Look at Hanalei Bay pictured above, both beautiful and iconic with its views and a long stretch of sand. Kauai Mayor Kawakami is thinking you’ll quarantine 72 hours on arrival, before a mandatory second test, just to be here. Would you spend half your vacation in quarantine or go somewhere else? This comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that two more Kauai visitors tested positive after testing negative before their flights.
Kauai’s mayor is proposing divergent COVID rules than the rest of the state of Hawaii. Yet, Governor Ige has been clear that no such rules can be implemented without his specific approval. The last time Mayor Kawakami asked the governor for a mandatory quarantine, Governor Ige said no.
But here are some facts. Kauai has 9 ICU beds. And since reopening Hawaii on October 15, cases have grown on the island. As of yesterday, there were 14 active cases on Kauai, with 9 recovering at home, 3 in facilities, and 2 hospitalized.
In addition to a mandatory 72-hour quarantine for all arrivals, the Mayor is also asking to require travelers to upload a negative test result to the Safe Travels website before flying to Kauai, rather than on arrival. Otherwise, they face a 14-day quarantine.
“This virus requires measures of intervention and in our opinion, it’s clear that the one test 72 hours prior is not enough intervention, so we are trying to remain in tier 4 and keep this island safe and not overrun our healthcare systems on Kauai.” (Mayor Derek Kawakami)
Issues associated with a 72-hour quarantine?
The average duration of a Hawaii vacation is 7 days. Some are even shorter. Visitors will simply not come if they face the possibility of quarantine for half of their vacation.
Vacation rentals are locked out, in the sense that at this point, visitors who are in quarantine cannot stay in vacation rentals, only hotels. Also, many vacation rentals have a minimum number of nights required.
Will Ige agree with Kawakami this time?
We do not think it is likely. The Governor says the state’s trying to close loopholes in its pre-travel testing program and is reluctant to support more restrictions. So far, Ige doesn’t feel a second test three days after arrival is feasible, but is open to other ideas.
Possibly telltale, there was an interesting aspect of Monday’s gubernatorial proclamation which came subsequent to Kawakami’s request. It states, “I direct all counties to obtain my approval or the approval of the Director of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), prior to issuing any emergency order, rule, or proclamation.”
Kauai purchased 15,000 rapid test kits.
As you recall, Kauai obtained 15,000 rapid test kits several months ago, when it originally envisioned a mandatory quarantine. The state did not provide approval at that time, but we suspect Ige “might” approve some use of those tests now. Could they be required after some number of days? We don’t know. But, currently, only 2% of Kauai visitors have opted to take the voluntary second test, so that obviously isn’t working.
Canada trials example of new quarantine exemption.
Unrelated, Canada is trialing a way for some arrivals to avoid 14-day quarantine. Those who test negative on arrival, and who then agree to a subsequent test, in their case on day 6 or 7, are not required to be in quarantine. Participants in the pilot program are monitored with daily symptom checks and are required to follow other safety measures.
If that were to work here similarly to Canada, arrivals who agree to a second test several days after arrival could avoid quarantine. That together with contact tracing may present the best possible scenario.
Your thoughts?
Big warning for CVS test takers! Supposed to fly to Lihue on December 3rd and checked with CVS last week about the test. Had it all planned for making the appointment. I just went online to login and verify my CVS account for the test, there is a big “Note”:” We cannot guarantee a specific turnaround time on the lab tests accepted by Hawaii.- Travelers to Hawaii should make other testing plans”. I signed up with Vault and my kit should arrive today for me to take the test on the 30th…Hopefully they will come through or I will have to call United and cancel my trip. FYI!!!
Regardless of whether Kauai reopens or not, it is the responsibility of the mayor to at least have a plan to bring in more ICU beds in short order.That’s the minimum safety measure that should be provided for Kauai Residents.
It could be as simple as a tent with special ventilation in Wilcox hospital parking lot. The feds will provide the rest.
If the mayor does not already have such a plan in place, he is either incompetent, or using the lack of ICU beds as an excuse to keep Kauai closed. Either way, it’s irresponsible to the resident’s of Kauai.
I agree-this is long overdue
We’ll put, Kevin.
I was supposed to go to Kauai for a few days, but because of the interisland testing required, and the Mayor who seems intent on total lockdown, instead of preparing for what may, but likely won’t, happen, I chose to push the date back.
No I wouldn’t travel to Kauai if I had to quarantine 3 days after arriving.
Aloha BOH
From Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO John De Fries
“Starting Tuesday November 24th if you disembark here in the islands through a trans-Pacific flight you must have a negative test uploaded, and if not, you automatically will go into a 14-day quarantine. It’s a much stricter policy that is being taken,”
Aloooohaaa welcome to Hawaii now go sit in your quarantine room for the next 14 days.
Next week is going to be cluster.
Mask wearing must be enforced. Cite non wearers and businesses that dont enforce mask wearing by customers.citing has been done for other public issues and can be done for this deadly virus. Cite for gatherings too.