As we wait for the outcome of the 2020 election, questions loom large related to helping the decimated Hawaii travel industry. The issue is, will the next president, whoever that is, be able to save the industry from the pandemic. A key component may be to require COVID testing of all airline passengers in the US. That has been called for by you specifically in hundreds of comments. And we concur.
Focus on Hawaii travel’s return.
For many of you, including your editors, the idea of 5+ hour flights to and from Hawaii remains something that completely lacks its prior hard-earned luster. And hotels don’t feel any better.
First, as safe as Hawaii flights may or may not be, you can expect to encounter airport lines, possibly crowded jetbridges, and many points of closer-than-comfortable contact throughout the Hawaii travel process. Who even wants to entertain the prospect of becoming sick from the plane trip or from being in airports. And while we are at it, don’t forget about the health concerns within the Hawaii travel industry, and its workers.
What’s needed is controlling the pandemic, more testing, treatments, and then on to potential vaccines. All this while keeping Hawaii’s devastated travel economy open yet as safe as humanly possible. And this needs to occur despite spikes in the virus across the mainland.
Travel: $1 trillion driver of the US economy.
Keep in mind that US travel is huge and that Hawaii travel is a significant part of that pie. The US Travel Association said that pre-COVID, the leisure and hospitality sector directly accounted for 11% of US employment and that since then, 39% of US jobs lost are attributable to travel’s decline. If what has happened here in the US isn’t bad enough, globally, the travel sector is on track to lose a whopping 175 million jobs this year.
Whoever prevails after yesterday’s election needs to show leadership in restoring the travel industry, including all-import Hawaii travel.
US travel industry recommendations.
A travel-inclusive stimulus package is supported by 90% of Americans according to a new study of registered voters by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Respondents said that Congress should agree on a stimulus package and remain in session until that is complete. A comprehensive plan for the air travel industry has never been undertaken. What was done instead was a cash handout that unfortunately was depleted faster than COVID.
For those of you itching for a Hawaii vacation, the airlines have stepped up to help offer perhaps the best modicum of safety reassurance they can on their own. They require masks, clean and disinfect planes like never before, offer fresher than ever HEPA filtered airflow, and have essentially re-imagined all processes to be COVID friendly. But is that enough?
Entered airline based pre-travel testing.
Now the airlines are getting into the business of COVID testing themselves. From American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to United Airlines and others, they want to help both put minds at ease and assure their travelers are not quarantined on arrival in Hawaii. This is clearly having a beneficial financial impact as more Hawaii visitors arrive on the shores. We see them here on the ground. More Hawaii-bound flights are restarting each week.
You’ll recall that United was the first airline to announce preflight testing at San Francisco Airport just before boarding Hawaii flights. While expensive, in 15 minutes, you are free to board. Many less expensive options pose timing issues, and there are free ones out there now too, with more to come. Airports have skin in the game as well, with Oakland going out first with free COVID tests for Hawaii bound passengers. Other airports are following suit including the New York airports. And, while tests don’t remove the need for behavior modification and layered safety precautions throughout travel, they are at least a start for now.
Calling the federal government for a plan to benefit Hawaii travel.
Airlines and the overall travel industry want universal pre-flight coronavirus testing as a way to mitigate quarantines and thus jump-start travel. A long list of industry stakeholders has called on the federal government “to pursue a risk-based and data-driven approach to coronavirus testing which would obviate the need for quarantines” so that travel resume and prosper. That group includes the US Chamber of Commerce, the US Travel Association, IATA, Airlines for America, and multiple travel industry unions.
Beat of Hawaii © photo at Waikiki Beach. Here’s how it looked before.
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United Airlines isn’t a Hawaii Travel Partner. If you take their test and none other, don’t you have to undergo a 14-day quarantine?
Just cancelled our 4 month stay on the Big Island. First time we’ll have to tough out winter in BC. In 22 years of Kona stays. It was just too much hassle for us in our 80’s (84 & 88), we’d face 2 quarantines, one each way plus 11-12 flight hours round trip. We had to consider the travel risk factor and medical availability if one of us should fall ill.
