98 thoughts on “Masks + Safe Travels End: A Crazy Look Back”
vic s
just to be clear, when i arrive on the big island in april, i will no longer need to show proof of vaccination and i will not need to be tested. do i have this right? will the airlines Zalsohave the same rules in place? please respond, thanks
I love our islands dearly but just want to make it clear that one of the main reasons masks and vaxxing mandates are gone is that the vaxxed and masked are catching Covid at nearly the same rate as those who aren’t. And closer examination has proven that states were misreporting Covid death victims who died of other causes. It’s a terrible thing for anyone to die unnecessarily but worse when state surgeon generals deliberately order misreporting. I don’t usually spout on this but I had to. Aloha
Thanks BOH for all of your updates. Your info is greatly appreciated!
We are so very happy for the locals to have Covid restrictions lifted and no longer have to wear masks while working. We felt for all the employees and long time friends who work at the resorts we stay at and the restaurants. They had told us that dealing with guests and visitors while wearing a mask in the warm weather was extremely exhausting.
After 2 1/2 years and 3 cancellations we will be arriving on April 1 for 5 wonderful weeks on Oahu. It’s been a long time…we were there in January 2019 when covid reared it’s ugly head…so looking forward to making up for three cancelled trips. A heartfelt thank you to BOH for keeping us updated through all this…you are appreciated.
It was stunning to see how much power governors wielded over citizens, under the guise of “ emergency”. This is problematic when the norms were all over the place around the country. Free states showed strong resolve and adherence to our Founding Fathers and their true vision of a free America.
Thank goodness the “Emergency” is over, although I thought those kind of proclamations were reserved for Tsunamis, Hurricanes, Earthquakes or when someone, “Pushed da wrong button”. Two years in an emergency state. The people here on Kauai will still be scared, wearing their masks alone in their cars and in stores, restaurants etc. If that’s what they wanna do, fine with me as long as I don’t have to. This is by the way, America.
Hey J.T is that the same America that managed to kill almost a million people with stupid anti mask anti vax nonsense. Some are scared for good reason!!
I’m sure I am in the minority, but I am disappointed that vaccines or testing are no longer required and soon masks will be gone on airplanes. I have been coming to the islands because the requirements gave me a lot of comfort. I am over 65 and have underlying conditions so I need to be very careful. But…. coming over on April 14th and wearing my mask even if they do not require them on the flight home.
I totally agree with you and I know we are in the minority. I too am older, over 70 and feel more vulnerable to illness. I will continue to wear my mask at indoor venues with close quarters. I hope the public will be kind to those that feel the need to do so.
This is America, wear that mask if you want, on the plane, while you sleep, whatever! there are always those “haters” but the majority of people will be kind and won’t care
Airlines still require masks according to the flight I am taking after spring break is over. During spring break would be the very worst time for a senior to visit Hawaii, even without a compromised immune system.
Safe Travels Program ends at midnight tonight, March 25th, 2022. If you are arriving on the 26th or after, lucky you. No QR codes, no lines, no verifications. It’s done.
It’s not possible to register with Safe Travels as a “precaution”! The website has a banner headline saying “Hawaii Safe Travels restrictions will end on 03/25/2022 at 11:59pm (HST). Travelers arriving on 03/26/2022 and beyond will no longer be required to complete a Safe Travels application to enter Hawaii.” Apparently travelers who had previously registered are receiving emails saying you don’t need your QR code any more!
You are correct Margaret. I registered on the safe travel site in preparation for our mid April visit. I received an email from the travel site stating that this was no longer a requirement. Mahalo
Los Angeles County is removing its indoor mask mandate, except for public transportation, Thursday, March 3. Our daily death rate hovers between 50-90. We are not out of the woods yet. Organ transplant recipients are still vulnerable, as are children. Please be mindful of them as you adjust to the newest recommendations.
Guess what? We are all gonna die someday. I bet those people all had underlying issues. Just look at people. 60% of our population is obese. Let people live their lives. You wanna mask and stay 6 feet away do it.
