One reader and Hawaii visitor stated the situation well. Read what she had to say and our thoughts.
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113 thoughts on “Why Hawaii Visitors Are So Frustrated”
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One reader and Hawaii visitor stated the situation well. Read what she had to say and our thoughts.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Sounds like visitors to Hawaii want a new governor and state representative.
Lack of decisions and lack of consistency in the decisions that are made, is the norm right now. Neither is working and certainly not helping. Can’t we just simplify this? The rules are: wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, wash your hands, sanitize, etc. When people don’t comply, they cannot patronize the business. When businesses cannot comply, they cannot open. There is a team of inspectors that deem businesses ‘COVID risk abatement approved’. What am I missing? Oh, the penalty for patrons that don’t leave a business respectfully when not complying? I’m not sure on that one. I eye-roll every time I see one of those news stories here on the mainland.
Sweet people of Hawaii – I hope your leaders find the courage to become decision makers soon. And consistent ones at that. You all deserve answers, not ambiguity.
I understand the frustration expressed by these travelers. I live on mainland, but I make my decisions based on what is happening at home. I am not waiting for someone to make a decision for me. My trip is planned for end of September. This week I made the decision to change my date. Yes, Covid-19 has turned our lives upside down. It tests our patience. The fact that we can plan a vacation to Hawaii means we are better off than a larger percentage of the population. I wear a mask Beat this virus. I change my plans to allow Hawaii to flatten its curve. I listen to the science. Let’s keep Hawaii safe, so we can return to a healthy paradise.
I cancelled my September trip back in late June because I knew this would be exactly what Hawaii would do in September. At least I got back the condo fees and hadn’t yet bought a flight ticket. I don’t see bing able to go to Hawaii for a few years. I have mainland vacation trip plans already in place. South Dakota will welcome us with open arms. I can’t change vacation weeks at work at the last minute or chance being able to get back tickets and rental fees. Hawaii needs to wake up to their impeding death if they don’t open up.
As of Aug. 12th Hawaii has the highest transmission rate in the nation. 1.29. Most of that is on Oahu. They need to crack down on the spread of covid much harder. Given the Hawaiian life style that can be very difficult to accomplish. Being in the shoes of the governor of Hawaii currently must be a nightmare. Must be at least a half dozen entities pushing and pulling on him from many directions. I know that many businesses are on the verge of collapse. DHCR business is down about 97% from this time last year, they are down to one guy in their office. Many of my favorite restaurants/entertainment venues are on the verge of collapse. I’m not sure what the islands are going to look like upon reopening. I don’t blame anyone for this calamity, it’s just a fact of nature. We are hoping to return next year, hopefully our world will be in a better place by than. We have been in love with the islands for many years.
State of Hawaii should be Honest with the people that want to come for a vacation, tell them how it is presently, they will understand. if you not honest, they will be upset discovering Hawaii now is not like they knew, they should hold off their vacation to Hawaii, until this Virus problem is over. they want to go to the beach for some sun! forget it! ( Put yourself in their shoes ) Thank about it! how would you feel?
as much as i would love to return to Hawaii, i would not take the chance of endangering anyone who lives there by coming right now. i know others have plans for weddings, anniversaries, etc. none of those is worth the loss of 1 life. i feel sorry for those of you living there with a governor who won’t make a decision and holding all of you in limbo. God bless you all.
I think in these circumstances, vacation rentals and other accommodations need to be more flexible in cancellation policies. Two weeks should be plenty…..it’s better than nothing at all.
