65 thoughts on “New Rapid Testing Key To Hawaii Travel”

  1. You have guys! That test from Yale will be a game changer. And you can take the test before leaving and upon arrival. That should close the door to any questions about infection from incoming tourist. It also will allow for everyone to get tested if they wish in a timely way. That timely testing thing is why S Korea did not have to shut down their economy and saved many lives. However, I’m not sure what the time frame for the release to the public is, given that the medical materials needed to make the test are widely available hopefully, it will be soon. Another unknown factor is what the state of Hawaii will do with this info.
    Mahalo for your timely info Guys.

  2. As much as Hawaiian state government has been criticized the travel industry has done little to adjust to travel customers needs.

    On Beat of Hawaii I’ve read story after story about the lack of cooperation when it comes to refunding a canceled trip. Especially with the airline industry.

    Like government airlines have had more then enough time to adjust their refund policies to ease travelers concerns, yet they keep selling tickets to destinations that are quarantined and continue to force travel vouchers down our throats verses a cash refund.

    The rapid testing is a great idea, but when testing positive at boarding airlines need to provide a reasonable clear covid refund policy. Until that happens many people will continue to be reluctant to plunk down the big bucks to fly.

  3. I agree with Brenda B. It’s not the fear of flying that’s keeping people from Hawaii. Rather, once you arrive, there is little you can do. A friend of mine is a pilot for Southwest airlines, and he says that his flights are at capacity most of the time even with the middle seats empty. Planes are sterilized after every flight, cabin air is exchanged with outside air every 2-3 minutes through HEPA filters that remove 99% of airborne particles, and people must wear masks. With restaurants shuttered except for takeout, excursions unavailable, restrictions at resorts and hotels, not to mention the 14 day quarantine, what’s the point?

  4. Again, mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for the amazing work and incredible updates.

    I’ve been sitting back and watching as everyone scrambles to find answers to situation with COVID-19. The testing is incredibly inaccurate and the methods are anyone’s best guess.
    That being said, these are extremely trying times that we’re going through.
    We here have lost an increasing number of friends and family members to this nasty virus. I only hope that one day normal comes back to our world.
    Until the experts get it figured out, I hope everyone remembers that life is very precious and kindness is worth it’s weight in gold.
    Aloha and stay safe guys!

  5. I think reliable rapid testing is ultimately the key. I’m a returning Hawaii resident & am sending my son back to Oahu first to attend UH (under the modified quarantine rule for students). I obtained a test for him (at no cost, no waiting), but 5 hrs. outside the 72 hour rule (no other appts. available). No clue if that’s going to be acceptable or not. The problem is the results take 3-5 days & he will have left by the time the results are ready. Technically, he is allowed to get on the plane & will need to be in quarantine until the result is complete. He received a call from a friend he visited in the mainland that he had tested positive & is asymptomatic. We believe that contact may be long enough ago, but we just don’t know. If my son tests positive, he’s already back in Hawaii & potentially putting his father at risk. I’d gladly have him stay put, but between the 72 hour window to obtain the test & the length of time it takes to get the result, I don’t see this being a practical option to safely open Oahu up to visitors & even returning residents. A quick result test seems to be the only viable option.

  6. Getting a PCR test within 48 hours is NOT a problem. Air Tahiti has teamed with a clinic in LA that had my results in 16 hours! If They allowed travel just from LA with this clinics test, that would be 4 non stop flights a day with roughly 600 passengers, 24 working flight attendants, 8 pilots, all of whom will come there disease free, spend their money, and then go home. It will also give numerous airport and airline employees a paycheck, taxes will be paid, and so it goes. This from just one mainland airport. Honestly, I think Hawaiian government officials are using tourist as a scapegoat for a local spread of the disease. All the while allowing so called “essential” industries are allowed to move to employees around freely, spreading the disease.
    With any proposed solution, if every proposal is met with “the problem is” Hawaii’s economy will continue to spiral downward! Homes will be foreclosed, renters will eventually be evicted, public deficits will explode, services will be cut, businesses will close, and layoffs will become permanent, and last but surely not least, locals will be forced to move to the mainland to seek employment. Really Governor Ige!! Be a leader, and safely allow tourist to come and spend their money and return with Aloha to their homes! Tourist are not the spreaders, and a negative PCR test within 48 hours of travel and a temperature check upon arrival is all that is needed! A tourist wanting to come to Hawaii will handle the logistics and expense without the direction of the State of Hawaii.

  7. With respect to the citizens of Hawaii, I must say you have the most ignorant Governor in our country. You have lost billions and will not recover for a decade. Hawaii depends on tourists, like it or not.

    We had to cancel our October trip this year and probably will plan for a mite welcoming place to vacation next year. For those frightened of your own shadow, shame on you. Hawaii could have opened up safely months ago.

    1. With respect to BOB A Wrong that would be Desantis of Florida. Swung the doors wide open and boom big explosion of covid 19 I hope you never go again I am so sick and tired of people like you crapping on Hawaii and then threatening Im never coming back Seriously I hope you never do. Try going to any island paradise right now? Stop being a jerk

      1. Paul C… Respectfully, I am not “crapping on Hawaii.” People who do not want the island to open up safely and having the native Hawaiians go bankrupt are crapping on Hawaii. We have been going to Kauai twice a year since I was a kid. I live in Manhattan Beach California. We welcome Americans from other states, including Hawaii. Wear a mask, social distance, wash hands and you’ll be fine. Closing a beach (fresh air) is moronic. Bankrupting an island is moronic. Hawaii waiting for a vaccine is moronic as no vaccine is 100% effective.

        All those terrified should stay in their homes 100% of the time and not use their unhealthy fear on the rest of us.

        Among the 45 countries with more than 50,000 COVID-19 cases, the U.S. has the eighth-highest number of deaths per 100,000 people: 47.93 deaths from the coronavirus for every 100,000 Americans. Belgium has the highest per capita death rate: 86.3 deaths per 100,000.

        “But in terms of case fatality ratio, the U.S. is doing significantly better than many other countries. The country’s case fatality ratio is 3.3%, meaning that for every 100 people with COVID-19, only about three die.”

        1. I feel like Ronald Reagan See there you go again. Sheesh
          ALL other states besides Hawaii are COMPLETELY different and to equate Hawaiis hospital system say with what you have in California is well moronic. And you know as well as I do that many flat out refuse to wear a mask and socially distance. So how are you going to assure everyone does what is right when they come to Hawaii on vacation? You cannot. Thats the problem in of itself.
          Who is terrified? You keep saying this as do most trumpers (not assuming thats what you are) Unhealthy fear? Do you realize a full on 50% of americans have SOME kind of an issue underlying condition, obeise unhealthy etc immune compromised? You and others keep crapping on that fact but it is a fact.
          So your basically saying screw anyone who might die from this because they are fradicats right? And your statistics are all wrong but I would love to see where you got those statistics.
          We could have and should have had this virus well under control but the guy on top thought it was a hoax and didnt take it seriously. Thought it was made up by the media democrats etc to destroy him. He still to this day does not take it seriously though it appears he may have actually had it or thought he did as he took one of the drugs that supposedly cures it.
          What seriously is more important to you money or your life? You dont have to answer that because you have clearly stated money is more important.

  8. Mahalo for keeping us up to the minute with this changing news. I do wish it were better news though. When I saw the headline today that it’ll now be Oct 1, or beyond, I finally broke down and cancelled my trip for the last week in Sept. Aloha till the spring.

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