Hawaii Extends [14 Night Quarantine] Through End Of July

[csodjd]

For what it's worth, I don't necessarily have a problem with what the Governor has done. I have a problem with his failure to communicate information about what he's doing, why, and what's next. Too much suspense. As he makes an announcement he need only explain why and conclude with the timetable going forward to his next decision, what he'll be looking at/for, and when he'll update. I appreciate, for instance, how the UK has said they are putting in a 14-day quarantine, and they will revisit it every 3 weeks until they decide it's no longer necessary. Easy. You may agree or disagree, but at least you know don't expect anything for 3 weeks, and in 3 weeks you'll be updated. In Hawaii you have a Lt. Gov. saying all kinds of things, and a Gov. saying almost nothing and when he does pop up and say something it's almost always NOT what the Lt. Gov. has been saying. So, again, it's not about the substance to me as much as the communication.

 

[bbodb1]

As someone who lives in a vacation area, I believe that Governor Ige has handled this crisis extremely well. We would love to feel safe in our area, but we have no idea what visitors are bringing into our area. Hawaii is lucky in their ability to control their environment. Perhaps if you'd ever been to Hawaii, you'd understand the importance of protecting it.

I do not have to be on the same plane of existence with a beautiful place to know it is worth protecting (I'm really not certain of the meaning of your point in that regard). I've been to many beautiful places around this country - just not Hawaii (yet anyway) - but it is how the method of chosen protection was communicated to the public that left me with a very cold feeling toward Hawaii. I do not begrudge Gov. Ige in looking out for the best interest of the citizens of the state of Hawaii - that's his job. But as dependent as Hawaii is on tourism, all the negativity toward visitors only served to further damage the situation. Constantly threatening fines, incarceration, deportation, etc is not the way to build understanding of a situation and the Governor has negatively impacted the tourism industry with his chosen approach (especially in how he communicated this).

If Hawaii's medical systems are that weak, improving them should have been a priority years ago - not only for the benefit of tourists but the citizens who call Hawaii home on a permanent basis. As visually delicious as Hawaii may be, the fact remains her infrastructure was wholly inadequate to safely handle the amount of tourism the islands want - and that was before COVID-19. Perhaps the best way I can summarize the perception of Gov. Ige's approach is something akin to GOML.

High marks to the response from @csodjd - just before this one.

 

[cman]

I do not have to be on the same plane of existence with a beautiful place to know it is worth protecting (I'm really not certain of the meaning of your point in that regard). I've been to many beautiful places around this country - just not Hawaii (yet anyway) - but it is how the method of chosen protection was communicated to the public that left me with a very cold feeling toward Hawaii. I do not begrudge Gov. Ige in looking out for the best interest of the citizens of the state of Hawaii - that's his job. But as dependent as Hawaii is on tourism, all the negativity toward visitors only served to further damage the situation. Constantly threatening fines, incarceration, deportation, etc is not the way to build understanding of a situation and the Governor has negatively impacted the tourism industry with his chosen approach (especially in how he communicated this).

If Hawaii's medical systems are that weak, improving them should have been a priority years ago - not only for the benefit of tourists but the citizens who call Hawaii home on a permanent basis. As visually delicious as Hawaii may be, the fact remains her infrastructure was wholly inadequate to safely handle the amount of tourism the islands want - and that was before COVID-19. Perhaps the best way I can summarize the perception of Gov. Ige's approach is something akin to GOML.

High marks to the response from @csodjd - just before this one.

So to summarize, you don't have a problem with the governor's actions (Hawaii is one of the safest places in the country as far as C19 is concerned), you have a problem with his communication plan? I'm thinking that his primary responsibility is to protect the health and safety of Hawaiian citizens. He's done that better than most governors. I live in Texas, he has no obligation to me. None. Other than improve his communications strategy, what do you propose he should do?