There doesn’t appear to be any common sense plan in the works at all when it comes to Hawaii tourism. Even the idea of providing a Covid negative test result from 3 days or 5 days prior to arrival makes no sense since even scientists say you can test negative one day and be positive the next day so it would seem they may as well abandon that plan and move on to something else. Even though cases are on the rise, the vast majority of those people are not even sick and the fatality rate is actually lower than the seasonal flu. With common sense practices such as mask wearing and social distancing, Hawaii should be able to welcome tourists if they actually want them. On the mainland, the vast majority of fatalities are still persons in nursing homes, not the general population. Sadly politics is playing a major part in determining the opening of businesses and states. If Hawaii really wants to have tourists, they would find a way to do it. I suspect most of the people who actually work in the tourism sector would be glad to go back to work. Mahalo
,
Hi Judy.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I look at COVID data (cases, hospitalizations & deaths) by the “per capita.” Hawaii has the 5th lowest case rate per capita in the nation. Oahu is 400 cases per 100,000 people! What is difficult to understand is how they are having such a wave of community outbreaks NOW, five months later. These outbreaks are in their own govt offices. We are guests when we visit Hawaii, so as a guest we will wait until we are officially invited back. However, from what I have read, those who live there deserve better from those in charge. Mahalo,
Hi Stacey.
Thanks.
Aloha.
These are great questions. My guess is that there are enough people coming from the mainland and breaking their quarantine that the infection rate has taken off. Hawaii has done a much better job keeping people safe than the mainland states.
Hmmm… good point. Why now? Somehow we all let our guard down when we started re-opening around July 4th. But that is not all. Unfortunately, Hawai’i is, to some extent, a really easy place for the virus to spread. Many cultures live together here, which is beautiful, but there is very little social cohesion between our many disparate groups, ilfestyles, economic means, subcultures. Some groups are forced to live in very close proximity with each other, something we never noticed until Covid clustters popping up everywhere started bringing it painfully to our attention. We have many multi generational families where young and old hang out together, party together, The boundaries between families are not always clear — we have that beautiful concept of Hanai children – but that works against us when you are trying to sort out “bubbles” and isolate. Last not least we LOVE to party and share…
Yes, those of us who have been patiently waiting for all of this to shake down, have been lead blindly for the past 6mos. We’ve had this trip planned since last year & really need to know what the expected game plan is so we don’t have to wait until a few days before our scheduled 9/28 departure date. Either it’s going to happen in September, or it’s not. It’s not rocket science. Our resort has been closed for months & we feel Hawaiian Airlines is stringing us along, waiting for us to cancel so they don’t have to refund us – so not cool. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Hi Deb.
Thanks for sharing.
Aloha.
My 86 year old mom is treating our entire family to (probably the only time in my life I will go for Christmas, certainly my mom’s) a Christmas in Hawaii 2020 which has been planned for a year. There will be 9 of us going. I am hoping, for my mom’s sake, that we are able to visit safely. It will be a Christmas miracle if it actually happens, but one can hope. I really appreciate your great updates and insight. Mahalo!
Hi Elaine.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Elaine, I sincerely hope that your mom gets to make the vacation this Christmas. The fact that she is traveling to Hawaii at 86 years old is an inspiration to us all!
Thanks again to BOH.
Hi Curtis.
Thanks. Have a good weekend.
Aloha.
Aloha I am a long time (40 year) resident of Hawaii who has found herself in New Zealand during the pandemic. There is a strong resemblance between Hawaii and NZ. Both are driven by a tourist economy and both are safely protected by miles of ocean. But the government here has hit hard and early to protect lives and slowly ease into a safe local tourism industry.
The borders have been closed except to returning citizens and they have been tested at the airport and isolated for 14 days. These returnees are solely responsible for covid-19 here. We are now in a level 3 lockdown due to a new cluster of the virus and they have done over 30,000 tests in the last 2 days to locate any contacts. Hawaii is smaller and should be able to contain this virus if you all work together. Then maybe require that any incoming visitors are coming out of quarantine in their home state and tested before they get there??? Work together people for your own safety and keep your elders safe. Sending aloha, Robin
Makes no sense if quarantined how r they causing covid
Thank you for sharing. I totally agree with the article. Regardless of what the governor chooses, he needs to make a decision and then stick with it. It hurts the tourism industry to stay closed but I think it destroys it to do this “plan for reopening and then keep it all shut down again” thing. It will make it so much harder to get the tourism industry off the ground once it does finally open again because visitors will be so hesitant to spend money when they could lose it at the drop of a hat. It also makes visitors angry with businesses that can’t afford to refund their money. Those people won’t give them their business again. It’s difficult And heartbreaking to watch.
