In Hawaii, the spirit of aloha normally greets visitors with warmth and welcome. Now, while the state has discouraged visitors by requiring them to self-quarantine for 14 days, that culture of generosity might extend to a free return ticket home.With a $25,000 grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority,
In Hawaii, the spirit of aloha normally greets visitors with warmth and welcome. Now, while the state has discouraged visitors by requiring them to self-quarantine for 14 days, that culture of generosity might extend to a free return ticket home.
“The majority of travelers we have sent back in my opinion have been irresponsible in traveling to Hawaii during the COVID-19 pandemic when they know we are trying to keep Hawaii safe from the spread of this disease,” said Jessica Lani Rich, the president and chief executive of VASH. The organization normally provides visitor support, including translation assistance and help with funeral arrangements.
Rich said some of the visitors VASH has returned home have told her they were taking advantage of low airfares. A round-trip ticket on Southwest Airlines from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, for example, was recently priced at $238 for travel in May. “It’s a little offensive,” he added. “I would love to go to the beach every single day if I could but I want to minimize the COVID-19 spread and make sure the curve stays flat.”
“Our residents had to close their businesses and have financial hardships and to have people come here right now and want to vacation, it is reckless,” Rich said, noting her organization did not pay for the couple, believed to be from Nevada and Australia, to leave. “Hawaii is known for aloha spirit. Let us get through this hardship then we’ll welcome you back with aloha.”
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