We arrived in Maui yesterday! We arrived and upon deplaning we got into a line to verify our safe travels QR code and our vaccine information. It was very fast as they had 8 stations open to verify documents! Easy peasy! Took less then 10 minutes. Those that are arriving before March 26, just know it is a fast process as long as you have your safe travel QR code! No need to get your wrist band before you arrive! Well done Maui! Aloha!
Hallelujah for the great news! We have been waitimg since September 2020 when we had to cancel our trip due to too many restrictions and mandates, to come back to Hawaii. Looking forward to Kona later this year.
Great news . I watched Hawaii and Big Island news yesterday and heard the Gov. end Safe Travels starting later this month. With the Mayors ending their restrictions (except for State mask rules) Hawaii should be back to normal and tourism can fuel their economy. Because of Safe Travels I made reservations that I can cancel for two trips just in case airline arrivals would be backing up in the busy season and making travel too stressful. Now I’m ready to go and spend lots of money in Hawaii
Yesssah! Thank you for the update, excited to go back to the islands end of April! Hopefully cases remain low/be gone for good so we can truly enjoy our vacation.
I truly hope that cases stay low and continue to decline and that the beautiful state of Hawaii can stay just that! Because saying that there can be a million visitors within 30 days, with absolutely no accountability is super scary to say the least! #crazy
Thumbs down all you want, if the cases start to skyrocket and people start getting sick all over again, they’re going to shut it back down and they’ll have to implement things all over again just to save the island! And then y’all will be back to square one! #whoopsie
It is about Time!!! Welcome to the USA Hawaii !!!- you finally join most of the Union & allow Freedom to Choose to Mask, Boost, Vax or Live with the 99.9% risk of Surviving a virus, which is gonna virus till the end of time. Now, let’s get all Airlines on board as Southwest and American CEO’s in December of 2021 have rightfully stated the masks have no affect on air travel and are useless, as all Real Studies have shown since the beginning and the CDC’s own website has clearly stated as well.
This is great news!!! Travelling end of April.
I do have one question tho guys. Will we still need to show vaccination cards at airports, departing for and arriving in HI?
Thanks BOH for keeping us all updated
Wow amazing coincedence like when the vaccinations came out right after the election and now science says all is well right before Biden’s speech tonight. Huh we are truly blessed.
We’re flying in on the 22nd so we’ll officially need to test to go 😩 WE MISSED IT BY THREE DAYS!! Oh well… We did it in 2021, I guess we’ll do it one more time. At least we’ll be able to go to restaurants without testing. I guess there’s that!
Dear Jennifer, I’m planning my trip for 2024!! I’m super excited & it has been my lifelong dream vacation trip 😍 🛩📅🛍🍍🐢🥥🐠🌺🌈🏖✈🌍❤💕🕶🌞 I’m dreaming of the day when I will be sitting on ✈ traveling to Hawaii🌺
You have to get a rapid test the day before you travel and you have to get another the day before you travel back to Canada. You also have to show proof of vaccination to board the aircraft.
You haven’t been able to use a tax payer funded service if you haven’t been vaccinated? That is wrong. If you pay taxes, then they shouldn’t be restricting your ability to use the library.
FWIW, Kauai just dropped all county imposed covid restrictions, so at least Kauai libraries should no longer require vax card checks. Not sure about the other islands. But, you are still stuck with masks, since that is state imposed.
Darn, we arrive on the 25th. No big deal as we have already uploaded everything (with Clear Pass) so we already have our green QR code. Hoping for no masks after the 25th—that would make our vacation perfect!!
Of course they’re lifted! The primaries are coming up this month and the mid-terms in November and the whole COVID situation has been a blunder that will cost many people their elected positions!
“Political Science” !!! You will see the final Hold-outs of States-Yeah, I live in CA for a few more months (4th generation Californian and Everyone I know is leaving asap)- returning to “Normal” just in time for the Mid-terms..but, wait until the virus which will be with us like forever returns after November of 2022- You think they will let go of the “emergency powers” that easily? we shall see…Thanks once again BOH for being on it!!! I refer people to BOH all the time
Just flew back from Lihue to Bozeman via LAX and Vegas yesterday and today. Probably had the mask on 20% of the time on the planes. ABED (Always Be Eating or Drinking). This was on Southwest. The flight attendants either didn’t notice or didn’t care.
