New Vaccine Passport Program-Lockdown Unlikely

[Drewski77]

Oahu announced a new Vaccine Passport Program that starts on September 13th and runs for 60 days.

To enter a restaurant, bar, movie theater, etc. you’ll need to show a picture or the hard copy of your vaccine card.

Seems to me that with this program coming, a lockdown of businesses seems unlikely in Oahu.

As we are vaccinated, we will likely keep our mid-September trip in place.

 

[DRussell83]

Excited for this development! Exactly four weeks for us

 

[Degli]

Wonder if this will apply to the spa? Don’t see that on the list for Oahu.

 

[corgi_monster]

Wonder if this will apply to the spa? Don’t see that on the list for Oahu.

It doesn't look like spas are affected. I guess that makes sense since you don't have a large number of people mingling in a spa. It's probably also hard to distinguish between medical spas, spas that offer salon services, spas that offer massages that are covered by health insurance vs. spas like Aulani that offer similar services aren't covered by insurance.

 

[corgi_monster]

lockdown of businesses seems unlikely in Oahu.

I agree with this 100%, but there is still talk of locking down beaches and parks. (Don’t let that ruin your vacation, though - more on that below.). Mayors on Maui and Hawaii have requested these closures but the Gov. has yet to approve the requests.

If Gov. Ige actually wants tourist to stay away, shutting down beaches seems like the best way to accomplish the goal without bringing back stricter, legally-questionable entry requirements. Would you spend $$$$ to come to Hawaii and not be able to go to the beach?

I’m going to get on my soapbox for a minute here:

Ocean access is considered a RIGHT here, not a privilege and is protected by HRS115. You can still swim/exercise/fish in the ocean if beaches are closed. You can’t sit on the sand, but you can sit above the vegetation line so long as that park/property is not off-limits. The Ko Olina lagoons are privately owned but state law still requires them to allow ocean access if beaches are closed. But how many tourists are familiar with Hawaiian ocean access law and know this? All they’ll hear is that beaches are closed. I used to work in commercial property development and preserving ocean access is extremely important to me because I’ve seen how both individuals and large companies with big $$$ have tried to restrict access and claim shoreline for their exclusive use. Bottom line is, know your rights if you find yourself traveling while beaches are closed.

Seems counter-intuitive to shut down outdoor areas. CDC says it’s safe to be outdoors and we’re supposed to be following the science, right? On the other hand, beaches/parks are where the locals gather, possibly unvaccinated, unmasked, with zero distancing, and the authorities can’t be everywhere. One drive past Kapiolani park on the weekend and it’s obvious that at least some locals are not complying with the 25 person limit. Closing beaches/parks could drive people to move their gatherings indoors to venues that require proof of vaccination/testing. Or, we could see an explosion of house parties. So damned if you do, damned if you don’t?

 

[OKW Lover]

We will be traveling with our vaccination records anyway so this isn't really a problem. I'll be sure to have a picture of it on my phone as well.

 

[corgi_monster]

We will be traveling with our vaccination records anyway so this isn't really a problem. I'll be sure to have a picture of it on my phone as well.

I‘m glad you decided to visit. I think I remember you mentioning another post that you had A LOT of points to lose.

 

[DRussell83]

I‘m glad you decided to visit. I think I remember you mentioning another post that you had A LOT of points to lose.

We are still coming! 9/27 with our vaccine cards in hand! Little nervous if they move forward with closing the beaches as we want to kayak to the sandbar in Kaneohe I believe…? But other than that we are so excited to go back to Aulani and go to Leonard’s right from the airport - I’ve been thinking about them since November!
I always appreciate your posts - some of the comments on the governors posts on Twitter are crazy - like crazy. And I have to remind myself that’s really not a representation of the island at all. thank you again for all the information you have provided the last year

 

[OKW Lover]

I‘m glad you decided to visit. I think I remember you mentioning another post that you had A LOT of points to lose.

Thanks. Yes, we will be there later in September. And yes, we are using A LOT of points.

 

[corgi_monster]

We are still coming! 9/27 with our vaccine cards in hand! ☺ Little nervous if they move forward with closing the beaches as we want to kayak to the sandbar in Kaneohe I believe…? But other than that we are so excited to go back to Aulani and go to Leonard’s right from the airport - I’ve been thinking about them since November!
I always appreciate your posts - some of the comments on the governors posts on Twitter are crazy - like crazy. And I have to remind myself that’s really not a representation of the island at all. thank you again for all the information you have provided the last year

I’m glad I can be of help. These boards have been so instrumental in planning my WDW and DL trips. I’m just glad I can contribute in some way instead of always being the clueless one asking whether strollers have to be folded on the skyliner.

You should be able to kayak to the sandbar if the beaches are closed. Just keep your ankles in the water and if DLNR/HPD come by, just explain that you’re kayaking as that falls under the umbrella of exercise

 

[Inga]

Ocean access is considered a RIGHT here, not a privilege and is protected by HRS115. You can still swim/exercise/fish in the ocean if beaches are closed.

I had watched a YouTube video that indicated last lockdown beaches were closed but it was perfectly fine to float around in the water on a floatee - probably because it’s hard to congregate in groups on a floatee!

 

[Drewski77]

I had watched a YouTube video that indicated last lockdown beaches were closed but it was perfectly fine to float around in the water on a floatee - probably because it’s hard to congregate in groups on a floatee!

I haven’t heard of a firm plan to close the beaches.

And if they are allowing restaurants to stay open, I really don’t see them closing the beaches.

I’ll be bringing all my swim gear anyway

 

[corgi_monster]

I had watched a YouTube video that indicated last lockdown beaches were closed but it was perfectly fine to float around in the water on a floatee - probably because it’s hard to congregate in groups on a floatee!

yup, as long as some part of your body is in the ocean, you’re good

 

[tankin]

Along with @corgi_monster said, I have a couple of friends who live on Oahu. One that used to post a picture of himself floating off Waikiki daily during the first lockdown (and pictures of HPD talking to people on the sand) after the pools were closed.

Almost always tagged with "don't lockdowns suck" just to rub it in to those of us that don't live in HI.

 

[corgi_monster]

No so

I haven’t heard of a firm plan to close the beaches.

And if they are allowing restaurants to stay open, I really don’t see them closing the beaches.

I’ll be bringing all my swim gear anyway

No firm plans, but the request to close beaches was submitted by the mayor to the gov for approval: https://www.khon2.com/coronavirus/h...sures-pre-travel-test-as-covid-19-cases-soar/

I can’t find the article, but one of the major news outlets reported Maui’s was waiting on a decision from the gov as well.

But, yes, bring your swim gear and enjoy the ocean you’ll be able to do that no matter what!