The Mayor of Maui has proposed new rules for Hawaii travel, including mandatory contact tracing, among other things. A word from Governor Ige on that is expected soon.
As the number of cases of COVID on Maui has increased, interesting things are coming to light. First, Maui Mayor Victorino said yesterday that, since reopening in October, the county had less than 25% lodging occupancy.
Then, there remains controversy as to the source of the increased caseload. The county has been performing free second tests on residents and visitors voluntarily. To date, approximately 15,000 tests have been performed. Maui County Managing Director Sandy Baz said that the new case analysis from recent weeks showed that 80% was community spread. Of the remaining cases, 17% were travel related to residents, and just 2% were visitors. Others argued that tourists aren’t opting to take second tests for obvious reasons and thus may account for significantly more than 2%.
AlohaSafe contact tracing App is available now.
The mayor wants to change the app’s use to be mandatory on Maui, although it isn’t clear how it works for those without smartphones. The App is available in the play stores. Once installed, your phone, via Bluetooth, communicates “anonymously” with other phones. Phones with the AlohaSafe Alert App “ping” each other and can determine the proximity between devices and the length of time the devices are near one another.
The nearby phones “exchange a secure, random, anonymous code. Location, name, and any other identifying information are never included.” That according to the app’s website.
Here’s an example of how the AlohaSafe App works.
You would be notified through the App if you were close to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. For the contact to register, the phones would need to be within 6 feet of each other for a minimum of 15 minutes within the past 14 days. For example, if you were exposed to someone at a restaurant and met proximity and time requirements, you would be notified of the possible exposure, but no private details would be shared.
Are you ready to come to Maui and use the AlohaSafe contact tracing app, or do you have any reservations?
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TRACY Y says
If visitors have to pre-travel test with negative results (in order to enter Hawaii), this, in theory, means you would only be at risk if you were around locals/residents, right? Obviously pre-travel testing isnt 100% accurate, but its the best we’ve got … so, in theory, visitors are negative and possible exposure would be from a local/resident. I dont think many visitors would be willing to download this app and risk unknown privacy issues.
Thanks for the info, BOH. Any idea when any other changes to the Safe Travel program are going to be discussed? Like changing the pre-travel test from 72 to 96 hrs before departure.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tracy.
Thanks. No word on any such changes thus far.
Aloha.
Bob B says
NO…..NO…… bye bye Big Brother and privacy invasion, wont be visiting then …. Its a slippery slide and its slope is increasing
Ron B says
It’s like they are really actively trying to kill tourism in Hawaii! The legislature needs to step up and lay out the guidelines and call it good. This back and forth nonsense is ridiculous. No, I would not sign up for contact tracing.
Cam C says
Don’t like it and agree about Orwellian nature of this but easy solution ….I’ll leave my phone in my condo when I’m at the beach or in my car when shopping or dining.
Kym V says
Pre-travel negative test results are ok, but then you expect me to add yet another app to my phone for contact tracing? So what, I can be out enjoying my day in HI and all of sudden have to get paranoid about the people around me because maybe I’ve been seated by someone at a restaurant for the last hour who tested positive? What’s my recourse then – shorten my vacation? test and have to pay to quarantine on the island for 14 days which I might not be able to afford? pay to take another test that might come back negative since I haven’t had time to exhibit symptoms? To be honest I think it’s going to end up in the long run being “welcome to HI if you’ve been vaccinated or please stay away if you haven’t” – no middle ground allowed. It’s your state and you are entitled to protect it and it’s people by whatever form you wish to, just as visitors have the right to say “no more, I’m done”. Thank you.
Sean P says
If I’ve have the vaccine, do they make me quarantine during my vacation because I was seated close to someone who not longer has COVID but is still testing positive. This flu is wrapping up, let’s start using common sense and those that want to give up their liberties so be it, but you don’t have the right to give mine up too. I’m only wearing my mask to make you feel safe and fuzzy, but I won’t wear it forever.
Tim says
Aloha,
We decided to come to Maui this February instead of our usual trek to Waikiki. I must say every time I receive your newsletter it seems the rules change, very unsettling.
