This is why Hawaii isn’t ready to reopen to visitors. It’s because visitors easily circumvent the Hawaii quarantine orders! And State officials claim they’re already doing everything they need to, to protect Hawaii.
The other day, Hawaii News Now released a rather scathing report concerning visitors circumventing Hawaii’s quarantine orders. The story comes from an investigation conducted by the Kauai County Prosecutor’s Office.
During their investigation, Kauai Prosecutors found that screening at Hawaii’s airports isn’t consistent. As a result, some visitors arrive with a connecting ticket to another island, don’t get screened, and totally avoid quarantine. That’s totally not ok. It not only puts residents at risk but other travelers too.
Vacation Rental Operators Also Circumventing the Law
It isn’t just visitors that are circumventing the law. According to the Kauai County Prosecutor’s Office, vacation rental operators are just as guilty. Why? Because Kauai County is imposing a 180-day minimum for rental contracts. However, vacation rental operators are writing 180-day contracts, letting visitors stay a week or two, then allows them to cancel the remainder of the contract and moves onto the next guest. That’s not how this is supposed to work either.
State Officials Push Back
Previously, State Officials stated that its the county’s responsibility to enforce the quarantine orders. And, the counties have been doing what they can to do so. It appears, at least to me, that it is the State that isn’t doing enough. Especially since they’re letting so many visitors slip through the cracks at the point that it’s easiest to control – our airports.
When questioned by Hawaii News Now, Hawaii’s Attorney General, Clare Conners acknowledged that quarantine enforcement isn’t perfect. However, she states that beyond screening at the airports, her agents also call people to make sure they’re their, and do random checks to aid in enforcement.
As many residents have noted, though, the calls don’t appear to do anything, and aren’t always made. And, of course, the random checks seem to be virtually non-existent.
Visitors Circumvent Hawaii Quarantine Orders, Final Thoughts
The fact that visitors can so easily dodge quarantine today shows why Hawaii isn’t ready to reopen to tourism. The State can’t even handle the 500 to 700 daily visitor arrivals we’re seeing today. What makes them think they can handle even double or triple that number? Add to that the fact that the single largest source of visitors for Hawaii, California, is now the new US epicenter and we’ve got a potentially very risky situation on our hands. And that’s why, I feel, many in Hawaii have lost faith in our government officials to keep us safe and their ability to reopen the state to tourism in a responsible manner.
Will we be ready come September 1? I doubt it. And many others in Hawaii, include some mayors, seem to agree.