Hawaii Tourism Authority notes that today marks two weeks since the state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine began for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state.  On Wednesday, April 8, 689 people arrived in Hawaii, including 107 residents and 274 residents.

There was one flight Wednesday into Kona International Airport with 33 returning residents, 4 intended residents, and 4 visitors.  The day before, on Tuesday April 7, Kona had 3 flights bringing in 31 visitors, the most since the self-quarantine law went into effect.  Tuesday’s flights also brought in 34 residents and 6 intended residents.  On March 31, 24 visitors arrived in Kona.

Island residents have expressed great concern to Hawaii County Mayor’s office about visitors coming in at this time, and about private vacation rentals actively advertising Hawaii as a place to come to “ride out the quarantine.”   Some of what may be driving visitor traffic are those ads, plus very low airfares on almost deserted planes.  Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau is now asking all partner publications to stop promoting Hawaii as a good place to visit, for now.  HVCB President and CEO John Monahan made the request in a letter sent Monday to 130 publications, editors and freelancers, and to around 40 trade publications in the travel, trade, meeting, convention, and incentives markets.

Governor David Ige’s order for all to “stay at home, work at home” and only leave for essential business is in effect until April 30, 2020.  Hawaii County Police are actively enforcing the law for those who flaunt the order.  Even those now out of the 14-day mandatory quarantine are still subject to the “stay at home” order and social distancing guidelines.  The guidelines apply to everybody in the state.

Below are the arrival charts for both April 8 and April 7.

Arrivals on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Arrivals on Tuesday, April 7, 2020

These numbers are mainland arrivals only, no interisland travel.