Mayor Kawakami proposes stricter rules for travelers arriving on Kauai

LIHUE, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Mayor Derek Kawakami is proposing stricter rules for travelers arriving on Kauai.

“Our healthcare capacity is extremely limited with nine ICU beds, but also we analyzed the data and 26 of our cases since Oct. 15 have been travel-related, including 14 cases from returning residents,” Kawakami said.

His proposal Monday comes after the county also reported 12 coronavirus cases in which a traveler had a negative pre-travel test and then tested positive after arriving on the island.

The first rule — similar to the one Kawakami proposed in September — would require all travelers to take a post-travel test in addition to a pre-travel test. Everyone would need to quarantine for 72 hours on the island before taking the second test.

The second rule would require travelers to upload their negative test results to the Safe Travels program before flying. If the results are unavailable upon arrival, the traveler would need to quarantine for 14 days.

“This virus requires measures of intervention and in our opinion, it’s clear that the one test 72 hours prior is not enough intervention, so we are trying to remain in tier 4 and keep this island safe and not overrun our healthcare systems on Kauai,” Kawakami said.

Gov. David Ige would need to approve the rules for them to go into effect.

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