This thread is for factual updates on Hawaii Travel News - O.N.L.Y.

[csodjd]

Honolulu's Mayor just announced a major testing initiative. Though not directly related to travel, it's clearly a helpful, if not required, step before they can get to travel. "It also includes the creation of a lab at the John A. Burns School of Medicine that would not only conduct testing — alongside private labs in Hawaii — but track where surges are being seen." Again, the ability to quickly find and track any surge of infections is essential to being able to open to tourism.

City unveils plan to offer 100,000 coronavirus tests as state reopens

The news conference comes a day after the state outlined a four-phase plan for reopening the economy.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

 

[csodjd]

Here is a Q&A with the Governor describing the 4 phases of reopening, and addressing tourism - with no real information - at the end. It seems that tourism would fall in phase 3, since phase 4 appears to require a vaccine and/or herd immunity. Personally, I think they need to split phase 3 into a phase 3a and 3b, with 3b addressing tourism because that's a part of resuming "high risk business." It cannot be ignored as if it doesn't exist, and any plan that doesn't account for it isn't complete or thorough. You can't just ignore your biggest industry.

Q&A: Here’s what you should know about Gov. Ige’s plan to reopen Hawaii

On Monday, Gov. Ige unveiled his plan to reopen Hawaii.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Kaiua asks permission to start reopening businesses early ...

Kawakami asks to reopen early

LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami said Kaua‘i is aiming to reopen some businesses earlier than the timeline proposed Monday by Gov. David Ige, and his office is looking for the governor’s approval to do so.
If approved, it would mean businesses like salons and barbershops, tour companies and pools, could reopen on Friday — under specific conditions.
If approved, mayor’s emergency rule 10 allows for the reopening of several businesses and activities on Friday, as long as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and state Department of Health safe practices can be implemented and followed at all times.

Those businesses and activities include:

• Outdoor-based tours and guided experiences, such as, but not limited to, zipline operations, ATV tours, and horseback tours;
• Churches and faith-based worship;
• One-on-one services or lessons, such as tutoring, fitness and training;
• Salons and barbershops, including nail salons;
• All sanitation and cleaning, including housekeeping;
• All manufacturing or construction operations that may still be closed;
• Pools and common areas for residents and visitors who have successfully completed the mandatory quarantine.

 

[DeniseM]

It seems that tourism would fall in phase 3, since phase 4 appears to require a vaccine and/or herd immunity.

As I posted yesterday, the governor specifically addressed this, and he said that tourism is not included in the 4 step plan at all - it will come later:

When Ige unveiled his reopening and recovery plan Monday, he said lifting the quarantine for travelers from outside the state is not part of any of the four phases of the new plan. “We are considering what conditions we would feel comfortable with lifting that quarantine,” Ige said. In a separate online discussion earlier in the day, Ige said that any suggestion Hawaii would open for tourism by the late summer seems “premature. Definitely, domestic and international travel is one of the last things that would be brought back,” Ige said Monday.

 

[csodjd]

As I posted yesterday, the governor specifically addressed this, and he said that tourism is not included in the 4 step plan at all - it will come later

There is information in what is stated, and information in what is chosen NOT to be stated. That he views a plan not addressing tourism to be a plan to reopen Hawaii (how can a state be reopened when its largest industry is not included?) tells us all something about his thoughts about tourism generally. When thinking as a tourist about future planning, I see it almost as informative that he didn't see it necessary to even address tourism in his plan as if he had, especially since you can allow salons and barber shops to open on a lot shorter notice and ramp-up time than you can tourism. If anyone is planning July, or August, or possibly even September, I think the Governor's Q&A and his plan, and the decision not to address tourism in it, is "travel news" and that it tells you not to get your hopes up too much.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

In Kawakami's (Mayor of Kauai) statement is that tourist businesses will be allowed to reopen. But they will only be open to non-residents who have completed the 14-day quarantine period.

That's consistent with Ige's statement - no plans to lift 14-day quarantine. Put that together, and what you have is tourism available, but only after the visitors complete the 14-day quarantine.

So if you want to visit Hawaii, figure on spending the first two weeks in quarantine.

 

[csodjd]

In Kawakami's (Mayor of Kauai) statement is that tourist businesses will be allowed to reopen. But they will only be open to non-residents who have completed the 14-day quarantine period.

That's consistent with Ige's statement - no plans to lift 14-day quarantine. Put that together, and what you have is tourism available, but only after the visitors complete the 14-day quarantine.

So if you want to visit Hawaii, figure on spending the first two weeks in quarantine.

And the travel news we're waiting for is, if and when that will change and what the change will be. I believe it is the Lt. Gov. that said he'd like to see pre-flight testing.

 

[DeniseM]

And the travel news we're waiting for is, if and when that will change and what the change will be. I believe it is the Lt. Gov. that said he'd like to see pre-flight testing.

