Imminent announcement on Hawaii tourism as PR nightmare continues.
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308 thoughts on “Hawaii Tourism Reopening Plans This Week as Feds Get Involved”
Imminent announcement on Hawaii tourism as PR nightmare continues.
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Currently in the state of WA you can only get tested if you have symptoms. I’m not sure that will change before our scheduled trip in November. In addition, we have a flight on a Tuesday, which doesn’t allow enough time to get the results before we’re due to fly, and meet the time frame the governor has imposed. Sad, because we usually spend Thanksgiving there with family. Expect there are lots of people in that situation, so HI will not get a big rush of tourists to relive the economic pain. Appreciate you keeping us up to date on any changes.
Hi Lee.
Thanks. Yes we get the dilemma and hope this will get clarified and simplified soon.
Aloha
I dont know where you live in Washington but thats simply not true you can now get testing. Of course the White house just announced they are stopping the money sent to all states for testing so who knows. DONT BLAME IT ON WASHINGTON THE STATE THOUGH this is an effort that SHOULD be led by the federal government instead.
I find it interesting and actually pretty sad how the DOJ has been weaponized to go after stupid things like this. Is it constitutional? I don’t know is saving your life UN Constitutional? WHO does BARR think he is? HE does not get to DICTATE to any state what they should or should not do. They have threatened Governors and now as of yesterday they are cutting of the rest of the roadside testing. Testing is going to go right back to being VERY hard to get unless you show symptoms. Or its going to cost an arm and a leg.
I am sick of the ENTITLED people who post on here whining they cannot go to hawaii. Suck it up folks things are getting WORSE NOT BETTER That being said Mahalo
This is exciting news!!!! Looking forward to helping the economy in Kuaui!!! I look at it this way we are traveling August 8th so it will still be new and should not be a lot of other tourists making this time even more special. I have been looking at the different avenues for c0vid testing and I did see CVS does do a rapid testing. Now that I know Hawaii will be open when we go, I will be making phone calls.
THANK YOU Beat of Hawaii for being there for all of us travelers. You have given us all hope and piece of mind. Can’t wait to hear of more good news from you!!!😃🌴
Hi Pam.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Funny how you and many of your readers criticize Hawaii as though it’s the only place in the world being cautious. Look at New Zealand and many other countries doing the same. Swedish travelers are banned from visiting the other Scandinavian countries and some European countries. New York and New Jersey are following in Hawaii and Alaska’s footsteps in requiring quarantine of visitors from high-Covid states. So apparently Hawaii isn’t alone in wanting to protect its residents. Maybe YOU don’t care if our kupuna drop dead, but some of us value life over bucks and laying on a beach. I don’t know why you are trying to stir up bad feelings about Hawaii.
I think that Beat of Hawaii has been very fair in their reporting of the governor’s handling of the Covid-19 response. I very much appreciate their updates. Nobody wants your Kapuna to drop dead. I would be more sympathetic though if he hadn’t allowed thousands of protesters to roam through the streets of Honolulu without “soc. distancing”. Wonder how many of those were supposed to be quar antining?
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for that and your many comments. We appreciate it.
Aloha.
You are 100% correct. Some of the posts here show an incredible ignorance of what is going on in the rest of the US (can’t expect such people to know or care about the rest of the world). And the equation is very simple: if you don’t like the rules in Hawai’i, go play in Florida or some other state with 10x or 20x the death rate (and now a huge spike due to “opening”). The problem seems to be that too many people think of Hawai’i as a sort of Disneyland that exists for their pleasure. It’s an immature position but it fits with the “you can’t make me do anything” mentality that we’re seeing all over the mainland in response to this international crisis.
I am looking forward to returning home to Hawaii after living in Las Vegas for 30 years. I am so homesick. I miss friends and family!
Zuckerberg of Fakebook photographed recently playing on his $100 mil spread in Kaui- Did HIS family quar antine 14-days?
Thought so!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8456543/Mark-Zuckerberg-escapes-Hawaii-beach-family-big-brands-pull-advertising-Facebook.html
To paraphrase Leona Helmsley, rules are for little people. Markie has always believed he can make his own rules – and so far he has been able to. But why shouldn’t it work for him? It works for all the other plutocrats and people in power.
