Today is Halloween, and this year, because of COVID-19, things are a little different–and we need to celebrate differently.  Mayor Harry Kim, the State Department of Health, and even the nation’s top infectious disease doctors are warning that “normal” Halloween activities could be opportunities to spread or catch the virus which causes COVID-19.   Here on the island and in the state, recent outbreaks have been caused by people going to gatherings and not wearing a COVID-19 mask.    The Governor and all the mayors urge everybody to celebrate the holiday safely.

Here on Hawaii Island, there are several safe activities–just remember, costumes are for both keiki and adults, and be sure to wear a COVID-19 protective mask:

• Queen’s Marketplace is offering socially-distanced trick-or-treating at several merchants for keiki 12 and under today from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., fun decorations, and areas where families may take photos and even enter them in a Halloqueen contest!  For all the details, click here.
• Parker Ranch Shopping Center offers drive through trick-or-treating today from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• Penn Hawaii Youth Foundation and Penn Fitness Center at 777 Kino’ole Street, Hilo, has Trunk or Treating Drive Thru today from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.
• Kona Elks Club in Kona offers drive-through trick-or-treating at their location on Pawai Place (on the way to Kona Brew) from 4 p.m. til 5 p.m. today.
• Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pahoa is offering drive-thru Halloween fun with candy, food, and fun courtesy several nonprofit organizations, today from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
• Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center, drive-thru goodie bags, dinners-to-go, spooky music, and a live show—the ultimate roundup of ghoulish delights—in paradise, today from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
• Kama’aina Motors and Kama’aina Nissan offer Drive-Thru Trunk or Treating today from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., as long as the candy lasts.
• Hilo Palace Theater drive-by; be sure to wear your Halloween finest), 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., courtesy the Big Island LGBTQ Pride

Other ideas for safer, low-risk activities include hosting a scary movie watch party online, organizing a neighborhood pumpkin carving contest and carving the pumpkins with people in your household, and hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest.

Most importantly, DOH encourages everyone to keep following safe practices – avoid large gatherings, keep a distance of six feet from others, wash hands often, and wear a cloth face covering.

“Carefully plan your costume. Because Halloween masks have nose and mouth holes, they will not protect you or others from COVID-19,” said Dr. Char. “Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask or vice versa as it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth face mask.”