Hawaii’s indoor mask mandate and the Safe Travels program — the state’s only remaining COVID-19 restrictions — officially ended Saturday.
Many East Hawaii businesses took down their mask-requirement signs and allowed employees and patrons to enter maskless.
Mark Mattos, owner of Coconut Grill, said that was a cause of excitement for employees who have worn face masks for two years.
“Saturday’s going to be business as usual — but with a burst of joy,” Mattos said Friday. “We’ll be glad to not have to wear masks in the kitchen, which has always been a torment.”
Mattos gave employees the choice to wear masks or not after Friday.
On Saturday, about half of the front-end staff members were maskless.
“I just decided about an hour ago I would try to work without a mask,” said server Nathan Kamakea-Napihaa. “It feels nice, but also feels kind of weird.”
Prince Kuhio Plaza also discarded its mask requirement, although stores can require masks individually if they want.
“We’re dropping the mask mandate in the mall, but individual stores can still require customers to wear masks. I’m not aware of anyone choosing to do that, though,” said General Manager Daniel Kea. “It’s going to be good to see us get back to a sense of normalness.”
Three employees were working Saturday in the mall at Zumiez, with one opting to wear a mask while the other two went without.
“I decided to not wear a mask, so people can see that it’s completely their choice,” Mia Boyer said. “It does feel a little weird, but I love being able to see people’s faces again.”
Despite the lifting of the mask requirement, many patrons still wore masks Saturday as they walked around the mall.
Saturday also was the end of the Safe Travels program. That means domestic travelers are able to come to the state without proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before travel.
The program was implemented in October 2020.
“I am extremely proud of our Safe Travels screening team personnel, who have worked tirelessly over the past two years adapting to the changing needs of the program that has helped keep Hawaii’s communities safe,” said Roy Pfund, president of Roberts Hawaii. “We are thankful that we can now move forward and get back to our regular business activities as we transition our screening personnel to our many open positions within our transportation divisions.”
Karina Lawrence arrived Saturday at the Hilo International Airport from Los Angeles to see her family for the second time since the pandemic.
“I heard through my family that I didn’t need to do the Safe Travels program, so it made travel much simpler than the first time I came home,” Lawrence said. “”I’m glad I don’t have to worry about getting all my information in on time and then standing in extra lines. It just makes travel a little more stressful.”
Tay Bayrak flew to Hilo on Saturday from Honolulu after arriving in Hawaii on March 20.
“I had to do the Safe Travels when I got here, but it really wasn’t that bad,” Bayrak said. “I don’t mind that I had to do it, but I guess it’s nice that it’s over now.”
As of Saturday, Hawaii County also suspended all county-sponsored COVID-19 testing events until further notice.
Other vendors on Hawaii Island that provide testing can be found at bit.ly/hicountytesting.
Staff Writer Mike Brestovansky contributed to this report.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com