It’s not smooth sailing when you arrive without these. Our latest update on travel to Hawaii includes comments from readers and their experience.
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188 thoughts on “Better Have Ducks In A Row Before Travel to Hawaii”
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Hawaii regulations change quickly so we never know what the new thing is we must do or not do. Covid testing results have taken 6 days so far when they said 24 hours. No one answers calls to help. Emails aren’t returned for Safe Travels or outer island permission exceptions. Safe Travels “app” doesn’t remind one to answer health questionnaire. Wearing a mask around in Hawai’i is like having to wear sweater in Hawai’i… why bother coming?
This procedure to get into Hawaii to vacation & spend money $$$$
Is Thwarted by this Draconian(democrat) protocol and Sucks badly!!!
Its stupid as everything else here… running this place!! They are slow ignorant and have no authority to be this way. The website Safe Travels sucks its broken & dont even function properly so whatever retard is responsible is an Idiot for allowing this to dictate your vacation dollars and time here!
I hope someone with real brains sees this cause whatever link you got your test results should be not only easy to upload there should be eyes to allow stupid discrepencies of tech problems so that the person is not treated like a machine allowed to easily be screened if theres a tech problem!!
Avoid quest diagnostics and go with a rapid test from an approved partner. We did quest, but only got results 6 days later. So we also went to AFC the day before our flight and got the results in 20 mins. Another test upon arrival on Big Island was quick and easy. Just find an AFC facility in your area and go with that. Avoid Quest you will end up in quarantine!
Thanks Rob and Jeff for all your updates. How you keep up with it all is beyond me. But, glad you do.
Been lurking in the background here for a while, just waiting and watching the developments – or lack thereof. OH MY!! Why on earth would ANYONE want to be the first guinea pigs for Hawaii Tourism at this time? No, Thank You. We will wait until things change for the better. It could be a long wait. :0(
We feel sorry for all the folks ‘stuck’ and spending time in quarantine. I can’t even imagine the stress or WHY anyone would want to put themselves through this. A nice week in a cabin in the Smokies sounds so much more relaxing. Anything except the uncertainty of a Hawaiian Vacation in 2020!
Not our idea of a relaxing Hawaiian vacation. Nope, no way would we even consider a visit for at LEAST a year, if not longer. Sadly, we may have had our last Hawaiian vacation. We had hoped to go to the Big Island one more time…… We can hope – but we certainly will not attempt it until there is some semblance of normalcy in the Hawaiian Vacation Industry. What a MESS!
OOPS. Where did that extra T come from?
Hi Colleen.
Always good to hear from you and hope we can meet up again soon. Our best to you guys.
Yes, can’t disagree. It is complicated. We keep our optimism that things will sort out, for everyone’s sake.
Aloha.
Yes. I am glad you guys can stay optimistic despite all the craziness. Just a very sad situation all way round. As they say “better days ahead” – we all hope! Hang in there. We hope to be back some day.
Hawaii welcomes visitors then locks them in their room because people are not manning the phone? There has to be a plethora of public service employees to chose from considering the oppressive lockdown orders have put thousands out of work. Great way to spread the aloha spirit. We need to vote these clowns out before they fully destroy the state.
I can’t help but wonder how Hawaiian’s would feel if we did the same thing to them when they travel to the mainland? This is all overkill, and unfortunately it’s going to continue destroying tourism for months to come. I hope the people of Hawaii start pressuring the government officials to become more realistic. Covid already exists in Hawaii, treating visitors like garbage isn’t doing anything but making people think you aren’t welcoming. I can’t imagine how this would be perceived if it were being done to Hawaiian’s traveling to the mainland, or from interstate travel on the mainland.
Where is a approved testing site
We are flying to Hawaii next week, where is the best place to get tested in the San Francisco Bay Area that give results fast. Most tell us 3-5 days??
Thanks,
Gina
Hi Gina.
The most positive reports from commentators is about the Vault mail-in tests.
Aloha.
I just hope that everybody stays respecful and our numbers here in Hawaii don’t get out control.
