New Yorker Travels to Hawaii for a Getaway But Doesn't Get Away - From the Cops, for Going to the Beach

AP featured image — FILE – In this Dec. 21, 2016 file photo two surfers share a wave at the Mavericks surf spot off Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, Calif. California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 that he signed a bill making surfing the official state sport. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez,File)

Not every vacation’s a dream one.

Just ask Tarique Peters — the 23-year-old New Yorker landed in Honolulu Monday to partake in a bit of the ol’ life.

He hit that beautiful beach and posted photos to Instagram — there he was, carrying a surfboard, sunbathing…so he got arrested.

A Friday press release from the Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center detailed his dastardly deeds:

He allegedly left his hotel room the 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. 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.

Thank goodness the popo caught him — we don’t want people walking around, doin’ stuff.

At least, that is, until they obey state orders to quarantine for 14 days first.

So imagine: You book your stay, you secure your flight, you put on your collared, polyester pineapple-and-flaming0-print shirt, and you jet across the sky.

You stroll victoriously down those rolling stairs Elvis-style and get lei’d like the Brady Bunch did.

You taxi to the hotel in a magical land — one filled with snorkeling in Maui, and history at Pearl Harbor, and the Trolley in Waikiki, and the black sand beach in Punaluu, and the Koloa Zipline, and the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and the Kula Kai Caverns, and the Kilauea Iki Trail, and the Volcanoes National Park.

You get to your room, see that gorgeous, luminescent world sitting just on the other side of your sliding glass doors…

…and then you stay inside and watch Archie Bunker.

For 14 days.

Now…let’s vacation!!

Sadly, Tarique didn’t make it that far.

As noted by The Daily Wire, “Hawaii authorities have instituted strict quarantine regulations for tourists, even though the state has only 638 confirmed coronavirus cases and 17 deaths as of Friday.”

Therefore, per The Associated Press Saturday:

Agents from the state attorney general’s office arrested [Tarique] Friday morning. Hotel staff told the agents they saw Peters leave his room and the hotel numerous times.

Travelers in quarantine aren’t allowed to leave hotel rooms or residences for any reason except medical emergencies. Hotel guests don’t receive housekeeping services and must arrange for food to be delivered to them.

Indeed. On April 24th, Hawaii’s Department of Transportation stated that incoming air travelers will “initial and sign the mandatory order for self-quarantine form confirming they are aware they must self-quarantine for 14 days. 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.”

Tarique, Tarique…

The busted Bronx beach boy was charged with “unsworn falsification to authority.”

Bail: $4,000.

So how’d he make out? Back to the AP:

A photo from two days ago with the location “Honolulu – Waikiki Beach” shows him carrying a surfboard on a beach. A photo from May 4 shows him wearing a mask in New York City’s Bryant Park.

Some of his Thursday post’s comments: