On July 1, 2021,  the County of Hawaiʻi and its partners hosted a COVID-19 vaccination incentive drive for East Hawaiʻi Hotel Employees and their families.

As part of an effort to ensure that frontline hotel workers had adequate protection from COVID-19, KTA gift cards were given to hotel employees who either registered and got vaccinated onsite, showed up to the site with proof of vaccination, and/or registered a family member or friend to get vaccinated.

The gift cards ranged in amounts from $25-50, and workers could receive up to a total of $100 in gift cards. The gift cards were paid for by the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association. Other community partners included: Community First, Mālama iā Hawaiʻi, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, and the Grand Naniloa Resort.

Vaccinations were administered by KTA Superstores at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on the Ground Floor and consisted solely of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  360 $50 gift cards were given out, and 15 people got vaccinated on-site.

In a press release Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said, “we were excited to see how many hotel workers came out with proof of vaccination.  As we begin to reopen our island, it is essential that we ensure our frontline hospitality workers are protected so that we can reduce the potential of community spread and keep our island safe and healthy.”

Photo courtesy of the Hawaiʻi County Mayor’s Office