Late Monday, Governor David Ige issued an emergency proclamation to extend and clarify the statewide mask mandate among other things, effective immediately on all islands. The new ruling replaces a previous mask mandate from April that lacked specificity and allowed for each island county to set their rules. The governor said, “We all agreed it’s important to have a single message and consistent exceptions.”
As a result of the new ruling, all persons age 5 and above shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in public. In summary, masks are required at all times, except while outdoors when a physical distance of six feet from other individuals (who are not members of the same household) can be maintained at all times.
In most cases, it’s possible to maintain that outdoors. But what about on narrow hiking trails? On our hikes, we come across people of various physical conditioning. Some are moving faster than others. How do you pass when 6 feet is not possible or you have hikers coming towards you in the opposite direction? Most of the trails are not wide enough to allow 6 feet distance, as just one example of uncertainty.
What are the possible fines for violations?
There was nothing new here, in terms of fines or other penalties that could be imposed for violation of the latest mask mandate. Previous rules, still in effect, call for a misdemeanor crime, with up to $5,o00 in fines, or one year in jail. In January, the legislature may consider changing it from being a crime that can result in a jury trial and become part of one’s criminal record. Instead, it would be a simple on-the-spot fine. That would be easier to collect and administer over a costly trial. Honolulu’s mayor has suggested the fine be pegged at $100.
What does it mean and why now?
This proclamation was done in part to prevent errant county mayors from issuing their own mandates as was previously possible.
Businesses must refuse admission or service to anyone who fails to wear a face covering. Those caught not enforcing this rule may be subject to fines and mandatory closure.
Visitors can now expect rules to be enforced uniformly throughout Hawaii. That change for the better has been widely requested by visitors, government, and travel industry stakeholders. Hawaii no longer has a king on each island. We were united under King Kamehameha I in 1810 and should remain so in our approach to the pandemic.
Here are the exceptions to the mask mandate:
You can see the actual policy here which was not well-written for the general public to wade through, or read them below.
A. Individuals with medical conditions or disabilities where the wearing of a face-covering may pose a health or safety risk to the individual;
B. Children under the age of 5;
C. While working at a desk or work station and not actively engaged with other employees, customers, or visitors, provided that the individual’s desk or workstation is not located in a common or shared area and physical distancing of at least six (6) feet is maintained;
D. While eating, drinking, smoking, as permitted by applicable law;
E. Inside private automobiles, provided the only occupants are members of the same
household/living unit/residence;
F. While receiving services allowed under a State or county order, rule, or proclamation that require access to that individual’s nose or mouth;
G. Where federal or state safety or health regulations, or a financial institution’s policy (based on security concerns), prohibit the wearing of facial coverings;
H. Individuals who are communicating with the hearing impaired while actively communicating (e.g., signing or lip reading);
I. First responders (police, fire fighters, lifeguards, etc.) to the extent that wearing face coverings may impair or impede the safety of the first responder in the performance of his/her duty;
J. While outdoors when physical distance of six (6) feet from other individuals (who are not members of the same household/living unit/residence) can be maintained at all times; and
K. As specifically allowed by a provision of a State or county COVID-19 related order, rule, or proclamation.
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We put our masks on sticks so we hold them up if anyone looks at us
Aloha guys!
Are testing regulations remaining the same as far as the 72 hour prior to arrival time?
I’m trying to get my family over in January, but cannot get information from Hawaiian airlines on whether they’re going to start testing out of LAX. That’s a big hub.
Even Hawai’ian can’t answer the question.
Mahalo for your time.
Hi Pam.
Thanks. It is within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your mainland to Hawaii flight.
Aloha.
Hi it is paul from calgary if you want to see what is happening in waikiki weather people are wearing masks or not just check out hawaii Luke on youtube he does video’s at least once a week. now i can see what is open or closed. Thanks Luke
Aloha Guys
Looks acceptable to me given that we are in the middle of a pandemic. It’s nice to have all the islands on the same page. California’s governor passed much the same mandates/law yesterday.
Mahalo for all the info Guys.
Hi Roy.
Thanks and best regards.
Aloha.
Yeah, Gov. Newsome instituted some mandates yesterday. Maybe I don’t get out much, but I still haven’t met anybody here in California that has had the virus. We currently have seven people in our county in the hospital with two in ICU. I hate to point blame, but the reason we’re going into more stringent measures is because of the local college kids which have had a big spike in cases because of Halloween parties and endless bar hopping. 1,000 are currently in a 14-day quarantine. Fifteen counties in our state have had less than ten deaths and seven have had zero. Unfortunately, those of us playing by the rules are paying an economic price.
