Hawai’i Travel News: State Begins Reopening for Interisland and Out-of-State Travelers + More Travel News

With so many changes to travel in and to Hawai‘i currently happening, it can be difficult to keep up with everything as it happens. As July, a typically busy travel month, begins, here is some of the most important Hawai‘i travel news, particularly news that is important to Hawai‘i Island residents.

Current State of Hawai‘i Travel

Interisland travel and health forms now available online. These mandatory forms can now be submitted online within 24 hours of departure.

Of course, the biggest news since interisland travel reopened is that August 1 is the big day that we will be “welcoming” the return of out-of-state travelers:
Hawaii officials and the tourism industry get ready for the return of out-of-state travelers

Officials are working on a new marketing campaign for COVID-era tourists that most of them will promptly ignore:
Travel officials work on messaging campaign to inform visitors of state rules

Sadly, there has not been enough of an economic boost to limit travel to interisland for a while so that residents can enjoy the islands without the extra visitors:
Lifting of interisland quarantine brings slight boost to Hawaii’s tourism industry

Big Islanders can create their own staycation with a classic camping trip once some of the best beaches for camping reopen on July 13 and August 1:
Kim authorizes swimming pools, bars, campsites to reopen

Boats are now able to reopen for leisure activities on Big Island:
COVID-19 Rules Relaxed for Commercial, Recreational Boats

It’s a bummer if you’re visiting Maui soon, but Hana Highway may be closed for a couple more weeks (and who can blame them for wanting to keep it restricted?):
Maui’s mayor urges Gov. Ige to delay reopening Hana Highway

Hāna Highway Checkpoint Remains in Place Today as County Awaits Governor’s Response

National publications reflecting on Hawai‘i Tourism:

When Travel Restarts, Hawaiians Are Hoping for a More Respectful Future

Hawaii Has Serious Tourism Problems and COVID-19 Has Shown Us Just How Bad it Is

Hawai‘i Airline News and Information

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is back to their usual published rates, with roundtrip prices from ITO and KOA to HNL at $78. Fridays are the most expensive days to fly at $118 roundtrip. As usual, flying last minute will end up costing more. Learn more about their current cleaning procedures and safety precautions here, as well as their current flight schedules here.

Mokulele Airlines + Makana Kai Air

As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, two of the smallest airlines that operate in Hawai‘i have announced a merger. Mokulele and Makana Kai Airlines will be joining together in an attempt to strengthen the two airlines that share similar routes, and have added new non-stop flights between Honolulu and Lana’i City. Mokulele does not have a direct flight from KOA to HNL, but flights to OGG are a good option with Mokulele. It also makes a great choice when flying from Maui to Moloka‘i. Inter-island flights are filling up quickly with this airline, so don’t wait too long to book your flights.

Southwest Airlines

For the best deal from ITO and KOA to HNL, you’ll want to fly Southwest Airlines. One-way rates start at $39 during the week, jumping to $59 on Friday and Sunday, and $49 on Saturdays. Since Southwest doesn’t have assigned seating, it’s a bit easier to space yourselves from other travelers, as well. Don’t forget that bags and surfboards fly for free.

In addition, KHON2 recently reported on a conversation with Southwest Airlines about their return to “normal”: “Last month, we had set August 1 as the date we would resume our pre-COVID level of service for Hawaii and that now appears to align with the modification of restrictions for travelers inbound to the State. In addition to resuming all of our previous flying, we’ll also begin new service from Honolulu to San Diego on August 1, and we will increase our service between Honolulu and Kahului from 4 to 6 flights a day, in each direction. All Southwest Customers receive pre-trip communication specific to their intended destination and that will include any requirements and restrictions they should know about before making the trip. On May 1, we started communicating aggressively our Southwest Promise.”

This is definitely good information to know if you’re considering flying with American Airlines any time soon:
American Airlines Ditches Social Distancing, Will Book Planes at Full Capacity

Don’t forget to fill out those mandatory travel forms! To save time and headache, print and complete the form before traveling.

Hawai‘i Hotel & Vacation Rental News & Information

Keep track of which Hawai‘i hotels are offering the best rates and packages for kama’aina at our ongoing Hawai‘i Kama’aina Discounts for travel list.

Delta Airlines created this great list of which hotels are reopening to out-of-state travelers and when:

Hawaii Hotel & Resort Reopenings

Lots of Hawaiian hotels are letting go of or extending furloughs for their employees:

Trump International Hotel latest in list of hotels extending furloughs for hotel workers

The unions are trying their best to protect hotel workers, even if most hotels aren’t:

Union expresses concern about hotel worker safety – Honolulu, Hawaii news, sports & weather

Hundreds of hotel workers get tested ahead of welcoming back visitors

Maui Hotel News:

Maui hotel workers demonstrate for worker safety, reopening

Big Island Hotel News:

Kim clarifies vacation rental reopening

Oahu Hotel News:

Oahu vacation rental restrictions remain as other counties ease up

Sustainable Hawai‘i Travel News

As travel picks back up and the arrival of hordes of tourists is imminent, now is the time for Hawai‘i residents to think about how they can set a good example by treating the ‘aina, including its animals, with respect. The easiest way to do that is to exhibit good behavior when it comes to not touching or harassing animals at the beach, especially the Hawaiian monk seals that are enjoying the reduced human traffic. When out-of-state travel resumes, it’s critical that residents model the behavior that we expect of visitors.

Two Unleashed Dogs Threaten Monk Seal Pup

State warns ATV riders to stay away from Hawaii island beach with newly weaned monk seal pup

Sadly, until we all take sustainable travel seriously, these headlines highlighting how nature is bouncing out with a lessened human presence will emphasize a time that we won’t likely see again.

Study: Without crowds, bigger fish back at Molokini

Reef health at a Kauai beach shows signs of improvement

And hopefully our elected officials start taking tourism sustainability more seriously and there are more bills and actions like this to come:
Bill would increase Hanauma Bay’s visitor entry price to $10 but free for residents

Note: While I strongly believe that travel should be affordable for everyone and do not consider pricing everything even higher than it already is as a sustainable travel solution, I do think that $10 per out-of-state visitor is a completely reasonable price that can potentially be beneficial.

Have ideas about how Hawai‘i (as a state and an island) can implement more sustainable tourism practices? We want to hear your ideas! Email us at [email protected] to talk story.

Other Hawai‘i Travel News

Oahu Travel News:

Blue Note Hawaii to reopen with concerts by Hapa and Beat-Lele

Maui Travel News:

Haleakalā National Park Restarts Sunrise Reservations

Expeditions Lāna‘i Ferry Resumes Operations Today

Sadly, one of Maui’s top tourist destinations announced that it is closing indefinitely. Maui Tropical Plantation, as well as The Rolling Mill, is closing indefinitely. They give some indication that they might reopen in the future, but for now you should go ahead and cross it off of any itineraries.