The process went fairly smoothly with just a couple of bumps along the way. We took a test with Walgreens 72 hrs before departure from the final departure city and then with CVS 48 hours before. We received our test results between 24 and 32 hours although for some people it took a good 2- 3 days for results. No rhyme or reason why some tests come back quicker than others. This process does create a lot of anxiety not knowing if you’ll have your test results before you land in Hawaii. We had a connecting flight in HNL to LIH. The process was pretty organized and went quickly in HNL.
Arriving in Kauai, the National Guard was checking for passenger QRL code or helping passengers who did not have one. One lady was frantically looking for an outlet to plug in her cell phone to pull up her QRL. For some reason our QRL code for the second leg was somehow cleared when in HNL so it caused some issues for the screeners. I had to show them I had 2 separate codes for each flight so I was cleared to go.
At the resort there was confusion with the staff as they asked for our QRL code which we showed them but that’s not what they wanted so we showed them our lab results and they said Labcorp wasn’t on the approved list and I told them they are Walgreen’s lab. What they wanted to see was found in Safe Travels app under Trips which showed the QRL and your lab result was negative.
1. Having a negative test result loaded into Safe Travels when you go through the airport screening makes a world of difference.
2. Take paper copies of your QRL code and a copy of the QRL and Negative results from the Trip page on the Safe Travel app.
3. Use your cell phone and snap a picture of the QRL in case you can’t pull up the email.
4. Keep cell phone charged
If I were traveling for just a week I would not have gone through this in the event the test results took longer and you have to quarantine.
It is however, so nice to be back.
Aloha Rob and Jeff.
So good to hear the Islands are open. I guess there are teething problems and some folks are hemmed in with quarantines. I hope this gets smoothed out soon to allow them to fully enjoy their vacation.
What interests me is the post from your Canadian visitor. He was able to visit, but I thought the USA was keeping international visitors at bay? Tell me are the States or just Hawai’i open for us all…even Europeans or are we still banned, if you know what I mean?
Keep safe and well and it’s still good to get daily updates even if it’s impossible to get to
my Spiritual home.
Hi Michael.
Thanks. We have heard that UK to US may be opening soon, but that’s all that we know.
Aloha.
Thank you for all the updates. I was wondering about the comment from Gerhard that says he took a test st SFO “courtesy of United”. Does that mean the test was free? Thanks again.
Hi Oscar.
Not as far as we know. Gernard often comments so maybe he can chime in. https://beatofhawaii.com/250-covid-airline-scam-or-free-what-about-kids/.
Aloha.
Aloha Oscar,
I called United’s test center at SFO, First you need to be a United costumer. You also need to have the time between your flights to take the test. They will take walk-ins if you are a United costumer. The cost of the the test is $250. dollars. What the test center people told me was that they prefer people who live in San Francisco who get to the airport early to take the test. Hope this is helpful.
Aloha
Thanks for the info. I’m going to try Kaiser Permanente. Should be a lot cheaper. Has anybody used it?
One other important factor Oscar, United’s SFO test center is only open from 9AM to 5PM.
It’s not free. They charge, but it may be worth it since it’s fast. My son will be on Alaska airlines and I think they only offer in SFO and Seattle right now. Maybe I can change his flight to lay over longer in Seattle so he can test there. There are no trusted locations in Pullman WA. I think it should be acceptable from any medical professional as well, but hopefully that will change.
Yes waiting for his answer as well. We’re flying sfo to kona on 12/1. My understanding is it’s $250. Free if you fly out of Oakland but no flights fir us. Thinking of canceling before paying $500!
I tested the covid testing out at Walgreens (approved testing partner) the week before our trip. Got the results back in 2 hrs. Took the test again 48 hrs before our flight and downloaded the pdf results on my phone and completed the health form. When we arrived at the airport in Maui we had to wait in line for about 45 min before we were cleared and got our pink form! Showed the pink form at the car rental place and our hotel and we’ve been enjoying paradise ever since! Worth coming right now when there are less crowds but make sure you have your test results before you get on the plane!
Arrived in Oahu on 10/17 without results from Quest Diagnostics becoming available until 10/19 2:25am Hawaii time. Uploaded negative results in Safe Travels and didn’t get it manually verified and approved until OVER 72 hours later. As others have stated, it’s best to have results uploaded before you travel. Otherwise, expect to quarantine during most of your vacation in the hotel room.