 

[csodjd]

So to summarize, you don't have a problem with the governor's actions (Hawaii is one of the safest places in the country as far as C19 is concerned), you have a problem with his communication plan? I'm thinking that his primary responsibility is to protect the health and safety of Hawaiian citizens. He's done that better than most governors. I live in Texas, he has no obligation to me. None. Other than improve his communications strategy, what do you propose he should do?

You're probably directing that more to me. I think our government leaders have an obligation to not only make decisions, but to explain to their constituents and stakeholders how they came to the decision, why they made THAT decision and not another. Moreover, Hawaii's position of dependency on the patronage of visitors, many of whom have ownership interests, even if only fractional, creates a broader obligation than some governments may have to take that into consideration in communicating what his thoughts/plans are and why. The plain fact is that Hawaii's economic engine depends on a steady stream of visitors that bring money into the state and keep a lot of Hawaiian residents employed.

So, he should continue doing what he's doing, but make the effort to tell people what he's doing, why, and what he's thinking going forward so that both the Hawaiian residents that depend on the engine of tourism and those tourists can plan for their respective futures, as they depend on one another for everything to work.

 

[FamilyEsq]

I just want to say up front that I love TUG. The members here are extremely helpful and usually kind.

However, just reading through this thread has made me physically queasy. Tuggers in this thread have stated that because they spend money in Hawaii (and/or have a fraction interest in real property) the Governor and people of Hawaii have an obligation to inform you of their thought process in creating a plan to address COVID-19. Posters in this thread have repeatedly cited Hawaii's dependence on tourism as a factor that entitles them to a special information privilege.

Further, posters have also stated that Hawaiians will change their position regarding tourism once their unemployment benefits run out. This is offensive. I understand that travellers want to take their vacation to Hawaii. I had 4 weeks reserved this summer. However, the statements made by some Tuggers sound very colonial. Just because you have money to spend does not mean the people of Hawaii have to stop their quarantine and welcome you back on your timetable.

Hawaii has handled COVID-19 better than most states including my home state of New York. The Governor of Hawaii took the appropriate action and has protected his citizens.

I understand that most of this is being said because of the frustration people are having with making travel plans and stress from this pandemic. I think it may be helpful to just think about how your words may be received by Hawaiians reading this thread.

 

[BagsArePacked]

I just want to say up front that I love TUG. The members here are extremely helpful and usually kind.

However, just reading through this thread has made me physically queasy. Tuggers in this thread have stated that because they spend money in Hawaii (and/or have a fraction interest in real property) the Governor and people of Hawaii have an obligation to inform you of their thought process in creating a plan to address COVID-19. Posters in this thread have repeatedly cited Hawaii's dependence on tourism as a factor that entitles them to a special information privilege.

Further, posters have also stated that Hawaiians will change their position regarding tourism once their unemployment benefits run out. This is offensive. I understand that travellers want to take their vacation to Hawaii. I had 4 weeks reserved this summer. However, the statements made by some Tuggers sound very colonial. Just because you have money to spend does not mean the people of Hawaii have to stop their quarantine and welcome you back on your timetable.

Hawaii has handled COVID-19 better than most states including my home state of New York. The Governor of Hawaii took the appropriate action and has protected his citizens.

I understand that most of this is being said because of the frustration people are having with making travel plans and stress from this pandemic. I think it may be helpful to just think about how your words may be received by Hawaiians reading this thread.

Thank you for your comments. It certainly has been a revealing read these past few months.

 

[Yellowfin]

I just want to say up front that I love TUG. The members here are extremely helpful and usually kind.

However, just reading through this thread has made me physically queasy. Tuggers in this thread have stated that because they spend money in Hawaii (and/or have a fraction interest in real property) the Governor and people of Hawaii have an obligation to inform you of their thought process in creating a plan to address COVID-19. Posters in this thread have repeatedly cited Hawaii's dependence on tourism as a factor that entitles them to a special information privilege.

Further, posters have also stated that Hawaiians will change their position regarding tourism once their unemployment benefits run out. This is offensive. I understand that travellers want to take their vacation to Hawaii. I had 4 weeks reserved this summer. However, the statements made by some Tuggers sound very colonial. Just because you have money to spend does not mean the people of Hawaii have to stop their quarantine and welcome you back on your timetable.

