HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige announced that the state is ending the travel quarantine and the Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program after the current emergency period ends on Mar. 25. Beginning at 12:01 am, Mar. 26, passengers arriving from domestic points of origin will not have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a pre-travel negative test result. Incoming passengers will also no longer be required to create a Safe Travels account or provide travelers information and trip details. Travelers arriving in the State of Hawaiʻi now through Mar. 25, are still subject to Safe Travels requirements.
Even after most COVID-19 restrictions disappear beginning March 26, Gov. David Ige intends to keep Hawaii’s indoor mask mandate in place. (Star-Advertiser)
So… it looks like our guest organists, Katelyn Emerson and Alcee Chriss III, will still have to enroll in the Safe Travels Program when they come to Hawaii this week to participate in our American Guild of Organists extravaganza, “Celebrating the Pipe Organ in Hawaii.”
In our promotional brochure, we stated that masks will be required for all audience members—and someone told us that that policy would preclude his attendance at the concerts! Let me announce that anti-maskers are welcome to WATCH the livestreamed concerts at All Saints Episcopal Church, Kapa‘a at allsaintskauai.org, Saturday March 12 and March 19 at 6:00 pm HST. Anyone with the link will be able to view the video; and I understand that Jieun’s friends in Korea, New Mexico and Texas are looking forward to watching it!
We are also pleased to announce that our Bach birthday concert on March 21st, 7:00 pm will also be livestreamed on the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists Facebook page. You don’t have to be a Facebook member to watch it. We’ll also archive the performance on the AGO website, agohawaii.org.
I had a conversation with Jieun Kim Newland about the mask situation, and I told her we should plan on wearing masks during our performance on March 21st. Apparently Hawaii is the only state in the United States that still has an indoor mask mandate. Many people in Hawaii wear masks even outdoors, and for myself, I am perfectly comfortable wearing a mask any time I leave my apartment. Hey, when I wear a mask, I don’t have to wear makeup!
In my last post, some people got worried about my being overwhelmed by all my responsibilities for the next two weeks in hosting these fine artists. Rest assured that everything is under control … so far, and you shouldn’t worry about me! Katelyn arrives TOMORROW night and Alcee arrives Tuesday—both will be in Hawaii about two weeks. Katelyn will be staying in my condo as my houseguest, and then when she leaves for Kaua‘i next week, Jieun Kim Newland and her husband Ben will be my houseguests for a week.
I know I complained about only having three hours to clean up my guest room after Katelyn leaves, but thank goodness, a former organ student who is now my housekeeper will be helping me accomplish the task before Jieun and Ben arrive.
Here is the schedule of concerts:
Saturday, March 12 • Alcee Chriss III at All Saints Episcopal, Kapa‘a, 6:00 pm HST. LIVESTREAMED
Sunday, March 13 • Katelyn Emerson at Central Union Church, 2:00 pm HST
Wednesday, March 16 • Hawaii’s Choral Legacy at Central Union Church, 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 19 • Katelyn Emerson at All Saints Episcopal, Kapa‘a, 6:00 pm HST. LIVESTREAMED
Sunday, March 20 • Alcee Chriss III at Central Union Church, 2:00 pm
Monday, March 21 • Happy 337th Birthday, J. S. Bach! at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 7:00 PM HST, Katherine Crosier and Jieun Kim Newland, organists with guest instrumentalists Darel Stark, Alex Hayashi, Roger Koopman and the University of Hawaii Chamber Singers. LIVESTREAMED
Today was the first time in MONTHS that I played the organ for an in-person service at Nuuanu Congregational Church. Normally I wear all black, but today, being the First Sunday in Lent, I decided to wear this gorgeous, black and fuchsia blouse I found in my box at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu! I don’t know who left it there, and unfortunately there wasn’t a note attached saying who it was from. Luckily it fits me just fine, and I thank my “Secret Santa” for such a beautiful gift!
Will these performances be recorded for later viewing? Those of us in the Eastern Time Zone would appreciate being able to watch a replay. Thank you.
Yes, Barbara, not to worry if you are in a time zone far away. All performances will be archived—I will post the links later.
Looking forward to watching these performances! jb
Even though Washington (and therefore, our county) has removed the mask mandate, we still mask up in crowded situations with lots of people (grocery shopping, for example).
Since I haven’t had a cold for more than two years now, I don’t really mind it! Of course, I don’t have the makeup issue!