Both China and Japan seem to have virus infections under control, while mainland US is still a freaking mess of infections and large numbers of hotspots. Also, visitors from those countries are much more likely to wear masks, social distance and respect any quarantine imposed on them by the State of Hawaii. One cannot say the same about US citizens. So, it’s much safer to allow visitors from those countries than others US states.
A lot of countries are reopening to certain countries and not others due to caseloads. There are some city exclusions within countries in there too.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52853556
I think it’s intelligent for countries/states which have a handle on the virus to try to keep it that way.
Island nations/states are tricky to manage in a pandemic. On the one hand, they can easily seal off unlike their mainland counterparts. On the other hand, if infections spread on their islands, they don’t the resources and supplies necessary to cope due to logistics. The island nation of Maldives, for example, would require visitors to apply for special visa with document to show negative test result within a week of arrival, be tested again upon arrival and quarantined for up to 12 hours until the test result becomes available.
It would be an extremely tone deaf public relations move for Hawaii to deny U. S. citizens entry while allowing travelers from China or Japan. (And are China to US flights operating anyway?)
Flights are still happening, but only for essential business, not tourism or personal visits. I think this is just talk at this point. Without a waiver, how would that idea mesh with the federal travel restrictions… so all hat so to speak.
Would be a lot safer, though. People entering China have to stay for 2 weeks in a quarantine hotel. that’s what it takes to control this virus, it seems.
I would expect a lot of countries will not be wanting people from places where the virus is not well controlled to come for tourism. We do not have the virus under control here.
Visitors from the mainland can still enter HI but have to quarantine for 14 days. That would not apply to foreigners. Let’s just say this plan is DOA. If HI opens up to Japan without restrictions, there will be a lot of hurt. Things are not as rosy as Japan portrays them (per folks who do business there). And I would not trust one bit of “news” coming out of China.
They would still wear masks and social distance because they’ve complied with those rules before and they don’t attach any stigma (like being a wuss) to mask wearers.
I’d much rather be in a group of people from Asian countries than in a group of people from many of the states in the US.
Ahaha… did not see a single masked Chinese or Japanese tourist in HNL back in February when the virus was already here in the US. Hard to guess why? 
So, you think they won’t wear masks if they go to Hawaii?
The Asian New Yorkers were wearing them way before anyone else, starting in January.
New York in January v Honolulu in July. 
I think the plan posted above that requires double testing makes a lot of sense. A proof of negative test within a week prior to arrival plus a test on the spot; $200 would cover a GX or IDNow test. Proof of a return ticket and prepaid accommodations should also be required. People pay for travel vaccines that are usually not covered by medical insurance, so people will pay for this testing, too. This also could cut down on wild parties that like to travel on the cheap and pack a single hotel room…
So?
Do you think people in Asian countries have stopped wearing masks because it’s summer there, too?
Blame most of the US for not being able to abide by rules necessary to stop the thread, instead of Hawaii who who wants to keep the state from having outbreaks.
So far, all the people caught breaking HI’s 14 day quarantine have been people traveling from other states—no international visitors.
How are the visitors tracked though, to be caught breaking quarantine? Who catches the rule breakers and how is it publicized? Who is policing this?
Many of them were found on FB or other social media after posting pics on the beach or doing an activity. I think some hotels have turned in people who they notice are going in and out of their rooms.
Didn’t someone upthread mention single-use hotel keys? The front desk would assist the first time, but call the police on the second “escape?”
My son and his GF were thinking about trying to go to Hawaii as early as September, based on info. from a friend’s parents in the travel industry. We talked, and they agree it’s not a good time to go. We live on the east coast, so getting to Hawaii is a LONG flight, and if you wind up with a temperature or whatever and can’t stay, then what happens? Too much stress. Now they are hoping for January or later, but are in wait and see mode.
I am thinking of trying to rent a place for a family trip, or just for husband and me, someplace on the east coast later this summer. If things are looking good, then we’d go. If not, won’t be as big a loss. Travel is what we like to do now that the kids are relatively launched, so this is “hard” for us. (I know - very first world problem).
We had a three week trip planned to Hawaii for January 2021. We were just about ready to book it all when CV19 hit. This trip is now on hold…period.
We had planned to possibly meet friends in Italy in late September. That’s not happening either.
We still have plans to go to a wedding in CO in August, but that is iffy, and has been reduced to a long weekend instead of over a week.
We have rented a place in Ocean City NJ for mid-September. That’s a drive in our own car. We have a kitchen there, and all of our favorite places are doing carry out. We can still walk around the boardwalk (the shops had no real appeal anyway). We will not be able to dine in at restaurants most likely, but that’s ok. Unless things relax, we won’t be able to visit our cousins like we do each year. And this trip won’t be the same without a visit from a good friend for an overnight. ?