OUTRAGE: Reports of Multiple Arrests In Hawaii For Breaking Quarantine

Here are more details from CBS:

Hawaii officials arrested a man from New York on Friday for violating the state's 14-day quarantine rule for tourists. Tarique Peters, 23, of the Bronx posted photos on Instagram showing him outside his hotel room after he arrived in O'ahu on Monday, according to a news release from the office of Hawaii's governor.

According to the news release Peters allegedly left his hotel room the same day he arrived "and traveled many places using public transportation."

"Authorities became aware of his social media posts from citizens who saw posts of him — on the beach with a surfboard, sunbathing, and walking around Waikiki at night," reads the release. "This morning agents were able to confirm with hotel personnel that had seen Peters leave his room and the premises on numerous occasions this week."

Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connor said, "We appreciate the assistance of local people who spot flagrant violations of our emergency rules on various social media sites and report them to the appropriate authorities."

Hawaii now requires tourists to list their contact and lodging information, and sign an agreement for 14 days of self-quarantine. "By signing the legal document, they acknowledge they understand violating the order is a criminal offense and they are subject to a $5,000 fine and/or a year imprisonment," according to the state's department of transportation.  

Recently, a California couple was arrested in Hawaii for violating the state's quarantine rule, CBS Sacramento reports. According to the state, the couple refused to follow quarantine despite repeated warnings from their hotel staff.

Governor David Ige said in an online question-and-answer session that the mandatory quarantine order will continue through at least the end of June, CBS San Francisco reported Friday.

"These actions are extreme, but necessary, to flatten the curve and lay the groundwork for our recovery," Ige said.

And from ABC News:

A New York City man who went on vacation amid stay-at-home mandates and lockdown orders, experienced some of his Hawaiian vacation from jail.

Tarique Peters arrived in Oahu, Hawaii, on May 11 then left his hotel and "traveled many places using public transportation," said authorities with the Department of the Attorney General Clare Connors' office.

Agents confirmed with hotel personnel that Peters was seen repeatedly leaving the premises during his stay, authorities said.

"We appreciate the assistance of local people who spot flagrant violations of our emergency rules on various social media sites and report them to the appropriate authorities," said Connors in a press release issued on Friday.

Peters, who is from the Bronx, was arrested and charged with violation of the mandatory 14-day quarantine rule and unsworn falsification to authority, authorities said.

Bail was set for Peters at $4,000. His attorney's information was not available.

Violations of the self-quarantine order could result in a misdemeanor with fines of up to $5,000 and/or up to one year in prison, or both, according to the governor's office.

Here is a surprisingly enlightening article from CNN:

Roving neighborhood police patrols. Uniformed soldiers manning checkpoints. A vast surveillance network of hotel staff and health department officials on the lookout for anyone breaking quarantine. 

This isn't an authoritarian dictatorship. It's the US state of Hawaii, where officials have been enforcing some of the strictest measures in the country aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

As governments around the world work to flatten the curve of new virus infections, the place known for its "aloha spirit" -- and a state law on the books requiring compassion towards others -- has opted for tough love to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. 

For some tourists escaping to the tropical islands to ride out the pandemic, flouting Hawaii's rigid public health response has meant jail time. 

Newlyweds behind bars

Last week, police arrested a California couple visiting Hawaii on their honeymoon after they ignored warnings to stay inside their hotel room.

Upon arriving in Waikiki, authorities say the man and woman were advised by hotel staff that the state's emergency pandemic orders required them to self-quarantine. The couple reportedly ignored the instructions and left the hotel. After returning to their hotel around midnight, they were again warned by hotel staff to not leave their room. After again breaking quarantine the next day, hotel staff called police, who arrested the couple. 

In late April, a Florida man and Illinois woman were also arrested by Honolulu police after breaking quarantine. Hotel staff notified authorities after seeing the couple return to their room with shopping bags and takeout food, according to state health officials. 

On the same day, authorities say a witness saw a 60-year-old California man jet-skiing off Oahu's north shore, despite orders to quarantine. He was later seen leaving a residence and was followed to a Costco outlet. State investigators placed him under arrest as he returned to his car with groceries, authorities say. 

"Our initial goal is to educate people," Lt. Audra Sellers of the Maui Police Department told CNN. "Our efforts are meant to keep people safe and stop them from spreading the virus." 

But Sellers says the patience of the police only goes so far when dealing with repeat offenders. 

"If they've been warned, and do it again, we arrest them," she said. 

'Extreme but necessary'

Resorts stand temporarily closed around Kaanapali Beach in Lahaina, Hawaii, on April 24.

In late March, Hawaii's Gov. David Ige signed an emergency order requiring shelter-in-place provisions for all Hawaiians and tourists. Under the order, anyone arriving in the state must undergo 14 days of self-quarantine.

"These actions are extreme, but necessary, to flatten the curve and lay the groundwork for our recovery," Ige said.

New arrivals must fill out documentation listing their contact and lodging information, and a signature is required acknowledging one's understanding that violating quarantine is a criminal offense punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to one year in prison, according to the state's transportation department. 

But enforcement efforts don't stop there. Airport health officials are required to dial the cell number a passenger provides, to ensure it is valid. After verifying one's contact information, a representative then calls the hotel where a visitor intends to stay, to confirm there is an existing reservation. 

"Law enforcement officers are standing by to deal with anyone who refuses the process or becomes combative," according to transportation officials. 

CNN spoke with a hotel manager in Hawaii who asked not to be named to speak freely about how resorts are assisting law enforcement with the state's emergency orders. 

"Our guests receive periodic calls from state health officials, the police, and hotel staff, to make sure they are actually in their rooms," the hotel manager said. 

"Some of our hotels are issuing one-time keys, which allow a guest to enter their room upon check-in, but don't allow reentry," he said. "For first-time offenders, our staff will escort them back to their rooms. If they leave again, we call the police." 

The hotel manager described a network of surveillance by authorities, hotel staff and local residents geared towards ensuring visitors do not break quarantine orders. He said he has witnessed police and members of the national guard routinely checking on visitors. 

A spokesman for the Hawaii National Guard confirmed to CNN that some service members have been assigned to ride along with police to check on residents and tourists.