33 thoughts on “Turning Point as Hawaii Infection Data Among Lowest in US”
Keli N.
I just received an email from Hawaiian airlines saying my non stop flight to Maui on May 12th is still confirmed??? Hawaiian airlines website says they are only flying to Honolulu from San Francisco. Is this a ploy to not have to pay a refund? Nowhere on their site does it say passenger flights are cancelled until June. Can you confirm this? Very confusing.
Jane R
Thankyou so much for this updates, we had travel plans in March and are so hoping to reschedule during summer season, little has been reported by many and your articles have given much needed information
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Jane.
Thanks for much for the nice feedback.
Aloha.
Kimberlee H.
My family is coming agt the end if July (postponed from coming at the end of May), even if we have to stay in our hotel or rental, do you think the trails and beaches will be available with safe, social distancing?
Karen M.
Asking: what excuses are made by those who violate our rules set in place over this. Being misinformed or failure to take the matter seriously. Why won’t the travel agencies in their home state or city refund the travelers from coming to Hawaii? Plain greed, selfishness and rude.
Carol C.
I was wondering if you have any idea when American airlines will resume flying to any of the Hawaiian Islands.
Thank you for all the great information in the Beat of Hawaii.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Carol.
Thanks. Everyone is just guessing right now. The state will need to reopen to tourism first. We expect to know much more in the next couple of weeks.
Aloha.
Charlie J.
Do you think the 14-day quar antine will be lifted by the end of this month or not? Will windsurfing be allowed on Maui on May 1, 2020?
Jim B.
Why is it taking so long to get testing? Abbott Labs has been shipping its 3/15 minute test kits (3 min for positive, 15 for negative) at a rate of 50,000 units per week for a couple weeks since announced. Even if they were distributed by percent of total population, you’d think we’d have a couple dozen by now, and that could result in testing hundreds per day, not just dozens, and with immediate results, not waiting 3-5 days.
Is anybody looking into this?
Kevin B
Hopefully they don’t jump the gun and kill everyone 🤔they should’ve shut down the airport completely so no one else brings the vi rus and deal with what we got now!!! Hope everyone is practicing so cial distances and washing hands constantly 🤙Alohaz 🤙
MomiV
Yes.!!!
Mamowisblonde
I live in Kona and I am still concerned on the amount of testing being performed. The Big Island has approximately 200k in primary population, plus snowbirds, and tourists. Residents here are captive individuals and should be able to get testing with or without symptoms to ensure outbreaks such as McDonalds at the Commons & inside Walmart to stop the infection spread. Can you imagine how many people were passed the vi rus from inside Walmart???? That is one of the first stops inside Kona Walmart for many customers and a lunch spot for employees, so the vi rus could have been transferred to their coffee cups, sandwich wrappers, etc etc and moved around the rest of the store!!! In my humble opinion, our Island needs to step up with a lot more education on how our residents need to behave out in public and be diligent on stopping this.
Angela P
My daughter is getting married in Hawaii in July. What is the chance of this happening? Thank you for your time.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Angela.
As we have said before, the next two to three weeks will yield much more information on this. Please stand by until then.
Aloha
Sally M
Thank you for all of your updates. Stay safe.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Sally.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Rebecca G.
What is the goal of keeping Hawaii isolated? A global vi rus can only be overcome by immunity. This is only achieved when a majority of the population develops antibodies. A vac cination is likely at least a year away. How will Hawaiians survive that long being cut off from the world?
Rob
This will kill the hotels and condo rentals for
At least10 months or a little more. It will cause high unemployment and the restaurant industry will suffer
Big time. Unfortunately the economic conditions
In Hawaii will suffer. Maybe the housing prices will
Come down.
Jennifer K
How selfish are you. I loss my mom to the vi rus in NJ…so what’s a year? Being isolated has saved many Aunties and Uncles. If we rush back to being open before systems are in place the vi rus will take over the island in no time. NY is sad example of not being able isolate. Being safe means more than a beach day for tourists
Curtis C.
Aloha,
Thanks again for all of your coronavirus updates. It was very good news regarding the low infection rate for the islands. Hawaiians are tough, resilient people and they will make it through this crisis stronger than ever!
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Curtis.
Thank you for all of your comments!
Aloha.
Chris W
Thank you for such a welcome and optimistic article! Availability of “Cancel for any Reason” (CFAR) trip insurance would greatly help in reducing apprehension of booking a Hawaiian vacation. Are there any that you would recommend?
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Chris.
Thank you We’ve bought travel insurance for years from Insure My Trip, which is an agency that sells many, many policies.
Aloha.
Chris W
Mahalo! Will check it out.
Thomas S.
