The number of cases in Hawaii is soaring. Yet, two idiots propose a Waikiki “college bubble” to bring students looking for a more “authentic experience” to Hawaii for their online studies.
Current Status
new casesHawaii is the state seeing the largest percentage increases in new cases in the US right now. So far this month, we reported 1,387. That’s nearly 40% of all cases reported in Hawaii in nine days. Last month? We reported 1,194 cases. And, prior to that, we reported a total of 917 cases over the first four months of COID-19 response in the islands. In the month of May, at the height of our lockdown efforts, that number was as low as 34.
Increased Enforcement
Last week, Hawaii began rolling back its reopening plans. Bars, parks, hiking trails, beaches – all closed. Even the inter-island quarantine is back. And, as part of that rollback, law enforcement officials promised increased enforcement. They delivered on that promise with a reported 1,350 citations issued by the Honolulu Police Department alone. Honolulu residents phoned in 300 complaints about violators to a new, dedicated hotline, while a further 80 reports were submitted via email. So, if you’re looking for an idyllic vacation in Hawaii, you should probably hold off traveling here until after the pandemic is over. Seriously. Don’t be like this jerk.
Proposed Waikiki College Bubble
Two Princeton graduates, Lane Russel and Adam Bragg, co-founded something called The Experience U. Their aim is to set up two college bubbles, one in Waikiki and one in Arkansas, for students to fly to and conduct their distanced learning from. The idea, according to Russell, is to give students the social interactions in a school setting that they are missing out on due to distance learning.
According to Hawaii News Now, Russell says that safeguards are in place to protect the local community and students alike. Students would be pre-tested for COVID-19 and must follow strict guidelines while on campus, including abiding by quarantine mandates. The program’s online handbook says in part, “…no student will be allowed to leave the campus to purchase goods, essential or non-essential.”
Lies
While The Experience U tries to look like they’re being responsible community members by stating that students will not be allowed to leave campus to purchase goods, essential or not, they will in-fact have students leave the campus. In fact, that same handbook discussing the no-leave policy says that “Experience U authorized” excursions are part of the experience.
What are these excursions? According to the handbook, these include things like day trips to private islands, beachfront recreational sports, hiking excursions to Diamond Head, DJ’d pool parties, and more. So, students will be out in the community and won’t be strictly contained to the campus.
Location
According to the Experience U website, the Hawaii location is at the Park Shore Waikiki Hotel. That is a lower-tier hotel on the east end of Waikiki right across the street from the Honolulu Zoo. They say the onsite restaurants and bars are part of the experience’s meal plan.
Idiots Propose Waikiki College Bubble
If these idiots go ahead with their plans, Experience U kicks off on September 1. That’s during Hawaii’s current lockdown orders, which is subject to extensions. How you guys gonna fulfill your advertised promises if that happens? And, how are you guys going to keep our community safe if your plan is to explicitly galavant? To anyone thinking of participating, this thing stinks of the Fyre Festival, if you ask me. Seriously, half the things they’re advertising aren’t possible under emergency orders. And they’re charging $15,000 for the experience.
To me, if your main concern is the mental health of students and letting them socialize, why not do this elsewhere? Why not do this in your home state? I’m sure people will gladly go to New York.
Understandably, Hawaii residents, myself included, are pissed. Just take a look at this change.org petition. Over 8,200 people signed as of 6 pm HST last night. The petition went up yesterday. Why? Because these two jerks want to profit off Hawaii while putting residents and students at risk. No skin of their backs – they don’t have to deal with any of the fallout. And the whole idea is simply wrong on so many different levels – even before their lying.
Shame on the Park Shore Waikiki and their New York-based owners, too.
Haoles all about themselves and the green. Did you expect anything less?