COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii
The COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii affected all aspects of life in the state, demolishing its economy, closing its schools and straining its healthcare system, even though through the end of 2020, it experienced far less spread than most other US states.
| COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii | |
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 Map of the outbreak in Hawaii by confirmed new infections per 100,000 people (14 days preceding February 5)
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No confirmed new cases or no/bad data | |
 Map of the outbreak in Hawaii by confirmed total infections per 100,000 people (as of February 5)
10,000+
3,000–10,000
1,000–3,000
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| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Hawaii, USA |
| First outbreak | Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market (global) Grand Princess (local) |
| Index case | Oahu |
| Arrival date | March 6, 2020 |
| Confirmed cases | 25,943 |
| Hospitalized cases | 1,699 (cumulative) |
Deaths | 410 |
| Fatality rate | 1.58% |
| Government website | |
| hawaiicovid19 | |
| Part of a series on the |
| COVID-19 pandemic |
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As of February 1, 2021, 25,943 positive test results had been counted. 410 people had died and 1,699 people required hospitalization.[2] Oahu was the center of the outbreak, with 80.9% (20,980) of all statewide infections, followed by Hawaii Island (2,169), Maui (1,753), Kauai (179), Lanai (107), and Molokai (25).[3] The islands of Niihau,[4] Kahoolawe and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands had no reported infections. 730 Hawaii residents had been diagnosed outside the state. 93% (24,190) of infections in Hawaii were among local residents.[3]
As of January 30, 2021, 993,306 COVID-19 tests had been conducted by clinical and state laboratories.[5] From January 23-January 30, 2.1% of tests were positive.
As of January 27, 2021, Hawaii had allocated 203,600 vaccines and received 154,150.[3] As of January 24, 2021, a total of 106,654 doses had been administered to the public; 68,521 in Honolulu County, 11,060 in Maui County, 10,459 in Hawaii County and 8,799 in Kauai County.[3]
Background
On January 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, China, as reported to WHO on December 31, 2019.[6][7]
COVID-19's case fatality ratio is much lower than SARS,[8][9] but transmission is significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[10][8]
Timeline
A Japanese couple visited the islands of Oahu and Maui from January 28 to February 7, 2020. They were diagnosed only after returning to Japan.[13] Hawaii resident John Fujiwara claimed to have interacted with the couple and offered to quarantine himself.[14]
On March 6, the first presumptive positive was confirmed in a Grand Princess passenger who had returned to Hawaii.[15]
On March 14, the first two infections were confirmed in Kauai County, along with the first in Maui County.[16] On March 16, Hawaii County reported its first.[17] On March 18, two more were confirmed in Honolulu County, bringing the statewide total to 16.[18]
The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced the closure of all state parks, including Diamond Head, on March 17, 2020.[19]
On March 19, infections were announced for eight individuals on Oʻahu and two on Maui.[20] On March 20, 11 new infections were confirmed, raising the total to 37. These included the first two instances of community transmission.[21] On March 21, 11 new infections were confirmed, bringing the total to 48.[22] The following day on March 22, 8 more were announced.[23]
Hawaii consistently maintained low spread throughout
On May 7, 2020, Governor David Ige and Lt. Governor Josh Green, an emergency physician, stated that 51% of Hawaii's hospital beds, 46% of intensive care beds, and 14% of ventilators were in use and that Hawaii had the second lowest US infection rate at 43.6 infections per 100,000 residents, the lowest rate in the US for states with a population of over a million, and the lowest mortality rate of 1.2 deaths per 100,000.[24]
On May 12, 2020, 635 infections had been confirmed. 13% required hospitalization, and 574 (90%) were residents.[25]
On May 13, 2020, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz announced that Hawaii would receive $50 million under the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to expand testing and contact tracing.[26]
On August 7, 2020, several lawmakers made an unannounced visit to the Department of Health. They found contact tracers overwhelmed due to a lack of resources.[27] Green commented on the situation, calling for the replacement of state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park.[28]
On August 13, 2020, the state's first outbreak in the correctional system occurred at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.[29]
As of September 3, Hawaii had exceeded 9,000 infections.[30]
In late August, an outbreak occurred at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.[31] By September 11, 10 residents had died there. A government review[32] led to a change in management.[33]
On December 14, 2020, Hawaii received its first set of vaccines with a total of 975 doses being delivered to The Queen's Medical Center, the largest private non-profit hospital in the state.[34]
On January 8, 2021, Lt. Gov. Green claimed that the 501.V2 variant had reached Hawaii. Green later corrected his statement and clarified that there were no cases of the new COVID strain.[35]
Government response
Inception
March 16: Ige announced that spring break for public schools in Hawaii would be extended for an additional week.[36] On March 18, the break was extended for an additional week.[37]
March 18: Kauai County announced a nighttime curfew effective March 20 and a limit on airline travel to "essential needs" until further notice.[38]
March 19: the Department of Transportation stated that passengers from cruise ships would not be allowed to disembark.[39] The same day, Honolulu County Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced efforts to curb spread, including closing parks and a 15-day ban on indoor restaurant and bar operations. It was also announced that no curfew was envisioned.[40] Similar measures were announced by Mayor Michael Victorino for Maui County, effective from March 20 until May 3.[41]
