After a detailed analysis of our current situation and the current status of COVID travel restrictions, the Board has found a way to reduce the September dues by $287 instead of the $100 reduction announced earlier. We will look at the numbers again to see if an additional further reduction will be possible for the October dues.
Thank you to Faye Fernandez, Dave DiMare, Chris Gampon and Marianne Thesken!
INTERISLAND TRAVEL
NEW UPDATE: Effective Tuesday, August 11, the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine will be reinstated for anyone traveling interisland.
The State of Hawaii mandatory interisland travel and health form can now be submitted online within 24 hours of flight departure. This upgrade adds efficiency to the passenger verification process, helps save travelers time and allows information to enter the database in real-time. The form includes health and contact information needed to trace close contacts should a passenger become ill.
Ticketed passengers are encouraged to visit the Hawaii Department of Health travel website to find the digital fillable travel and health form. Once all the required questions have been completed and it is signed and submitted, the passenger will receive an email with a QR code. They should bring the code with them to the airport, either on an electronic device (preferred) or printed. The form may not be completed or submitted outside of the 24-hour time frame. (Please Note: Certain browsers such as Safari and Explorer are slow loading and Chrome is best). Travelers can also download the form in advance, fill it out and print it, and bring it with them to the airport or fill it out at the airport.
Passengers with a temperature of 100.4 or above are not allowed to fly.
With COVID-19 cases rising exponentially — including 152 cases and two deaths today — Gov. David Ige imposed a partial 14-day quarantine on interisland travel and approved the closure of all Oahu state and county parks and beaches.
At a news conference this afternoon, the governor announced he would reinstate the quarantine for all interisland travelers, although he added that details his order were still being developed.
Later, after talking to Attorney General Clare Connors, Ige decided to approve the inter-island travel quarantine only for travelers arriving on the counties of Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and Kalawao on Molokai.
The quarantine requirement applies to anyone traveling to these islands. The period of self-quarantine will begin immediately upon arrival and last 14 days or the duration of the person’s stay on the island, whichever is shorter.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, appearing with the governor at the virtual press conference, said the closures are necessary to crackdown on large gatherings, a key source of coronavirus spread.
Caldwell said the parks and beaches will be closed effective Saturday at 12:01 a.m. through Sept. 5. He said the public can traverse the park to access the ocean and use the restrooms.
The public can also access four voter ballot dropboxes located at public parks through Saturday. Team sports will no longer be allowed in public parks through Sept 5.
Caldwell, who closed Oahu bars last week, said there will increased enforcement on bars that remain open while operating as restaurants.
Honolulu Police Department Chief Susan Ballard also announced a new COVID-19 enforcement hotline starting Sunday at 10 a.m. Ballard added that 160 officers islandwide will step up to conduct enforcement and urged the public to call 723-3900 to report any violators.
Ige said the state was initially successful in keeping the daily counts low.
“But as we reopened our community, people let their guard down,” he said. “It’s been very disappointing, and I hate it when I see people not wearing masks, gathering in public places at the beach and the parks partying with no regard to the health and safety of our community.”