Hi Reagan.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We had a trip booked for August and ultimately we were forced to cancel before the second half of our deposit was taken at the end of June. It was a very frustrating situation because the condo owner would not work with us to refund, credit or push our reservation whatsoever. I was not looking for my money back but I was certainly looking for some flexibility due to circumstances that were out of everyone’s control. Your not alone.
I am a Hilton timeshare owner of many years. My trip this past week was cancelled as well as my flight which was paid for. I pay my hefty maintenance fee up to a year in advance, I have the following year’s trip scheduled for next May (and paid for). I have to reschedule 2020’s trip in 2021 also, but is anything for sure? Unlike a visitor booking a hotel I don’t get my money back. How can all these missed bookings ever be scheduled? Obviously we won’t get our money back. Very disheartening for someone who has been coming to Hawaii for 50 years. At first visitors were blamed for the increase of cases but that is not the case. This is hurting everyone.
There are a lot of elements to consider, but I feel our governor should be managing expectations more clearly for both locals and tourists. They should acknowledge the uncertainty of Covid situation. For example, “we expect to be closed for the next 6 months until further notice.” Month by month, is not a good way to manage the anxiety and stress many people are feeling right now. Giving a clearer expectation allows everyone else to get clear on how they need to plan their resources.
I planned my trip for over a year to arrive and celebrate my 50th birthday that was January of this year, however a personal obligation was an obstacle to that trip and I rescheduled everything for May. Covid had me reschedule that trip and I did so for August. Covid wins again and I have not rebooked but plan to for May of next year. I appreciate and understand that safety is a big issue. The islands can only handle so much should the outbreak continue rising plus people coming from other places with it rising where they reside. It makes me sad. I feel for the residents and businesses of Hawaii that are suffering financial loss and interruptions to livelihood. I feel my visit will still happen and I will make the most of it when I get there.
Hey Rob and Jeff
The blame here falls on the residents of Hawaii and any other state who year after year vote in incompetent government officials.
Like my own state California, Hawaii is a one party state usually it’s preordained who will be the next governor and elected officials. It has to do more with fundraising ability, crony capitalism and relationships then ability to do the job.
A career politician!
Same goes for state appointed positions, like the Director of the Department of Health. These high paying positions are given to party members in good standing. They supported the candidate and delivered large sums of donations to the party.
It has nothing to do with their ability to do the job, but their reward for being a good party member.
Like Hawaii our business leaders are very frustrated with our government. Protester’s aren’t punished for gathering without masks or social distancing, looters aren’t arrested and charged, but try and cut someones hair and you’re treated like a felon.
You get the government you vote for.
Spot on, Richard C!!! I am in California as well, and I am praying that the devastation that these governors and mayors have instilled on so many people will finally make these same people wake up and vote these career politicians out once and for all! Serious changes are needed in all the Blue states in particular. It is time for people to wake up and vote RED! Look around, the Red states are pretty open and getting back to normal. It is the Blue states that are in a constant shut down, with those governors and mayors making their full salaries while so many residents have lost so much.
Have you noticed heorgia and Florida both red states. And doing terrible
Thank you for the update, and for everyone’s comments.
I was fortunate to have traveled to Hawaii in January before everyone was cut off. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and hope to return next year. But not with the current uncertainties.
Being from California, I did not vote for the current government officials, but unfortunately I am in the minority, and so many are frustrated with the current “leadership” that they are moving out. Who will pay for the bills then?
Good luck to the residents of Hawaii who depend upon tourism. I live in an area of California that is also very dependent on tourism and people are suffering. Please, will everyone protect themselves and each other so we can get back to living.