That is not the plan: the Hawaii State Legislature approved the funding for testing equipment to be installed in Hawaii airports last week, and that was posted in this thread a few days ago. They can implement Hawaii airport testing fairly quickly, but, it's not practical to require pre-flight testing at this point in time, because it would require all other states and countries with flights to Hawaii, to agree to it.

Also - the governor has already clearly stated that he doesn't expect to open tourism this summer, and that it will be the last step. There is no mystery here. But maybe you are just holding onto the hope that something will happen to open Hawaii this summer, and probably a lot of people are. I think it's very unlikely, and the most prudent thing to do (if you are still holding reservations) it so start working on cancelling, and not wait too long.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

As I posted yesterday, the governor specifically addressed this, and he said that tourism is not included in the 4 step plan at all - it will come later:

When Ige unveiled his reopening and recovery plan Monday, he said lifting the quarantine for travelers from outside the state is not part of any of the four phases of the new plan. “We are considering what conditions we would feel comfortable with lifting that quarantine,” Ige said. In a separate online discussion earlier in the day, Ige said that any suggestion Hawaii would open for tourism by the late summer seems “premature. Definitely, domestic and international travel is one of the last things that would be brought back,” Ige said Monday.

I don't disagree that tourism will be one of the later items to return. However during the interview he did say that people can proceed with booking summer travel, just make sure its refundable. Personally I would not make travel plans anywhere for 2020 that are not refundable. Actually i will make sure that any plans for 2021 have flexibility.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

And the travel news we're waiting for is, if and when that will change and what the change will be. I believe it is the Lt. Gov. that said he'd like to see pre-flight testing.

And based on the statements made, the 14-day quarantine for tourists doesn't appear likely to be lifted any time soom.

We have travel planning in August. I'm just waiting for the official extension of the quarantine period so that we can get refund or credit on some of our pre-paid reservations.

 

[slip]

That is not the plan: the Hawaii State Legislature approved the funding for testing equipment to be installed in Hawaii airports last week, and that was posted in this thread a few days ago. They can implement Hawaii airport testing fairly quickly, but, it's not practical to require pre-flight testing at this point in time, because it would require all other states and countries with flights to Hawaii, to agree to it.

Also - the governor has already clearly stated that he doesn't expect to open tourism this summer, and that it will be the last step. There is no mystery here. But maybe you are just holding onto the hope that something will happen to open Hawaii this summer, and probably a lot of people are. I think it's very unlikely, and the most prudent thing to do (if you are still holding reservations) it so start working on cancelling, and not wait too long.

I have been following this closely and listen to the Governors conferences for work. I don’t remember him clearly stating that he didn’t expect tourism to open this summer. That would have been a headline because he has been very cautious about all of his statements.
The statement I remember him saying is that it is premature to make that conclusion.

I would think if he was clear about that he would have restated it on Monday but he said if people are making travel plans for the summer, make sure they are refundable.

I asked a few other people here at work who also listen to the conferences, if the Governor had made that clear and no one remembers it.
I may have missed it but he has certainly had many opportunities to make it clearer and he hasn’t.

 

[DeniseM]

Hi Jeff - It wasn't from Monday's speech, the Star Advertiser said it was from a separate online discussion - I posted that info and the link in my original post about his statement. Since the newspaper posted it as a direct quote, I took it at face value.

“We are considering what conditions we would feel comfortable with lifting that quarantine,” Ige said. In a separate online discussion earlier in the day, Ige said that any suggestion Hawaii would open for tourism by the late summer seems “premature. Definitely, domestic and international travel is one of the last things that would be brought back,” Ige said Monday.

 

[slip]

Hi Jeff - It wasn't from Monday's speech, the Star Advertiser said it was from a separate online discussion - I posted that info and the link in my original post about his statement. Since the newspaper posted it as a direct quote, I took it at face value.

“We are considering what conditions we would feel comfortable with lifting that quarantine,” Ige said. In a separate online discussion earlier in the day, Ige said that any suggestion Hawaii would open for tourism by the late summer seems “premature. Definitely, domestic and international travel is one of the last things that would be brought back,” Ige said Monday.

Got it, yes, I heard that last comment from him. He has clearly been non-committal and chooses his words carefully. Like I said earlier, all we can do is wait and see what he decides.

 

[DeniseM]

This thread is (still) just for posting Hawaii Travel News only.

WHY? So hard news doesn't get lost in general discussions.

I just moved a bunch of general discussion posts to the general discussions thread: Will Hawaii open in July/General Discussions

 

[DeniseM]

Story this morning. They appear to emphasize that pre-flight testing is the key and that the White House has approved that, but not much additional detail.

csodjd - Thank you for your contribution, but that article is about the discussion of possible solutions, not an approved policy, so I am going to move it to the other thread, where it won't be mixed up with the hard news in this thread.

I want to use this thread for actual new policies, etc, so they don't get buried by other discussions.

