The Pandemic in Hawaii
(This write-up was originally published as a Facebook post on my Anne Warfield Photography page on May 4, 2020. I had just completed a 10-day travel photo challenge on Facebook; i.e., post 10 travel photos, 10 days in a row, no explanations and began wondering what life is like under a pandemic in some of the places I've been. An article written by Fodor's Travel about Hawaii - one of my favorite places to visit - crossed my feed, and I decided to share an overview of what I learned. With cities and countries slowly beginning to re-open, my curiosity has re-surfaced again. I've decided to research what the pandemic is like in other places where I've travelled and post those articles here. Read on to see my May 4 Facebook post about Hawaii. Click on the link at the end of the post to see the full Fodor's article.)
FB's travel photo challenge was fun to take part in, but it also had me wondering what life is like during the pandemic at some of my favorite travel destinations. I decided to do a little research and find out. Having been married on Maui and recently celebrating our 30th anniversary there, I decided to begin with Hawaii. So, for my fellow “wanderlusters”…
Hawaii instituted a mandatory 14-day "quarantine in place" for travelers on March 26, with stay-at-home orders for visitors and residents until May 30. Non-essential businesses are closed and lounging on beaches is forbidden. Unfortunately, many travelers are ignoring regulations and angering residents. As a state, Hawaii can’t shut down federal air travel, but residents have taken it on themselves to tell visitors they are not welcome by protesting at airports and along highways. “Hawaii is Closed” signs are a common site.
Yes, that means travelers are still trying to enter the state. Hawaii’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism and currently has the highest unemployment rate in the U.S. at 37%. Bargain hunting travelers may be thinking the state would find a way to welcome them, but it’s largely about resources. Hawaii has limited intensive care unit beds and ventilators, and all are on the island of Oahu. If you’ve been to the islands, imagine trying to travel from a remote location, like Hana (on Maui), then making your way to another island, while being in urgent need of a ventilator. As for every day goods and supplies, the islands rely on air transportation and weekly ship deliveries. They don’t have huge interstate highway systems and a vast number of large trucks to deliver goods, as the rest of the nation does. Surprisingly, Hawaii imports 90% of its food. Shortages of items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer began a full week before the shortages began on the mainland. Residents just don’t have enough items for their homes, much less for vacation rentals.
Read Fodor’s entire article about Hawaii and the coronavirus at: https://bit.ly/3fjYRz9
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