We were scheduled to be in Hawaii for our 25th Anniversary this year, and had to cancel do to the quar antine requirement. We have a timeshare there, and we’re really hoping for an extended vacation… Just not in one place! At this late date outside of a miracle, I do not see it happening… A disappointed Mahlo/ Aloha ! Dan R.
Hi Dan.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I think there a couple points that need to be considered. Last year Hawaii had 30,000 visitors arriving PER DAY. In addition, we are remote islands with limited hospital staff and resources. We can’t just send patients over a state border if we are at capacity. Everyone wants to open, but safely and not at the expense of the residents who have worked so hard to keep our cases low.
FYI – the governor just announced visitors would be welcome without a 14 day quar antine IF they present a negative COVID test within 3 days of arriving. This begins August 1. If you don’t have a negative test prior to arriving you will still be subject to the 14 day quar antine.
Aloha from the 9th island ! We here in Las Vegas are obviously hugely dependent on visitor travel to support our economy. We have reopened many hotels and restaurants and yes we have unfortunately seen a surge in cases. Tonight the governor of Nevada has mandated that everyone must wear a face mask in public at all times. If patrons to a business are not wearing a face mask, they can be refused service. Regardless of how you feel, your political affiliation, or your personal beliefs, we have all have to realize that based on past and current evidence, the disease is spread from close contact, person to person. This is something that can be managed, but we all have to participate. Frankly, just as in other areas of the USA, the public has become lax in following the FDA guidelines.Nobody knows what the outcome of all of this will be, but if we could all participate in not infecting each other it would really help. I am very anxious to return to Hawaii as I had to put off one of my vacations there this year due to the lockdown. However my vacation should never come at the risk of someone else’s life. Please respect all of the states mandates no matter where you are traveling.
Well put! But sadly there are far too many people who refuse to respect rules, at home or elsewhere. And now we have the contingent that thinks masks are some sort of wimpy statement, so they won’t wear them, and even on occasion ridicule or harass those who do. This crisis is certainly revealing a lot about the sort of society we live in. (From what I read in the UK media, it’s even worse there in terms of belligerent, even violent, non-cooperation.)
My son is a Marine stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. We haven’t seen him since last year and this November he will go on a six month deployment overseas. We were hoping to see him before deployment but given the circumstances with the pandemic we are losing hope that this will occur. As of right now the Marines are not allowed to leave the island unless on official assignment. That is a Marine Corps ruling, not from the state of Hawaii. What is the current state of housing for visitors in hotels, resorts and Air BnB’s? Are they open to the public, even with the 14 day quarantine?
Thank you for any relevant information that you can provide.
Hi Robert.
Some hotels are open and the rest should be returning starting August. Vacation rentals will open then too. If that didn’t answer your question, please restate it.
Aloha.
Legal vacation rental properties are ready! We have guests already booked and waiting for some definitive plan.
Aloha, with that being said. If you have negative test results is car rentals gonna be available? Are we gonna have to carry them around to be able to enjoy the island? Like excursions and such?
Aloha and thank u.
Hi Amy.
Yes car rentals will be available and no you won’t need proof once you have presented it on arrival into Hawaii.
Aloha.
Guys. do you know about this. Bill in legislation HB2502. voting on it tomorrow morning. submit testimony on line before 9:30am. Calls for permanent quarantine for all, residents, families, etc. $5000 fine. Authority to head of DoH, not Gov. or lawmakers. This is not a good idea for our people, land or sustainable tourism. Check it out. Heard from 4 different sources.
Hi Ane.
Yes we are aware of that.
Thanks.
Aloha.
” Calls for permanent quar antine for all, residents, families, etc.”
Where does it say that? (Please provide Section number and paragraph number.) I read the entire bill online and see nothing like that at all. Looks like you are just spreading a false and destructive urban legend.
It is too late for me. I just cancelled my September trip the other day. Hawaii is just being ridiculous. I can’t wait until the day before the trip to make plans. There are too many questions still. I don’t want the hassle this year. I’m done. Vacation is not about hassles.
Vacation is not about hassles and the C0VID crisis is not about you.
What is ridiculous about wanting to save lives?
Luckily this crisis will expose those who think Hawai’i is their own special Disneyland, and hopefully cause them to take their vacations elsewhere in the future.
