Hawaii Tourism Not Starting Up Until Late Summer

[corgi_monster]

Care to elaborate on this. a quick google search didnt really come back with anything

Here's a link to the article: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020...ouncing-testing-protocol-loosened-quarantine/

 

[JoshF]

This is a sobering read, and outlines why action is needed now to mitigate the forecast losses. https://uhero.hawaii.edu/wp-content...TheStateGovernmentRestoreFiscalBalance2-1.pdf

Expect also to pay higher accommodation tax, or a proposed $35/night COVID recovery fee, which is an interesting option. Germany actually cut the VAT from 19% to stimulate the economy, and on catering ie food/restaurant sales from 19 to 7%.

Good read here. Sounds like they want to tax tourists more. Hawaii is already super expensive. I wonder at what point the increased taxes will encourage people to spend vacation dollars elsewhere. Also, how about cutting government spending and making it more efficient...

 

[bavaria]

Some points I thought were interesting:

Next to more federal aid, responsibly re-opening businesses (including tourism) would begin to restore the state’s fiscal balance. Without substantial tourism recovery—which accounts for 30 to 35 percent of state tax revenues (pre-COVID-19)—it will be impossible to overcome the current fiscal crisis.

It has been suggested that economic diversification can be a solution to our current economic crisis. It cannot. An economy’s industrial structure tends to change very slowly. It took decades for Hawaii to diversify into tourism from sugar and pineapple production.

The proposal is about 15% of every hotel and short term rental/AirBNB stay. Or as they propose, start charging people for pickleball lessons. (I have no idea what that is, but it seems to be a thing for locals, who are already suffering so much) I do agree that the $1 to climb Diamond Head could be increased, and was surprised to see that earlier this year.

But as you note, they have to find the right balance of charging tourists vs locals, and cutting government spending vs relying on aid. If they don't, they risk a significant reduction in revenue from tourism, which may be a long term goal but will not aid in recovery in the short term.

The longer this goes on, the more likely people are to have already booked summer holiday plans. Even if they announce a plan to reopen on some date in July, for instance, they won't get that much interest. Also, resorts require significant lead time to reopen and prepare.

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

Some points I thought were interesting:

The proposal is about 15% of every hotel and short term rental/AirBNB stay. Or as they propose, start charging people for pickleball lessons. (I have no idea what that is, but it seems to be a thing for locals, who are already suffering so much) I do agree that the $1 to climb Diamond Head could be increased, and was surprised to see that earlier this year.

But as you note, they have to find the right balance of charging tourists vs locals, and cutting government spending vs relying on aid. If they don't, they risk a significant reduction in revenue from tourism, which may be a long term goal but will not aid in recovery in the short term.

The longer this goes on, the more likely people are to have already booked summer holiday plans. Even if they announce a plan to reopen on some date in July, for instance, they won't get that much interest. Also, resorts require significant lead time to reopen and prepare.

Agreed, there should be a distinction on how much to charge locals versus tourists for similar services. Perhaps, they should have kamaaina discount for locals and charge more to tourists. Even if they double or triple the fare, it will not discourage most tourists for services like diamond head, hanauma bay, Pearl Harbor and others.
They should steer away from increasing transient tax even in the short term as it may discourage the loyal tourists who may find alternative places to vacation and may not come back. Much rather have higher sales tax on add ones such as shopping and other amenities rather than on basics like food and lodging. They need to find a balance between generating additional revenue without alienating their tourists from returning for multiple stays. I think they can be creative. But, it will be a struggle for the next 12-18 months.

 

[bavaria]

Having snorkeled all over the world, Hanauma Bay was shocking to me when I went there 3 or 4 years ago. I arrived at the earliest time, went through the briefing, looked around and decided 'no thank you'. I've snorkelled in places like Kenya, the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Zanzibar, etc etc. I've also done a bit on Kauai, so thought that I should finally visit Hanauma Bay .