Clever! I’ll throw a couple of tootsie pops in my computer bag in case the feds still haven’t canceled the airport/flights mask mandates in time for our next flights. I can envision the more mask-inclined flight attendants not going for it, but that’s OK. Still have my ABED system.
1
Starla G
It’s about time! Girls trip already booked for April. Although it wasn’t horrible in October. Just annoying. Thanks for all the updates!
I’m sure we will. My mom, daughter and myself. Maybe Oahu better watch out! Thanks again for all the updates. I found you by accident a year ago when I was scouring the web for updates. Even after we had been to Maui and back I was still reading the articles. Like so many other people we love Hawaii and the people and wanted to keep updated. This current trip was totally an unplanned celebration that we might not have booked if not for your site.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Starla.
Thanks so much! We’re glad you had a great time in Hawaii.
Alpha.
1
Andrea
Dear Starla, I will be going to Oahu in 2024 & I’m super excited!! It has been my lifelong dream vacation trip 🌺✈🌞🕶💕❤🌍🏖🌈🐠🥥🐢🍍🛍📅😍 have a fun & safe trip!
1
GV
It is not the mask mandate causing fights onboard flights, it is the crazy people that think they are beyond following rules they don’t like. Selfishness is running rampant. So sad. Longing for true Aloha again.
my last Southwest flights from California to Maui and back were Amazing!!! Only “one” initial mention of masks, then the crew ignored the topic and had Fun, so did everyone on the flight!!! Yeah, Normal-town again!….note that both flights were not full, so maybe just that fact and the natural distancing that we all sat with made the often masks chill…but Southwest is Always Chill, unlike my nightmare Alaska Air trip I also recently took where they did not shut up One Minute about masks
just to be clear, when i arrive on the big island in april, i will no longer need to show proof of vaccination and i will not need to be tested. do i have this right? will the airlines Zalsohave the same rules in place? please respond, thanks
Hi Vic.
That is correct.
Aloha.
I love our islands dearly but just want to make it clear that one of the main reasons masks and vaxxing mandates are gone is that the vaxxed and masked are catching Covid at nearly the same rate as those who aren’t. And closer examination has proven that states were misreporting Covid death victims who died of other causes. It’s a terrible thing for anyone to die unnecessarily but worse when state surgeon generals deliberately order misreporting. I don’t usually spout on this but I had to. Aloha
Thanks BOH for all of your updates. Your info is greatly appreciated!
We are so very happy for the locals to have Covid restrictions lifted and no longer have to wear masks while working. We felt for all the employees and long time friends who work at the resorts we stay at and the restaurants. They had told us that dealing with guests and visitors while wearing a mask in the warm weather was extremely exhausting.
Aloha!
Hi Mignon.
Thanks. We appreciate the input.
Aloha.
After 2 1/2 years and 3 cancellations we will be arriving on April 1 for 5 wonderful weeks on Oahu. It’s been a long time…we were there in January 2019 when covid reared it’s ugly head…so looking forward to making up for three cancelled trips. A heartfelt thank you to BOH for keeping us updated through all this…you are appreciated.
Hi Victoria.
Thanks for saying that. We’re glad you are returning next month and hope you have a fabulous time.
Aloha.
It was stunning to see how much power governors wielded over citizens, under the guise of “ emergency”. This is problematic when the norms were all over the place around the country. Free states showed strong resolve and adherence to our Founding Fathers and their true vision of a free America.
Thank goodness the “Emergency” is over, although I thought those kind of proclamations were reserved for Tsunamis, Hurricanes, Earthquakes or when someone, “Pushed da wrong button”. Two years in an emergency state. The people here on Kauai will still be scared, wearing their masks alone in their cars and in stores, restaurants etc. If that’s what they wanna do, fine with me as long as I don’t have to. This is by the way, America.
Hey J.T is that the same America that managed to kill almost a million people with stupid anti mask anti vax nonsense. Some are scared for good reason!!