It was a difficult decision after all these years on the Island. It also meant a loss to the Hawaiian economy of $40,000usd. We’ll comeback when things improve with a vaccine
Aloha
Russ/Dorothy
Our family follows all protocols for safety. We have gone on 4 “aware and safe” trips this year, mostly outside places with individual accommodations. We have not eaten in a restaurant in almost a year.
Whatever plans are chosen by airlines and Hawaii, ok.
Hawaii has a much bigger problem, in my opinion. Frequent travellers to Hawaii (like us) read sites like this daily. I also skim every newspaper online from each county. I am very hurt at what I have learned about what locals think of us haole. For me, it’s like learning the relatives all hate me.
We do our best to be respectful and humble in this sacred land.
We cancelled 2 Kauai trips this year (before lock down). Our accommodations warned us that food may be scarce and places might be closed. We did what we felt was right.
Finding out, through comment areas like this,that all travellers are viewed with contempt hurts.
With all the talk of pre-testing, let’s not forget that not everyone comes from the west coast. We’re holding reservations (which we’ve had to push back now 3 times – Thanks, Ige!) from the east coast with a connection in DFW. A testing program has to include more than SFO and LAX
It will either be more lockdowns that will starve the state and economy. Or it will be hypocrisy if the election goes the way Hawaii blindly votes.
Biden and the democrats are cheating, hopefully ACB will stop the double and triple voting in some areas. Reports are there are more ballots than there are registered voters in some areas. #StopTheCheating!
You’re a disgrace. Stop spreading lies.
Do you really believe this? What are your sources? Do you know how elections work and how the votes are counted and the checks and balances that are in place? Or are you just spouting off about what you hear on tv and from friends? Because if you really believe this then frankly you are part of the problem and not the solution. Your’e feeding into the insanity. ‘Reports are’… how about this… Reports are you are not very knowledgable on this subject!
Hopefully the moderator will remove this post. It is not helpful, has nothing to do with the subject and only publishes unproven allegations by a dissatisfied person.
Gerhard…. Amen!!! This is not a political site. This is a site where we trade constructive comments on visiting Hawaii.
What is going to be allowed…it’s so blazen!
The only solution to regain life as we knew it, is the creation and distribution of a safe vaccine. You can blame anyone you choose, any country, even the weather- but until we are all safely vaccinated, safe travel to anywhere is risky business.
Don’t get ahead of the science- and when a safe vaccine becomes available, get vaccinated. This is the only way we can reclaim the great privilege of travel.
Joe Biden has been talking about lockdowns and not opening things up. Not a good prospect for the travel industry.
Agreed. Biden stated that he would make mask wearing mandatory and would lock the country down until a vaccine is made available or the rate of CoVid infections dropped to almost nil. Thankfully, Trump’s Administration was able to get the testing and approval of a vaccine on the fast track and we can look forward to mass production of it very soon. Even so, it may take at least 6 months before everyone can be given the vaccine. Based on that scenario, I don’t think travel to anywhere will pick up much in 2021. My heart goes out to the people of Hawaii.
After rescheduling several times I finally flew in for a week in our time share on Kaanapali, doing little or no driving, settling for beach walks and days at the pool and meals within walking distance. We were not required to wear masks at or near the pool. I didn’t mind wearing masks at other public areas – after all, if I were at home, I’d have to wear a mask in public too. The wait at the airport for COVID check-in was efficient and brief – it added no time at all to the trip because baggage claim took longer than the check-in. The COVID test at CVS worked as advertised. I hope Hawaii stays open for good and that the state’s health and economy get stronger. Aloha and thanks for Beat of Hawaii.
Hi Buddy.
Thanks. Appreciate you letting us know how your time on Maui went.
Aloha.
Nice post Buddy and a good example of the typical visitor gracing our islands at present!
You are obviously thoughtful, realistic and as a result are enjoying an un crowded Hawaii and it’s beauty.