How about opening up and testing for people who family on the islands? I have 4 grandkids on Kauai that I desperately want to see
Kathy
This will require lots of coordination from the hotels, restaurants, condos and tourist industry. I believe that it’s doable-as long as Hawaiian residents on onboard. Personally, I won’t be making any plans to travel to Hawaii or anywhere else until an effective vac cine is available and widely distributed.
Looking forward to the day when we can all be traveling again.
Mahalo for keeping us apprised of the situation. I can count on you guys for reliable, timely information.
Hi Kya.
Thank you!
Aloha.
The lunacy has to end and it looks like it will take the Fed’s to make it happen!
John
Lunacy…the lunacy of caring about health and protecting people’s lives. Yes. Right.
Please consider going somewhere else where more people share that attitude.
Aloha!
Thanks for keeping us up to date. Still hoping to do our winter there BUT not counting on it. Summer heat doesn’t make C0VID magically go away. Testing at home 3 days before and getting results is a pipe dream. It’s 5-7 days for results here in Sacramento. We’ll keep our masks on and our hands clean! Stay safe!
Aloha Fellas,
I’d love to get into the politics of all this, but probably not the correct forum. So I’ll just let you know how Ige’s leadership has affected this SoCal family’s summer plans. In March, we definitely thought Hawaii would have had its 💩 together by August. Not the case, so we’re taking the airline credits and rolling into Summer 2021 (probably a longer trip compared to what we had booked for this year tho). Lots of others in this boat. We’ll be fine. But unfortunately, regardless of DoJ involvement, lawsuit threats, etc., the Hawaiian economy is toast until next summer (best case). If they had opened by July 2020, many jobs, families, homes and financial lives could have been salvaged. August/September is just too late. I work in commercial real estate and it’s not hard to see a wave of hotel foreclosures and broad defaults on many of those VRBOs people bought as investments. Very sad and didn’t have to be this painful. That’s a legacy that Ige & Friends will carry with them forever.
Keep on doing what you’re doing. You guys are straight shooters and appreciated by more than you know.
SoCal Matt
Hi Matt.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Don’t want to get into any political arena, but when the court’s rules you will also see testing is illegal!!
“Don’t want to get into any political arena”
You just did.
Its about time that they announce a date to resume travel to Hawaii! Long over due!
However, I must ask if anyone has seen Hawaii’s most recent attempt to continue to hold hostage the Travel industry? If this bill passes it will surely be the final blow to Hawaii’s travel industry! If this bill passes it gives Hawaii state government the authority to impose quar antine, or any other restrictions on local residents and visitors without input from other agencies. Here is a couple of paragraphs. I strongly suggest that you go to the link and look for yourself. Hawaii is about to lose all their rights!
SECTION 1. The State’s experience with the C0VID demonstrates the need for preparation, flexibility, and quick action in the face of ongoing or new risks presented by outbreaks of communicable or dangerous diseases in the State or in other parts of the world. The State has learned from experience that a screening process for travelers is a key component in the containment or mitigation of the spread of disease. This Act serves to enhance the tools available to the State in its effort to contain or mitigate the spread of communicable or dangerous diseases, to enable the use of these tools without a governor’s emergency proclamation, and to make the containment or mitigation effort more efficient and flexible in protecting the public health and safety.
This Act authorizes a screening process applicable to travelers at any port of entry to the State whenever it is determined by the director of health to be necessary to prevent the spread of communicable or dangerous diseases in order to protect the public health and safety, including the health and safety of the traveling public, and to ensure a positive visitor experience, which is critical to sustaining the State’s tourism industry.
The screening may apply to any and all travelers, including interisland, domestic, and international travelers, and it may apply to both arrival and departure points within the State of Hawaii. Benefits include the determination of whether quarantine or isolation is necessary for the wellbeing of the public, including travelers, travelers’ households, and traveling companions, as well as the opportunity for timely treatment to prevent or lessen symptoms or to shorten the duration of the disease. To further enhance the effectiveness of the screening process, and from experience, we also find it necessary to establish penalties to address individuals who are uncooperative or seek to evade the screening process. This screening process will also authorize the department of health to take certain actions upon completion of traveler screening, including testing, investigating, monitoring, quarantining, and isolating travelers, as determined necessary by the director of health to protect the public health and safety.