Looking forward to our upcoming trip in May!
I’m sure I am in the minority, but I am disappointed that vaccines or testing are no longer required and soon masks will be gone on airplanes. I have been coming to the islands because the requirements gave me a lot of comfort. I am over 65 and have underlying conditions so I need to be very careful. But…. coming over on April 14th and wearing my mask even if they do not require them on the flight home.
Safe travels Nancy. Be safe. No fear. God is with you.
Enjoy!! Sweet Blessings 🙏🏽♥️🌈🦋😇🌺😊✌🏾
Aloha💃🏽
I totally agree with you and I know we are in the minority. I too am older, over 70 and feel more vulnerable to illness. I will continue to wear my mask at indoor venues with close quarters. I hope the public will be kind to those that feel the need to do so.
This is America, wear that mask if you want, on the plane, while you sleep, whatever! there are always those “haters” but the majority of people will be kind and won’t care
Airlines still require masks according to the flight I am taking after spring break is over. During spring break would be the very worst time for a senior to visit Hawaii, even without a compromised immune system.
Safe Travels Program ends at midnight tonight, March 25th, 2022. If you are arriving on the 26th or after, lucky you. No QR codes, no lines, no verifications. It’s done.
I’ve been postponing my trip & good things come to those who wait!! 😍💕❤🏖🌞🕶✈🌍🌈🍍🥥🛍🐠🐢📅
Hooray! It sounds like this means we’ll be able to enjoy our May honeymoon in Maui to the fullest!
Are masks currently required indoors on Kauai?
I am arriving on the 26th in Maui. Should I fill out the safe travels as a precaution or is this a for sure deal.
It’s not possible to register with Safe Travels as a “precaution”! The website has a banner headline saying “Hawaii Safe Travels restrictions will end on 03/25/2022 at 11:59pm (HST). Travelers arriving on 03/26/2022 and beyond will no longer be required to complete a Safe Travels application to enter Hawaii.” Apparently travelers who had previously registered are receiving emails saying you don’t need your QR code any more!
You are correct Margaret. I registered on the safe travel site in preparation for our mid April visit. I received an email from the travel site stating that this was no longer a requirement. Mahalo
No, Safe Travels is no longer in operation
Los Angeles County is removing its indoor mask mandate, except for public transportation, Thursday, March 3. Our daily death rate hovers between 50-90. We are not out of the woods yet. Organ transplant recipients are still vulnerable, as are children. Please be mindful of them as you adjust to the newest recommendations.
Guess what? We are all gonna die someday. I bet those people all had underlying issues. Just look at people. 60% of our population is obese. Let people live their lives. You wanna mask and stay 6 feet away do it.
We are traveling to Oahu on March 25. We are all fully vaccinated. Do we stilll need negative Covid tests within 72 hours of the flight?
Did you read the article? Have you visited the Safe Travels website? Hawaii has ended all of the requirements.
The changes take place 3/26. If you are vaccinated you don’t need a negative test but you need to have done the SafeTravels.
We arrived in Maui yesterday! We arrived and upon deplaning we got into a line to verify our safe travels QR code and our vaccine information. It was very fast as they had 8 stations open to verify documents! Easy peasy! Took less then 10 minutes. Those that are arriving before March 26, just know it is a fast process as long as you have your safe travel QR code! No need to get your wrist band before you arrive! Well done Maui! Aloha!
We’re flying from San Jose to Maui on March 26, the day everything changes. Does that mean that there are NO pre-flight Covid rules we must follow?
It’s about time! In fact, it’s long overdue.
Dear Goldie, I know right & I agree!! I’ve been waiting for all of this to end so now I’m planning in coming in 2024!! 💕❤🌍✈🏖🌈🌺🐠🥥🐢🍍🛍
Hallelujah for the great news! We have been waitimg since September 2020 when we had to cancel our trip due to too many restrictions and mandates, to come back to Hawaii. Looking forward to Kona later this year.
