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?
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Scott W says
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!!!
Kevin S says
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.
Jeanne F says
I agree-this is long overdue
Jim R. says
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.
Betty B. says
No I wouldn’t travel to Kauai if I had to quarantine 3 days after arriving.
Richard C says
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.
Sheila b says
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.
Salvadore J. says
Sa!…current test prior to tfavel should be adequate. Not shure additional 72 hr isolation and 2nd test is practical or needed. We have plans to visit for a week in february but will postpone if conditions become excessive, difficult, or impact our time in kauai. Maybe retest long term visitors after 7 days and every 7 days.
Jim R says
So don’t burden you, but burdon the traveler’s staying much longer, spending a Lot more money. Yeah, that’s genius…NOT. 🤦♂️
Don says
Thanks for the Updates. I was a returning resident just three weeks ago. Although I had two separate negative tests With in 40 hours of entering Oahu. I had some business Oahu and since Delta was not fighting directly to Kauai at that time I spent the night and next day there. Upon my arrival to Kauai I was meet by the national guard and told that since I had exceeded “their” 72 hour limit by 12 hours that I had to be quarantined for 14 days even though I had meet the state requirement and had the State QR code saying that I meet the requirements to travel to Kauai. I tried to get another test on Kauai but found the following: On the West side of the Island it would take 8 days to get the results and cost $189. In Lihue results 3 to 5 day for $159; Kapaa 3 day for $139 and Princville it was free with results promise within 24 hours (actually took 36).
P.S. I was treated very rudely at the airport in Kauai by both the National Guard and the Kauai police even thought I was a returning resident and treated them with respect and Aloha.
Andy M says
I think the reality is that we will continue to see a rise in cases as long as we continue to have visitors to the island. I understand that tourism is a major component so we just have to accept it. We’ve been here for two years now, we have no plans to return to the mainland as long as the whole pandemic continues. Personally I would dread wearing a mask for six hours on a plane. The reality is that visitors here or coming on vacation, they don’t wanna be subject to quarantine, they don’t want to have to wear a mask. Oh we already knew that getting a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to your flight was just some kind of risk mitigation, people are still going to be infected and travel.
Dada M. says
The surprise element for me was finding out that you could fly without a result and furthermore, that the approved testing agencies were not set up to report positive results directly to a Health Agency on Kauai. Self reporting is a dubious proposition. In other words, we could be seeing only the tip of the mountain.
I have spent time on the North Shore beaches lately and the tourist behavior there is not problematic. My husband reports people crowding him, in the isles and the registers, and not socially distancing at Costco and Lihue Safeway. Also, no masks, even on narrow paths to lookouts in Kokee area. And, we’ve spotted many younger tourists queued up at food trucks w/o masks pulled up over their faces.
I understand that part of the current attraction of Kauai and Hawaii in general is the impression that it is a safe “paradise” destination. I get that. But, it could be a very short window of tourist activity if our numbers shoot up…… The tourists themselves, now threatening not to come with a 3-day proposed quarantine will not want to come at that point. So, its a fine balancing act. I commend Kawakami for not losing his cool with Ige. Letting people fly without a finalized result is an act of negligence.
Karen O says
Please visit WestJet.com for the accurate information on the Alberta only Covid rapid response test program. Canada has a mandatory 2 week quarantine in effect if you have been out of the country. Provided you are a resident of Alberta ( East of British Columbia) and you test negative within 48 hours and you submit a second test within 6 days of returning then the quarantine is not required. Most Albertans go to Mexico for a winter vacation and this program makes that possible. I forwarded the information to Kauai Vacation rentals but I’m not certain the information is any use to make it possible for us to get to Kauai this year. Missing our friends and fishing buddies, maybe this summer. Thanks for all the updates but please get this information correct.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Karen.
Yes that’s correct. It says for “some” arrivals. Thanks for reiterating that.
Aloha.
Tomas L. says
Mahalo,thank you.
Connie says
My biggest concern, not sure if you have seen this, but reports are that Elan Musk tested 4 times for Covid just as a study. He received 2 positive (false positives) and 2 negatives. Yikes…the testing seems to be a bit flawed??
Scott says
We have a trip planned for xmas week but will cancel it this goes into effect. I already had coronavirus. It was like a sinus cold for 5 days. While u understand the abundance of caution, the people who want to shut everything down obviously dont rely on income from tourism. There are livelihoods being destroyed. We’ve planned on coming to support the local economy and will be as cautious as possible if we still do so.
Joe says
What about Island to Island travel for Honolulu resident to visit for holiday? You people gotta stop voting for leaders who have stolen your Rights. Townships have no rights to ban visitors.
Jeanne F says
I am a Kauai resident who travels to Honolulu ,I have a rental,and a son who needs me.Not happy that I have to pay -125$-150$ for a covid test and visitors flying from some cities can test for free. Not citing the visitors-but unhappy that this does not apply to residents.
As Honolulu’s covid cases decrease,we interisland resident travelers need to be exempt from the requirements. Good job Honolulu,Honolulu is doing an amazing job of controlling covid for it’s density and population.
David says
Please stay home, we don’t want you here, thanks
Jeff M. says
Wrong come to the island
Jeanne F says
How insular
Stephanie A. says
This is the Only protocol which will protect Hawaii residents, and visitors, from the disastrous medical overwhelm now being experienced by so many mainland states. Here on Maui, many hope and pray that our mayor Victorino has the foresight and courage to insist upon the same! (If he doesn’t – the inevitable preventable serious sickness and probably deaths will be forever on his conscience.)