I don't know what can be done to save that place, but it was one of the saddest things I had seen in how the environment was treated. (I fully understand the locals enjoying time right now without tourists in the islands)

I'm not sure of the price structure but that was definitely something which could be vastly improved to find some way to balance demand and the environment.

 

[bcwife76]

Having snorkeled all over the world, Hanauma Bay was shocking to me when I went there 3 or 4 years ago. I arrived at the earliest time, went through the briefing, looked around and decided 'no thank you'. I've snorkelled in places like Kenya, the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Zanzibar, etc etc. I've also done a bit on Kauai, so thought that I should finally visit Hanauma Bay .

I don't know what can be done to save that place, but it was one of the saddest things I had seen in how the environment was treated. (I fully understand the locals enjoying time right now without tourists in the islands)

I'm not sure of the price structure but that was definitely something which could be vastly improved to find some way to balance demand and the environment.

I snorkelled in Hanauma Bay in 1994 during a high school senior trip and then again in 2002, both times it was fantastic! We tried to go on a trip in 2018 and even getting there early it was still completely overcrowded and.....well, we didn't snorkel that day, I can only imagine what the water looked like.

 

[Sepo]

Stay tuned.... announcement today.


https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/...ng-plan-travelers-part-effort-reopen-tourism/

 

[wisconsinmom]

Stay tuned.... announcement today.


https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/...ng-plan-travelers-part-effort-reopen-tourism/

I just watched part of the announcement. Hawaii opening 8/1 without a 14 day quarantine if you have a negative COVID test within 72 hours (I think) before flying. I wonder when Aulani will open!

 

[yowcruiser]

I just watched part of the announcement. Hawaii opening 8/1 without a 14 day quarantine if you have a negative COVID test within 72 hours (I think) before flying. I wonder when Aulani will open!

Well, we know it is no earlier than August 1st. The Aulani website was updated last night with information that bookings are available August 1st onward... could they wait an extra week or two... maybe... or maybe all the way to September as crowd levels would be going down a bit more naturally...

 

[montreid]

https://www.khon2.com/coronavirus/t...egative-for-covid-19-before-coming-to-hawaii/
Cross posted to other thread -- We have Aug 1 flight and Aulani dates -- so a few days to decide if cancel or push further back

 

[Sepo]

I just booked Kauai Rental for week 1. Airfare higher 8/1 relative to 7/31. Curious, can I fly in July 31, quarantine in hotel, then fly inter-island the next morning with papers in hand?

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

I just booked Kauai Rental for week 1. Airfare higher 8/1 relative to 7/31. Curious, can I fly in July 31, quarantine in hotel, then fly inter-island the next morning with papers in hand?

I would not arrive prior to Aug 1st if you want to avoid the 14 day mandatory quarantine. The order clearly states that for tourists arriving from Aug 1 can bypass the mandatory quarantine if they can show proof of the negative COVID pretest no earlier than 72 hours from the date of arrival. I bet airlines know that is the case and that no one will be traveling prior to Aug 1 unless you want to be subject to the mandatory 14 day quarantine.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Whilst I appreciate yesterday’s news is very welcome for most people - opening Hawaii on 1st August was the very worst news for me!

My flight from Seattle is on 1st August - I can’t be in Seattle for that flight as I am stuck in England with my flight to Seattle on 31/7 cancelled, plus no way I could get the testing etc done for the flight anyway!

I get the pressure on Hawaii to open, I’m just surprised considering how many of the mainland states are still having a rise in casss - makes me wonder what the point in closing the borders all this time was for, if the Hawaiian Governor just reopens them when things are actually looking worse on the mainland now?

 

[CopperCreekBear]

This is good news for our September trip, I think. But we are flying from the East coast and the the turn around times for the PCR swab testing for COVID seems to be taking like 4-6 days here. Ehhhh....

 

[McSmooth]

This is good news for our September trip, I think. But we are flying from the East coast and the the turn around times for the PCR swab testing for COVID seems to be taking like 4-6 days here. Ehhhh....

I'm sure the details will be coming in the next couple of weeks.

