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THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2020
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
Tel (808) 241-4900
Fax (808) 241-6877
Mayor Kawakami proposes two Emergency Rules to Gov. Ige relating to COVID-
19 protections
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami Monday evening forwarded to Gov. David Ige proposed
Mayor’s Emergency Rules 21 and 22, requiring additional safeguards in an attempt to avoid
lockdowns and an opt-out of the state’s Safe Travels program. This comes in response to
Kauai’s ninth travel-related positive case in which a traveler took a pre-travel test, then received
a positive result after arrival to Kaua‘i.
Additionally, Kaua‘i has seen a total of 12 cases in which a traveler had a negative pre-
travel test result, but was later found to be positive for COVID-19.
“A month into the state’s Safe Travels program, it is clear that a single pre-travel test is not
sufficient to protect us from the spread of COVID-19. Our cases are increasing much faster than
initial state projections,” said Mayor Kawakami. “Since Oct. 15, Kaua‘i has reported 26 travel-
related cases, including 14 cases from returning residents. Currently we sit at Tier 4 – the least
restrictive tier - and this is where we want to remain.”
The two proposed rules are as follows:
• Proposed Emergency Rule #21 is similar to a previous proposal Mayor Kawakami made
in September and would require participants in the Safe Travels program to take a post-travel
test in addition to a pre-travel test. All incoming Safe Travel participants, including residents and
visitors from the mainland and inter-island, would be required to quarantine for 72 hours. After
72 hours, participants can take a post-travel test and be released from quarantine upon a
negative test result.
• Proposed Emergency Rule #22 would require all travelers to have their negative test
results uploaded to the Safe Travels program prior to flying to Kauai. Should test results not be
available upon arrival, a 14-day quarantine would be required.
“We know this announcement will result in a lot of frustration for travelers and those in our visitor
industry, but the outbreak of COVID-19 across the nation is occurring at a faster rate than we’ve
ever seen before,” warned Mayor Kawakami. “We have the unique opportunity to see the wave
of disease coming, and in order to avoid a full shutdown, we must take decisive, aggressive
action. Time is of the essence and we are hopeful the Governor will honor the promised 24-hour
review period.”
The proposed Emergency Rules would be made available to the public once approved,
and would go into effect within seven days of the Governor’s signature.
To view the Kaua‘i COVID-19 tier tracker, post-travel testing information, and general
information, kauai.gov/COVID-19. For more State of Hawai‘i case tracker and Safe Travels
program, visit hawaiicovid19.com.
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