Dear Kym, I’m getting very excited for my trip!!! 🛍🍍🐢🥥🐠🌺🌈🏖✈🌍❤💕🕶🌞
Great news . I watched Hawaii and Big Island news yesterday and heard the Gov. end Safe Travels starting later this month. With the Mayors ending their restrictions (except for State mask rules) Hawaii should be back to normal and tourism can fuel their economy. Because of Safe Travels I made reservations that I can cancel for two trips just in case airline arrivals would be backing up in the busy season and making travel too stressful. Now I’m ready to go and spend lots of money in Hawaii
Except for WAR and fuel costs running amok! Be careful about spending money you can’t get back.
Many thanks for keeping all of us informed. Still no acknowledgment
from the media.
Hi Don.
Thanks. Happy travels to you.
Aloha.
Yesssah! Thank you for the update, excited to go back to the islands end of April! Hopefully cases remain low/be gone for good so we can truly enjoy our vacation.
I truly hope that cases stay low and continue to decline and that the beautiful state of Hawaii can stay just that! Because saying that there can be a million visitors within 30 days, with absolutely no accountability is super scary to say the least! #crazy
Thumbs down all you want, if the cases start to skyrocket and people start getting sick all over again, they’re going to shut it back down and they’ll have to implement things all over again just to save the island! And then y’all will be back to square one! #whoopsie
It is about Time!!! Welcome to the USA Hawaii !!!- you finally join most of the Union & allow Freedom to Choose to Mask, Boost, Vax or Live with the 99.9% risk of Surviving a virus, which is gonna virus till the end of time. Now, let’s get all Airlines on board as Southwest and American CEO’s in December of 2021 have rightfully stated the masks have no affect on air travel and are useless, as all Real Studies have shown since the beginning and the CDC’s own website has clearly stated as well.
This is great news!!! Travelling end of April.
I do have one question tho guys. Will we still need to show vaccination cards at airports, departing for and arriving in HI?
Thanks BOH for keeping us all updated
Hi Maur.
No you will not.
Aloha.
Let us all pray that this is a real turning point in this pandemic🙏
Thank you for the updates! Hallelujah!! Sure hope it sticks and this will all be history! Tentatively dreaming of a trip later this year…
Hi Janelle.
I think everyone can concur with that wish. Thanks.
Aloha.
I’m arriving on the 26th so I shouldn’t have to do anything. Correct?
Wow amazing coincedence like when the vaccinations came out right after the election and now science says all is well right before Biden’s speech tonight. Huh we are truly blessed.
It’s a miracle 😂
Amazing isn’t it. Yep, anyone that believes that this hasn’t been political still believes in the tooth fairy. Can’t wait to return to my island home.
Yippee! I have been waiting for this for two long years. I am booked for April 3 and am so excited to visit my paradise again 🥳🌴🥥🥑🐠🐳🍍🍹🌺🦉🐚🌈🦄
Have a safe & fun trip when you go!!! 😊🌞🕶💕❤🌍✈🏖🌈🌺🐠🥥🐢🍍🛍📅🛩🐬
Yay! The political science has finally caught up with the actual science!
Well Said Friend!!!
Oi. 10 days after our planned trip to the mainland… Still looking forward to normal someday!
We’re flying in on the 22nd so we’ll officially need to test to go 😩 WE MISSED IT BY THREE DAYS!! Oh well… We did it in 2021, I guess we’ll do it one more time. At least we’ll be able to go to restaurants without testing. I guess there’s that!
Dear Jennifer, I’m planning my trip for 2024!! I’m super excited & it has been my lifelong dream vacation trip 😍 🛩📅🛍🍍🐢🥥🐠🌺🌈🏖✈🌍❤💕🕶🌞 I’m dreaming of the day when I will be sitting on ✈ traveling to Hawaii🌺
Aloha, Can you please explain what that means for Canadian travellers?
Hi Carol.
It’s is the same no matter where you enter the US and those rules are found here. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html.
Aloha.
You have to get a rapid test the day before you travel and you have to get another the day before you travel back to Canada. You also have to show proof of vaccination to board the aircraft.
Oh goodness,so we fly to the Big Island the day before. Really dont want to pay for testing our family if literally the next day we won’t have to.
Are you not vaccinated?