Hawaii has handled COVID-19 better than most states including my home state of New York. The Governor of Hawaii took the appropriate action and has protected his citizens.

I understand that most of this is being said because of the frustration people are having with making travel plans and stress from this pandemic. I think it may be helpful to just think about how your words may be received by Hawaiians reading this thread.

The number of cases and deaths will go up in Hawaii when they lower the restrictions (and the governor admitted that). The virus will still be out there when the islands open so when they open they will do it for economic reasons not because there is no risk. If they do it for economic reasons, why can't we talk about it? It makes me uncomfortable to read that we should not talk about the elephant in the room and we have to be admonished for doing so. Just because the governor does not talk about the economic devastation to his state (because it serves him politically) , it does not mean it does not exist.

Hawaii, along with other more isolated places have done well. It appears that geography, a lack of crowded public transit and demography have been playing a big role in how different places have been spared and I am a bit tired hearing how well Hawaii has handled this, like everyone else is stupid and they are so good. I live in a suburban area and we have done very well compared to the downtown area or any other area. I do not think our mayor is that great actually and I do not think our neighbors are more responsible in average than those who live downtown.

 

[bbodb1]

@FamilyEsq - thats quite the leap you just made there over Stretch Gulch.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am going to trade away my units at Marriott's Ocean Club for late August. I cannot risk having even more weeks that have limited time for retrading. I keep trading these weeks into the Orlando Marriott resorts, and I have all I need. I may even cancel the October trip because shows are not opening and rides will have crazy waits without FP+, and of course wearing face masks in the parks doesn't sound fun. Maybe December will be better.

I am getting close to that deadline with my retrades, and I am fairly certain the governor is going to keep the quarantine in effect through August.

 

[blondietink]

I think Hawaii will open for tourists in the shoulder season, starting in Mid-August/early September. Kids will be back in school, even if just virtually, people will be going back to work so that there won't be as many tourists to try and handle. Shoulder season is always nice since it is not as crowded anyway, and should even be less crowded since many people don't want to travel. Fingers crossed here for late October/early November trip.

 

[klpca]

People are venting here, as they are in a lot of threads. Words have been poorly chosen. Most of the venting is because of the cost involved and the disappointment of losing a vacation - which is a luxury of course - but a disappointment nonetheless. I would love to be able to understand what the governor of Hawaii is planning because it is real dollars and cents to me. If he extends the quarantine then I get more flexibility. If I cancel, then it's money out of my pocket. I know that the residents of Hawaii are seeing this on a different, more personal level and I am definitely sympathetic to that. I just wish that there was some certainty so that I could move forward but of course, I have to be patient. People's nerves are frayed on all sides, but I think that trying to understand each other would go a long way. I suspect that the mutual understanding is actually there already, but is going unstated. As a lifelong Californian, I understand. We've been folk's punching bag for years. Sure it isn't perfect (what state is?) but for some of us it is home and seeing people, even here on TUG, bash it is upsetting. But I have to step back and decide if it's worth it to let their negativity into my head. I admit that it's a struggle sometimes. The bellyaching that I hear when vacations are canceled when we have brush fires comes to mind. And it happens every year. Usually there's an added dose of "well what did Californians expect when they built homes near forests" on top of it, as if we somehow *deserve* the brush fires. Smh.

So let's take a collective deep breath and know that at this time next year things will be better. If nothing else we will understand more about the virus and decisions will be easier for everyone to make.

 

[bbodb1]

Now let's more closely examine this:

Here comes the running start:

However, just reading through this thread has made me physically queasy. Tuggers in this thread have stated that because they spend money in Hawaii (and/or have a fraction interest in real property) the Governor and people of Hawaii have an obligation to inform you of their thought process in creating a plan to address COVID-19. Posters in this thread have repeatedly cited Hawaii's dependence on tourism as a factor that entitles them to a special information privilege.

