LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i police arrested 14 individuals for violating Hawai‘i’s 14-day quarantine emergency rules pertaining to COVID-19 since the reopening of travel under the Safe Travels platform, which launched Oct. 15.
The quarantine requires that all travelers stay in an approved accommodation for 14 days if they do not provide appropriate, state-approved, negative COVID-19 test results from within 72 hours of their departure flight to Kaua‘i.
Among those who have been arrested for violating the COVID-19 quarantine orders are not only visitors from the mainland but also residents returning to the island either from the mainland or from another island.
The majority of the individuals arrested were not at their listed quarantine addresses during routine checks, and were subsequently arrested and booked.
For some of the individuals, this was not their first violation of the order.
All but one of these individuals have been released on bail, and some of the mainland travelers have since returned to their state of origin.
All individuals who are arrested are subject to up to one year in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines.
“Our goal is to keep our community safe and healthy,” said Kaua‘i Police Department Patrol Services Bureau Assistant Chief Mark Begley.
“We remain very active in enforcing the quarantine law, and we will continue to do so as long as it is necessary. Kaua‘i has a very vulnerable health-care capacity with very few intensive-care-unit beds available in our hospitals. We cannot afford an outbreak of this disease on Kaua‘i,” said Begley.”
The following were arrested:
• Anna Popiel of West Melbourne, Florida;
• Stanley Furtado of Kekaha;
• Karin Ho of O‘ahu;
• Bryan Lewis of Ladson, South Carolina;
• Rebecka Day of Kilauea;
• Mathew Olsen of Kapa‘a;
• Justin Hennessey of Kilauea;
• Marion Denese Garner-Wagner of ‘O‘mao;.
• Andrew Spooner of Providence, Rhode Island;
• Cristol Torres of Orlando, Florida;
• Yaunier Alvarez of Orlando, Florida;
• Raymond Rivera of Orlando, Florida;
• Vanesa Alvarez of Orlando, Florida;
• Nativida Mojica of Orlando, Florida.
Kaua‘i police, Hawai‘i National Guard, Lihu‘e Airport personnel and other County of Kaua‘i personnel continue to maintain a daily checkpoint at the Lihu‘e Airport, where all travelers are reminded of the quarantine requirements for anyone who has traveled outside Kaua‘i and have not completed a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test.
Travelers from both direct mainland flights and interisland flights are screened for this purpose.
The KPD reminds the public that there are follow-up protocols in place to monitor and confirm that all arrivals who are subject to quarantine continue to comply for the full extent of their quarantine period.
KPD has made 132 arrests to date for violations of the quarantine law.
“We greatly appreciate everyone who continues to take this seriously and who continue to do what’s right for our island community,” said Begley.
Wow, now you can not only be arrested but also subjected to a public shaming by getting your name in the newspaper! Awesome.
Oh not just names. Pictures too. My story would leave you wondering how they justified arresting me.
Thats easy, break the law get arrested, no brainer.
That’s right! Great policy!
The paper has always printed arrest reports. What is different here?
At least you only live here part of the year! There’s no requirement for you going back to the mainland.
show some respect to all islands folks, we been working at this for a time now ,dont get us sick wear your masks as much as you can , protect our ohana, families, mahalo, and god keep you safe and us too…
Thanks Governor Ige for making us live in 1930’s Germany.
BTW, this is a Blue State in case you are confused. I thought all those NaZZZI’s were from the Red States.
What is next……when flu season starts, those that have not received the vaccine are going to be arrested???? Stop the madness!!
Not just red states. It’s the red hats! Taken the place of white hoods! Used to hide your face in shame, but now there is no shame! That’s where we are now! The Trump Virus is spiking again! We shouldn’t have opened! I’d rather hear you whine than bring the virus here!
What’s the analogy? This is a health care emergency rule meant to protect all residents. Would you be OK with it if Trump supported the idea?
We’re in a Police State with Breadlines?
Kauai has done a great job in stopping the disease. Kudos to our county leadership especially the mayor, however after many months of control there have not been any upgrade reported in our capability to take care of a surge in cases. We are living in a dream world if we think we will not have to be able to treat a large population of people needing emergency care. If we get hit like Lanai people will be in grave danger because we have not upgraded our capability to treat the Vivid cases and other emergency cases Is it to late to start? Perhaps.
“For some of the individuals this was not their first Isolation of the order.” The fines imposed if any don’t seem to be enough to say they learned anything from the experience. If it’s as serious as mr. Begley says. If the word was out that $5000 fines and a year in jail were imposed for their actions You would never have had 132 arrests to begin with. Big talk of the governors and mayor actions are simply fear mongering at best.
