Mufi's Message - April 15, 2020

Free COVID-19 Testing

Aloha,

Today, Hawai'i officially passed the million-dose mark of vaccinations administered. This is a momentous milestone and a significant step towards herd immunity and the long-awaited return to normalcy.

Now, as tourism ramps up and the number of incoming travelers continues to increase, it is critical that hotel staff have access to free COVID-19 testing. We are grateful to announce that Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the City & County of Honolulu, and the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai'i are offering just that.

Testing is available at the following locations:

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
  • Diamond Head Tour Group Area (Just past Baggage Claim 31)
  • 9 AM - 12 AM
• Hawaiian Monarch Hotel
  • 444 Niu Street
  • Upper Lobby
  • 9 AM - 5 PM

Any individual who wants to be tested needs only the following:

• Valid government photo ID
• Employee ID, pay stub, or letter from employer requesting the test*

*Note: If you are onboarding employees or if they do not have a recent pay stub, hotel management can provide a letter stating that the employee in question is on staff and in need of a test.

There is a very simple process to register and appointments are not required in advance. To register, please use this link: oahucitypass.lumisight.com. For more information, you may also visit this website: kidneyhi.org/covid-19-testing-screening.

This is a fantastic resource for our industry, so please share this with anybody that you feel appropriate.

Industry Roundtable

On Tuesday, I was joined by Sheraton Kauai Resort General Manager Chip Bahouth, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk General Manager Simeon Miranda, Wailea Beach Resort General Manager Angela Vento, and Mauna Kea Resort's Vice President of Operations Craig Anderson for a roundtable discussion at the Hawai'i Chapter of the Appraisal Institute's General Membership Meeting. We had a great chat about a variety of topics concerning the local tourism industry including the economic recovery plans of each county in the wake of the pandemic, the changes that COVID-19 have wrought on the industry, and how we can manage tourism responsibly going forward. 

Mahalo to Chip, Simeon, Angela, and Craig for joining me for such a riveting discussion and to the Appraisal Institute for hosting us!