Currently, all Hawaii restaurants are open for indoor dining at 50 percent capacity, though dining is limited to parties of five people per table and masks must be worn at all times except when actively eating or drinking. Like the . We know people are going to gather to celebrate the New Year, and we want to ensure that if they do, that they do so outdoors, where its safe, said Mayor Mitch Roth, according to Big Island Now. The Conversation Starting Nov. 12: Eased Restrictions Outdoors at High Risk Businesses In two weeks' time, Hawaii will also increase indoor gathering limits from 10 to 25 people and increase outdoor gathering limits from 25 to 75 people. Limits on outdoor activities are also considered to be ineffective. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. However, they should be wearing masks while not actively eating or drinking. HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Some 20 months after his first COVID-related emergency proclamation, Gov. On March 4, 2021, the state changed the process for . Bars . (It's not entirely clear to me whether this half-capacity cap supersedes the indoor gathering limits bars and restaurants are also supposed to comply with. All rights reserved. Take it outside: Its safer to gather outside in the fresh air than inside your home. As of July 1, 2021, the HOLO Card will replace 'TheBus' pass. Participants should wear masks whenever they are indoors and if its difficult to maintain physical distancing. David Ige announced. Hawaii is tightening its COVID-19 restrictions amid an increase in cases, but the state is holding off on changing tourist entry requirements. Hawaii's Top Hotels, Resorts, B&Bs, & Vacation Rentals, Hawaii's Best Sights, Attractions, & Adventures, What's Open, Closed, and Reopening Soon in Hawaii. Mingling between parties is expressly prohibited. This includes the Safe Travels program for mainland, and international travelers, and the indoor mask mandate. On a going forward basis, we still have our public safety, our public health, as top of mind, but the time has come. Physical distancing of 6 feet is still required in public settings, and 3 feet for schools. Some mandates, however, remain in place. Though replacing the 50% capacity limit with the 6-foot distancing rule will help Dave & Busters, Shimabukuro said, it doesnt benefit small restaurants at all. All inter-island travel restrictions including testing and quarantine requirements will end on June 15, 2021. Sheryl Matsuoka, executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said full capacity at restaurants couldnt have come at a better time. Additional information on Hawaii's policy for vaccinated travelers can be found in our article: For news, updates, and headlines related to COVID-19 and travel within and to Hawaii, we've created a new page dedicated to the, Castle Resorts and Hotels Waimea Country Lodge, Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Hoomaluhia, Hawaii'srentalcar fleet decreased by more than 40% during the pandemic, which is understandable as travel to the islands effectively groundto a halt for an entire year. Hawaii Puts New COVID Restrictions on Bars, Restaurants, Gatherings Please keep in mind that your wait time may be longer than expected in some instances. "We need to be able to have 3-foot distancing for dining, that will allow us to increase our dining capacity." Increasing capacity would. PDF Official Summary of Indoor Dining Restrictions by State Updated on July Attractions, Dining, and Entertainment in Hawaii , Hawaii Rental Cars Notice & TransportationOptions , Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Hawaii COVID Testing Requirements & Test Procedures , Hawaii COVID-19 Travel News & Headlines , Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu - Autograph Collection, The Point at Poipu - Diamond Resorts International, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residencesat Hokuala, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, The Royal Hawaiian - a Luxury Collection Resort, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki, Grand Wailea Maui - A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Polo Beach Club - A Destination Residence, Castle Resorts & Hotels Halii Kai At Waikoloa, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Autograph Collection, Roberts Hawaii Kauai Airport Transfer Service, Roberts Hawaii Maui Airport Transfer Service, Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability, Details and thorough information on Hawaii's pre-travel testing for both trans-Pacific and inter-island travel can be found on our, More information on the current COVID-19 rules & restrictions, including for each Hawaiian county/island, can be found on our updated page for. The offices closure and long response times led to frustration over the course of the pandemic, but on Wednesday things went smoothly. On Tuesday, Hawaii Gov. Here are the COVID-19 rules for social gatherings and events on every The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. What You Need to Know About Counties in Hawaii - Hawaii Magazine Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings. Ige, lifts distancing requirements for restaurants, bars starting Dec. 1. The following information is some of the information they shared with us last year We will continue to monitor the situation with rentals cars in Hawaii closely and update this section accordingly. Rules ranged from social gathering limits to requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result to enter restaurants and bars. Ige eased COVID rules across the state Tuesday. The county was the first in the state to begin easing restrictions as the winter surge of omicron cases fell. Another thing that isn't coming back so fast is cruise ships. Hawaii dropped its statewide mask mandate for indoor settings in late March. Rightfully, they worry that