Hello! I’ve been reading your posts for a couple weeks now since I have an upcoming trip planned to HI (early December). Your site has been a really great source of information.
Given all the changes, rising cases, etc., I have been considering whether to still make the trip. One thing I’m curious about — is it possible to easily maintain 6 feet of distance on the beaches or at most hotel pools, or are there so many people usually that doing so isn’t really feasible? Having never been to Hawaii before, I’m not sure what to expect.
Thanks in advance for any tips/responses.
Hi Shay.
Thank you. Yes, it should be possible to maintain 6 feet easily on beaches and at most pools. Hope your trip works out for you.
Aloha.
QUESTION? Does that mean if you visit Maui or Kauai and are outdoors on a beach but finish in the water and are sitting on the beach with your family unit and are at least six feet away from strangers you don’t need to wear a mask while you enjoy the sunshine? But while walking back to your condo you may need one if you would meet people on the sidewalk where you wouldn’t be six feet apart? (I could live with that!)
That I believe is exactly what it means and we experienced on Maui Nov 5 – 9th while we visited.
thanks we must do what we must do to get us through this time to get us back to normal,
Aloha Guys!
About damn time they produced a defined state-wide list, and it’s only 8 months overdue…
Thanks for the update R & J! I’m about to have the Hawaii travel experience, when I land later today. I will update you, after I get well settled in, in the next few days.
Hi Jim.
Thanks and congratulations on getting back here. Stay in touch.
Aloha.
Aloha-I wish the different counties were following the same rules. Unless Kauai has abandoned their tiered system, they are still going it alone.
thanks
Hi Jon.
True that part is still different. We haven’t heard anything from the governor in regards to that. Yet.
Aloha.
So, if the beach is not crowded, you can be without a mask. But when you get up to head for a bathroom, wear your mask as you will certainly be within 6 feet of someone. And when walking down Ali’i Drive, I suspect we will wear a mask.
We have found a Walgreens here in Atlanta for testing. Still get scared something could happen between that test and arrival in Hawaii!!! Like not being able to get my rental car. We reserved it months ago and it is literally hundreds of dollars less than what is being quoted now.
Speaking of, what a way to welcome visitors back..some serious price gouging with rental car pricing!!
With the current state of affairswe are waiting till about 30 days out to make our final reservations. We have to pay for our condo whether we go or not (timeshare) so we have our fingers crossed.
I’ve read from you all that it’s not quite the same Hawaii since it’s less crowded. That could make for a great experience in my mind.
Let’s hope!
The rental car agency will ask for your pink sheet which is what you get at the airport when you clear the exemption process. For us it took only 10 minutes because we had our QR code ready with a printed copy of negative results.
Have your clearance uploaded to the Safe Travels account because you will not be allowed to to rent a car without that information. That was our experience on 11/13 and we’d already been here for two weeks. The rental company staff at Kona airport was very firm on this. An email would not be sufficient. We can appreciate this.Call the rental company at your pickup location to ensure requisites. Good luck.
We’re not coming back at all Other places to go where were appreciated The Hawaiian people have lost their Aloha spirit
Too bad because if you have your negative tests in hand and QR Code it’s easy and we had great long weekend on Maui. Every where we went the Aloha spirit was there!
Will not comply with King Ige’s proclimation.
So don’t go to Hawaii – spend your time learning to spell properly! Thanks!
Thank you for updating us.
Does that mean sunbathing on the beach now if you are 6 feet away means no mask?
Hi Cam.
That is definitely how we read it.
Aloha.
Yes!!!! Did it for 3 days no problems on Maui few weeks ago!
I am so happy nude sunbathing is the new normal everywhere in hawaii
Nude sunbathing? Didn’t know Hawaii was a spring break destination.
Hello & thank you for all the info you provide! As you mentioned, hiking trails are impossible to maintain 6 feet distance. That is why my hubs and I hike wearing our masks. We keep them on so that we aren’t constantly taking them on & off & we have found it not to be a problem!
Hi Carol.
Thanks. We concur. It’s just less stressful.
Aloha.
We have lanyards on our masks so if we are passing some one we can just hold it over there have until we are past.