Resort 1st in Hawaii to require vaccinations

HONOLULU — A resort in the famed tourist mecca of Waikiki will be the first in Hawaii to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all employees and guests.

Starting Oct. 15, ‘Alohilani Resort will require its employees, patrons and guests to show proof they’re fully vaccinated. The requirement will also apply to the six other Waikiki properties owned or operated by Highgate, a real estate investment and hospitality management company.

It’s the right thing to do as Hawaii grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations because of the highly contagious delta variant, said Kelly Sanders,

senior vice president of operations at Highgate Hawaii.

There were an average of 706 newly confirmed infection cases per day between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5 across Hawaii, according to the state Department of Health. Hawaii’s vaccination rate was at 64%.

“So I think we will be the safest hotel in Hawaii, at least for now,” Sanders said ahead of a news conference Wednesday to announce the mandate. “And hopefully that helps our business and doesn’t hurt our business.”

John De Fries, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, called the move a step in a the right direction and said he hopes other hotels follow suit.

“What I appreciate about it is that our community, our workforce and the guests are all mutual beneficiaries of this decision by Highgate,” he said.

Hawaii state workers and Honolulu city employees must show proof of vaccination or get weekly COVID-19 testing. Honolulu is requiring patrons of restaurants, gyms, bars, movie theaters, museums and other businesses to show vaccination proof or recent negative tests starting Sept. 13.

Sanders said the Waikiki hotels won’t allow testing alternatives, but will allow for medical or religious exemptions and will exempt children younger than 12 who cannot get vaccinated.

There are about 1,000 employees among the seven properties and an estimated 70% are already vaccinated, Sanders said.