How do we know the islands are free from the virus, at least from current Omicron, (ASSUMING we are effectively controlling the virus at our ports)?

It usually depends on the incubation periods. Although the original strain had usually up to 2 weeks incubation, but Omicron may have shorter, perhaps 5 days.

So, if we are free from Omicron for about a week (if safely add 2 more days) incubation x 2= TWO weeks, then we may safely think, it has disappeared in our islands, as long as we don’t suffer from more influx of the virus.

I hope it happens soon, and we enjoy our daily lives back to normal.

Aloha.

How to effectively control or eradicate the virus internally (inside Hawaii), once we control our ports well?

Since many people don’t want lockdown, (which may be still fastest way to control the virus), we want to test any and all people on the islands AT THE SAME TIME, perhaps on weekend, preferably two consecutive days (or different intervals and frequency, as needed), with advanced notice and preparation, but repeat such (antigen) tests on the following weekend(s), if and as necessary, till we achieve eradication of the virus.

The goal is to isolate the infected as quickly as possible, and treat them early if and as necessary.

If we control or eradicate the virus within Hawaii, all Hawaii people can enjoy free activities with no mask, even at any crowded indoor places.

Aloha.

Omicron variants are more infectious but less deadly, but likely have much less incubation periods.

So, in my two track control of the virus, as I repeatedly stated, tightening our ports with more (pre and post travel) tests are the most crucial and the first thing we need to fully and successfully implement.

I know there may be issues how we need to cost-effectively implement and perform such (quick antigen) tests. But, we can still manage effectively with some alternative ways.

Among others,

1. Test all passengers before boarding.
2. If too expensive to build infrastructures for such preboarding test at the airports, then test during flight.
But, strongly recommend or require an extra test at home before coming to the airport.
(The goal is more to pre-screen the infected and to avoid the number of post arrival quarantine as possible.)
3. Require mask mandate during the flight (and even after arrival but before post arrival tests). (But first, discuss and negotiate with federal government, especially regarding mask mandate during the flight.)
4. Perform self post arrival test(s) on the following day and more if necessary, depending on the prevalence of the virus, (but quckly adjust the intervals and frequency of the tests, as needed), and also self report the result(s) on mobile app.
5. Make sure the government to prepare cost-effectively and have enough people (e.g. contact tracers) and systems to verify and manage such tasks.
6. Advise each tourist hotel to have Qurantine floor (and a small nurse station).

Aloha.