I am setting this out there, fully aware that it may not be popular with some, but I think it needs to be considered.
First, I would like to say how proud I am of Hawaii residents and how good they have been at complying with restrictions such as few have experienced before. I believe it is that the native people of the islands understood the importance of the kapu system, whereby they would be temporarily restricted from certain actions, harvests, and practices. They understood that these sacrifices were for the good of the community.
That is the state we are in now. So, thanks to all who are helping by complying.
I know how much these restrictions are hurting our economy, which is affecting so many of our friends and neighbors. However, considering Hawaii’s low rate of infection, they seem to be working.
There is another factor that makes Hawaii unique and helps our situation: its physical isolation in the world. You can’t swim here; you can’t drive over the border; you really need to come here by plane. The best option would have been to cut us off completely from people coming in from the mainland, but that is not possible.
Hopefully the diligence of Hawaii’s people mean that we shall be virus-free in another month or so. I think that opening should happen on a county-by-county basis. And each island should open up only to their own residents until each island is clean for four weeks.
I most strongly disagree with opening up our state to outsiders. The pandemic on the mainland hasn’t even gotten started and many people have not been complying with their state’s restrictions, if their states even have restrictions. If we can’t keep the visitors out, then there is no possible way to keep the virus out and we’ll be right back where we started.
Then, how to help those struggling in this economy? We often overlook that there are a lot of people here who are not struggling. There are plenty of folks who are not hurt by this economic catastrophe, except for perhaps watching their stock portfolios fall. Maybe they’re not Bill Gates-wealthy, but they’ve retired and built their million-dollar retirement home and are not desperate at all.
Why not enlist the help of these people to help those who have lost jobs and cannot keep food on their tables? In fact, everyone who is doing comfortably should jump on board and play tourist for a while! Once the economy is open to our own residents, then plan on eating out more often. Buy that $250 bottle of champagne you’ve been wanting. Maybe you’ve done it before, but sign up for a snorkel cruise, go to a luau, go star gazing on Maunakea. Zip lining. Buy MacNut cookies and Kona coffee to send to all your friends on the mainland.
When the time comes, all those of us who can should play tourist. The point is not to save money at that time; the point is to spend it to help our small businesses and their employees. You can even have a good time while you’re at it.
Tina Owens is a resident of Kailua-Kona.