Please read for yourself! Hawaii government is trying to quickly sneak this in to be passed.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2020/bills/HB2502_SD1_PROPOSED_.HTM
I understand both sides of the issue. Hawaii has a lower death rate than most (if not all) of the rest of the US. But, for the people who want to visit – I’ve heard for several weeks now that a plan is coming. Yet, we are still talking about it. Last week, I cancelled my trip in August and have no plans to rebook it until the leadership in Hawaii is changed. At the same time, in the Honolulu paper – it discussed the budget issues the state is facing. I only hope that someone steps up and provides some leadership.
I know that the case/death rates are low and the hospital system could easily be over-loaded, but just provide a plan!! Don’t say you are going to announce something a month ago and still have not. I only hope they do this time. However, it will not be a surprise to see it delayed a week or two.
We have airline, hotel, an rental car reservations for August 16. 2020. What are the possibilities of making this trip?
How is this policy of 14 day quar antine for non-residents discriminatory if other states are also doing the same thing? Is it because they aren’t giving people the option of testing in lieu of quarantine?
With the reluctance to “allow” non-Hawaiian US citizens to enter the islands… it has really put a bad taste in my mouth. Not sure I will ever go back to Hawaii. I
please dont with these attitudes we dont want to see you there when we visit
“reluctance to “allow” non-Hawaiian US citizens to enter the islands”
There’s no rational or factual basis for making that accusation. So why make it?
OMGosh! This situation is TOO crazy and sad for all those involved- especially the dear citizens of Hawaii who rely on tourism/tourism activity to let’s see… “FEED their families! Pay the Rent, Pay for Medical Insurance….”…many business are generations old and may or may not ever recover. Dear Hawaiian friends, please remember that elections have consequences and the election of your inept governor is beyond the pale!…I personally have friends with close family in Hawaii they cannot visit, friends with family in Hawaii and a postponed Hawaiian wedding, and many of my own family members who scrapped their travel plans to Hawaii for this summer:(…again unintended consequences as if “you have no PLAN you plan to FAIL”
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for providing us with your updates. Unfortunately, for me we had to cancel our trip for this year. BUT, once Hawaii reopens we will definitely be back.
Appreciate all of the work you do in getting this information out to us.
Hi Carole.
Thanks. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Aloha
We have been coming to Hawaii for the last several years. Rebooked our July trip to the Virgin Islands. We will see how that trip goes and then decide if we want to return to Hawaii. Very disappointed in the Governor and his poor decisions that are not fact based.
We are scheduled to arrive to our home in Maui on July 30th and have been presuming we will need to quar antine for 14 days, but would sure like to avoid it. Hopefully the state of Hawaii will allow us and others who arrive at a similar timeframe to be tested on island on August 1st, and allow us to forego the rest of the quar antine assuming we test negative.
Aloha! My daughter just received an email today the the Kauai Marathon/HalfMarathon has been made a ‘virtual’ race event. Race is Sept 6, 2020. We really thought visitors would be going to the islands by then, it’s very disappointing. Any idea or thoughts on why race organizers would pull the plug already? We appreciate your Kauai expertise.
Mahalo!
Hi Suzanna.
Perhaps several things contributed to that. First, the state has not yet said exactly what will happen, and undoubtedly huge financial commitments were coming due. Next, how would distancing be maintained? And lastly, could they feel assured of enough attendance this year. So the prudent financial decision may have been to pull the plug now.
Aloha.
I appreciate your input. We will look forward to visiting when the appropriate measures are in place.
Mahalo
Any updates on mainland travel to Hawaii yet ? Ige is really dragging his foot . He said he’d make an announcement this week . Why wait til the end of the week? I’m thinking he’s going to delay it again !
I don’t understand how the Governor can allow international travel to Hawaii before HIS country USA. Hawaii is a part of the US not an independent country. Please move forward, your economy needs our tourism dollars.
Its pretty obvious this page does not like the governor and there may be good reason for that. However I am curious how since our the USA international borders REMAIN CLOSED how Hawaii can make a decision to allow any tourists from anywhere but the USA?
Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for keeping everyone in the loop.
One thing I know for sure is that the resorts, restaurants, and everything else on the Islands have been preparing for re-opening ever since they were shut down.
I’m confident that when Ige gives the go ahead, the Hawai’ian islands will be ready to greet visitors with Aloha.
