Mufi's Message May 15, 2020

A Call to Action

Aloha,

In my most recent update, I announced HLTA's latest initiative: A Time of Crisis - Stories from Hawa'i's Visitor Industry.

Through this video campaign, we are hoping to do multiple things. First and foremost, we want to put a human face on the COVID-19 crisis. So many of our brothers and sisters are hurting right now, and they deserve to be represented by more than an unemployment rate statistic. Additionally, this is a prime opportunity to really demonstrate the diversity of the tourism industry and the variety of people who form its workforce.

I really need your help to get the word out about this campaign.

Please share this with your staff and encourage them to participate. If they, or you, are uncomfortable sharing your property name, I completely understand. Instead of naming the property, please feel free to instead say something along the lines of: "My name is __________________ and I work as a ______________ at a hotel on O'ahu."

Below, I've also included a flyer that you can easily share via text or email. It includes a video release for anybody who participates and can also be downloaded here.

If you have any questions or concerns about this campaign, please feel free to contact Jared Ellis on my staff at any time.

COVID-19 Guidance Update

We have received further guidance regarding several COVID-19 policies that I would like to share with you. The first is in regards to the issuance of single-use room keys. More than 90% of open hotels are currently using this policy. However, there have been reports of quarantined visitors who have been given an "extra chance" after being caught breaking quarantine.

Please do not do this.

Earlier today, I sent out a memo to each of the hotels currently in operation requesting that any quarantine violators immediately be reported to local law enforcement. I have reproduced the body of the memo below for your reference.

Aloha,

We sincerely appreciate your assistance with monitoring and reporting violations of the required 14-day self-quarantine order. There have been rumors circulating that hotels are not abiding by the single-use key agreement and giving a “free pass” to guests. However, should you encounter a guest who has been locked out of their room due to the single-use key, or identify a guest that is not complying with the self-quarantine order, we ask that you immediately contact local law enforcement to report them. 
 
Mahalo for your understanding and cooperation.

There have also been several instances where a visitor has shown up to check-in to a hotel and has produced a federal letter declaring them an essential worker and, therefore, exempt from the mandatory quarantine. HI-EMA and HTA have both confirmed that, if a visitor produces a letter from a federal authority, they are to be considered exempt. Moreover, any federal letter shall supersede any letter from the State or HI-EMA.

Finally, we have received clarification that working flight crews should operate on a limited quarantine basis after arriving in Hawai'i. They may leave their rooms to get food or to exercise, but should also be limiting contact and should not be frequenting common areas of their hotel.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policy updates, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Have a great weekend,
​-Mufi