We all have to remember the angry “I’m not wearing a mask/Hawaii is a bunch of socialist’sl” crew are not the norm.
They just stick out because of their aggressive in your face lack of Aloha.
The vast majority here realize these are difficult times for all, are finding positive ways to cope and making the best
of the situation we are all in.
While it’s great that airlines are offering rapid Covid testing to reassure their passengers, are these tests actually accurate? A US resident wanted to test out the rapid testing. She had 5 different blood samples tested with a rapid testing machine, advising the tester that they were from 5 separate employees of her business when they were actually all her blood. Some tests came back positive and some negative. I don’t think we’re quite there yet with the rapid testing machines.
You made me smile…I agree
First off, President Trump didn’t make the rules in The Aloha state, It was your governor. Secondly, Last night the criminals left media declared Biden in Hawaii before all of the votes in Hawaii were counted.
I am a nurse and have worn a mask several times for 12 hour shifts… Get over it! The mask is for the safety of others, not your convenience. I am glad to see Hawaii take steps to protect it’s residents and visitors. I do wish guidelines were a little clearer. I am looking forward to our visit this coming year… whatever the safety and health guidelines. Thank you BOH for keeping us informed and up to date
Hi LHK.
Thanks. We all need clearer guidelines for sure.
Aloha.
Do you all realize these “tests” do not work? Even the FDA agrees and so does the 48 page instructions that come with it. The man who invented this test (it’s actually not a test at all / it’s a procedure), Dr. Kary Mullis said you can use pcr to diagnose anything..
Don’t take my word for it, do your own research.
Peace and health to all.
United just canceled my flights to and from the mainland and I had to re-book to later flights as well as a red-eye flight. It was scary when I opened up the first United email because it warned me of a schedule change…and when I went on line to review my flights, no return date or flights were listed. So, it appears the direct flights to Lihue must not be selling that well!
Hawaii is currently one of the safest states for covid and we want to keep it that way. Like everyone, our response was not perfect.
I have real issues with what appears as political infighting and our response early on but then no one had a playbook to turn to.
That said we are in a very good place and we are on track to keep it that way and open up in a relatively safe way. If we pretravel test so the overwhelming majority of arrivals are covid free, wear masks when appropriate and follow common sense social distancing, then this multi layered approach hopefully will keep Hawaii safe.
It’s not that hard and it is the best way to prevent overwhelming hospitals here and deaths.
A lot of people are doing just that and enjoying a very beautiful and uncrowded Hawaii. A once in a lifetime opportunity for the pragmatic and caring (aka Aloha) visitors that Hawaii is currently embracing.
Those of you casting stones at mask wearing or Joe Biden or whatever internet fiction narrative you are using, please stay home!
Don’t come here, you are the kind of visitor we don’t want. I’m sorry to be so blunt but there has always been a problem with a small percentage of genuinely rude people that are not appreciated at all. We’ll take your money and smile but you are not getting the full Aloha treatment like the nice respectful folks do. Sorry, it’s just human nature.
We are a blue state…… the sky, the ocean and the politics. If you can’t handle that go to Florida.
It would have been nice if you were not so rude. Believe it or not everyone does not think like you. I come from the bluest of states and I am proud republican. I wear a mask and respect those who choose not too. Just in case you are wondering the Aloha treatment could use some refinement. Perhaps you should be first in line.
No Aloha there
Most Hawaiians are not like you.
Your a blue state but that doesn’t make you right. You don’t get to claim a holier than now attitude because you live there. Your a state, same as Iowa, New York or even florida.
The bad scary covid is no worse than the flu. But you don’t ask to “ban” people for that. Our family has had it, all survived. Mother in law with copd got it, survived, her sister got it, survived.
So your attitude is crap. Let us keep our tourism dollars from there and see how long you last.
JohnW,
You preach that visitors give “aloha spirit” in order to get it in return,and the next thing you do is give absolutely None?! 🤦
It’s no wonder tourists have stories about people like you… 🤷♂️
Dozens and dozens of restaurants have closed in your precious “blue state”. I hope that you are going out and patronizing the ones that are struggling to stay open. Then again you’re probably the type that sits at home and stuffs himself on frozen waffles and tater tots.