relaunching tourismas cases surge on the mainland, no lesswill result in a spike of coronavirus cases on the islands. We will continue to update these lists as we learn more about each property's plans for re-opening. Here's a link to each cruise line in Hawaii so you can check their individual plans: Have a Cruiseline update we should know about? Instead of renting a vehicle, please see the following list of alternate transportation options below, provided by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, that you may want to consider while in Hawaii. When kindly reminded by our volunteers about the mask mandate and handed a mask, weve been met with expletives, the middle finger, and even screaming.. "We need to find an equilibrium between the safety and health of our community, and addressing the damage caused by the high rates of unemployment," says a hotel refurbishment contractor based on Oahu, who asked to remain anonymous. Youll still be allowed to fly, but will be subject to a quarantine upon arrival in Hawaii until proof of a negative test is uploaded to the Safe Travels portal. For emergencies, dial 911. Christian Britschgi According to Governor Ige, the state of Hawaii will drop the current 'Safe Travels' program for domestic travelers at midnight on March 25, 2022. Find more information on vaccine and testing sites at hawaiicovid19.com. Nightclubs, large indoor and outdoor venues, and road races will remain closed. | Best gifts for the graduate with travel plans, Jordan Taamu leads D.C. to XFL championship game, Heavy showers fell for portions of the state, New storm to increase showers and keep winds light, Light and variable winds to replace trades by Sunday, Scattered showers continue to fall following storm, Drier conditions return behind of cold front, Texas baseball player hit by gunfire during game, One person dead in officer involved shooting on Molokai, Iam Tongi needs your votes on American Idol, Kapahulu Ave. closed for motor vehicle collision, HFD saves 2 family pets but 2 others die in Waikk, Another deadly weekend on Oahus roadways takes 3, White Lotus effect: Destinations to avoid this, Severe conditions cancel TahitiFree Surf Fete, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Best Mothers Day Gifts for moms obsessed with books, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A veritable homecoming for the eco-driven, plant-loving 1 Hotels brand. As of Jan. 15, 2022, individuals 12 and up must have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to enter indoor food establishments, fitness centers, cultural and entertainment facilities. Without changing the six foot social distancing guideline, since most of the restaurants in Hawaii do not have outdoor seating, it really doesnt help the restaurants any, in terms of helping them increase the capacity to be able to serve more customers at any given time.. HRA wants the distancing requirement cut in half. The indoor mask mandate will now end the same day. Hawaii's re-opening has honestly been an evolving processwith numerous changes and ongoingupdates. Maui County to require eligible patrons at restaurants, gyms to show #BREAKING Hawaii County has reduced the indoor gathering limit to 10 as COVID-19 cases continue to surge statewide. Businesses also no longer have to keep contact information for customers. It's plausible the situation in Hawaii will get worse soon. "Most of the travelers we've encountered recently don't appear to care about COVID-19 or our emergency mandate, adds Keen, who is a COVID-19 survivor herself. Ige's order is supposed to end on October 13, unless the governor chooses to extend it. We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. No 6 foot distancing, 100% capacity and as long as theyre either vaccinated and or tested coming to the establishment, they can sit in the establishment, said Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino. The carrentalshortage is not limited to the Hawaiian Islands; it is also happening at major vacation destinations. Hawaii residents and businesses frequently use these work vehicles to move their belongings to new homes and offices and other essential personal tasks. Aspects of the state's Safe Travels program will remain in place. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Our volunteerssome of whom are airport screenershave witnessed droves of visitors arriving at the airport with masks on their chins, crowded closely next to each other, she adds. Increasing capacity would eliminate long lines and long wait times for diners and benefit Hawaiis economy. "We have animals and plants that exist nowhere else in the world, that's how special this place is. Remember, when possible, maintain physical distance between you and your co-workers. allowing travelers to forgo its mandatory 14-day quarantine, directly or indirectly related to tourism. to local services like health resources, Mother arrested for leaving children home alone to go to gym, police say, MPD: Molokai police officer shoots suspect armed with machete, 70-year-old pedestrian killed in Kalihi after being struck by vehicle, Drag story hour at park continues despite protesters, Hawaii is one of the country's biggest producers of honey and queen bees, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. Contact her at news@hawaiipublicradio.org. Travel to Hawaii during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go The county is reopening three camping sites and most community centers with capacities of up to 300 people. A spokesperson for the Governor said the mandate also allows unvaccinated patrons to dine outdoors without a negative test as long as it is not required by the county. In the midst of a global pandemic, the best way to keep yourself and others safe is to simply stay home. Do not share these items between employees unless instructed by your supervisor or workplace. Gov. Ige, lifts