As they say in the West, let those ponies run.
Open up, and begin the recovery that’s needed for Hawai’i’s economy. As a 30+ year resident, I have all the confidence in the world that we’re good to go.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Pam.
Thanks!
Aloha.
Hi there, I have a question, if you please wouldn’t mind answering. Are longer term tourists welcome at this time? My family is planning to come for July and August. We are fully committed to the 14 day quar antine. Is this doable, advisable, and welcome? First of all, I want to be very respectful of local wishes and I’m worried about a negative response. I can’t figure out if this kind of tourism is welcome at this time and I’m looking for guidance. It would be fully in accordance with the state’s current orders. Would love some advice. Thank you.
Hi Carrie.
The governor has promised guidance on reopening this week we hope and expect that to be forthcoming. Thus you might be in a better position to plan. There is no problem coming at any point, but being sequestered in your accommodation for 14 days is a terrible way to start a vacation. Further until that is lifted, we understand there are issues with car rentals too. Please stand by for an update.
Thanks.
Hi Carrie – I can only speak for myself, but I would say yes! You seem to be type of visitor we are hoping for – considerate and respectful. A 14 day quar antine is not easy however – you can’t even step outside your hotel room! (Not even to the pool or the beach) I might suggest waiting until August 1st when you can arrive with a negative C0VID test (within 3 days of arrival) and you won’t be subject to the quar antine.
There is a very sad narrative being floated around about C0vid being a politically motivated plan, masks are ineffective etc. etc. Probably the most pathetic lie they use is that C0vid deaths are being over reported by Doctors and hospitals to scam medicare. The fact that the frontline Doctors and nurses have put their lives at risk to treat covid patients are now being maligned by the conspiracy theorists demonstrates just how sick and misguided these people have become.
Judging by some of the posts on here it appears these same people are trying to undermine all the good work Hawaii has done and their desire to reopen in as safe a way as is possible.
I look forward to hearing the plan as I’m sure everyone else here does, amazing we are already over 3 months into this, have to wonder how different three months from now will be…..we are all living in historic times!
You are dead wrong in your comment. Lifelong liberal, Science believing and mask wearing social dis tancer here . Hawaii is acting paranoid , unreasonable and not following any science based plan . They’re following the plan of a paranoid governor with no regard for science which touts a careful measured reopening like multiple other successful states have done . A vaccine may not come for 6-12 months . You are promoting staying in a bubble for a year. No other place on earth is doing this . No expert is promoting this .. Your state will never survive the level of poverty and deaths by suicide and starvation caused by the total destruction of people’s livelihoods.
Mary just to be clear I’m not suggesting Hawaii doesn’t need to open. It can and it will, as I said I’m looking forward to the
announcement this week. My post was directed at the extremists trying to minimize the seriousness of the pandemic and the many conspiracy theories floating around.
My take is we have to open soon and do it as safely as possible….testing, onboard masks and contact tracing.
I have no problem with systematically opening up to safer areas first but that’s a very short term step, ultimately we have to open to all in the near future.
I don’t think anyone realistically thinks we can afford to stay shutdown for an extended amount of time, the cost to society as a whole would be huge.
No. Hawaii will survive. On the backs of US taxpayers in the form of expanded unemployment, small business bailouts, and welfare. So sad.
Amen! I totally agree. I am a lifelong liberal as well and he have been distancing and wearing masks and sanitizing carefully during the pan demic. There is no reason that we should not be able to travel on August 8 without a quar antine especially if we test negative for the virus which we are happy to do as long as we are given a reasonable enough window before travel I believe in science yet Science has not dictated that we live in a bubble for a year. That is totally unreasonable and will cause far more health problems.
No regard to science? Mary S, you do realize that the US has not even seen our curve drop to the levels of other countries; it’s in fact gone back up. How’s the reopening of FL worked out? AZ? Other countries quar antined their people and dropped the curve. As a lifelong liberal, I’m sure you’ve heard that science indicates a 2nd wave is coming and will be worst than the first. Allowing people to do as they please for the sake of Memorial Day was just the start of it. With 4th of July coming, the surge is going to happen, because people just can’t help themselves; they do what’s in their best interest (have fun) at the expense of others.