 

[slip]

Governor Ige says he planning to lift inter-island quarantine as part of the current phase but there is no timeline yet.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/...s-plan-lift-inter-island-traveler-quarantine/

 

[DeniseM]

Hi Jeff - It just occurred to me why this topic is of special interest to you. (I was a little slow to catch on - duh!) Have you had to missed any trips to Molokai?

 

[slip]

Hi Jeff - It just occurred to me why this topic is of special interest to you. (I was a little slow to catch on - duh!) Have you had to missed any trips to Molokai?

Yes, one. I was supposed to be there for two weeks starting 05-02-20. I am ready for a vacation since I had to work through this whole mess.

Also, I need to get to Maui for work and then back to Kauai. With this news I am hoping for vacation on Molokai for two weeks over my Birthday toward the end of June and then Maui for work when we return.

I have never been to Hawaii over my birthday so this is the first year for that. We always came over Mothers Day and my wife’s birthday. Her birthday is always close to Mothers Day and is birthday is always close to Fathers Day.

 

[DeniseM]

State hits public health benchmarks, but reopening plan requires longer wait

Hawaii hits public health benchmarks, but reopening plan requires longer wait | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Green doesn’t necessarily mean go.

www.staradvertiser.com

 

[csodjd]

State hits public health benchmarks, but reopening plan requires longer wait

Hawaii hits public health benchmarks, but reopening plan requires longer wait | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Green doesn’t necessarily mean go.

www.staradvertiser.com

If I'm reading/understanding this, doing the counting in 15-day increments, it appears Hawaii would reach the Blue phase, "where Hawaii hits a new normal and there are finally no disruptions," at the end of June if there are no setbacks. That would leave tourism as the primary business/industry left to be addressed.

 

[Ken555]

If I'm reading/understanding this, doing the counting in 15-day increments, it appears Hawaii would reach the Blue phase, "where Hawaii hits a new normal and there are finally no disruptions," at the end of June if there are no setbacks. That would leave tourism as the primary business/industry left to be addressed.

Assuming...

The plan ranges from red, which produces major disruptions, to orange to yellow to green to blue, where Hawaii hits a new normal and there are finally no disruptions. It doesn’t apply to tourism, which requires an even more thoughtful approach to reopening.

If all goes well during the green phase, it would be another 10 to 15 days beyond that at least, before Hawaii could enter the blue phase. It’s assumed by then that people would have adjusted to safe practices to create a new normal where economic disruptions aren’t required.

“This is separate and apart from what the strategy might be for reopening the tourist economy, ” Mugiishi said. “This is specifically for our behaviors here in the kamaaina economy.”

And yet they don’t define the “new normal”.

More importantly, it seems they are aware that

“W are going to knowingly import the virus without doing this. Temperatures and filling out guest forms is not enough. The quarantine is a voluntary honor system,” McDermott said. “We have 1 to 2 new cases a day. When we go from 1 to 500 cases in a week and then 1,500 where will we be at?,” McDermott said.

So I hope they really are prepared for this.

It’s still way too early to know how they really will implement tourist visits.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[slip]

It’s still way too early to know how they really will implement tourist visits.

They are making decisions on that and have been for weeks. Mayor Caldwell mentioned that in his conference today. Inter-island will be first then if that goes well they will implement their plan for outside Visitors.

They have to be thinking ahead to try to minimize the economic impact also. They know that and have been working on it but they have been very guarded on releasing any information. All we can do is wait until they release the plan.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Ken555,It’s still way too early to know how they really will implement tourist visits.

They are making decisions on that and have been for weeks. Mayor Caldwell mentioned that in his conference today. Inter-island will be first then if that goes well they will implement their plan for outside Visitors.

They have to be thinking ahead to try to minimize the economic impact also. They know that and have been working on it but they have been very guarded on releasing any information. All we can do is wait until they release the plan.

Inter-island is not a contovercial or a challenge since they are part of the State of Hawaii and have really no cases at present so there is no danger in approving travel between islands without a quarantine. They should do that immediately and get it out of the controvercial mix which is opening up to tourists from outside the state.

 

[slip]

They are making decisions on that and have been for weeks. Mayor Caldwell mentioned that in his conference today. Inter-island will be first then if that goes well they will implement their plan for outside Visitors.

They have to be thinking ahead to try to minimize the economic impact also. They know that and have been working on it but they have been very guarded on releasing any information. All we can do is wait until they release the plan.


Inter-island is not a contovercial or a challenge since they are part of the State of Hawaii and have really no cases at present so there is no danger in approving travel between islands without a quarantine. They should do that immediately and get it out of the controvercial mix which is opening up to tourists from outside the state.

My main point was that they are working on the plan to opening Hawaii up to tourists but they are being guarded with the timeline. Just because the information isn’t made public doesn’t mean they are not working on it or they don’t have a plan.

If they are going to use testing and technology to allow visitors. It’s not too early, they have to work on it now because it will take a while.

 

[gdrj]

Governor says he will be extending quarantine beyond June 30th

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/...-outline-latest-steps-reopen-hawaiis-economy/