distancing requirements for restaurants, bars starting Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. In the Summer of 2021, the Hawaii Tourism Authority's (HTA) President and CEO, John De Fries,notified travel publishers of additional information regarding the rental car shortages in Hawaii, currently caused by increasing demand as tourism rebounds in Hawaii post-pandemic. However, outdoor activities are beginning to re-open. The news comes on the heels of the state's decision to ease capacity restrictions at bars and restaurants that require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter Honolulu and Maui. Hawaii Inter-island travel. Mask Up in Common Areas: It is strongly recommended everyone wear a mask in common areas and where it is difficult to maintain physical distance. Generally speaking, most state and national parks are open at this time. | In addition, you can help and increase the enjoyment of others by observing the following rules. David Ige, a. Mahalo! More information can be found at oneoahu.org/safe-oahu-response-plan. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. We've compiled a list of all the major Hawaii resorts, hotels, b&b's, inns, and attractions that have already reopened or plan too soon, and their reopening dates when applicable. A bill that would determine the future of the Hawaii Tourism Authority heads to conference to be heard by lawmakers Friday morning. Please also practice physical distancing, but facemasks are not required outdoors any longer. . Restaurants, bars, gyms and other social establishments are required to scale back indoor capacity to 50%, according to new statewide restrictions that Gov. From the May 2023 issue, 2022 Reason Foundation | By, Hawaii indoor mask mandate and Safe Travels program end, You can order free COVID tests from the government again, Dogs sniff out COVID in students, staff at Seabury Hall, FDA approves emergency use for first rapid COVID-19 test developed in Hawaii, Tracking the impact of U.S.-China tensions on global financial institutions, 'A tragedy that makes you laugh': HBO's 'White House Plumbers' revisits Watergate, 'I'll lose my family.' Wearing a mask is required by law when entering an essential business, participating in most activities, traveling on public transportation, and when outdoors, if you cannot maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from others (including members of your household). It's become easier to visit the islandsbut there are still county-specific restrictions, testing requirements, and local reactions to consider before making the trip. The governor said restaurants will also . But other locals argue it's not as simple as shutting visitors out. Derrick Malama is the local anchor of Morning Edition. These rule changes come as the. Social gathering cap has been raised to 40 people indoors and 100 outdoors. Prior restrictions included a social gathering limit of 10 indoors, the closure of large event venues, and physical distancing. David Ige's latest emergency proclamation, restaurants, bars and gyms will be allowed to operate at full capacity statewide. It was an appropriate time. Kauai county says it will continue rules for professionally managed events and limits on social gatherings, but no other rules are expected. Please visit theNational Park Service (NPS)website for more information. Especially for the smaller locations that arent corporate driven, to survive the rest of this year.. Indoor capacity at those establishments, as well as gyms and other "high-risk" activities, is limited to 50 percent. Hawaii will lift restrictions on bars, restaurants, and more this week, allowing each island to implement its own rules going forward, the state's Gov. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Private businesses may still choose to institute a vaccine or testing requirement. More information can be found at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. But I'd rather you come when it's safer for everyone.". The company allegedly sold misbranded and unregistered sanitization products. Governor Ige continues to urge people to continue taking precautions. Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning. But the Hawaii Restaurant Association said more needs to be done. Please travel safely and keep an eye on ourHawaii Travel Requirementspage for more information. The mandate came to an end the same day as Hawaii's Safe Travels program expired. And there are folks still looking for work. Youll also be allowed to fly, but are required to quarantine in your hotel room or lodging for 14 days upon arrival in Hawaii. But it still requires restaurants to have six foot distancing between groups for indoor seating. This new limit is in effect until January 28, 2022. These shortages havepersisted into 2022. If you're thinking of visiting Hawaii in the coming months, here's everything you need to know before bookingso you can visit safely and responsibly. Mahalo! Kauai is also increasing its gathering limits to 40 people indoors and 100 outdoors. The state has been averaging one COVID death a day for the past several months. We recognize that this, unfortunately, causes confusion to potential travelers, and we are continuing to monitor this situation closely. Casey Harlow is an HPR reporter and occasionally fills in as local host of Morning Edition and All Things Considered. More information can be found at mauicounty.gov. Gov. Vaccine or negative testing requirements will also remain in place for state executive and county workers, as well as state contractors and visitors. Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai counties have all repealed their remaining COVID-19 restrictions. HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Wednesday, Oct. 27, announced a phased reopening plan that lifts COVID gathering restrictions for indoor and outdoor managed events on Oahu,.