Aloha
Hi Linda.
Thanks.
Aloha.
AMEN!
Thats why the Gavin Newsom recall
I agree with Eve’s comments. Travel during Covid can be extremely stressful, but can be done in a safe manner if all parties can come to an agreement as to what will be required. I have had two trips cancelled during the previous two months because the State of Hawaii cannot make a decision on how to safely open. This means lost revenue from Airline tickets, hotels, rental cars and day to day expenses. I am not opposed to getting testing prior to arriving , or perhaps even after arriving, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. The Hawaiian government will need to “test the waters” sooner than later before people become too frustrated and decide to spend their vacations elsewhere. Thank you for allowing me to provide some input.
Hi Terry.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Absolutely agree with your article. We already cancelled our November trip, which was planned to take the place of our April trip, which was also cancelled. We are now booked for March 2021, and hoping all is worked out by that time. We have kids, and cousins on Oahu, so we definitely want the governor to make decisions that will keep them safe, but the changes, which seem to be done monthly make it very difficult. No one wants to lose the money they have invested in a trip to the Islands, so creating a plan would make life less difficult for everybody, but Gov. Ige doesn’t seem willing or able to do that. I watched his interview this morning, and once again, he’s waffling, and seems to be suggesting that the Sept. date will be pushed back. Personally, I’d rather he would just say that Hawaii won’t open until November, or December, or January, and then stick to it. That would give a couple of extra months to plan.
Thanks BOH for keeping us up to date.
Hi Lee.
Thanks.
Aloha.
No matter which way government decides it will be deemed “wrong” but a decision wpuld allow people to act accordingly. Best wishes to the Hawaiian people. I hope to return some day, but not this year. Thank you, BoH,for these updates.
Hi Michele.
Thanks.
Aloha.
This is my third attempt come to Islands this year. First, was to celebrate my 80th birthday with 15 members of my family in July that I had to cancel losing over $2000. In October, I was scheduled to cruise to Hawaii on Princess and that was cancelled. Now, with fingers crossed, I have booked flights to a 10 day vacation in Kauai at Thanksgiving with half my family to celebrate our 55th Anniversary. My love for Hawaii began during the Korean War when my Dad worked at Pearl Harbor and I went to Pearl Harbor Elementary. Since retiring 20 years ago, my wife have been almost yearly visitors. The last visit was in March on the Star Princess.
Information about COVID19 prevalence, infection routes, treatment, and prevention are constantly changing. The availability of testing supplies in this country is constantly changing. This is a situation that has not been seen in a hundred years. To expect the governor to plan, enact, and stick to a single unwavering strategy seems kind of ridiculous.
Bermuda is now considered level 3 travel warning and is no comparison for Hawaii since the population is 20 fold smaller and the tourism is 50 fold smaller. The governor is torn between the unfolding grim reality and danger of COVID19 and the equally difficult economic pressures.
I completely respect the concerns regarding covid 19 . However, I cannot understand the lack of preparation with regard to testing and allowing tourism to return to Hawaii . The grave impact that this ineptness on residents and businesses truly is concerning. Be prepared . Let tourist know what they need to do to visit . Stop leaving everyone in limbo . We want to visit. Few can afford a 14 day quarantine but other health requirements can be made to work . Give visitors concrete guidelines .
Aloha, as much as we miss Hawaii, we as re waiting until next year until we plan another trip, way to much uncertainty with the whole covid situation, as senior’s, now is not the time for us to take chance’s with unnecessary travel, hope you all are able to weather this storm and we hope to see you all next year
We also live a tourist town in northern New Mexico our governor has more or less shut us down no bars or indoor dining. Every person has to quarantine for 14 days wear a mask everywhere . I know it is tough our daughter leaves in Maui , we just have to learn to suck it up and follow the rules and maybe we can end this virus.
I understand potential visitors’ frustrations, but the desires of vacationers do not trump the residents’ rights to safety and protection. BTW, I’m a long-standing vacationer on Kauai and truly love the island and the people there.