Struck quite a nerve with a few. Just to be clear, my point is that with simple common sense proven
safety practices we can reduce the spread to a reasonable level. If you have a problem with that please don’t come here…..
Your silly little “I read it on the internet so I know more then the experts” doesn’t fly with me.
The concept that “I had it and am OK” is incredibly narcissistic. We all know some are lucky and others are not, people do die from covid, thankfully most who get it are OK. That doesn’t mean it’s not a serious deal. It’s about protecting the unlucky ones and there are still far too many.
It’s inhuman to think playing russian roulette with a significant segment of society is OK. Saying it is someones right to wear or not wear a mask is like saying wearing a seatbelt on your flight should be a personal choice, only worse, you think the potential to spread covid is a secondary consideration to someone not wanting to wear a mask because they don’t want too. It’s not.
I’m old school, I think things like democracy, honesty and integrity are important. So is the Aloha spirit and caring about others.
I agree my message was harsh, but what’s at stake here is Hawaii opening up and being a safe and beautiful place for others to visit, or covid taking hold and overwhelming the islands because of the narcissism of a significant segment of Americans.
Thank you for saying it!
In in Rome do as the Romans do… or stay home!
It’s so hypocritical that anti mask folks want to come to Hawaii for it’s beautiful island perks but throw stones at its customs… They would be the first to complain if blue states people would come to their states and start enforcing their ideas.
Please don’t turn this site into a political rant!!! The original comment was about the “next” President. It did not say the “new” President. Let’s just enjoy the islands when we can – wearing a mask wasn’t an issue all summer so it won’t be an issue there. And to those of you who claim that we who just “want to get our souls back” in the islands and spend lots of our hard-earned $$$ on the islands (yes, you, C.T.), we are not selfish! We’re in love with Paradise!
Hi Barbara.
Good catch. That word was chosen carefully. Thanks for that, among other things.
Aloha. R/J
It’s not the President who caused Hawaii travel issues, it’s Hawaii’s own governor. We have been traveling around the mainland states on vacation without issue.
I’m not replying specifically to the comment above but want to suggest that everyone check their Hawaiian Airlines reservations for accuracy. Due to a fluke situation with my computer, I needed to reconstruct and refile on my computer our 12/27/20 reservation only to discover that it didn’t exist!!! Somewhere, someone, somehow, in the course of rescheduling that reservation two times, it was changed back to reservation #2 which was for a date in September. Not only was that done without our knowledge (nor did we initiate it) but we were never notified. We would have shown up at the Phoenix Airport on 12/27 with a printed confirmation in hand only to be told we were supposed to have flown months earlier!!! If it happened to us, it could happen to you. (And BTW, my complaint via the BBB resulted in a response completely ignorant of what the issue was!!!)
As long as Biden raises taxes on the airline pilots it will help the economy.
We absolutely love the Hawaiian Islands. We have been to other tropical places and none compare. However, vacations are a time to relax and recharge. Wearing masks on a secluded patch of beach or the thought of possibly being harassed by locals and authorities if we look like we our relaxing too much doesn’t appeal much to our idea of vacation. I have heard the stories of visitors being treated by businesses and locals with prejudice, don’t know whether to believe the hype. We have a friend that said he was constantly monitored as he fished from the shore of a home he rented next to the beach. His story doesn’t even remotely hint of the R&R we seek. We will spend our time and resources seeking another tropical destination for the coming year. No place on earth like Hawaii, but maybe if the people of Hawaii want to remain the vacation destiny visitors of their beautiful paradise should be educated gently. If not it will become harder and harder to attract tourists. If you came to my home state, I would expect you to feel welcomed and appreciated. Yes there may be some rules, but enforcement might initially just be a friendly plea to respect our home as we respect yours and not a threat right off the plane of compliance or else (jail and fines), but a honoring reminder for everyone’s safety. Maybe I just give others the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise. Maybe I am naive.
