagree Sean. I find upcountry to be absolutely stunning. grandma’s coffee, kula farms, and other local eateries are beautiful as well as delicious. The south hana highway is breathtaking.
I am not happy with the contact tracing either as listed my comments on this thread. Please do not be disrespectful out of dissatisfaction.
I hope you enjoy your vacation whatever the destination.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Sandi.
Thanks for that. We concur with you about Maui’s beauty and have only had good experiences there personally.
Aloha.
Susan M.
Hello Rob and Jeff, Thank you for the effort you put into keeping travelers informed. BOH is my go-to place to find out what is going on. I’ve read every comment on the contract tracing but I’m still confused as to what happens if it is determined that you’ve been exposed to Covid. Do they locate you and demand you quarantine? Is it for your own personal knowledge? I’m ok with following all the rules, but I’d like to know how this is exactly going to work. Mahalo!
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Susan.
Thank you. It is a peer to peer app from everything we can find. So it is as you said, for your own knowledge, and the app suggests you contact your doctor should that happen.
Aloha.
Linda B
If it is for our own knowledge why is it mandatory?
Bill S
What?? Am I missing something here?
If all arriving passengers had to have a negative covid test to get on the aircraft, why in the world would we need to have tracing for them?? They are all Covid free!
If there is community spreading in the islands, can I then expect that every resident in the state of Hawaii be required to immediately submit to the mandatory tracing on their phone as well?
Mahalo
Bill
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Bill.
Being COVID free at the point of testing doesn’t mean that some of those people won’t develop it and test positive subsequently. Also, at this time, the US government has not required that passengers be tested before flying, and thus that cannot be required by the airlines or anyone else.
Aloha.
Frank P.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what you are missing, I think, and what a lot of travelers I’ve talked to have been surprised to learn, is that you do not need to be tested at all to get on a plane. The test is to avoid the quarantine requirement. People are allowed to travel without a test and go into quarantine.
sean
That is because the average intelligence of many Americans is poor.
It’s the same with those out here that say “close the airports”.
DIANA B
This starts to get into the scary Big-Government-Will-Control-Everything realm. We have a trip planned to Kona for Feb. 1 and it would be very difficult and expensive to reschedule. That being said, until Hawaii stops stomping on civil liberties I am not going to schedule any more, even though we go 2-3 times per year normally.
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
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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.
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.
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/
This is scary… so essentially they are goin to know where you are all times? And if you are close to someone it will let them know? Wow I couldn’t hate this idea more. This is up there with forced vaccination but maybe a bit more terrifying.
I’d like to say that I don’t disagree with any requirements that have been put forth.
People have choices. If you so desire to visit our islands, do so without complaint. The COVID-19 cases are stacking up and our hospitals are filling up.
This is an unprecedented pandemic of epic proportions.
Yes, the economy is fragile. Yes, money is a necessary evil.
But please keep in mind, lives lost cannot be replaced.
Who amongst you can decide who will die because of the carelessness of others?
Until adequate testing and a proven success rate from the vaccine is established, it’s a crap shoot.
Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for all you do for others. You’re simply amazing.
Aloha and blessings to all🌺
Hi Pam.
Thanks for both your kindness and wisdom.
Aloha.
I agree with Pam’s remarks about my choice to come as a tourist and especially that lives lost can’t be replaced. This brings me to my concern about seeing locals gather at the beach. I am on Maui for five weeks. Two down. I see large groups of locals with no masks hugging when they meet and greet at the beach. Perhaps an extended rainy season would be good for knocking down the Covid numbers. Yesterday I wanted additional books for the beach so I headed to the mall and the friends of the library used book store (which is a great store). Again, we saw local young men not wearing masks in the mall. Maui has it figured out how to harness the actions of the incoming. It is time for Maui to work on the locals who threaten our life.
I am confused as to why the app has to be downloaded prior to arrival. What are they looking for? Does it say when it was activated and where you have been? Why can’t it be downloaded at the airport? I imagine there are A LOT of people that are going to be caught by surprise by this…I was and I am living on Oahu. I would think letting people download it after arrival would prevent a lot of ticked off tourists that thought they were jumping through all the hoops and then STILL have to be quarantined.
Oh Hawaii…. just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water. Ige is back at it making rules that only apply to some, and are difficult to interpret or enforce. I so want to return to Maui, but just canceled our 10 day vacation with 10 people, and heading back to Cabo. I will kick my flight credits on Hawaiian down the road and hope that the lack of government intelligence dissipates as the virus vaccination continues. I have canceled 4 trips in 2020, and now 0 for 1 in 2021.
