[Closed - new thread started] Will Hawaii Open by [OCTOBER???] [Please use this thread for all Hawaii Coronavirus discussions]

[Tamaradarann]

it seems that Hawaiians are starting to question what is going on

Akina, Perry discuss Hawaii's 'state secrets' | Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Gov. David Ige’s secretive decision-making during the coronavirus crisis has caught the attention of journalists throughout Hawaii, including Michael W. Perry, the state’s most popular radio personality, who yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2020, interviewed Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President...

www.grassrootinstitute.org

I do question it also. Hawaii had such good numbers just a month or two ago. What happened? How did the virus spread which was down to 1 or 2 a day grow out of control? I believe one answer is one of two groups: One is the EXCEPTIONS for people coming to the islands from the Continental United States: the military, flight personnel, and essential contracted personal didn't have to quarantine. Second thought is returning residents and tourist who violated the 14 day quarantine periods.

I don't have an answer to how to deal with this issue in the future, but if and when the number return to the way they were they do need to deal with them or why bother getting the numbers down, they will just go up again until the numbers from off the islands go way down.

 

[csodjd]

I do question it also. Hawaii had such good numbers just a month or two ago. What happened? How did the virus spread which was down to 1 or 2 a day grow out of control? I believe one answer is one of two groups: One is the EXCEPTIONS for people coming to the islands from the Continental United States: the military, flight personnel, and essential contracted personal didn't have to quarantine. Second thought is returning residents and tourist who violated the 14 day quarantine periods.

I don't have an answer to how to deal with this issue in the future, but if and when the number return to the way they were they do need to deal with them or why bother getting the numbers down, they will just go up again until the numbers from off the islands go way down.

You may have missed the real culprit. If Hawaii wasn’t doing adequate testing and, especially, contact tracing there may have been more cases out there than being reported, and worse yet, more becoming infected and not knowing. Isolation isn’t really the tool for controlling a virus, it’s testing to find people that have it, and contact tracing to find people that have it, before they spread it. I believe Hawaii, and especially Oahu, may well have been like NY and Washington (state) were in Jan-Feb, spreading virus around completely unaware it was happening — except they knew better.

 

[pedro47]

How much have the Hawaii economy loss since the COVID-!9 started this year ?
Are Hawaiian leaving the state and relocating to mainland USA or other countries?

 

[PearlCity]

How much have the Hawaii economy loss since the COVID-!9 started this year ?
Are Hawaiian leaving the state and relocating to mainland USA or other countries?

Not yet. Right now with a block on evictions the impact hasnt been felt yet. The other thing is most folks live in multi family multi generational homes. But...i predict in 2021/2022 some folks will start moving.

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[DannyTS]

Also government furloughs and budget cuts will add to the pain in the future, not reflected in the numbers yet.

 

[pedro47]

Not yet. Right now with a block on evictions the impact hasnt been felt yet. The other thing is most folks live in multi family multi generational homes. But...i predict in 2021/2022 some folks will start moving.

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Thanks

 

[pedro47]

Also government furloughs and budget cuts will add to the pain in the future, not reflected in the numbers yet.

Thanks.
Are their many Hawaiian employed by the federal government ?

 

[PearlCity]

Thanks.
Are their many Hawaiian employed by the federal government ?

Yes. The military has a big presence and is a huge part of the economy. Hawaii is part of the US due to strategic location in the Pacific, which i think the US realized after WWII. I believe thats why we are a state vs some of the other island territories and commonwealths. I also think that is why the surgeon general is on island right now. I believe if we were just a tourist destination the federal government would not be paying as much attention to us here in Hawaii.

