Hawaii Page 9

On the Sunday, October 18th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, you can visit Hawaii again.  But, there are a few hoops you have to jump through.  You need a negative Covid test, within 72 hours of departure.  Two islands have additional optional testing provisions.  You can find all the info here.   Jet Blue brings back the Big Apple non-stops and we tell you one of the safest places you can be while traveling during Covid.  Clue: On an airplane, if, and it's a big if, if everyone is wearing a mask. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about wi-fi on the road.  How can you protect yourself?  Are there things to watch for? Mark offers up a Just One Man's Opinion on a current subject, and we give you an update on flight changes at Sacramento International.  Plus speaking of Hawaii, one of our team traveled to the islands the first day they reopened last week and joins us to give you an idea of what to expect if you are headed to Hawaii soon!

On the Sunday, September 27th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, you plan to head to Hawaii again, starting October 15, but Covid testing will be mandatory.  United and Hawaiian have announced on site testing at SFO only to start.  United’s instant test will be $250, Hawaiian’s is priced at $150.  In Honolulu, drive through testing will be offered, and both airlines offer a less expensive non-instant testing option. Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks have reopened as the smoke situation has gotten better.  Disneyland has not reopened yet and park management is getting antsy.   In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss the testing for travel situation.  What if everyone’s temperature is taken as they enter the airport? What is the traveling public willing to accept to get the ok to fly. Travelers are staying closer to home.  A great close-to-home destination is Berkeley.  Home to the University of California, it’s a funky town, with lots of great places to shop and eat.   Staycations, daytripping, nearcations, whatever you call them, we aren’t wandering far from home these days.  When will that change?

On the Sunday, August 30th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, a new 15-minute COVID test appears to be on its way to the market, and if so it would be a game changer for sure.  Developed by Abbott Laboratories, it would allow on-the-spot testing for travelers.  Cruise lines are already hedging their bets into 2021 with cancellations, and American Airlines touts a brand new corona virus disinfectant, but chemical experts are questioning its quick approval.  We also have the latest Hawaii travel update. In our Smarter Traveler segment - The San Francisco Giants, known for their classy promotions, grounded into a double play with their offer from Alaska Airlines.  They gave those who signed up 24 hours to buy reduced price tickets (which were not available at all on many prime dates).  They made no mention of whether the tickets would be changeable or refundable without fees, as many airlines are doing.  Note the Giants/Alaska Airlines extended this offer 24 hours at a time, 3 times last week.  Perhaps the public wasn't ready to buy tickets under those conditions.  Mark talks about his 3-day trip to the greater Portland area this week.  He has a hotel and a restaurant recommendation if you are headed that direction, along with some advice about seeing the local volcano. Travelers continue to ask, "when can we go to Hawaii?".  It's a complicated question, further muddied by governmental leaders in the islands.  We talk with Will Lydgate, of Lydgate Farms, creators of amazing Kauai Chocolate, about the situation.  Will's family has been on Kauai for many generations, and since his chocolate growing operation depends on farm tours and the people who take them, as part of their income, Will has been impacted.  We'll get the scoop straight from the islands. Finally, we have a treat for you.  The Phoenix Choir in Vancouver, BC, Canada, has created a catchy "Covid" time, changing the lyrics of Billy Joel's For the Longest Time.  Hearing it is great, but the video below is well worth watching.

On the Sunday, April 5th 2020, Palm Sunday edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, air travel is off 95% in the US, Nevada casinos will stay closed through April and we talk about the many state-to-state travel restrictions.  Would you believe cruise bookings for 2021 are actually UP from last year?  A group of senators is pressuring the airlines to follow the rules and offer passengers on canceled flights cash refunds. What is one of the "germiest" things you touch when you travel?  Perhaps your suitcase.  In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about how you can clean up that germ-carrying suitcase or carry on. The underwriter of the program is Sports Leisure Vacations.  We offer a short update especially for these travelers at 3:20. The governor of Hawaii is quarantining inbound leisure travelers entering Hawaii for 14 days.  Seems that would pretty much put an end to the tourism economy.  We talk to Will Lydgate of Lydgate Farms on the island of Kauai.  Will tells us what his island is like when the tourists suddenly disappear.  The money left with them, and that's a problem for some, but what is the upside (besides the lack of traffic).  Is there one?