Hawai‘i COVID-19 News Update – July 9, 2021
Aloha,
Here’s the latest COVID-19 news and issues facing Hawai‘i that you need to know this week.
Hawai‘i loosens travel restrictions enabling visitors from the U.S. mainland to bypass pre-travel testing and quarantine with proof of vaccination.
- The new Safe Travels rules went into effect yesterday, resulting in long but fast-moving lines at Hawai‘i’s airports, with nearly 39,000 arrivals, according to Hawaiʻi News Now.
- Hawai‘i’s Safe Travels special projects administrator Sheri Kajiwara expects the change will result in an influx of visitors, saying, “Travel will probably increase. A lot of people are very anxious to get out and travel and Hawaii is, I think, one of the top three destinations that are safe.”
- On Maui, the Kahului airport is experiencing large crowds and long lines, with nearly 8,000 passengers flying in daily. Airlines are urging travelers to arrive at the airport 3 hours before their scheduled departure to account for long lines.
- The amended emergency rule also ends the Kauaʻi County’s resort bubble program as hotels enter full capacity and vaccine exemptions go into place.
Oʻahu restaurants now have the option to operate at full capacity if they require patrons to produce proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
- The new option went into effect Thursday as Oʻahu moves to Tier 5, but Hawaiʻi News Now reports it’s unclear how many restaurants will actually implement the new practice.
- Tier 5 rule changes also increased social gatherings group sizes to 25 people indoors and 75 outdoors, and restaurants can increase capacity to 75% while maintaining 6 feet of social distancing between tables.
- Restaurants have been vocal about the continued restrictions on their business, pointing out that raising restaurant capacity to 75% isn’t helpful if the social distancing is still in effect.
- Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the state agreed to the new rules for restaurants and bars as a “middle ground” option. “We were pushing for full capacity indoors for restaurants. But that said, at this time, we move forward and hopefully each and every day more people get vaccinated,” the Mayor added.
- Hawaii Restaurant Association chair Greg Maples celebrated the change, saying, “There were some really loud ‘chee-hoos!’ (after the rule was OK’d). We are very excited because this is one step to the complete reopening.”
- It’s unclear how the rule change will affect parties with keiki under 12 years old who aren’t eligible for a vaccine yet.
Hawaiʻi continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases – with nearly all cases coming from those who are unvaccinated.
- 98% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 statewide haven’t gotten the vaccine, according to Hilton Raethel, head of the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i.
- “There’s been 114 COVID deaths this year but not a single one of those was for an individual who is vaccinated,” Raethel told Hawaiʻi News Now.
- Currently, 58% of the state is fully vaccinated, with more than 1.7 million doses administered. However, Governor Ige has said he will not lift all COVID-19 restrictions until 70% of the population is vaccinated.
- Lt. Gov. Josh Green is lobbying for Gov. Ige to lift restrictions on August 6, when the Governor’s current emergency application expires.
- Green says that by that date, 65% of Hawaiʻi’s population should be vaccinated and when you add the other 5% of the population that has contracted the virus and recovered, you get the equivalent of 70% of the population being vaccinated.
Hawai‘i is seeing a high influx in visitors, and county-by-county leaders are working to address the surge.
- Overseas travel is still restricted to many U.S. travelers, making Hawaiʻi the next best option for many. But as the state grapples with rental car shortages and overcrowding on major roads and highways, many are concerned that the state isn’t equipped to handle such a demand.
- On Tuesday, Hawai‘i state lawmakers voted to override Gov. Ige’s veto of House Bill 862, which removes the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s main funding source, decreasing its budget by $19 million, while also taking $103 million in annual hotel tax revenue for the state. Additionally, each county will also be able to implement a tax of up to 3% on visitor lodging.
- Civil Beat reports the counties “are taking matters into their own hands” with new measures aimed at managing the flood of visitors on island roads and at beaches, protecting natural resources and more.
- Kauaʻi is considering a new visitor parking fee at overcrowded beaches to manage crowds and growing kamaʻāina concerns. The fee would not apply to residents, only visitors.
- On Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi County Council recently evaluated the pros and cons of defunding tourism promotion and using the money elsewhere.
- The Maui County Council adopted a ban on the construction of new hotels in south and west Maui last week, introducing the toughest measure yet on managing tourism on the island. The bill is now on the Mayor’s desk.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team