As tourism stalls, military spending continues to boost Hawaii’s economy | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

One of the remaining pillars of Hawaii’s economy — federal spending, including military — continues to prop up the tourist-depleted Aloha State, with the Defense Department so far resistant to the devastating financial effects of the coronavirus, which have resulted in a jobless rate of 22%.

www.staradvertiser.com

Military Impact in Hawaii - Chamber of Commerce Hawaii

www.cochawaii.org

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[Tamaradarann]

You may have missed the real culprit. If Hawaii wasn’t doing adequate testing and, especially, contact tracing there may have been more cases out there than being reported, and worse yet, more becoming infected and not knowing. Isolation isn’t really the tool for controlling a virus, it’s testing to find people that have it, and contact tracing to find people that have it, before they spread it. I believe Hawaii, and especially Oahu, may well have been like NY and Washington (state) were in Jan-Feb, spreading virus around completely unaware it was happening — except they knew better.

It could be true that the virus was on Oahu spreading around with them not being aware. However, if they do get the virus under control then what? If they continue to let the groups of people from areas that have high virus spread come without testing and quarantining then what I said above would be the culprit. Furthermore, I forgot to mention something that Pearl City just reminded me of in te 12:28 post. Returning residents that live in households with other people that didn't travel have an excellent opportunity to bring in the virus and contribute to the community spread.

I agree that testing and contact tracing is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. However, my family will continue to isolate, social distance, wear masks, disinfect, and wash our hands to try to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Thanks.
Are their many Hawaiian employed by the federal government ?

The Federal Government and the Military employ a huge amount of people in Hawaii. Since furloughs were mentioned in the post you replied to I want to interject that I don't think that those are a major concern for furloughs in Hawaii. It is the State and County Governments.

 

[PearlCity]

The Federal Government and the Military employ a huge amount of people in Hawaii. Since furloughs were mentioned in the post you replied to I want to interject that I don't think that those are a major concern for furloughs in Hawaii. It is the State and County Governments.

Correct!! There is no talk for furloughs for federal employees. Its the local government employees.

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[csodjd]

It could be true that the virus was on Oahu spreading around with them not being aware. However, if they do get the virus under control then what? If they continue to let the groups of people from areas that have high virus spread come without testing and quarantining then what I said above would be the culprit. Furthermore, I forgot to mention something that Pearl City just reminded me of in te 12:28 post. Returning residents that live in households with other people that didn't travel have an excellent opportunity to bring in the virus and contribute to the community spread.

I agree that testing and contact tracing is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. However, my family will continue to isolate, social distance, wear masks, disinfect, and wash our hands to try to prevent the spread of the virus.

There's a distinction between catching or giving someone the virus, which your actions will go a long way to achieve, and addressing epidemiological spread. Assuming you do all the right things, but are infected somehow nonetheless and show some symptoms, the KEY then to preventing spread into the community is to know who you've been around and get them tested so as to isolate any breakout and limit its reach. Similarly, if you do all the right things, and you get a call saying you came into contact with someone that was infectious at the time, you'd want to get tested even though your precautions probably protected you, because maybe they didn't. That's the testing/contact tracing part of the puzzle, your personal precautions notwithstanding.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

Yeah, but what year?


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That's exactly what I was thinking unfortunately.

 

[Tamaradarann]

There's a distinction between catching or giving someone the virus, which your actions will go a long way to achieve, and addressing epidemiological spread. Assuming you do all the right things, but are infected somehow nonetheless and show some symptoms, the KEY then to preventing spread into the community is to know who you've been around and get them tested so as to isolate any breakout and limit its reach. Similarly, if you do all the right things, and you get a call saying you came into contact with someone that was infectious at the time, you'd want to get tested even though your precautions probably protected you, because maybe they didn't. That's the testing/contact tracing part of the puzzle, your personal precautions notwithstanding.

We come from a different place than you do. Since it has been stated that the virus can be transmitted from surfaces such as boxes, mail, food containers etc. for up to 3 days we wash everything with a Clorox soap solution when it comes into the garage and then keep it in quarantine for 3 days. If we were to be concerned with tracing we would be worrying about if those that came in contact with the boxes, mail, and food containers in one of the post offices that our mail went through, Fed Ex facilies and driver, UPS facilities and driver, supermarket, Sam's, Walmart, Target where our food comes from came down with the virus. We just assume they did and take sanitizing precautions without worrying about getting tested.

