Our Xmas plans had been that the Portland branch of the family would, as usual, drive down and spend about 10 days seeing us and our sil’s other immediate family members. Their 3-yr old’s school rules about quarantining after travel put an end to that.
The SF branch had gone to Hawaii, to the Big Island, and had planned to return on the 22nd. On the 19th, we received a call from our other sil that because of what would be a very truncated holiday celebration and the fact that SF was tightly locked down, they had extended their stay. They had bought tickets for us to join them, as a Xmas gift. They had even made appointments for us for the required covid testing.
United was very meticulous about health safety. In addition to needing to show proof of a negative test, we had temps taken. There were hand sanitizer packets readily available, and seats in the boarding area were marked for social distancing.
Hawaii is taking the pandemic seriously. Upon arrival, we needed to show our health documents, again, have a quick result covid test, and get temps taken. Almost everyone we observed was masked. Restaurants are open, with appropriate space between tables; and stores are limiting the numbers inside.
We had been to the big island before, but my daughter found many new things for us to do, including visits to Akaka Falls state park, and a tour of an octopus research facility (really fascinating!). We spent one day in Hilo, where we toured a local history museum. An excellent patisserie provided the dessert for our Xmas dinner the next day. Our sil and grandson went horseback riding one day, while we and our daughter poked around the nearby town. There was beach time, with scuba for the younger folks. They also had toured a honey-producing farm before we arrived.
I can’t comment much on prices, since we did not pay for air fares or the house rental. However. I did pay to fill the car once; and the price, a little over $3/ gallon, was very comparable to that in the SF Bay Area. Restaurant prices also did not seem exorbitant, especially considering there were many fresh fish offerings.
Every time (3) we have visited Hawaii, I like it more and look forward to the next trip.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20168 posts
United was very meticulous about health safety. In addition to needing
to show proof of a negative test, we had temps taken. There were hand
sanitizer packets readily available, and seats in the boarding area
were marked for social distancing. Hawaii is taking the pandemic
seriously. Upon arrival, we needed to show our health documents,
again, have a quick result covid test, and get temps taken. Almost
everyone we observed was masked. Restaurants are open, with
appropriate space between tables; and stores are limiting the numbers
inside.
American did not check my COVID test documentation, possibly because its not a requirement to enter Hawaii, its only a requirement to avoid the 14 day quarantine. So, for instance someone could be returning home and be planning to stay inside for two weeks; so no test necessary. Ufkak, correct me if I am wrong on this.
American had no social distancing getting on or off the plane. Yes, the did announce that we would be getting on and off by rows, but they made no attempt to practice it.
Upon arrival I simply had to show my email from the state of Hawaii on my cell phone and then I walked on in. Took 30 seconds (very well run), no additional test, no temperature.
I needed to produce the email again when checking into my apparently overpriced hotel, then it was never asked for again. The rules also state that each night you have to log in and answer some questions. There was only one question: are you self-quarantining? Well, no, its not required. So each night I answered no.
Each bar and restaurant and what ever, also required you fill out a form for contact tracing. Basically name, phone number and where you are staying. Easy and no imposition. Social distancing inside bars and restaurants was about the equivalent of what is going on in Texas.
Cost of Living Indexes; only to give some clues as to why two people might see something like "cost" differently. I never realized how important this context was when reading someone say some place was "reasonable" or "expensive" or "cheap". I guess Hawaii can be cheap to many.
My Home Town 89.7
Houston 96.5
Dallas 101.6
Chicago 106.9
Miami 107.3
NYC 112.6
San Diego 160.1
Seattle 172.3
Los Angles 173.3
Honolulu 176.5
San Francisco 269.3
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Cost of living/CPI reports are based on an assumed "market basket". I would be interested on knowing the make-up of apparel in a Hawaiian market basket. For some folks apparel could be a couple pair of shorts and a stack of tee-shirts with a pair of jeans for dress up events. No need for winter fleeces and snow boots.
Posted by
OP
Portland
3643 posts
@ufkak
Yes, United checked our covid test report. Also, our neighbor had reservations for a flight to Maui with a friend. They both had been tested, but the friend’s results never arrived. Southwest did not let them board; but since SW. has no fee to change, she was able to get the report and fly out the next day with no additional cost.
@James
It’s no surprise that the Bay Area is so much more expensive than other parts of the country. We just grin and bear it. You should see what house prices are like. Some of us believe it is worth the premium we pay.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20168 posts
You should see what house prices are like. Some of us believe it is
worth the premium we pay.
No argument, it's a beautiful place.
Ufkak, I feel violated!! No complaints, not always a bad thing.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4602 posts
what a great sil!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2404 posts
hey hey rosalyn
what a great trip and fun family. Did you stay in kailua kona or waikoloa?
never heard of the octopus research facility or the honey farm. things have changed aimed at tourists now. the big island has boomed with more and more people flying there to enjoy vacations.
when you do plan to go again, send me a message and i'll give you more off the beaten path adventures for your gang. i had my trip to spend time with family planned in may 2020 for a month, of course a no go. i'm on hold until i get a vaccine and feel more comfortable, along with my family taking time off. nice trip report thanks
aloha
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Follow the COVID entry rules and don't try bribes in Hawaii. Two for Louisiana tried:
https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/two-Hawaii-tourists-arrested-after-bribe-attempt-15961186.php
Two tourists were arrested last Friday after they allegedly tried to
bribe an airport screener at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in
Honolulu.Officials said that Johntrell White, 29, of Simmesport, La., and Nadia
Bailey, 28, of Baton Rouge, La., arrived in Hawaii without COVID-19
test results, triggering a required 10-day quarantine. White then
allegedly offered an airport screener $2,000 to enter without
requiring quarantine, and Bailey allegedly offered the screener an
additional $1,000 to allow them both to enter.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2404 posts
hey hey
@Edgar mahalo
i read about this incident with a LOL moment. don't mess with hawaii and Covid-19. it totally amazes me what people will do. just like in florida, 2 women dressing as "grannies" to get their 2nd vaccines. the "all about me world" and not caring about the 65+ age groups/health issues so frustrated just to get an appointment. i got my first shot on friday and second will be on march 27. signed up online with the county and took about one month but i was patient.
with their trespassing violation warnings, do they have to return to hawaii or pay the fees.
by the way, loved the music video. brought back lots of memories and to see the old time musicians and up an coming ones.
aloha