Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has asked travellers to postpone their trips to the US island state so it can effectively address the health crisis.
You can read the message from Hawaii’s tourism body in full below:
Aloha from our home to yours.
Hawaii has a long tradition of welcoming visitors from around the world. The hookipa (hospitality) and aloha spirit that people feel as they explore our islands has become stuff of legends.
At this time, however, like many of you, we are focusing on the health and safety of our community, visitor industry employees, health care professionals, and our healthcare system. As a small, remote island community, our residents are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 crisis.
Hawaii Governor David Ige has asked that you postpone your trips to Hawaii to give us the opportunity to address this health crisis. To that end, he has mandated a 14-day quarantine for all visitors and residents entering the state. In addition, the island mayors have over the past few days instituted home lockdowns except for essential personnel.
Like all visitors to Hawaii, we would like you to experience the best the islands have to offer. Now, unfortunately, is clearly not the time.
Mahalo and a hui hou (until we meet again).
The Hawaiian Islands
Featured image credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Anna Pacheco