What do travelers do who are flying on other then United for testing. And there do you get the instructions of what to do with your test results( up load) where is the source to provide this detailed instructions?
Go to the Hawaii COVID 19 site to find approved test vendors. Also, confirm with your airline. We’re traveling via Alaska Air & they use Walgreens or CVS Health which is on Hawaii’s approved list. Aloha! hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
Wow, my upcoming trip has been canceled and I’ve been so sad because it was canceled back in the beginning of the pandemic too.
After reading your article, I think I have done the right thing. I feel so bad for Hawaii as they have done so well up to now, fighting this. I just hope it can become the strong state again and get through this. I have always been Kama’aina at heart and I miss Maui, but I am hopeful for this beautiful place. Wishing everyone Aloha and a hui hou. Stay safe!!
Hi Cindy.
We hope you can return soon.
Aloha.
Just don’t go.
Too much money to risk.
Hawaii needs to sort itself out.
I think the rest of the US needs no sort it’s self out. Hawaii is playing it safe! And no I don’t live in Hawaii!
The objective data would suggest that you are right! But many don’t want to consider facts and data these days.
Amen!
Exactly! Sounds like the state isnt making it a priority to ensure that the process runs smoothly so people who are negative can enjoy their stay. Waste of time to spend thousands of dollars for tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars if you are going to be stuck in your room for 30+ hours until they finally get you cleared. Glad we put off our October trip until next year.
Thank you for all the very informative information. We are flying from PHX to HNL on 10/29 and supposed to get our test on Monday back in 24 hrs. I am very nervous about all of this and wondering about Trey’s comments above. What happens when no one answers the phone, what did this poor man do? Call the police? I do not want to spend my time in Hawaii in quarantine and I don’t think anyone would for that matter.
Hi Karen.
So far we haven’t heard in any comments what worked to end the quarantine officially. Sorry to say.
Aloha.
Here is what I would do if I were in situation where I got negative results after being sent to quarantine upon arriving in the Islands. Call the number as imstructed. If no one picks up, I leave a voicemail with my cell phone #, then I am out of there. I bring a copy of the negative test and time and date written down of when I left the voice msg. If I get stopped, I show the officer my negative test and steps I have have the quarantine officially cleared.
Yes, it’s true. When I flew out I knew I would need to quarantine for a day or two. Two days later, my test results were still stuck “in limbo” awaiting manual review. I called the number listed numerous times and got a fast busy tone. When I was finally able to get thru I was #44 in the queu. The total call time was 1.5 hrs. The person I spoke to informed me I had called the wrong number, that it was the public health department that reviewed all tests. Despite this, she took my information and kept in touch via email till all was resolved.
It’s really important that you have your test results available before you takeoff.
We used Vault and had our results the next evening after mailing. Printed out everything
and filled out all on Hawaii safe travel. Landed in Maui on Oct. 16th. Probably waited 30 min. to get through. Heard it can take much longer depending on how many planes landing.Flying home to night. It was worth it!
Thank you for this information. It’s nice to hear success stories. It makes me feel hopeful. We are flying to Maui November 5 and I think doing our Covid test through “vault“ sounds like the quickest way other than doing the airport test. I’m not willing to do that because of the price, and I want to know before we drive down to San Francisco
Does the test results from vault have a time stamp or just a date on it?
We are planning to go for thanksgiving.
Quack Quack Guys
Just goes to show you after months and months of lock downs story after story about covid how ignorant folks are still about this virus and travel to Hawaii.
“No one answers the phone” Any one surprised by that news?
No, No one is surprised.
Happy travels everyone.
Aloha Rich
Hi Rich.
Thanks and have a good weekend.
Aloha.
@Beat of Hawaii, what’s the use of these types of “Thanks and have a good weekend, Aloha” replies?
They don’t add anything material to the conversation.
Aloha from KAUAI,
I started practicing filling out the SAFE TRAVELS weeks in advance. I started testing weeks in advance, to find out what the turnaround on the results would be. I tested 96 hrs, 72 hrs, and 48 hrs, to have redundancy. I had paper copies of all my tests, and I practiced trying to have 3 applications on my phone open. It was not simple or easy, but if you really want to avoid quarantine, then this is what I did to avoid being quarantined. I was in a constant state of high anxiety, until the Kauai Policeman gave me the go ahead, then it on the car rental. Be prepared to do it all over again, on the island of KAUAI. They are protecting themselves and you, whether you want to believe it or not. I am a guest on their island, as you are, so be prepared to play by their rules. Drew
Hi Drew.