How are these people caught? What does that look like? Where were these people caught? I have not seen how this works. Were these people reported by neighbors? What are the procedures? Who would I call if I saw what I thought was a violation? Did I miss the memo?
If any of those were infected where did they go before being caught?
GOOD JOB KPD. Thank you very much.
Went down to Poipu Beach Park yesterday, was like the tourist never left, and of course, 90% of them wasn’t wearing their mask going into the stores or walking around the streets, no damn respect. Don’t cry when we have to shut down again, covidiots.
The article says the police came for a daily checkup at their places of quarantine and weren’t in the place they were not allowed to leave.
Big mistake opening up!
The bigger mistake would be to not open up and kill what is left of our economy!
Till you get it, hope it is worth the dollar.
I guess it shows how many people just don’t care about others or the virus. Just wait until the virus is over with hopefully these people will be held accountable then.
Precisely the assumption they’re looking for.
For my part, I had a 48 hour old negative covid test in my hand – the exact right kind of test.
They don’t tell you I was coming away from a testing facility that I went to just after getting off the plane.
They don’t tell you they changed up the rules just last Monday so that tests are only accepted from their ‘trusted partners’ – you know the ones paying money to someone here to get on the list.
And they showed my picture blown up bigger than the others. I should sue.
Time to put the hammer down on Kauai residents who repeatedly violate covid restrictions. Let’s see those $5,000 fines start flowing! It’s this insanely selfish behavior that keeps the virus spreading and is destroying businesses and livelihoods of thousands of residents.
Kauai becomes a police state, and the saddest part is all the people who get a thrill out of controlling, shaming and persecuting their fellow citizens.
Our government stomps on our rights, and the first thing many ask is how they can help.
I see ruin all around me—but not from the virus. Kauai is dying because of our response to the virus. Young people out of work, kids forgoing college. People taking their unemployment money and shoving it right up their noses.
Drug addiction, abuse, divorce…
Yet people grin and rub their hands together at the notion of being able to punish. Doesnt matter who you get to punish—tourist or local, resident or visitor. Just so long as you get the sweet, sweet taste of self-righteousness.
Now I know how authoritarian movements gain hold in the world. People love power, and they like to hurt one another.
All they need is an excuse.
Why do people think the government is safe or trustworthy after so many decades of proof otherwise? Why do they turn on their neighbors so quickly but are so slow to self correct their own health and (un)healthy habits? We should be working together to expose the government, not help them shunt us all in to smart cities on the dole…
This is all to test compliance – you allow quarantine that excludes low income now and the whole island becomes closed except for the uberriche later. In the UK, quarantine was shortened due to non-compliance. This isn’t about safety measures, it’s about measuring compliance. Educate yourself to the real numbers of the ‘Covid seasonal flu’ and do not swallow government propaganda! Stay safe!
Big difference, what is right for the community and what is continued guilty mailbox Fraud for the same community! Too many peoples sent by (b)leaders to “cut bait”, while community continues beholding or slaves to military ballistic missile PMRF facility groundbreaking, polihale closed forever, Brun setup, and a whole lot of pilautician alongside judiciary with deep pockets AND their only purpose is to make community lineals and kanaka disappear summo! We are paying attention and have known for decades who is and who is not pono! No-brainer!
Jake:
You obviously have NO clue what the 1930’s in Germany was like. 2020 is not even remotely close. The small sacrifices we’re asked to make are absurd by comparison. Grow up!
Kauaidog:
Kapu Breakers. A team of 6,500 volunteers are helping to keep an eye on those under quarantine. Quite a few are stupid enough to post pictures and videos on their social media because our quarantine is a joke to them.
https://www.khon2.com/coronavirus/state-and-county-enforcement-local-groups-prepare-to-catch-quarantine-breakers-after-pre-travel-testing-program-launches/
David:
Agreed. As of last night Lana’i had 79 cases and that’s before the rapid testing that started yesterday. We aren’t able to handle an outbreak like that here!
We went from business-destroying complete shutdown right back to business (almost) as usual. Most people don’t care much about spreading the virus or breaking rules.
Our state and county government had months and millions to come up with solutions. But what actually happened? The fact that our Hawaii government purchased Covid tracking software that does not utilize location tracking via mobile phone is criminal. There is no way KPD and the National Guard can monitor all the residents and visitors that are supposed to quarantine. The second test concept is a joke. Nobody will voluntarily do that, and it’s too late now anyway.
Meanwhile other real problems are neglected and the government is going broke.
I was considering coming to Hawaii but changed my mind due to the costs of booking 3 weeks for a hotel. But I really envy how seriously they are taking this. Kudos!! Whereas many states, both blue AND red states, are spiking up right now, Hawaii is still DECREASING in COVID cases. Good job Hawaii police enforcement on protecting your citizens!