 

[JIMinNC]

We come from a different place than you do. Since it has been stated that the virus can be transmitted from surfaces such as boxes, mail, food containers etc. for up to 3 days we wash everything with a Clorox soap solution when it comes into the garage and then keep it in quarantine for 3 days. If we were to be concerned with tracing we would be worrying about if those that came in contact with the boxes, mail, and food containers in one of the post offices that our mail went through, Fed Ex facilies and driver, UPS facilities and driver, supermarket, Sam's, Walmart, Target where our food comes from came down with the virus. We just assume they did and take sanitizing precautions without worrying about getting tested.

Most of what I've read recently is that, in the real world, the chances of catching the virus from boxes, mail, food packaging, etc. are extremely low. I think both CDC and WHO have now said this. Most of the news articles about that early in the spring stemmed from laboratory studies about what is theoretically possible. In the real world, however, I think most of the science now says there is very little risk of catching the virus from your UPS delivery.

Even casual passing of someone outside on the street, or even brief passing inside, is fairly low risk. The risk goes up with close contact/conversation for a period of time or spending time inside in a poorly ventilated space - just like most other viruses.

 

[ljmiii]

Most of what I've read recently is that, in the real world, the chances of catching the virus from boxes, mail, food packaging, etc. are extremely low....

What JIMinNC said. In the absence of better information scientists looked at the longevity of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces and came up with timeframes from 24-72 hours. And longer than that in low temperature environments like freezers. But prolonged exposure to infected people and/or contaminated ventilation systems seems to be the source of most transmission.

In the beginning we disinfected or quarantined everything entering our house. Groceries were the biggest annoyance. We still do for most mail and shipped packages because almost zero != zero and there is no downside. But that well might be considered an excess of caution.

 

[DannyTS]

they finally have an online screening process. The fact that it took them so long for a relatively simple matter is showing why everything is taking forever

Travelers flying into Hawaii will be required to complete Safe Travels application | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The Safe Travels application, starting Tuesday, will become the newest mandatory requirement for travelers flying into Hawaii.

www.staradvertiser.com

 

[jabberwocky]

they finally have an online screening process. The fact that it took them so long for a relatively simple matter is showing why everything is taking forever

Travelers flying into Hawaii will be required to complete Safe Travels application | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The Safe Travels application, starting Tuesday, will become the newest mandatory requirement for travelers flying into Hawaii.

www.staradvertiser.com

So how would this work for families with children? Would they have multiple QR code’s on a single device?

There are six of us in our family and only two cell phones. I this far have refused to get our oldest two cell phones, even though they are (or more accurately we’re) the only kids attending school who did not have cell phones - at least according to our kids.

 

[cman]

So how would this work for families with children? Would they have multiple QR code’s on a single device?

There are six of us in our family and only two cell phones. I this far have refused to get our oldest two cell phones, even though they are (or more accurately we’re) the only kids attending school who did not have cell phones - at least according to our kids.

Looks like you just add kids as additional travel party members. From their website;

HOW DO I CREATE A TRIP?

1. Select the Trips icon on the Home Screen.
2. Select +Add Trip.
3. Fill in Trip Details.
4. Fill in your designated Quarantine Location while in Hawaii.
5. In the Additional Travel Party Members section, check the minors who will be travelling with you (minors only need to be added under one adult trip).

Safe Travels Help

The Safe Travels Hawaii program is a multilayered process designed to protect the health and safety of our visitors and residents alike from the spread of COVID-19. A 5-day mandatory quarantine will be required for travelers who do not participate […]

ets.hawaii.gov

 

[amy241]

So how would this work for families with children? Would they have multiple QR code’s on a single device?