Well said
Yes, you are naive, a little just like not all tourist are the same. I’ve worked with tourist for years and no two are alike or behave in the same manner. We are unique in the US because we are an island state with only 9 ICU beds on Kaua’i. Some tourist come here respectfully and a few bad apples spoil the barrel. We have worked very hard on Kaua’i to keep us covid free for weeks,months and we’re up to seven in two weeks. It wouldn’t take much for us to wind up like Lanai. So I hear and see authors off island writing things that are just not true and clear they have never been here. We are unique and that is why people want to come here but it must be done wisely and I don’t think what we’re doing is so smart.
Then take your vacation somewhere else, easy…
We come to the islands every fall. We will not be coming this year and, most likely not next year unless Biden becomes President since he is taking this virus very seriously vs. Trump whom said “Once Nov. 4th comes you will never hear the word coronavirus again.” He assumed he would win and he will never have to deal with this and let it just run through the country. This isn’t going to work as you know. Sadly, people on mainland just want out and over there for some peace. However, those of us that are not selfish and will not come as we know as much as you need tourism — you need safe tourism. Otherwise, your health care system is going to be in bad shape if this virus is brought there and You and your families get this! You Don’t want this! It’s time for the U.S. to Help the islands become more self-sufficient so you will be okay through any future times like this.. Personally, I would do whatever I could to help our islands, our friends there to be okay. Be safe, wear a mask, social distance – it does help!!! God bless all of you!
From a not-selfish lover of Kauai, your comment is out of line. You can consider yourself selfish if you choose to go but we’re more than happy to help the Kauai economy in a respectful, thoughtful and Aloha manner!
I’ve read numerous comments regarding not visiting the Hawaiian islands until mask mandates are eliminated. I arrived almost a week ago and I can share wearing a mask is not that big of a hindrance. In fact I feel safer here than on the mainland since everyone is wearing masks. The pre arrival test through American was great and clearance upon arrival was smooth. If y’all don’t want to visit it just means it’s less crowded for those of us who decided to make the journey. I hope our President (whomever that may be) will enact a consistent strategy to reduce and eliminate this virus.
My gut feeling is if Biden is the next President, no one will be going anywhere for a long time. I’m not wearing a mask on vacation to *any* destination so, my vacation plans will again be in El Backyard-O.
I loved the El backyard-o! Levity helps :0)
El Backyard-o was fine in warm weather – while sitting under our backyard beach umbrella, listening to our backyard waterfall, looking at our elephant ear plants (we had a dozen pots!) sipping something cool and ‘pretending’ to be at the beach. We won’t be doing that again until next MAY!
But we have NO intention of going anywhere further than a 2 hour flight from home as long as mask wearing is mandatory. That is about as long as we can stand breathing through a mask and looking through foggy glasses. Wearing a mask all summer any time we went anywhere was horrible. Going on vacation to a warm tropical island and wearing a mask all the time and being ‘monitored’ sounds awful. No one will EVER convince me that mask wearing ‘isn’t all that bad.’ It’s AWFUL!
We will wait as long as it takes to come to a point where mask wearing isn’t mandatory before spending a lot of money on a vacation to Paradise.
We did find a cute joke to share though.
New Law firm Ad:
Having to wear a face mask along with your glasses?
You may be entitled to CONDENSATION!
Call us today! 888-123-4567
I’ve been using a private aircraft for the past 4 months and it’s easy to stay safe. Before you tell me I’m spoiled don’t. I’ve flown to Florida twice non stop. All good with masks. Denver three times on commercial flights. I have been coming to Kauai for 26 years. I sadly sold my house in January. Just get the pre test moving and open your state for the warm hearted travelers. John
I don’t get the big deal about wearing masks. I’m a healthcare worker and wear a mask for 12 to 15 hours a day. Some of my colleagues working in Covid units wear N95 masks for 12+ hours a day. We do this to protect others and ourselves. It’s a small price to pay to prevent spreading or getting this horrid disease. All of you people that whine about wearing masks are either selfish or big babies. If it’s that big a deal to you stay home in your house and yard. If you choose to not wear a mask around others, I hope you don’t get anyone else sick or get sick yourselves because it’s not pleasant. I will be enjoying Hawaii with my mask in place and I will be respectful to the locals by following public health orders. Aloha
Thank you
This big baby just doesn’t want to spend big bucks to go on vacation somewhere and wear a mask all the time. I can do that closer to home. And yes, we do wear our masks in public. Not all of us ‘babies’ are totally thoughtless idiots. Why be so nasty?
