LIHU’E— Eight of the 14 people arrested on Kaua’i for allegedly violating the 14-day mandatory quarantine since the state’s reopening were out-of-state visitors.
Of the 14 arrested for allegedly violating government orders, six are from Florida, and four of the Floridians are from Orlando.
As of press time, it is unclear whether the four violators from Orlando were traveling together or separately.
“The majority of visitors have been mindful of the rules,” Kaua‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said. “It is still shocking to see how many of them aren’t wearing masks or showing the aloha that they ask us to show them.”
The out-of-staters include Andrew Spooner of Providence, Yaunier Alvarez of Orlando, Raymond Rivera of Orlando, Bryan Lewis of South Carolina, Cristol Torres of Orlando, Anna Popiel of Florida and Vanesa Alvarez of Orlando.
“I am surprised by nothing in 2020,” Kollar said.
“That said, we take quarantine violators very seriously. In order for us to get through this safely, everyone needs to abide by the simple rules that have been established,” he said.
“Travelers are given multiple opportunities to follow the rules. Just as we have asked so much sacrifice from our residents, we expect visitors to do their part as well.”
The local names include Mathew Olsen of Kapa‘a, Rebecka Day of Kilauea, Stanley Furtado of Kekaha and Justin Hennessey of Kilauea.
Both Day and Hennessy have multiple quarantine violations.
The majority of the people arrested for violating the government’s order had various previous convictions on Kaua‘i either in traffic court or in criminal court.
Since Oct. 15, 2020, travelers from the U.S., including other islands of Hawai‘i, can receive exemptions to the 14-day quarantine through the state Safe Travels program, according to the kauai.gov/covid-19 website.
The county is requiring travelers to complete a COVID-19 test with a trusted-partner lab approved by the state no more than 72 hours before the flight departure time.
“The pandemic is making the rules and setting its timetable right now, so if someone wants to take a chance and come here, they need to understand it’s their job to know the rules,” Kollar said.
“Things can and will change from day to day, depending on the latest developments, and people need to be flexible.”
Kollar commended most Kauaians for abiding by the rules.
“I want to thank our local residents for sticking together and helping each other out during this difficult time,” Kollar said.
“It shows the strength and resilience of this incredible community.”
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
