Critics wonder why Ige would ask visitors to stay away, but keep popular state attractions open

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The governor on Monday urged visitors to cancel their next trip to Hawaii amid the current COVID outbreak.

But he didn’t put any new restrictions in place.

And on Tuesday, the state said it would not close any of its tourist or recreation sites in an attempt to discourage tourists from coming.

Critics say it’s hypocritical for the state to keep popular tourist attractions like the Diamond Head State Monument, Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail, and Aloha Stadium Swap Meet open if it really wants to. that visitors do not come here.

Its mixed message, said Healani Sonoda-Pale, of Ka Lahui Hawaii.

Sonoda-Pale said the governors’ demand for potential visitors must be backed up with action.

Saying not to come to Hawaii is certainly not enough. It must … reinstate mandatory COVID-19 testing for (all) transpacific travel, she said.

But the governor said travel tests for those vaccinated were likely illegal.

The state also said it has no plans to close attractions like Diamond Head and Makapuu, but will coordinate with counties if closures are necessary.

When counties enforce restrictions, the state usually follows suit to minimize confusion over state / county facilities, parks and beaches, said Jodi Leong, spokesperson for the governor.

Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association CEO Mufi Hannemann said now is not the time to tell visitors to stay home. As arrivals in June and July rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, he said bookings for September and October would be low.

This is not a good message to send right now as we are doing our best to help the state recover economically, he said.

Despite appeals from governors, visitors contacted by Hawaii News Now said they had been vaccinated and said they were at little risk of spread.

People in our party are vaccinated so I felt pretty safe, said Alyssa Mirabal of Santa Fe, New Mexico, after hiking the Diamond Head Trail.

This is a trip that we have postponed since May 2020, we were delighted to be here. So I would be … disappointed if things were canceled or closed while they were here.

Visitor added Naomi Godfrey:

I’m excited to go and it’s nice to be able to travel right now. Were optimistic. Hopefully everything is open and we can get around and have some fun in Hawaii, she said.

Copyright 2021 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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