I commented on a previous update on the future of travel to the island, and I know you have received comments from others and your state officials. Your data here looks encouraging, but with you have learned, could you summarize some time some possible options to make not only the traveler to Hawaii feel and be safer, but also keep the people of Hawaii safe. I’ve added to my suggestions two: The legacy airlines serving Hawaii should continue to waive change fees but resorts/rentals/vrbo should do the same. If a traveler isn’t feeling well, remove the penalty for being responsible. Be safe and well.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Thomas.
Thanks for all your comments. We hope to learn more very soon .This is in the hands of so many players, including state and federal governments, health organizations and the aviation industry.
Aloha.
Kevin K.
Please always remember that when news media say “cases” they are actually talking about persons who have been tested and found to be positive. The ACTUAL number of people with the vi rus is MUCH higher, perhaps 3 to 10 times higher. And that is a GOOD thing because 1) it means that a herd immunity is developing, and 2) it tells us an awful lot of people with the virus either are completely asymptomatic or otherwise don’t seek medical attention, or (not-so-good news) are unable to get tested.
Also remember that the whole purpose of the tight restrictions was to “flatten the curve” to prevent overloading hospitals. Well, now most hospitals are reporting far fewer cases than originally feared.
This all argues in favor of opening up the economy sooner than later.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Kevin.
Thank you for your comments over the last four years!
Aloha.
Rebecca G.
Amen!
LoriK
WHY are “people” still arriving to the Islands…escaping the Mainland,…without the airlines or State confirming they have accommodations, reservations, live in Hawaii & the 14 day MANDATORY isolation and follow up. Lying “intended” homeowners…yea, right…Hawaii does not want lying, selfish “people”. The State needs to send them back, pay a penalty, arrest & give tickets..
Mona
Because in a lot of cases, the airline will not refund the money. That is the problem I am facing right now. Do you think I want to come and be quar antined? No thanks. I can stay home and do that
JohnW
I believe Hawaiian Airlines deserves a lot of credit for working with the State by taking the lead in reducing flights as quickly as was reasonable.
They saved lives. SWA on the other hand has absolutely no business trying to stubbornly maintain a presence in this environment and bringing passengers in that ignore the quarantine like they did in Kauai.
Ann P
SWA should be extra careful of this new paradise they are being privileged to offer its customers and be diligent about preserving the health and welfare of residents and potential visitors. I heartily recommend continuing restrictions. The economic sanctions will be outweighed by they longterm considerations they show as part of the new ohana in Hawaii. I am dying (literally from pancreatic cancer)to visit family members but I would not be willing to jeopardize anyone’s health by visiting before it’s safe. I am also a dedicated SWA customer. Aloha and safety to all on the Islands!
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
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I just received an email from Hawaiian airlines saying my non stop flight to Maui on May 12th is still confirmed??? Hawaiian airlines website says they are only flying to Honolulu from San Francisco. Is this a ploy to not have to pay a refund? Nowhere on their site does it say passenger flights are cancelled until June. Can you confirm this? Very confusing.
Thankyou so much for this updates, we had travel plans in March and are so hoping to reschedule during summer season, little has been reported by many and your articles have given much needed information
Hi Jane.
Thanks for much for the nice feedback.
Aloha.
My family is coming agt the end if July (postponed from coming at the end of May), even if we have to stay in our hotel or rental, do you think the trails and beaches will be available with safe, social distancing?
Asking: what excuses are made by those who violate our rules set in place over this. Being misinformed or failure to take the matter seriously. Why won’t the travel agencies in their home state or city refund the travelers from coming to Hawaii? Plain greed, selfishness and rude.
I was wondering if you have any idea when American airlines will resume flying to any of the Hawaiian Islands.
Thank you for all the great information in the Beat of Hawaii.
Hi Carol.
Thanks. Everyone is just guessing right now. The state will need to reopen to tourism first. We expect to know much more in the next couple of weeks.
Aloha.
Do you think the 14-day quar antine will be lifted by the end of this month or not? Will windsurfing be allowed on Maui on May 1, 2020?
Why is it taking so long to get testing? Abbott Labs has been shipping its 3/15 minute test kits (3 min for positive, 15 for negative) at a rate of 50,000 units per week for a couple weeks since announced. Even if they were distributed by percent of total population, you’d think we’d have a couple dozen by now, and that could result in testing hundreds per day, not just dozens, and with immediate results, not waiting 3-5 days.
Is anybody looking into this?
Hopefully they don’t jump the gun and kill everyone 🤔they should’ve shut down the airport completely so no one else brings the vi rus and deal with what we got now!!! Hope everyone is practicing so cial distances and washing hands constantly 🤙Alohaz 🤙
Yes.!!!
