Mufi's Message - November 1, 2021

Travel Re-Opening

Aloha,

Today marks the official re-start for nonessential travelers to return to our state with confidence. I spent the morning on Hawai'i News Now's Sunrise segment to report on the rebound that the local tourism industry is beginning to experience—especially for the traditionally busy holiday season. As I noted in the interview and in other media appearances, this is great news but only marks the beginning of the road ahead. The tourism industry still has a long way to go to make up for the millions in losses incurred, and we are doing everything we can to keep the momentum moving in the right direction, and the industry as a whole is trying to bring back and hire as many people as possible.

"State welcomes back vaccinated tourists, but it will take industry time to make up for lost ground," Hawai'i News Now, October 31, 2021
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"Hawaii hopes for a tourism rebound when visitors are welcomed back," KHON2, October 29, 2021

We are all aware of how impactful Governor Ige's August 23 request for nonessential travel to pause was for the local economy. His announcement came in the midst of an unprecedented surge of COVID-19 here in the islands, and re-opening travel hinged upon our community's ability to turn the tide on the pandemic. Below, you will find some recent metrics that Lt. Governor Green shared with me that illustrate just how well we are doing in this regard:

• Case count 7-day average: 115
• Positivity: 1.7%
• Active cases: 1,660
  • Active cases peaked at roughly 11,500
• Hospitalizations: 66
  • Hospitalizations peaked at 448
• 71.3% of our population is fully vaccinated
• 95% of those eligible have started the vaccination process
• Approximately 89,000 boosters have been administered
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By Lt. Governor Green's analysis, we are now experiencing widespread immunity across the state. He estimates that by mid-November, this will result in: less than 1,000 active cases, under 50 hospitalizations, and a positivity rate hovering right around 1%.

I have often said that part of our islands’ appeal in the destination market is that we are one of the safest places to visit. Throughout this past year, statistics have proven that we are also one of the healthiest places to visit. This will continue to be a key component as we welcome back both domestic and international visitors.

Hotels for Healthcare Heroes Round-Up

This past weekend marked the conclusion of HLTA's Hotels for Healthcare Heroes initiative which provided two-night staycations to doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff around our state. In total, 715 Heroes from 34 hospital groups received 1,430 room nights over the past seven weekends. This is a significant contribution to those who are working each day to address COVID-19, and I am beyond pleased that we were able to offer this to them.

​Hi LG,
 
I know you were a big supporter for the Hotel for Heroes put on Statewide.  Kohala Hospital had the opportunity to send frontline staff (incl Housekeeping) who live our mission and had perfect attendance during the big surge here mid-September.  I felt it important to give respite to those staff members who were here covering when it counted. 
 
After spending a whole weekend at the Four Seasons, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and Hapuna Prince these staff members came back to work feeling rejuvenated and appreciated.  They were thanking me for selecting them for something I don’t feel responsible for.  Please extend thanks to all involved who put on this wonderful program.      

The above is a reproduction of one of many thank you notes that were forwarded to us over the course of Hotels for Healthcare Heroes

While previous iterations of this program utilized State subsidies to pay for the room nights, this most recent H4HH was made possible solely through donations from our gracious hotel partners. Sixty-five hotel properties around the state participated in H4HH, and the feedback and gratitude we have received from our Heroes has been outstanding.
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Hotels for Healthcare Heroes Participating Hotels
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Aqua Palms Waikiki
Aqua Skyline Hotel at Island Colony     
Aston Islander on the Beach
Aston Kona by the Sea
Aston Mahana at Kaanapali
Aston Waikiki Beach Tower
Aston Waikiki Sunset
Aston at the Waikiki Banyan
Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel
Best Western Pioneer Inn
Coconut Waikiki Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
Ewa Hotel Waikiki
Fairmont Kea Lani
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Halepuna Waikiki
Hampton Inn
Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn  Kauai
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki
Hotel Wailea
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa
Aston Kaanapali Shores
Kaimana Beach Hotel
Luana Waikiki Hotel & Suites
Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club
Maui Beach Hotel
Mauna Kea Resort
Montage Kapalua Bay
Napili Kai Beach Resort
OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger
Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites
Pagoda Hotel
Poipu Kai Resort
Prince Waikiki
Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
Sheraton Waikiki
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
The Cliffs at Princeville
The Imperial Hawaii Resort
The ISO
The Laylow, Autograph Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Turtle Bay Resort
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Waikiki Resort Hotel
Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott Maui
White Sands Hotel

My deepest mahalo to each of you who helped to make Hotels for Healthcare Heroes a major success!
-Mufi