I admire all of those who must wear a mask all day at work – and am thoroughly grateful it isn’t me that has to do it. The Difference?: You get paid to go to work. We get to pay to go on vacation. Not everyone is the same. If you don’t mind wearing a mask on vacation, fine. But that doesn’t mean there is something wrong with those who don’t enjoy it. Let’s be nice, at least.
Take care and thank you.
Hi Colleen.
Thank you. We really appreciate your nearly 300 comments!
Aloha.
You made me smile…I agree
Mahalo!
Save hawaii tourist industry that is a US federalist state govt responsibility? Its Hawaii govt officials job and theyve done nothing to date!
Ha would rather destroy its ppl and finl livelihoods
and blame the Pres than Guv to act. HA and other states said they dont need Pres’s help. Now this article implies a future Pres to help? Give me a break.
HA govt fig out for urself!
I will never given HA my hard earned travel dollars again!
If biden wins the economy will tank government will take over and Marshall law will be in place! Nobody leaves the house because of covid!
Unfortunately, pre-travel testing is worthless, as you can be exposed and not show viral load for as long as 10 days. So, no matter how many “I was tested” stickers you hand out, it means very little to those concerned with getting sick. The idea we need to give the travel industry a stimulus package is crazy…those people earn ridiculous wages and I’m not paying going to say yes to a bunch of overpaid airline people sucking at the tax dollar trough…as it will NEVER end….we’ll be shoveling good money after bad into that industry (just like we do for our bad farmers all over America) and they need to slim that entire industry down. We don’t need more than two airlines in the US, and those who can will survive in the current market will…and those who can’t will have to find other things to do. We’ve got millions of regular people out of work who make 1/4 what those airline people make…and who don’t have access to the retirement programs the airlines have (generous is too kind a word) so lets worry about how we can make the dollars we must spend on stimulus go further and NOT use them for propping up a bunch of huge over extended private businesses…we already did that stupidity with the banks.
I know for myself and friends I’ve talked to, we won’t be flying to,Hawaii until we can fly mask free and don’t have to wear them as we walk around on the island. Too hot and humid to wear masks all over. Thank for your updates.
Hi Chris.
Thanks for your dozens of comments over the past 10 years!
Aloha.
You know as an American tourist your options are limited so no mask stay home a good idea. We mask up to show Aloha and we’re proud of it. May I suggest Florida?
Aloha guys!
I’m glad you brought this subject up.
As millions of people are mired down in all this election drama, the issues you’re addressing in this article are critical to saving the entire sector. I seriously hope that the heads of government can work together (for a change) and help with the re-birth of the tourism industry.
The answer isn’t in a band-aid, but a serious attempt to stop the hemorrhaging.
Let’s hope that these politically motivated individuals get to work quickly and help those that need help immediately.
Stay safe and Mahalo for all you do 🌺
Hi Pam.
Thanks. Yes, let’s hope that our response will come together for everyone’s benefit.
Aloha.
If Biden wins look for another lock down
There will be no more lockdowns in America…that’s simply scare tactics. We may see a national mask mandate (too bad we have multitudes of anti-masker we can’t simply push off a cliff) but few police will enforce them…and as the Democrats won’t have control of the Senate…Biden’s entire time as president will not end up solving or resolving pretty much anything. Maybe in two years we might see some light, but until then it’s going to be a different name…but little change…except maybe we won’t be calling everyone in the world names and in general acting like some banana republic.
Honor your new president.