Please familiarize yourself with our hospital situation. Please also let us know which states have successfully opened without huge increases in Covid cases. Also who said anything about staying completely closed for a year? Also read up on New Zealand, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Japan, etc. Our state, governor and leaders were praised recently in an article on MSN.com. How should he act when cases across the country are back up and we have very very limited hospital beds and already have had a HUGE shortage of medical personnel for years?? I don’t envy our leaders being torn between the economical vs. physical health of their constituents.
Mary, interesting post!
“They’re following the plan of a paranoid governor”: What on earth is the basis for that bit of wild character assassination?
“a careful measured reopening like multiple other successful states have done”: Name one. All the states that are reopening are having serious surges of new cases and hospitalizations. Read the news.
“You are promoting staying in a bubble for a year.” No, no one is doing that.
That “lie” about misreporting C0VID deaths isn’t a lie, it’s true. It is unfortunate that other lies such as masks being ineffective, are being circulated, and that it has become somewhat political. However, Hawaii has mishandled the situation for months, trying to use C0VID as an excuse to “reset” the economy, a vague idea that is misguided at best. There is no good reason why the governor and mayors have failed to lead and to make and announce a reopening plan. The DOJ is a joke, but it is good that pressure is being brought to bear on Hawaii’s indecisive leaders who are burning billions in badly needed revenues that Hawaiians need to feed their families.
“That “lie” about misreporting C0VID deaths isn’t a lie, it’s true. ”
You’re right – deaths are considerably under-reported. Nurses in some hospitals have been instructed to keep the reported numbers down. Just like the administration has pulled support for testing to keep the numbers down. (Trump administration ending support for drive-thru testing sites – Seven sites are in Texas, which is experiencing record numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.)
We have a trip planned to Maui for July 10th and I am hoping for a miracle. From what I know of C0vid it seems to me like a Hawaiian vacation, mostly spent in the water and on beaches, would be relatively low risk for transmission of the vi rus. We would gladly take any tests both on the mainland and there to insure that we are free. We’ve rented a condo through a local rental company, so would be fairly isolated except for food shopping. When out and about we would ALWAYS wear our masks, just like we do at home. I just hope Ige makes the call soon so we can make alternative plans if need be. I understand the hesitancy to allow tourists back, but the fact is that the vast majority of the mainlanders are vi rus free.
I’m in the same boat. Tickets for July 9th. Craziness. It’s my summertime visit with my niece whom I’m very close to, so I need to know whether to cancel our tickets or not. Hoping for a miracle as well, cause as much as I love Vegas (where she lives) we’ve looked forward to this since February, and have already postponed the trip after initial May dates. We will gladly both take tests as well. Just hoping for something definite very soon. We are now a month and a day out. Waiting game sucks.
it does suck but be patient? We had to put off our May 1-10 vacation and we are patiently waiting 🙂
UH WRONG there are over a million cases positive right now.
Wow…. Your playing right into their plan… ignorance is bliss.
SD, please do explain:
1. What plan?
2. Who are “they” (“their” plan)?
3. Ignorance of what?
” the fact is that the vast majority of the mainlanders are virus free.”
The fact is that since only a tiny portion of the US population has been tested, no one has any idea of what percentage of mainlanders are virus free. The fact that all states now opening up are seeing huge surges of cases and hospitalizations, indicates that no, the vast majority are not virus free. If Hawai’i opens up, they will be swamped in no time. Just as is happening on the mainland right now. (TX, FL, CA, etc.). That’s why NY, NJ and CT are all restricting visitors from over half a dozen US states.
I am anxiously waiting for this information. We were scheduled for 2 weeks in late April early May. I was very fortunate as I received 100% refund from HA and Redweek for our timeshare rental. I am hoping to re-book for the first 2 weeks in December. My biggest concern now is the response of the locals to tourists.
The locals will be very nice. If your worried about it dont go so the rest of us can.
If the tourists are like the Hawai’i-bashers on this site, one can hardly blame the locals for not being enthusiastic about them.
Governor Ige has made it obvious that he cannot lead in a time of crisis. And it is unfortunate for him that his failures, although intertwined here, are on two fronts: the actual C0VID crisis and planning to reopen tourism. And even more unfortunate, the people of Hawaii had to learn of this major flaw in this fashion.