Thanks for that update. Glad it all worked out.
Aloha.
I have a question with regards to car rental on Kauai Alamo, Avis, Budget and enterprise all appear to be closed on their websites. Is this because of a mayoral order or the companies are really closed. If they are closed how can tourists get around ( assuming they come with a valid test result)
Thanks
Hi Erdogan.
On checking availability for next week, they all appear to be open. And there are rental cars on the road.
Aloha.
This is my greatest fear, not having our test results upon arrival. We are heading Kauai on November 11th for 16 days. Our timeshare will not allow us to quarantine on their property. What to do if CVS doesn’t get our test results to us in time? Eek!
This sounds like a lot of work to go thru to go on vacation. Not sure if I want to spend a load of money to be miserable in Paradise. Luckily there are more paradises in the world that actually want to welcome tourists. Guess we need to go there. I would rather lose my investment now than be miserable for 2 weeks
I totally agree, I hope the tourism board and elected officials start getting some pressure to start thinking rationally instead of resorting to fear and control.
Lol. Name one? Most countries are not allowing US residents into their country.
Wow, making it so easy and fun to travel to Hawaii with a family of young children. We were scheduled to fly in back in March with two rooms in Waikiki, obviously that didn’t happen so we cancelled the trip, got our money back for the rooms, transportation, chairs on the beach, but we’re given a credit for the airlines.
I’m thinking the next trip likely won’t be to Hawaii as much as I would have liked to have taken the family over. The people you elect to power are making Hawaii look very unwelcoming, so I’m sure I won’t be the only one going somewhere more friendly. It will be sad to see all the hotels/businesses/flights close or decrease in frequency to make up for the lost travelers, but hopefully it will cause a change in the political leadership that is currently running the state/cities. I don’t really feel like paying 13k in airfare and then another chunk on hotels/food to only feel like I’m being watched by hotel security/police and treated like I’m doing something wrong, Orr getting shut up in a hotel room.
I hope you guys get this figured out so we can all get back to normal, and start visiting again. I love Hawaii, and the people, but I hate the politics.
I do have a question. If those who didn’t receive their negative results prior to arrival receive them during mandatory quarantine, should they not be safe to carry those results with them if no one will answer their phone calls to release them? Not sure how you can arrest or cite someone for following the state’s instructions when the state isn’t doing their due diligence. Sounds like an attorney’s dream lawsuit just waiting to happen.
Unfortunately I do not have access to the instant testing where we live. There are abbot tests available in my town but the lab is not on the approved list so I have to do the mail in test. They need to expand their list of approved testing partners.
Why doesn’t it surprise me that the whole opening up Hawaii thing isn’t going according to plan? The state, counties and cities are never on the same page. Can’t wait until this Covid thing is in the rear view.
Aloha Hawaii. See you in 2022
My husband arrived in Kauai on Monday, October 19 and his negative tests results were not available until the next morning. We uploaded them to the Hawaii Travel site that morning (October 20) and we are still awaiting their approval of his test results (October 23). Ugghh!
Have there been similar challenges for travelers arriving in Kauai and Maui?
Travel to the islands sounds like it’s still a mess and visitors are still being required to “show their papers” or risk being treated severely by the “gestapo” tactics police and being reported by the hotels who monitor and spy on their guests. I will not travel to Hawaii for years now. Summer plans to visit will not happen this year. Too many unknowns and failure of the HawIi government to have control of their own systems to welcome guests and not treat them as criminals. What a shame.
Reminds me of one of those old black and white war movies about people trying to get from East Germany to West Germany and everyone having to have their ‘papers in order’
Nope. Doesn’t sound like anything we want to do. We might make it back in 2023 – but who knows?
The whole world might still be wearing masks, even then. Wear masks to Disney World? No way! Wear masks everywhere in Hawaii? No way!
