The rules changed suddenly, everywhere except here in Hawaii. Hmmm. Here’s the scoop from on the ground.
54 thoughts on “Masks Are Still Required in Hawaii, And It Is Getting Much Weirder”
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Home » Blog » Culture and Events » Masks Are Still Required in Hawaii, And It Is Getting Much Weirder
Aloha BOH Mask Mandate Warriors
In Sacramento California they’ve started a new program where government officials are going door to door asking people if they’ve gotten vaccinated.
I’m a business owner in Oroville CA I’ve never mandated mask wearing in our business. In a year and half none of my employees or customers have contracted Covid, none.
Last weekend we visited Mendocino CA it was if I’d landed in one of those Hollywood movies where the whole town had been taken over by an alien virus. Some shops had just opened demanding double masking and use of hand sanitizer before entering the store.
It was a very bad vibe many tourist just walked away didn’t enter the stores.
As a business owner if I was as concerned about spreading covid as badly as those stores in Mendocino I wouldn’t bothered to be opened.
On the bright side I scored some great local swag from a Mendocino store that given up and basically given things away.
Governor Ige makes a good point when he says that it’s impossible to tell who is vaccinated and who isn’t. I don’t care for wearing a mask but I’m the only one who knows for sure that I’m vaccinated. Obviously, if/when we have lots of unvaccinated/unmasked people mingling lots of infections will result. They key is for more people to get vaccinated and their reluctance to do so is prolonging the agony that we’ve all been through.
Sorry I dont think it’s that confusing. The CDC is providing GUIDANCE. Your State, municipality or even the property owner has a right to REQUIRE the wearing of masks. Just follow the rules. Stuff a mask in your pocket just in case you need to use it. How hard is that? People are more intelligent than this article thinks.
We’re leaving for Hawaii; then, Kauai next week from our home in Northern CA and will happily follow the local rules. We’ve been spending as much time as we could afford for the past 40+ years, and feel blessed to be able to spend time in the islands. We have been vaccinated since the beginning, but respect the challenges that Hawaii has with respect to medical response to the virus, particularly on the smaller islands. Kudo’s to Kauai’s mayor who protected his constituents to the fullest. From the beginning, he offered some of the best COVID updates I saw. We lost lots of money with our cancellations over the year, but know it was for the greater good. We are ready to celebrate some island spirit very soon–masks and all! Aloha, and thanks for your great site!
Hi Karla.
Thank you. Have a great time in the islands!
Aloha.
Every state has the right to require whatever they deem necessary for the safety of it’s constituents. If someone doesn’t want to comply with a states mandate they should not visit that state.
Thank you for the mask update. Here in CA we technically have a mask mandate until June 15th, but stores like Target, Walnart etc dont always police it. We were just in Las Vegas and although every casino had notices posted no masks if vaccinated, masks if you’re not vaccinated, I’d say 90% of the people didn’t wear a mask. We’ve been vaccinated, did not wear a mask unless a specific store required it, but continue with the sanitizer because it was available everywhere.
Many in the scientific community think the CDC jumped the gun. They issued the statement without informing interested parties first.
Many stores and businesses here on the mainland are continuing mask requirements. Trader Joe’s first lifted requirement then reinstated it.
Hawaii may only have 1.5 million residents, but over 10 million visited in 2019. That total will be down in 2021.
The Governor kept saying they were waiting on guidance from the CDC, but when he gets it, he doesn’t follow it….especially in regards to vaccinated travelers who STILL have to get a 72 hr test!!!
Cdc recommends states govern
Hawaii is worse than New Jersey? That’s really sad.
I will avoid any visits to Hawaii until there is some common sense regarding face masks. Although I have been vaccinated, I don’t cherish the thought of being harassed by anyone thinking I am not, and giving me the “stink-eye”.
your entire premise is ridiculous. Id is required for so many things. A mask is an easy thing to enforce and frankly those who actually respect said establishment will follow the rules and not make a scene. Would you rather have the states make it a criminal law so that police could get involved? Just wear a mask dont complain and we can all get back to normal soon!
CDC says no longer necessary for vaccinated . I’ll trust scientists over politicians.
“your entire premise is ridiculous.”
What premise is ridiculous? Did you mean to reply to another comment?
“Id is required for so many things.”
You may not be aware of this, but there is a vigorous debate going on in this country about whether people should be required to produce a valid government ID in order to exercise their basic rights. And I doubt people are being turned away from receiving a vaccine shot for lack of a valid government ID. For example, at clinics that treat the homeless or “undocumented”. Getting people vaccinated is more important than “only if you show me your ID.”
“Just wear a mask dont complain”
Knock yourself out.
I am amazed at the hostage taking of our lives to enforce compliance with a moving target: “just do XXXX so we can all get back to normal soon!!!”. The often ignored alternative is that we could treat this like we do every other vaccine-able disease and leave it up to the individual as to what they want to do. Get you vaccine and wear a mask, don’t get a vaccine and don’t wear a mask, whatever you feel best protects you and the ones you love. It is also nice to see the unknown mouse (anonymouse, get it?) in the comment above advocating for ID for things that are important, like flying to Hawaii, buying beer, driving, or voting (on American Idol, of course. We can’t have people voting twice!)?
I agree 100%, Harvey. Remember, this all started with “15 DAYS to Slow the Spread” – now 15 MONTHS later we are talking about vaccine passports and yearly booster shots. Meanwhile, there’s Texas and Florida and South Dakota and Georgia and Utah and on and on – no restrictions and no worse outcomes. Please wake up friends! I want to see your smiles again.
Mahalo.
Spoken like a true follower!
Anonymouse: how about the states simply follow the science. If you’re vaccinated, you can’t transmit the virus, if you’re vaccinated you won’t get sick if you do get exposed. This has been about power and government trying to control our lives since the beginning, next will be lockdowns in the name of global warming.
Lol no there won’t good lord paranoid much?