Who cares all on this site are
We gave up on making reservations for Hawaii this year because of the inability to get a firm reopening date. My husband and I have traveled to Hawaii 2 weeks a year for decades, and one of those weeks is a timeshare that we pay a large annual fee for. By the time we purchase flights and an additional week and insurance the trip is pretty expensive. So we banked our week and are making 3 trips to Mexico instead. We just returned from Puerto Vallarta and plan on 2 trips to Cabo before the end of the year. Mexico is hurting also, and the locals are bending over backwards to keep everyone safe.
Dear Hawaii powers to be,
We want to come visit you and we want to keep your residents safe. We will come back and follow the rules about social distancing and wearing masks. But, please let us return. We love your islands and we love Hawaiian people. We will continue to respect you and your culture and your land. We will come back when you say the time is right, but we hope it will be sooner rather than later. Aloha!
It’s the Trump virus now. Spin it all you want.
It’s probably more the Democrat virus
Aloha-I love the way you are so direct and somewhat unfiltered. You are voicing what many of us have been thinking for some time. their actions show they have learned, and therefore accomplished nothing in six months. Another lockdown will not solve anything and we will be in the same place six months from now. All vulnerable people should be in lockdown period. Wear masks in public and open back up. Lockdown won’t gain anything and the economy will be even more damaged. The damage to mental health will continue for years and no one will talk about that
Mahalo
Hi Jon.
Thank you. We appreciate all of your comments.
Aloha.
If you take Oahu out of the mix Hawaii has low numbers of cases and infection rates. Why issue a state-wide policy when the problem is concentrated in Honolulu? Open Maui, Hawaii, Kauai to visitors utilizing the Alaska model until Oahu gets back under control. The virus is going to be with us for awhile. Protect the vulnerable and let the rest get back to living. We have December plans for the Big Island but due to the lack of a plan by the politicians we are actively looking for an alternative as much as it pains us not to visit the place we love most.
I believe Hawaii’s Governor is not decisive enough. He needs to firm on his actions to keep all of Hawaii safe. I am not a tourist but a former islander, and my firm belief is, “If my going home to Hawaii, in any way shape or form will cause harm, I am to stay off the island, period.” I am not sympathetic to the wants of those who are visiting. There is a pandemic that our entire government is not in control of, yet, we believe we should be flying in a tube together over an ocean hoping that everything will be fine once it’s landed. That is a singular thought. I want to go home to visit my family and I will do so when it’s safe. It’s not right now, and no matter how the Gov. of Hawaii is reacting, I believe self-responsibility should be the guidance that all who consider going to Hawaii should be using.
Many of us are islanders but don’t bash longtime visitors and brag!!!!are u a native Hawaiian or samoan???
We cancelled our August 2020 plans and re-booked for next August. We go every year and we are not ready to give up on Hawaii. Received refunds/credits from the airlines for our next trip.
Hi, We had flights and a condo for September 14th. Our fingers were crossed but we canceled our condo about two weeks ago because of all the uncertainty.
Yesterday Hawaiian Airlines notified us our flights were canceled and they would give us a credit or refund.
I truly love Hawaii and the kindness of the Hawaiian people, to me it is Heaven on Earth.
As much as I wanted and needed this vacation, I also did not want to cause any harm to a place I love and treasure as much as Hawaii. I will return because I have always felt welcomed and truly at peace in Hawaii. A hui hou, mālama pono!
Is the following true – if you test negative for Covid within 72 hrs of arrival in HI you are allowed entry with no quarantine?
Mahalo.
Hi Cheryl.
That is definitely not correct. There is no exception to quarantine.
Aloha.
Author writes great articles i still enjoy reading after leaving hawaii. Friends want me to come back to hawaii when all this is over but idk.
