Updated 4 p.m. March 1
As of Tuesday, three of Hawaiʻi's four main counties will not have any county-level COVID-19 restrictions. Oʻahu is set to follow suit.
Saturday will be the last day of the Safe Access O‘ahu program. Honolulu will no longer require businesses, including restaurants and gyms, to verify employees and customers are fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test.
"We’re gonna allow our last restriction we had in place — Safe Access Oʻahu — to sunset this week at midnight on March 5. So we’re very excited about that because what that really means now is the city has no emergency orders," Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. "We are back to where we were before the 4th of March 2020. So with respect to restrictions, there are none any longer."
The statewide indoor mask mandate will remain in effect. No changes have been announced.
Safe Travels Hawaiʻi remains in effect until March 25, requiring proof of vaccination or negative test to avoid quarantine upon arrival. The program falls under Gov. David Ige’s most recent emergency proclamation, which does not expire until that date.
The vaccination or testing program for all state and county employees also remains in effect until March 25.
Oʻahu businesses can still check for vaccine cards after March 5 at the store owner’s discretion.
Maui and Kauaʻi counties similarly announced their county COVID-19 restrictions, such as social gathering and event limits, will be repealed as of Tuesday.
“As we reach this milestone, I am overwhelmed with gratitude,” Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami said. "I thank you all for your patience, your willingness to adapt at a moment’s notice, your innovative solutions, and your teamwork to overcome the most extraordinary and unprecedented challenges over the past two years."
Kauaʻi County said large event organizers are "highly encouraged to promote" vaccination or testing practices as part of their business operations.
In Maui County, campgrounds and community centers with capacities of up to 300 people will reopen.
Hawaiʻi County ended its COVID-19 restrictions, effective immediately when announced by Mayor Mitch Roth on Monday.