Re unvaccinated residents, can we use state offices and the library without showing proof of vaccination now?
You haven’t been able to use a tax payer funded service if you haven’t been vaccinated? That is wrong. If you pay taxes, then they shouldn’t be restricting your ability to use the library.
FWIW, Kauai just dropped all county imposed covid restrictions, so at least Kauai libraries should no longer require vax card checks. Not sure about the other islands. But, you are still stuck with masks, since that is state imposed.
Cue all the “It’s too soon!” comments in 3 – 2 – 1….
its about dam time, we have had enough
Thank you for all of your timely updates!
Darn, we arrive on the 25th. No big deal as we have already uploaded everything (with Clear Pass) so we already have our green QR code. Hoping for no masks after the 25th—that would make our vacation perfect!!
Hi Deborah.
The tone in his voice said you may have something good coming in that regard, although no one can say for sure.
Aloha.
Of course they’re lifted! The primaries are coming up this month and the mid-terms in November and the whole COVID situation has been a blunder that will cost many people their elected positions!
“Political Science” !!! You will see the final Hold-outs of States-Yeah, I live in CA for a few more months (4th generation Californian and Everyone I know is leaving asap)- returning to “Normal” just in time for the Mid-terms..but, wait until the virus which will be with us like forever returns after November of 2022- You think they will let go of the “emergency powers” that easily? we shall see…Thanks once again BOH for being on it!!! I refer people to BOH all the time
Hi Nita.
Thanks. We appreciate your more than 100 comments.
Aloha.
Now we just need the FAA/TSA to get rid of masks on air travel.
the fights onboard stop when relaxed.
As long as you’re actively eating or drinking, you don’t need to wear a mask 😉
Just flew back from Lihue to Bozeman via LAX and Vegas yesterday and today. Probably had the mask on 20% of the time on the planes. ABED (Always Be Eating or Drinking). This was on Southwest. The flight attendants either didn’t notice or didn’t care.
The key word is “actively”. This does not mean you can set a class of water on your tray and remain maskless for 6 hours.
I went with everying from water to coke to coffee to beer (in-flight beer is back!) on my tray. Plus assorted snacks etc.
It worked just fine.
Your flights may vary
I put a sucker in my mouth for the whole trip. NO Mask!
Clever! I’ll throw a couple of tootsie pops in my computer bag in case the feds still haven’t canceled the airport/flights mask mandates in time for our next flights. I can envision the more mask-inclined flight attendants not going for it, but that’s OK. Still have my ABED system.
It’s about time! Girls trip already booked for April. Although it wasn’t horrible in October. Just annoying. Thanks for all the updates!
Hi Starla.
Thanks. Have a great time in Hawaii.
Aloha.
I’m sure we will. My mom, daughter and myself. Maybe Oahu better watch out! Thanks again for all the updates. I found you by accident a year ago when I was scouring the web for updates. Even after we had been to Maui and back I was still reading the articles. Like so many other people we love Hawaii and the people and wanted to keep updated. This current trip was totally an unplanned celebration that we might not have booked if not for your site.
Hi Starla.
Thanks so much! We’re glad you had a great time in Hawaii.
Alpha.
Dear Starla, I will be going to Oahu in 2024 & I’m super excited!! It has been my lifelong dream vacation trip 🌺✈🌞🕶💕❤🌍🏖🌈🐠🥥🐢🍍🛍📅😍 have a fun & safe trip!
It is not the mask mandate causing fights onboard flights, it is the crazy people that think they are beyond following rules they don’t like. Selfishness is running rampant. So sad. Longing for true Aloha again.
The rest of the world seems to manage wearing masks without fighting. Seems to be an American thing not a mask thing.
my last Southwest flights from California to Maui and back were Amazing!!! Only “one” initial mention of masks, then the crew ignored the topic and had Fun, so did everyone on the flight!!! Yeah, Normal-town again!….note that both flights were not full, so maybe just that fact and the natural distancing that we all sat with made the often masks chill…but Southwest is Always Chill, unlike my nightmare Alaska Air trip I also recently took where they did not shut up One Minute about masks
YEEHAW!!