I live in Kona and I am still concerned on the amount of testing being performed. The Big Island has approximately 200k in primary population, plus snowbirds, and tourists. Residents here are captive individuals and should be able to get testing with or without symptoms to ensure outbreaks such as McDonalds at the Commons & inside Walmart to stop the infection spread. Can you imagine how many people were passed the vi rus from inside Walmart???? That is one of the first stops inside Kona Walmart for many customers and a lunch spot for employees, so the vi rus could have been transferred to their coffee cups, sandwich wrappers, etc etc and moved around the rest of the store!!! In my humble opinion, our Island needs to step up with a lot more education on how our residents need to behave out in public and be diligent on stopping this.
My daughter is getting married in Hawaii in July. What is the chance of this happening? Thank you for your time.
Hi Angela.
As we have said before, the next two to three weeks will yield much more information on this. Please stand by until then.
Aloha
Thank you for all of your updates. Stay safe.
Hi Sally.
Thanks.
Aloha.
What is the goal of keeping Hawaii isolated? A global vi rus can only be overcome by immunity. This is only achieved when a majority of the population develops antibodies. A vac cination is likely at least a year away. How will Hawaiians survive that long being cut off from the world?
This will kill the hotels and condo rentals for
At least10 months or a little more. It will cause high unemployment and the restaurant industry will suffer
Big time. Unfortunately the economic conditions
In Hawaii will suffer. Maybe the housing prices will
Come down.
How selfish are you. I loss my mom to the vi rus in NJ…so what’s a year? Being isolated has saved many Aunties and Uncles. If we rush back to being open before systems are in place the vi rus will take over the island in no time. NY is sad example of not being able isolate. Being safe means more than a beach day for tourists
Aloha,
Thanks again for all of your coronavirus updates. It was very good news regarding the low infection rate for the islands. Hawaiians are tough, resilient people and they will make it through this crisis stronger than ever!
Hi Curtis.
Thank you for all of your comments!
Aloha.
Thank you for such a welcome and optimistic article! Availability of “Cancel for any Reason” (CFAR) trip insurance would greatly help in reducing apprehension of booking a Hawaiian vacation. Are there any that you would recommend?
Hi Chris.
Thank you We’ve bought travel insurance for years from Insure My Trip, which is an agency that sells many, many policies.
Aloha.
Mahalo! Will check it out.
I commented on a previous update on the future of travel to the island, and I know you have received comments from others and your state officials. Your data here looks encouraging, but with you have learned, could you summarize some time some possible options to make not only the traveler to Hawaii feel and be safer, but also keep the people of Hawaii safe. I’ve added to my suggestions two: The legacy airlines serving Hawaii should continue to waive change fees but resorts/rentals/vrbo should do the same. If a traveler isn’t feeling well, remove the penalty for being responsible. Be safe and well.
Hi Thomas.
Thanks for all your comments. We hope to learn more very soon .This is in the hands of so many players, including state and federal governments, health organizations and the aviation industry.
Aloha.
Please always remember that when news media say “cases” they are actually talking about persons who have been tested and found to be positive. The ACTUAL number of people with the vi rus is MUCH higher, perhaps 3 to 10 times higher. And that is a GOOD thing because 1) it means that a herd immunity is developing, and 2) it tells us an awful lot of people with the virus either are completely asymptomatic or otherwise don’t seek medical attention, or (not-so-good news) are unable to get tested.
Also remember that the whole purpose of the tight restrictions was to “flatten the curve” to prevent overloading hospitals. Well, now most hospitals are reporting far fewer cases than originally feared.
This all argues in favor of opening up the economy sooner than later.
Hi Kevin.
Thank you for your comments over the last four years!
Aloha.
Amen!
WHY are “people” still arriving to the Islands…escaping the Mainland,…without the airlines or State confirming they have accommodations, reservations, live in Hawaii & the 14 day MANDATORY isolation and follow up. Lying “intended” homeowners…yea, right…Hawaii does not want lying, selfish “people”. The State needs to send them back, pay a penalty, arrest & give tickets..
Because in a lot of cases, the airline will not refund the money. That is the problem I am facing right now. Do you think I want to come and be quar antined? No thanks. I can stay home and do that
I believe Hawaiian Airlines deserves a lot of credit for working with the State by taking the lead in reducing flights as quickly as was reasonable.
They saved lives. SWA on the other hand has absolutely no business trying to stubbornly maintain a presence in this environment and bringing passengers in that ignore the quarantine like they did in Kauai.
SWA should be extra careful of this new paradise they are being privileged to offer its customers and be diligent about preserving the health and welfare of residents and potential visitors. I heartily recommend continuing restrictions. The economic sanctions will be outweighed by they longterm considerations they show as part of the new ohana in Hawaii. I am dying (literally from pancreatic cancer)to visit family members but I would not be willing to jeopardize anyone’s health by visiting before it’s safe. I am also a dedicated SWA customer. Aloha and safety to all on the Islands!