Hi,
Thank you BOH, I have the utmost respect for all of your posts and comments!
I have a separate question that I need help on:
I will be fully vaccinated post 2 weeks, before I have a tentative trip to Kauai. (2/13-2/20). I can change my flight with no change fees and cancel my resort reservation with a full refund. I have booked the 72 hour EMQ bubble at Ko’a Kea resort, and they do have some socially distanced activity there. They are extremely, kind and flexible, and they will allow me to bring my own FDA approved at home rapid antigen COVID test kit, that won’t cost an arm and a leg. (around $25-$50)
It seems that bc I will be a solo traveler and want a mixture of chatting with people here and there, and also nature – people are saying to go to Maui instead of Kauai. I don’t mind turning the tracking app on in Maui, as many of us in San Francisco Bay Area turn it on.
What are people’s thoughts on Kauai vs Maui, if I’m traveling alone? Also Maui will be warmer.
I know that my thoughts go against the grain of most other people’s opinions about HI right now, but I do want to support the economy in a safe way.
Warmly,
Helen
Hi Helen.
You might get as many opinions of whether to choose Kauai or Maui as there are comments. Hopefully, others will lend a hand. It is all a matter of personal preference. One isn’t inherently better or worse and you will find nature and conversation in either location. The weather could cut either way too. Poipu is warm, as is Kaanapali and South Maui, and warm is relative, given that it is winter. Today is a very cool day in the islands, with a storm going by, a high of 70 and gusty winds.
Aloha.
Thank you. I decided to go to Maui for 4 nights and get tested the day before leaving for Kauai.
Warmly,
Helen
Hi Helen.
That sounds like a great plan. Please let us know how it goes.
Aloha.
Hawaii is not what it was. Many places require proof of negative test, restrictive numbers of people in restaurants, pools, beeches, and many other areas. Many places are closed, It’s still a beatiful place but, now it comes with a good many restrictions and wait times.
Aloha Guys
Hi Roy.
Thanks for the feedback and many comments.
Aloha.
Maui is a dump outside of the resorts. The mountains and ocean are nice to look at…That’s about it. Drive in any town on Maui NOT associated with a resort, you will be suprised.
The beaches are average at best, especially the ones not fronting a resort. Go to FL or Mexico.
I respectfully disagree Sean. I find upcountry to be absolutely stunning. grandma’s coffee, kula farms, and other local eateries are beautiful as well as delicious. The south hana highway is breathtaking.
I am not happy with the contact tracing either as listed my comments on this thread. Please do not be disrespectful out of dissatisfaction.
I hope you enjoy your vacation whatever the destination.
Hi Sandi.
Thanks for that. We concur with you about Maui’s beauty and have only had good experiences there personally.
Aloha.
Hello Rob and Jeff, Thank you for the effort you put into keeping travelers informed. BOH is my go-to place to find out what is going on. I’ve read every comment on the contract tracing but I’m still confused as to what happens if it is determined that you’ve been exposed to Covid. Do they locate you and demand you quarantine? Is it for your own personal knowledge? I’m ok with following all the rules, but I’d like to know how this is exactly going to work. Mahalo!
Hi Susan.
Thank you. It is a peer to peer app from everything we can find. So it is as you said, for your own knowledge, and the app suggests you contact your doctor should that happen.
Aloha.
If it is for our own knowledge why is it mandatory?
What?? Am I missing something here?
If all arriving passengers had to have a negative covid test to get on the aircraft, why in the world would we need to have tracing for them?? They are all Covid free!
If there is community spreading in the islands, can I then expect that every resident in the state of Hawaii be required to immediately submit to the mandatory tracing on their phone as well?
Mahalo
Bill
Hi Bill.
Being COVID free at the point of testing doesn’t mean that some of those people won’t develop it and test positive subsequently. Also, at this time, the US government has not required that passengers be tested before flying, and thus that cannot be required by the airlines or anyone else.
Aloha.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what you are missing, I think, and what a lot of travelers I’ve talked to have been surprised to learn, is that you do not need to be tested at all to get on a plane. The test is to avoid the quarantine requirement. People are allowed to travel without a test and go into quarantine.
That is because the average intelligence of many Americans is poor.
It’s the same with those out here that say “close the airports”.
This starts to get into the scary Big-Government-Will-Control-Everything realm. We have a trip planned to Kona for Feb. 1 and it would be very difficult and expensive to reschedule. That being said, until Hawaii stops stomping on civil liberties I am not going to schedule any more, even though we go 2-3 times per year normally.