Japanese tourists hope to say ‘Aloha’ again after Hawaii listed as safe destination

Hawaii has reported 1,865 coronavirus cases and 26 casualties, the lowest numbers per capita of any US state

No timetable for travel routes reopening has been confirmed but the Japanese travel industry is eager for business to resume

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Hawaii, which is about eight hours’ flight from Japan, was listed alongside Brunei, Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:00am, 1 Aug 2020Updated: 8:32pm, 2 Aug 2020

The first time Takako Tomura visited Hawaii, she was a high school student. It was love at first sight. Now a 40-year-old housewife, she says she has visited Hawaii at least 40 times.

For many Japanese, Hawaii is the epitome of a Pacific island paradise. Tomura loves relaxing on the beach, and enjoys shopping and dining out. She can’t wait to get back – and she may not have to wait much longer, after Hawaii was this week deemed a safe destination by the Japanese government, offering a potential shot in the arm to a travel industry devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was the first place I visited outside Japan and that makes it even more special to me,” she said. “We had been planning a trip this spring but it had to be cancelled because of the virus. But I really hope the reports I have seen on the news that it will be one of the first places we can travel [after the international ban is lifted] are true.”

Hawaii, which is about eight hours’ flight from Japan, was listed alongside Brunei, Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Additional destinations are expected to be added in coming months, primarily in Europe, but Hawaii is the only US location included so far.

No timetable has been confirmed and officials in both Japan and Hawaii have emphasised public health concerns will be paramount in determining when restrictions are lifted.

“On behalf of the state of Hawaii, we are honoured Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe and Japan’s policymakers are considering Hawaii for resuming safe and responsible international travel,” Hawaii Governor David Ige said.

“Japan and Hawaii enjoy long-standing cultural ties and a deep-rooted friendship that has enriched the lives of many generations. It is important that we restore travel between Japan and Hawaii and we see this programme as a way to make this possible, while also preventing the further spread of infections from Covid-19.”

Hawaii has reported 1,865 coronavirus cases and 26 casualties, the lowest numbers per capita of any US state. Three Hawaiian islands – Maui, Kauai and the Big Island – are considering “resort bubbles” that would permit visitors to quarantine for 14 days in resort properties.