A new social media campaign in Hawaii is using messages from members of the community to discourage visits during the coronavirus pandemic and report anyone breaking the mandatory 14-day quarantine for arrivals.
The initiative is dubbed "Mai Hele Mai," roughly translated as "Don't Come," and grew out of a Facebook group that was posting information about people suspected of violating the state's mandatory 14-day quarantine.
After the quarantine took effect March 26, visitation to Hawaii dropped to a trickle through April, with 200 to 300 visitors arriving per day, compared to the roughly 30,000 that arrive daily during normal times. In May, visitor numbers increased slightly, and through the first seven days of June an average of 495 visitors have arrived each day.
Several agencies including the state Department of Transportation, Hawaii Tourism Authority and law enforcement have been working to identify those defying the quarantine order. Some violators have been arrested and sent back to their home cities.
The Mai Hele Mai campaign includes a variety of messages posted on social media from community leaders, well-known musicians and native Hawaiians, who are all expressing one general message: Now is not the time to visit Hawaii.
"For centuries Hawaiians have been sharing their aloha with the world," said Natalie Ai Kamauu, a Grammy-nominated hula performer. "At this difficult time, we ask you to do the same for us. Mai Hele Mai. Stay home. Stay safe. Stay healthy."