Governor Ige gives the greenlight to non-essential travel for fully vaccinated residents and visitors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 19, 2021 HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today announced the State of Hawaiʻi is safely open to vaccinated residents and visitors who are traveling domestically and between islands for business or pleasure, starting Nov. 1. The governor made the announcement in Kona today, at the opening of the permanent Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). “I think we are all encouraged by what we’ve seen over the last several weeks with the continuing trend of lower case counts,” said Gov. Ige. “Our hospitals are doing better, and we have fewer COVID patients in them. Most importantly, our health care system has responded, and we have the ability to move forward with economic recovery. Because of this, it is now safe for fully vaccinated residents and visitors to resume non-essential travel to and within the State of Hawaiʻi.” On Aug. 23, Gov. Ige said it was not a good time to travel to Hawaiʻi. “I’m asking all residents and visitors alike to restrict travel, curtail travel to Hawaiʻi to essential activities only,” Gov. Ige said. The state continues to seek information from the federal government about its plans for international travel and will have an appropriate plan in place prior to Nov. 8. VIDEO can be found here at 1:43 (Courtesy Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation). # # # Media Contacts: Jodi Leong Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary Office of the Governor Office: 808-586-0043 Mobile: 808-798-3929 jodi.c.leong@hawaii.gov Cindy McMillan Communications Director Office of the Governor Office: 808-586-0012 Mobile: 808-265-7974 cindy.mcmillan@hawaii.gov