My gut says that part of the cost of getting a test will be some sort of "expedite fee" (just like with passports) so that the results are back in under 72 hours. I'm keeping an eye on the Alaska situation, since they have the same policy.

 

[BlueRibbon]

I'm sure the details will be coming in the next couple of weeks.

My gut says that part of the cost of getting a test will be some sort of "expedite fee" (just like with passports) so that the results are back in under 72 hours. I'm keeping an eye on the Alaska situation, since they have the same policy.

You're right, more details have to be coming regarding the testing and their supposed deal with CVS. That deal would have to include the expedition, like you mentioned.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

I'm excited for this announcement. I'm excited for all of you who've also been watching and waiting - as I have - to see if there's any possibility of Hawaii this year!

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

I'm sure the details will be coming in the next couple of weeks.

My gut says that part of the cost of getting a test will be some sort of "expedite fee" (just like with passports) so that the results are back in under 72 hours. I'm keeping an eye on the Alaska situation, since they have the same policy.

Agreed, we can learn from what AK has been doing. Also, paying for expedited tests seems a non issue as long as only a handful of states impose mandatory quarantine and it does not impact many people. But if there are tons of people who want to expedite their tests to travel, it could impact the people who actually have symptoms and are waiting for their results, who should be given priority. Perhaps, more testing centers will be opened in the next few months to alleviate these concerns as living with this virus will be continuing for at least the 12-18 months.

 

[bavaria]

Whilst I appreciate yesterday’s news is very welcome for most people - opening Hawaii on 1st August was the very worst news for me!

My flight from Seattle is on 1st August - I can’t be in Seattle for that flight as I am stuck in England with my flight to Seattle on 31/7 cancelled, plus no way I could get the testing etc done for the flight anyway!

I get the pressure on Hawaii to open, I’m just surprised considering how many of the mainland states are still having a rise in casss - makes me wonder what the point in closing the borders all this time was for, if the Hawaiian Governor just reopens them when things are actually looking worse on the mainland now?

It is certainly easy to have Schadenfreude and point to the US for poor decision making, but the reality is that every place had to try and manage. (And certainly if you are going to critique the US, look to your own backyard first perhaps?)

The reality is that Hawaii is being devastated now. The aid will not continue much longer, people are already suffering, and the leadership does not seem to have a plan in place. (Now would have been the time to work on plans for a sustainable tourism plan in future, for example, or announce if there will be local shut downs again like in Germany if the R0 or some other figure reaches XYZ. But we don't know if they are doing that)

Even if the borders 'open', they won't have the tourism levels anywhere near they had in February. Nor is it clear if they will even accept Japanese, Canadians, etc but those people may not be able to travel either in August.

Governments need to balance how to manage the virus, vs how to manage the economy. In many places globally, such as Tanzania, the Maldives, etc they have decided to open because the reality is that they cannot continue to remain closed.

Europe has opened for awhile, cases are up in places like Croatia, but the goal was never zero cases. So long as those can be controlled and managed, then life has to move forward and we need to continue to live.

I read other websites with a more diverse readership including small business owners in Hawaii, and much lower income than the very homogenized mix of readers here. While many of the business owners have been doing their best to continue, or find a way out, many are also coming to the realisation that they cannot even hold out til August.

I don't know the figures, but Hawaii has always struck me as a 'poor' state (I see parts that most tourists do not) and ultimately there has to be some way for the general population to have employment in the coming months.

 

[Galun]

I get the pressure on Hawaii to open, I’m just surprised considering how many of the mainland states are still having a rise in casss - makes me wonder what the point in closing the borders all this time was for, if the Hawaiian Governor just reopens them when things are actually looking worse on the mainland now?

The goal of the quarantine is really to buy time to establish a testing infrastructure so they can do targeted quarantine, and build surge hospital capacity to handle the increase in cases when the economy opens back up.

It was already beyond containment and the economy cannot be shut down indefinitely. So you do the best you can and adapt. Mainland states opening back up and then shutting down again partially is a normal response.