There are six of us in our family and only two cell phones. I this far have refused to get our oldest two cell phones, even though they are (or more accurately we’re) the only kids attending school who did not have cell phones - at least according to our kids.

It appears to allow you to add children under the age of 18 as travelers to your account. But any adult must have a separate account. So perhaps the wife registers and adds the kids and then the husband signs up separately. I went through it and registered last night but have no minor children any longer so
omitted that section.

 

[Tamaradarann]

they finally have an online screening process. The fact that it took them so long for a relatively simple matter is showing why everything is taking forever

Travelers flying into Hawaii will be required to complete Safe Travels application | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The Safe Travels application, starting Tuesday, will become the newest mandatory requirement for travelers flying into Hawaii.

www.staradvertiser.com

I am also not impressed nor do I understand the big deal they are making about a relatively simple system that may provide the arrival people informaton but not fullfill the wants and needs of visitors.

For example, another TUG member asked on another thread if it gave confirmation that you have completed the 14 day quarantine. Well the system certainly has the capability to do that if it has been programed into the system. So by giving them the QR code will all of Hawaii know like the Hotels, Timeshares, Rent a Car etc. that you have completed the 14 day quarantine period so you can function while in Hawaii? Will they have access to the App or can you show them the necessary information on your phone?

Furthermore, the system doesn't provide a system which most visitors are interested in and waiting for which is one that will allow them to avoid the 14 day quarantine!

 

[pedro47]

Looks like you just add kids as additional travel party members. From their website;

HOW DO I CREATE A TRIP?

1. Select the Trips icon on the Home Screen.
2. Select +Add Trip.
3. Fill in Trip Details.
4. Fill in your designated Quarantine Location while in Hawaii.
5. In the Additional Travel Party Members section, check the minors who will be travelling with you (minors only need to be added under one adult trip).

Safe Travels Help

The Safe Travels Hawaii program is a multilayered process designed to protect the health and safety of our visitors and residents alike from the spread of COVID-19. A 5-day mandatory quarantine will be required for travelers who do not participate […]

ets.hawaii.gov

Government site would not load

 

[Tamaradarann]

Government site would not load

I would be disappointed if using the site would enable one to get tested for the Coronavirus before flying and then not have to quarantine. As it is the site doesn't satisfy my needs so whether it loads or not may give the Hawaiian Governmental Departments concerns but not me.

 

[DannyTS]

I would be disappointed if using the site would enable one to get tested for the Coronavirus before flying and then not have to quarantine. As it is the site doesn't satisfy my needs so whether it loads or not may give the Hawaiian Governmental Departments concerns but not me.

Do you believe that those with a negative test should still quarantine? Have you looked at Alaska that implemented such a policy a while ago? I did not see anything alarming in their numbers.

 

[ljmiii]

Do you believe that those with a negative test should still quarantine? Have you looked at Alaska that implemented such a policy a while ago? I did not see anything alarming in their numbers.

Alaska allowed testing in lieu of quarantine starting on June 6th. There was a rise from the 1-4 cases each day that they had been seeing since late April to the high teens. At the end of June cases started rising swiftly to peaks of 141 on Jul 22nd and 137 on Aug 1st. Since then testing has fallen off and at least partially as a result so have cases which are now in the high 70s and low 80s (all these numbers are 7-day averages). Hospitalizations have risen since June 6th as have deaths. There is no question that Alaska did better in the period from the end of April to June 6th than it has done since. And also no question that they are still doing better than most of the country (though worse than Hawaii).

On the other side, I haven't been able to find any website that shows 'real time' visitor data like the Hawaii Tourism Authority does. There are visitor summary reports for 2019 (and years prior) that show number of people, dollars added to the economy, etc. but nothing on 2020. I've found anecdotal stories about 'Tourism way down', 'Will anyone come this summer', etc. but nothing concrete.

All that said, whether or not allowing visitors into Alaska without quarantine was 'worth it' seems to be in the eye of the beholder.