I really think its a tough sell when i can be a beach boy in socal without all the extra expenses and hassles of hawaii and guam or live super cheap in the now open Carolinas with really nice people. For hawaii beaches style can go to key west Florida and have whiter sand and same clear water and warm winter like hawaii.
Its really lame that democrats made masks a political issue and hawaii cant be kinder to others on mainland usa. So much lack of progress and division that could have been avoided had hawaii had a tourism first priority. Saving lives is done by promoting tourism and the state and making money while welcoming everyone.
Im wondering if homelessness has increased after covid in hawaii too? Is the stste doing anything to help tenters and unemployed? What about the poor and elderly?
Renters nit tenters so much lol 😀
I spoke with a friend who owns small hotel and she has homeless and squatters all over now
I totally agree with the article from BOH. Putting aside the health v.economy debate, what is completely lacking are definitive guidance from the State of Hawaii. This constant rolling 30-day extension of the quarantine is wreaking havoc with any plans both by visitors and the tourism industry. The Governor seems to want to dangle reopening, only to pull it back. I’m booked for Maui on 10/23 but am increasingly becoming pessimistic that I’ll be able to go. If Hawaii wants to shut down until there is a vaccine, that’s their call…..but make the call, don’t waffle around.
Hawaii simply missed the boat here. We pulled the plug on a trip to Maui and the Big Island and instead went to Bermuda for a getaway. They required proof of a negative a COVID PCR test within 7 days of arrival in Bermuda before you can even apply for a travel authorization.
Upon arrival, the process was extremely efficient and they ask for our proof of negative test and authorization form which allows for contact tracing by asking for your location and plans while on the island.
Then, after immigration, baggage claim, and customs, they directed us to a tent where we got another COVID PCR test. From there, we were supposed to quarantine wherever we were staying until the test results came back. We got ours emailed within 7 hours of landing (negative thankfully) so we were free to move about the island. You are required to wear masks everywhere and socially distance. Additionally, a follow-up test is required every fourth day you are still on the island. You pay a one-time $75 fee for the testing regardless of how many times you need to be tested.
It’s a very well thought out plan and an even better one on execution. Bravo Bermuda for striking the right balance between protecting its citizens and keeping their tourism industry open for business. We’re enjoying the island immensely, and even more so knowing that the policies they have put in place are keeping both residents and visitors safe. If only Hawaii had acted when they had the chance, the islands might not be in the dire straits they are now. 🙁
Hi Jonathan.
Thanks for your comment. We enjoyed meeting you and your family when you were last here, and hope to see you again soon.
Aloha.
Sounds like Bermuda has their act together. Looks like I should start planning on spending my vacation $$$ there rather than Hawaii which is clueless….
We have said all along that Hawaii would do so much better if they got creative instead of just counting on panic and shutdowns. Thanks for posting this “sensible” solution to travel lock downs.
Aruba has a very similar program in place and has been welcoming visitors for months now.
Concrete plans to revive tourism (which equates to 30-35% of Hawaii’s economy) do not seem to be a priority with the current administration. I constantly see this argument positioned as either/or where other locations have figured out that you can have tourism *AND* keep your residents safe.
There are many examples that Hawaii could use as a model, but the government seems uninterested. I fear that many local businesses will not reopen at all at this point. The damage has been done and the impacts will be felt for years. The last estimate I saw was that hotel occupancy won’t recover until 2023. The economic ramifications of this pandemic are going to far outlive the medical ones on Hawaii.
Elections matter. It seems that Ige does not have the kahuna’s to make a decision. It’s easier to be a politician when things are going great. True leaders define themselves by how they handle themselves and support others when its not great. Same goes for our country. Elections matter and bad choices can have long term impacts.
Thanks for the timely updates.
Hi Craiger.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Hawai’i is hanging out their people to dry. Soon they will have forgotten all about the phony virus and be more focused on eating and not starving to death. Many of my friends are emptying their bank accounts paying rent and buying food. Ige should know the results of the lockdowns are much more harmful than the risk of contracting a very ordinary flu season illness.