Florida has been reopening for a few weeks already. The Florida Keys reopened for tourism. Our beaches have reopened. Osceola County even reopened vacation rentals (condo and home rentals serving the Disney World area). Restaurants have been open a month already and bars get to open today. Even Universal Studios is opening today and its hotels opened late last week. Even the big WDW is planning to reopen July 11.
Testing is ramped up in Florida and just about anybody wanting a test can get one. The state-run drive-up testing locations have been doing just fine. Governor DeSantis says that they can handle twice the volume of current demand. On top of that, Quest and Labcorp are testing without doctor referral, but it is only the antibody test. People with symptoms still need to see their doctor or go to the state-run testing centers.
Thankfully, Florida’s plans for temporary hospitals never had to be used, but the plans were in place and ready.
And lest we forget, Florida was the number one destination for people fleeing from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Louisiana when the outbreak was peaking. So there was a high likelihood of an influx of infected people. But it was all managed just fine.
All of that takes logistical planning. Florida’s governor did that and more.
I write all this so there can be a real comparison of these two governors: Ige and DeSantis. Since both economies are so reliant on tourism, they are a great pair to compare. However, one excelled and the other failed miserably. Unfortunately, Ige failed at the extreme expense of the people he was supposed to represent and lead through troubled times such as these. I certainly hope the people of Hawaii learned a lesson here and vote properly next time around so it is not repeated.
Let’s look at C0VID deaths per million population by state:
Florida: 124 deaths per million population.
Hawai’i: 12 (that’s twelve) deaths per million population.
It’s hard to see why anyone would think that the Florida approach has been better.
And it’s even harder to see why there are so many people from various states preaching to the people of Hawai’i about how things should be done. Especially with examples like this.
Amen well said. Its ALL political for these people. They STILL think its all a hoax to take the orange menace down. ITS NOT the ENTIRE world didnt conspire against Trump.
Tell that to all of the people that are out of work in Hawaii.
You are changing the topic somewhat. The topic is disease and death. Right now FL is going through a huge surge in cases and hospitalizations. (So much for the rosy post about how well it’s going there.) The fact is that mass disease is also devastating to the economy. If local people are sick, they can’t work, plus they have extra medical bills. I’m in San Diego. We’ve opened up a lot of things, but guess what: people don’t want to risk it. If Hawai’i ended the quar antine tomorrow and gave me a free flight on a full plane, I wouldn’t go. A lot of people feel the same way. Many people don’t want to sit next to some irresponsible bozo who has been running around and won’t wear a mask. You see them here in the parks and beaches, mostly from out of state, and we all wish they would go home.
Well said! I’m reading this comment a few weeks later and Florida’s model definitely doesn’t seem like one for Hawaii to follow. 🙁
Let’s look at some other C0VID deaths per million population by state.
New York has had one of the strictest lockdowns and slowest reopenings of any state in the country. What are their numbers?
1,611 deaths per million.
New Jersey, same story. What’s their count?
1,478 deaths per million.
Frankly, considering Florida doesn’t have the luxury of being an island where they can cut off all foreign sources of the vi rus and their first cases appeared not long after NY, they *have* done a good job keeping their death rate so low, a tenth of NY and NJ.
Hawaii will have to deal with the virus eventually just like Florida and every other state are dealing with it now. It’s their choice how much economic devastation they are willing to tolerate before a vac cine.
You left out the obvious parts: (1) NY and NY started restrictions very late. Too late to do much good. (2) NY area has far more inbound travelers than Florida. (3) NY & NJ are much more densely populated. (4) NY & NJ have gotten their rates down; FL is increasing rapidly. So much that they are now restricted if they go to NY/NJ/CT. (5) The topic was HI vs FL. Not NY/NJ.
Again well said. Add to that the accelerated rise of c0vid positives and deaths in Florida- and other early reopen states/lax testing phys. distancing- and the above comment is truly weeded out
So true! I thought same when I saw someone touting Florida as a positive example of how to reopen. Their numbers are skyrocketing with new cases. That’s the last re-opening model we want to follow. There’s no easy answer, but I’m actually pro the travel bubble with any place, foreign or domestic that has their curve flattened and whose citizen follow safety protocols. We need the inflow of money from tourism, but not at just opening to anyone from states or countries with high infection rates and risk the health of Hawaii residents. It may feel like a slap in the face to
Mainlanders, but it’s about Hawai’i trying to re-start tourism, lower unemployment and small business bankruptcies and keeping its residents as protected as possible by minimizing risk factors…
Thank you Dave. I seriously think these people don’t care that old people or blacks die. Sad to say this, but that’s my thoughts about these vacationers who are so critical. God forbid they have to postpone their vacations for old people who are going to die soon ANYWAY. And those out of jobs…”Granny will gladly sacrifice herself for my TVR, bartender job, Uber gig..” All the old or chronically ill can quarantine themselves instead of the tourists…that’s what I hear. What a wonderful nation we live in.
