Gov. David Ige faces the dilemma of eventually reopening to both tourists and new infections

Honolulu Star Advetiser ^ | 5/19/2020 | Kevin Dayton

[wanganghi]

Hawaii’s extraordinary success in curbing the local spread of COVID-19 has left Gov. David Ige with a dilemma unlike any in the nation. To a greater degree than any other governor, it will fall to Ige to eventually reopen the door to new infections when he finally authorizes the restart of the state’s tourism industry.

[Savage Rider]

The governor crashed the Hawaiian economy to prevent outsiders from infecting the state. Now when they come, the infections will spike. Although Hawaiian tourism is a big part of their economy, Hawaiian sentiment of disdaining outsiders is not hidden. It doesn’t help that they have a history of sailors bringing infections to the islands.

[1Old Pro]

The governor crashed the Hawaiian economy to prevent outsiders from infecting the state. Now when they come, the infections will spike

I'd suggest they refrain from allowing flights full of Asians for starters.

[pas]

Yes it is so much harder to block just flights and cruise ships than blocking numerous cars driving into your state. I would say any sea port city in the continental US is much harder. They have planes, ships, cars and trains.

[mewzilla]

Foreign carriers have been flying Chinese nationals into Hawaii all along and Ige is just now having a cow?

[Candor7]

Hawaii survived a 100 year epidemic of gonorrhea and sylphlike, they’ll survive this Wuhan virus.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38658867/hawaii-continues-to-lead-the-country-in-cases-of-antibiotic-resistant-gonorrhea/

[Jeff Chandler]

I'd suggest they refrain from allowing flights full of Asians

Or New Yorkers.

[1Old Pro]

Or New Yorkers.

It's one heck of a long flight to/from NY, been there done that, not a trip I'd do regularly.

[cgbg]

Hawaii is in a heads they lose, tails they lose scenario.

Tourism is something like half of their economy—so they will open up, for better or worse.

[cnsmom]

Many summer weddings are still wondering.

[FightforFreedomCA]

Hawaiian Airlines could market itself as the “COVID-free airline,” McDermott said. “You can charge a premium for those tickets, and people will pay for them, particularly if you’re older than 60, because that’s the high-risk group, right?”

How do these people even feed themselves? Idiots, one and all...

[Gnome1949]

The Hawaiian hatred of tourists is on full display. For many years, locals in Hawaii have hated tourists. They don’t want outsiders there...have never wanted them.

I say give Hawaiians what they want....GOOD AND HARD !

[dfwgator]

Should never have overthrown the Monarchy.