As others have mentioned, the Governor of Hawaii - just as every other governor (and any elected official for that matter) does - has an obligation to explain their thinking, their rationale in taking the approach(es) chosen. That goes along with with our form of government.

What is your purpose in adding the people of a state to that claim?

Further, posters have also stated that Hawaiians will change their position regarding tourism once their unemployment benefits run out. This is offensive.

Offensive? Are you reading the news from other areas around the country and the world? There is a constant and continual battle between the safety needs and economic needs going on everywhere. Hawaii is NOT special in that regard because people everywhere understand what Maslow expressed. How to balance these two (and other) needs is a difficult exercise.

Article after article being published these days is talking about the economic devastation to Hawaii and while one might conclude your position is economic needs are less important than health needs, try explaining that to a hungry and starving populace. Look at the unemployment numbers coming out of Hawaii. Do you not see a serious problem on the horizon when enhanced unemployment benefits cease?

I understand that travellers want to take their vacation to Hawaii.

People want to take their vacations period. But the reality (at present anyway) is that risk inherent with travel is (much) higher than usual as a result of an unusual reason. We are in uncharted waters. It is not just vacations to Hawaii that are impacted but vacations everywhere.

Hawaii happens to be a more popular topic because Hawaii is among the more popular destinations in the world.
Hawaii benefits from that reality.

However, the statements made by some Tuggers sound very colonial. Just because you have money to spend does not mean the people of Hawaii have to stop their quarantine and welcome you back on your timetable.

I stand corrected. Stretch Canyon.

Hawaii has handled COVID-19 better than most states including my home state of New York. The Governor of Hawaii took the appropriate action and has protected his citizens.

Using New York as a comparative does not exactly set a high bar.
As I posted previously, if Hawaii's healthcare system is that fragile, why haven't the leaders of Hawaii made this a top priority long before now?
The people of Hawaii would benefit enormously from an improved healthcare system.

I understand that most of this is being said because of the frustration people are having with making travel plans and stress from this pandemic.

Which applies to all vacations - everywhere.

 

[amy241]

Now let's more closely examine this:

Here comes the running start:


As others have mentioned, the Governor of Hawaii - just as every other governor (and any elected official for that matter) does - has an obligation to explain their thinking, their rationale in taking the approach(es) chosen. That goes along with with our form of government.

What is your purpose in adding the people of a state to that claim?



Offensive? Are you reading the news from other areas around the country and the world? There is a constant and continual battle between the safety needs and economic needs going on everywhere. Hawaii is NOT special in that regard because people everywhere understand what Maslow expressed. How to balance these two (and other) needs is a difficult exercise.

Article after article being published these days is talking about the economic devastation to Hawaii and while one might conclude your position is economic needs are less important than health needs, try explaining that to a hungry and starving populace. Look at the unemployment numbers coming out of Hawaii. Do you not see a serious problem on the horizon when enhanced unemployment benefits cease?



People want to take their vacations period. But the reality (at present anyway) is that risk inherent with travel is (much) higher than usual as a result of an unusual reason. We are in uncharted waters. It is not just vacations to Hawaii that are impacted but vacations everywhere.

Hawaii happens to be a more popular topic because Hawaii is among the more popular destinations in the world.
Hawaii benefits from that reality.



I stand corrected. Stretch Canyon.



Using New York as a comparative does not exactly set a high bar.
As I posted previously, if Hawaii's healthcare system is that fragile, why haven't the leaders of Hawaii made this a top priority long before now?
The people of Hawaii would benefit enormously from an improved healthcare system.



Which applies to all vacations - everywhere.

And I am sure that some view it not merely as the loss of a vacation, but as a denial of an actual property interest for those who own deeded weeks, akin to a regulatory taking. Timeshare owners who own HI properties are in the same boat as persons who own short term vacation rentals in HI which have been closed as “nonessential businesses.”

 

[Larry Ackerman]

As someone who lives in a vacation area, I believe that Governor Ige has handled this crisis extremely well. We would love to feel safe in our area, but we have no idea what visitors are bringing into our area. Hawaii is lucky in their ability to control their environment. Perhaps if you'd ever been to Hawaii, you'd understand the importance of protecting it.

