Well-known for its surplus of luxury resorts, Waikiki will soon have the first resort in Hawaii to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all employees and guests.
Alohilani Resort’s requirement will begin Oct. 15, and will include employees, patrons and guests. The new rule will also apply to the six other Waikiki properties owned or operated by Highgate, a real estate investment and hospitality management company, according to reporting by The Associated Press.
Hawaii has been embattled by the delta variant surge in recent weeks. A new proof of vaccination requirement just felt like the right thing to do, said Kelly Sanders, senior vice president of operations at Highgate Hawaii.
Just between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5, there was an average of 706 newly confirmed infection cases per day across Hawaii, according to the state Department of Health.
“So I think we will be the safest hotel in Hawaii, at least for now,” said Sanders. “And hopefully that helps our business and doesn’t hurt our business.”
Hawaii state workers and Honolulu city employees already must show proof of vaccination or get weekly COVID-19 testing. And starting Sept. 13, Honolulu is requiring patrons of restaurants, gyms, bars, movie theaters, museums and other businesses to show vaccination proof or recent negative tests.
A negative test isn't enough at Highgate hotels, but they will allow for medical or religious exemptions and will exempt children younger than 12, said Sanders.
The new mandate comes just after Hawaii’s tourism-dependent economy has been dealing with an influx of travelers this past summer, leading many locals and even some government officials to speak out on how the overwhelming tide of tourists was tapping the islands’ resources.
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