Why would anyone spend good money to fly there and put up with the ineptitude of the officials there? There are so many other places to go until at least they get their act together. My son and daughter-in-law live there and they are equally frustrated at what is going on there.
Time to vote the inept politicians out. My wife is a highly specialized MD and I’m a Biologist, and both of us will tell you this is all overkill. The tests won’t impact much other than preventing people from wanting to go through the process and have a trip ruined because of politicians. The islands already have covid, if they didn’t I would be a little more understanding. The mere fact that these tests aren’t 100% accurate and also won’t pick up people who become infected while in transit (airports, planes, etc) or who may have low enough viral loads when tested that it’s a false negative make me think the politicians are doing a disservice to travelers, and more importantly the locals in Hawaii who depend on tourism to survive. I will be taking my family somewhere else for the foreseeable future. I hope the people of Hawaii wake up and vote in new politicians before they totally destroy the economy and tourism industry in Hawaii.
Arrived at Kona 4pm yesterday and everything went smoothly. I used Vault and received test results within 24 hours. Make sure to upload a PDF and not a screenshot. Total time waiting on line was about one hour including 2nd antigen test. We were the only arriving flight however and there was mention that last night the lines took about 3-4 hours. Also vault test shipped out to me faster than promised on their website and may be covered under insurance.
Did you test results have a time stamp or just the date?
Emily & others-
Vault test results indicate “test administered” date only, no time stamp. We had ours administered on Monday the 12th for flight on Thursday Oct 15th. Our Vault results were within 12 hours of receipt of samples from us at the lab. Good luck.
Arrive on vacation, spend the time on probation, tracked like a criminal, even though you have followed the government’s mandates. It would be comical if it weren’t so tragic.
I agree, not to mention, the tests are pretty much pointless. Just because you test negative a few days before doesn’t mean you can’t get it in transit or just not have a large enough count when tested to show up. This is just living in fear with elected officials exerting control and fear mongering. It will be sad to see the lost jobs, closed businesses, and destroyed economy. What makes Hawaii so attractive to mainlanders is the ease of travel along with the culture and beauty. Unfortunately, now is more sketchy than traveling to harder to get to parts of the world that have similar cultures and beauty. I guess this will just get us to plan the next trip to a place that’s more welcoming and less political.
So, I am still a little confused?? Can we take the Covid test 72 hours before our departure time, this way we have our results hopefully before boarding the plane to Hawaii.
Did not receive results right away so on qt list results came 6 hours later I uploaded to safe Hawaii. The National guard came twice even though I had it on the site that I was neg. I guess they just need to get the kinks out. so Happy to see restaurants back open . People are following the rules . Still very quiet on Kaua’i.
Sounds like a nightmare! Our trip was rescheduled from this March to April 2021, and I’m concerned this won’t be streamlined by then. Thank you to everyone posting their experiences. I’m extra concerned because we’re a family of 15, and the logistics sound very challenging with possibly not getting everyone’s result in time, then what happens? Does the whole group quarentine if a test or 2 are delayed?
Hi JC.
Just those individuals would be quarantined. They would not be eligible to be in a vacation rental until after quarantine.
Aloha.
There would be no way I would risk the cost of a Hawaiian Vacation for 15 until I knew for certain that things were going smoothly on every front in Hawaii. It is hard enough to coordinate anything with 15 people – but chancing a positive or false positive test or a ‘late’ test would be unimaginable. Nope. I would never attempt it.
Great advice but usually doesn’t work for most of us!!! Most of us have to leave our resident city the day before we fly to HI and will most likely be leaving a printer before our results arrive as the test has to be taken no more than 72 hours before flight with results coming in 48 hours!
Is the Big Island still requiring rapid antigen tests upon arrival? There was talk a few days ago about discontinuing that program.
It is currently only required if you want to be exempt from quarantine.
When word get out of this clown show, you can watch the hotels and restaurants start closing all over again. Once these stories hit the mainstream news, Hawaiian airlines should start selling planes. All over the news are stories of COVID cases rising and it is a matter of time before the islands go into full lockdown again.
Scary thought, but I can’t imagine how their livelihoods will survive without tourism.
Pretty sad to see the local government treating the locals and tourists this way. Hopefully the closing of hotels and restaurants won’t end with them out of business.