For someone who pays 8,000 per year in maintenance costs for the timeshares in Hawaii, I say don't pay any property taxes and maintenance on these facilities. Wonder how fast Hawaii would open up if they were not stealing tourist dollars, taxes, and maintenance upkeep in the name of COVID

 

[BagsArePacked]

For someone who pays 8,000 per year in maintenance costs for the timeshares in Hawaii, I say don't pay any property taxes and maintenance on these facilities. Wonder how fast Hawaii would open up if they were not stealing tourist dollars, taxes, and maintenance upkeep in the name of COVID

Hmm, Hawaii is really making out with this Covid...???

Sigh, another tantrum.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[dsmrp]

For someone who pays 8,000 per year in maintenance costs for the timeshares in Hawaii, I say don't pay any property taxes and maintenance on these facilities. Wonder how fast Hawaii would open up if they were not stealing tourist dollars, taxes, and maintenance upkeep in the name of COVID

I think it is the timeshare mgmt companies and possibly HOAs, who have or are getting the majority of the MF $s. Hawaii govts get their much smaller cut via taxes. It is the mgmt companies, e.g. Marriot-Vistana, Wyndham, HiltonVC, Diamond and the like who are laying off or furloughing locally based TS staff.

 

[Negma]

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-06-25/hawaii-to-ease-quarantine-for-travelers-in-august

Don’t want to quarantine? Travelers will need to test negative for COVID-19 before coming to Hawaii

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii Governor David Ige announced on Wednesday that a pre-travel testing program will be available to travelers coming to Hawaii as an alternative to the mandatory 14-day…

www.khon2.com

You can go, but get a test. The PCR test is the nasal swap test.

 

[blondietink]

If they require it within 72 hours of flying, that will be hard to implement around here as it takes 5 to 7 days here to get results.

 

[Luanne]

If they require it within 72 hours of flying, that will be hard to implement around here as it takes 5 to 7 days here to get results.

Read somewhere they are partnering with CVS to provide test results in 3 days. If you have a CVS near by that might work.

 

[blondietink]

Read somewhere they are partnering with CVS to provide test results in 3 days. If you have a CVS near by that might work.

Nearest CVS is 25 miles away.

 

[csodjd]

Nearest CVS is 25 miles away.

Probably not an insurmountable hurdle for a week or more in Hawaii.

 

[csodjd]

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-06-25/hawaii-to-ease-quarantine-for-travelers-in-august

Don’t want to quarantine? Travelers will need to test negative for COVID-19 before coming to Hawaii

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii Governor David Ige announced on Wednesday that a pre-travel testing program will be available to travelers coming to Hawaii as an alternative to the mandatory 14-day…

www.khon2.com

You can go, but get a test. The PCR test is the nasal swap test.

Or saliva. Not yet as common, but some studies are showing to be more reliable.

 

[jnsywg]

For us Canadians we would need both access to a test that they would accept and would provide results in 72-hours AND we would need travel health insurance that covers COVID-19. I wonder which will come first? We have December reservations and I am not planning to cancel before late August as they are a BonVoy reservation.

 

[nerodog]

So does the Governor of Hawaii want and needs tourists to visit the Islands?

Starting August 1, travelers will be able to visit Hawaii without having to quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival, the governor announced on Wednesday.
In a press conference, Gov. David Ige confirmed that visitors must be tested ahead of their flight to Hawaii as tests will not be conducted at any of its airports. Anyone who arrives in Hawaii without the results of a negative test will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

 

[nerodog]

Starting August 1, travelers will be able to visit Hawaii without having to quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival, the governor announced on Wednesday.
In a press conference, Gov. David Ige confirmed that visitors must be tested ahead of their flight to Hawaii as tests will not be conducted at any of its airports. Anyone who arrives in Hawaii without the results of a negative test will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

I posted this in Hawaii thread as well. Sounds like it might help those of us with plans !!!