An increasing number of Hawai‘i residents no longer see COVID-19 as much of a threat as they did in the earlier stages of the pandemic, according to a follow-up survey commissioned by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH).

The number of respondents who view the virus as a “very serious” health concern has fallen from 73% to 54% in less than two months. The initial survey was conducted from April 17 to 23, and the follow-up survey was conducted from May 28 to June 7, 2020.

More alarming than the change in attitude, is its effect on preventive behaviors. While those who say they are social distancing “all of the time” has remained steady at 42%, the follow-up survey shows that fewer Hawai‘i residents are following current recommendations “most of the time” or “part of the time.”

Fewer people are staying away from those not in their household, fewer people are avoiding large groups and gatherings, and fewer people are staying 6 feet away or more or just staying home.

Most people get their information about COVID from local and national news outlets (90% and 89% respectively), and 82% identified State DOH as a source of information.

View the baseline survey results here.