Mahalo
Steven S says
Following….
Still planning our April 22, 2021 trip but we will monitor all these changes and what will happen by April 1 determines if the Aloha Spirit is still there. Just like Disney last year, we found the Disney Magic evaporated, please don’t let the Aloha die too! IF we cancel, we’re never coming back!!! We just cannot afford to anymore. Oh, and we did book our car at OGG and the rates went UP in one week. Way to promote tourism!
EmersonK says
This makes for an interesting situation. You come for a vacation and on day 2 someone at a restaurant seated behind you tests positive. The next day you find you and your family are in quarantine. I don’t know how much safer it makes everyone, but I believe that kind of risk for an unplanned quarantine may put an end to most travel.
Dn says
Nope. And they can wait until I finish my vacation on 2/8.
Colleen says
I agree. In fact, it puts an END to any plans for a visit any time soonCo for us.
Kalani F says
Or they could just force visitors to wear gps ankle bracelets, even though it appears visitors are NOT spreading COVID. Tourism is bound to take off now!
Patrick G says
It’s a great idea if everyone would agree to it but highly doubtful that a tourist would want to do that in case they came in contact and had to be quarenteened during their vacation. Just my two cents.
Donald E says
WOW!! George Orwell has come to Maui a bit late with his 1984 scenario.
Christine says
Exactly what I was thinking!
Kavika C says
I see insanity still reigns in Hawaii. It’s clear visitors are not welcome, the continued paranoia over COVID is insanity!
Have you read the CDC s figures? It’s a flu that 99.8% of those who get it recover ! If you’re over 72 and healthy it’s 95%
Yes some will die but people die everyday of suicide, alcohol
cancer heart disease and countless other things!
You can outlaw death, it’s called living not existing
Wake up!
Jessi says
Have been coming to Hawaii for years. Will never agree to an app like that. 2% virus increase due to visitors? This is absolute lunacy. We come to Hawaii to get away from things and it’s actually made worse. So unfortunate.
Lon H. says
We own Westin Timeshare weeks on both Maui and Kauai. There is no chance we are coming back to any Hawaiian island as long as these draconian rules exist. Our family will take advantage of the Westin’s Vacation ownership program to see other properties in US & other non-US regions.
Laim G says
With all these new rules and regulations not sure we can qualify heading to Hawaii as a “vacation” anymore. Not seeing any great hotel rates as they look to be the same if not more than usual. Although, they may want to keep it that way. Friends of mine that work out on front street say most of the people they have gotten in are staying at air bnbs and Home rentals and aren’t high rollers they usually have this time of year.
Beth C. says
Following
Stan F says
This is a slippery slope. If you allow one area to make mandatory the download and use of an app that tracks you, even with the “safeguards” in place, what would prevent our government from making it mandatory for everyone to have on their phones?
I get it that other countries require it to be downloaded and used, but they have different rules than we have in the United States, and the fact that those rules still allow civil liberties, the fact remains that making this mandatory could be argued, could be construed as a violation of those rights.
DeniseK says
That would be a big NO for me.
Lisa M. says
We most likely after going to the islands for 20 years will not go again. Sad world we now live in.
Gerhard says
We have it in Canada since quite a while and I have it on my phone. Privacy is guaranteed and no issue for us. It’s no problem for us to download the App when next time we visit. Looking forward to be back soon.
Alan R. says
You say privacy is guaranteed. What makes you so sure of that??
Gerhard says
The App works using Bluetooth. So it can read someone elses App nearby and will tell you if that person is positive (in the last 14 days) and if that person entered the fact that he or she has Covid. So, if you get notified, it gives you a chance to monitor yourself.
The Government will not ping your phone. We have it here in Canada since quite a while. Totally harmeless, but actually only works if everyone uses it.
Liam G says
The number one selling book right now (not joking) is Orwell’s 1984. Not too suprising.
Paul M says
Just to be accurate, George Orwell’s “1984” is #6 on the Amazon Charts “Most Sold” book list for the week of January 10, 2021.
I was actually surprised to find it even that high on the list.