Also on March 19, Hawai`i House Speaker Scott Saiki called on the governor to institute an immediate statewide shutdown for 15 days.[42]
March 20: Caldwell and the Honolulu City Council joined Saiki and Green in calling on the governor to put in place travel restrictions.[42]
March 21: Ige mandated a 14-day quarantine for all visitors and residents returning to Hawai`i. Ige resisted calls for a shelter-in-place order, saying: "it is really appropriate when there is widespread community spread."[43][44]
Over 100 physicians signed an open letter sent to Ige, Victorino, and Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson urging authorities to implement a shelter-in-place regime.[45]
March 22: Caldwell and Victorino announced stay-at-home orders beginning on March 23th and March 25th, respectively, lasting until April 30.[46]
April 3: Ige called on Hawaii National Guard to be ready to assist.[47]
April 6:, Hawaii Tourism Authority asked media to "refrain from publishing any stories about Hawaii that might encourage people to travel to the islands."[48]
Reopening
May 7: Ige began the first phase of ending shelter-in-place.[49] The "Beyond Recovery: Reopening Hawaiʻi" strategy detailed his four-phased approach.[50]
May 19: Bloomberg News reported that "roughly 20 people" had been arrested or cited for violating the provisions.[51]
May 21: Arrivals had decreased by 98% from the previous year.[52]
Second lockdown
August 25: Ige approved a second stay-at-home order, effective August 27. Its duration was initially for 2 weeks.[53] On September 8, the policy was extended until September 24th.[54]
August 31: Ige announced the appoint of Libby Char as an interim replacement for Bruce Anderson as Health Department Director In September 2020, Park took a leave of absence.[55][56][57][58]
Safe Travels
October 15: Hawaii initiated its "Safe Travels" program, allowing visitors to avoid quarantine by presenting a negative nucleic acid test from a qualified lab.[59]
December 6: In an effort to boost the tourist industry, Hawaii offered free round-trip transportation to out-of-state remote workers who wished to temporarily relocate. Fifty qualified people were to be provided with lodging at Oahu hotels. The "Movers and Shakers" were required to contribute to local nonprofit partners.[60]
December 17: In accordance with CDC guidance, Ige signed an emergency proclamation that lowered the travel quarantine period from 2 weeks to 10 days.[61]
Statistics
Cases per capita
As of February 1, 2021, Hawaii has the lowest case rate of all 50 states at 1,775 per 100,000 people. Hawaii also has the second lowest death rate at 28 per 100,000 people, beaten only by Vermont.[62]
Masks
In the week of January 17, 2021, it was estimated that 86% of Hawaii residents correctly wore masks. Out of all counties, Maui County had the highest correct compliance rate at 96%, whereas Kauai County had the lowest at 76%.[3]
| County | Wearing Mask Correctly | Wearing Mask Incorrectly | Not Wearing Mask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 88% | 6% | 7% |
| Hawaii | 93% | 3% | 4% |
| Maui | 96% | 3% | 1% |
| Honolulu | 87% | 7% | 6% |
| Kauai | 76% | 6% | 19% |
Age
Most cases occur between the ages of 0-49. Most hospitalizations and deaths on the other hand are between the ages of 50-80+.[3]
| Age | Infections | Hospitalizations | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-17 | 2,302 | 20 | 0 |
| 18-29 | 4,011 | 88 | 0 |
| 30-39 | 3,094 | 151 | 0 |
| 40-49 | 2,390 | 202 | 15 |
| 50-59 | 2,131 | 278 | 44 |
| 60-69 | 1,379 | 321 | 74 |
| 70-79 | 561 | 236 | 107 |
| 80+ | 239 | 147 | 156 |
Sex disparity
More males than females have contracted COVID-19. Males are also more likely to be hospitalized. The greatest gender disparity by far occurs in deaths, where males are much more likely to die of the virus than females are.[3]
| Sex | Cases | Hospitalizations | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 7,823 | 664 | 152 |
| Male | 8,351 | 779 | 254 |
Racial disparity
Non-Hawaiian Pacific Islanders are only 4% of the population, but make up 23% of infections, 31% of hospitalizations and 24% of deaths.[3] To a lesser extent, Filipinos also face disproportionate numbers in all categories.
The Japanese, Other Asian and Chinese groups face disproportionate numbers in terms of deaths.
| Ethnicity | % of infections | % of Hospitalizations | % of Deaths | % of State Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 3% | 1% | 0% | 2% |
| Chinese | 3% | 3% | 6% | 4% |
| Filipino | 19% | 21% | 22% | 16% |
| Japanese | 7% | 11% | 22% | 15% |
| Native Hawaiian | 18% | 16% | 9% | 21% |
| Other | 5% | 3% | 0% | 8% |
| Other Asian | 3% | 3% | 7% | 4% |
| Pacific Islander | 23% | 31% | 24% | 4% |
| White | 19% | 11% | 9% | 25% |
Data by county
| County [lower-alpha 1] | Cases [lower-alpha 2] | Deaths | Hosp. | Recov. | Pop (2007) | Cases/100k | CFR | Ref. & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 / 5 | 24,353 | 322 | 1,928 | 11,958 | 1,415,872 | 1,720.00 | 1.32% | |
| Hawaii | 2,073 | 45 | 105 | 618 | 201,513 | 1,028.7 | 2.17% | |
| Honolulu | 19,891 | 253 | 1,749 | 9,349 | 974,563 | 2,041.0 | 1.27% | [lower-alpha 3] |
| Kalawao | 1 | 0 | – | – | 86 | 1,162.8 | – | [lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5][63] |
| Kauai | 173 | 1 | 12 | 56 | 72,293 | 239.3 | 0.58% | |
| Maui | 1,588 | 19 | 62 | 366 | 167,417 | 948.5 | 1.20% | |
| Residents diag. outside of HI | 34 | 1 | 2 | - | – | – | – | [lower-alpha 4] |
| County Pending | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | |
| Updated January 18, 2021 Data is publicly reported by Hawai‘i State Department of Health[64][65][66] | ||||||||
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See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii. |
- Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic – for impact on other countries
References
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At this current juncture, amidst the uncertainty ushered forth by COVID-19, we humbly ask that you and/or your publication(s) refrain from publishing any stories about Hawaiʻi that might encourage people to travel to the islands.
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