Yeah right Desantos and Florida are skewing the numbers intentionally. Florida and Hawaii are TWO completely different places. Florida is set up for everything Hawaii is NOT. You watch Florida especially hospitalizations are going thru the roof. Arizona and Texas both are going up. But hey by all means complain about not being able to go to Hawaii.
That is not true! I live in Texas and yes our cases are going up but our hospital capcity has not changed in over a month and a half. We are at 5% capicity. We are doing great here in Texas the economy is booming again. We are not seeing this huge panic about being open. I read these comments on this site usually several times a week and I must say Paul C your comments are so negative and angry.
With all due respect Brenda you might want to revisit your information about Texas. Just yesterday they announced hospitalizations are at their highest rates they have been. Arizona is also experiencing a huge spike.
Big panic about reopening? Who is doing that?
So you have a right to your opinion but I am negative and angry? I want to go to Hawaii too but I dont want things rushed so we are right back into lock down mode again. You can read my comments however you like but to make light of this vi rus is a BIG mistake.
By the way I read thru all my comments on this thread. Where do you see negative and angry? I am being smart. But I wont sit here and stand by while some call this all a hoax.
Paul C- The KEY is to respect all opinions and not Troll other’s you may disagree with. Not everyone to quote you “Amen well said. Its ALL political for these people”…I think you are one of “These” people- LOL
I’m wondering what Brenda thinks regarding new C0VID infections now. Just today, Texas reported over 5,200 new C0VID cases, and Florida had over 5,500 new cases. The deaths in Texas are projected to spike over the coming weeks and months.
Additionally, many C0VID survivors are left with many long term side effects. Sure, they didn’t die, but their quality of life is diminished, in some cases potentially forever.
I so wish that folks would tone down the negativity on both sides. BOH is simply trying to provide information on the steps to reopening. Yes, I have my opinion as well. Frankly, it scares me to consider opening, even under controlled conditions when the following headlines tell me what is truly happening on the mainland:
Mississippi chief health officer Thomas Dobbs warned that “it’s going to get worse” because little has been done to enforce restrictions in his state. “Prepare for not being able to get into the hospital if you have a car wreck,” he said, or to “have a heart attack and there not be a ventilator to put you on.
The European Union plans to blacklist American travelers. The bloc is lumping the U.S. with countries such as Brazil and Russia because the U.S. “has failed to control the scourge.” Visitors from other countries, including China, would be allowed to enter the region.
and in today’s news:
Across the United States, more than 36,000 new infections were reported by state health departments on Wednesday — surpassing the previous single-day record of 34,203 set on April 25. Texas, Florida and California led the way, with all three states reporting more than 5,000 new cases apiece.
Three states — California, Florida and Oklahoma — reported record highs in new single-day cases, while hospitalizations hit a new peak in Arizona, where intensive care units have quickly filled.
Hi Jim.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Good on ya Paul
Haters gonna hate
Thank you Paul. Nice to read you.
I live in Dallas. The numbers are skyrocketing. Texas opened way too early and now we are paying the price. I love Hawaii, but think they are being wise. We will all get to return to Hawaii next year. We must be patient.
FL is doing really great now too! *Sarcasm* All because people need to be out and about and do whatever they want, without care about your fellow (wo)man.
From the Texas Tribune: Texas is heading down a dangerous path, local leaders warn as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge
When Gov. Greg Abbott let businesses start reopening, he pointed to two metrics as encouraging signs: the hospitalization rate and the infection rate. Both of those metrics are on the rise in Texas. “To state the obvious, C0VID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas, and it must be corralled,” Abbott said during a news conference at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
Houston: Hospital CEOs signed a letter to Houstonians Wednesday warning, “If this trend continues, our hospital system capacity will become overwhelmed.”