It’s not smooth sailing when you arrive without these. Our latest update on travel to Hawaii includes comments from readers and their experience.
188 thoughts on “Better Have Ducks In A Row Before Travel to Hawaii”
Comments are closed.
It’s not smooth sailing when you arrive without these. Our latest update on travel to Hawaii includes comments from readers and their experience.
Comments are closed.
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.