News, important questions, and some answers just one week away from reopening.
144 thoughts on “Breaking Details: Hawaii Reopening. Approved Testing Partners. Pilot 2nd Tests”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Breaking Details: Hawaii Reopening. Approved Testing Partners. Pilot 2nd Tests
Mahalo nui loa for all the work of keeping October15th as opeing date..I have had to reschedule so many times returning
resident.Been yrying since March so many issues there all about keeping everyone healthy willing to test as many times as needed just need to get back to Kona…
Hi Darlene.
Thanks. Hope it works out this time for you to get to Kona.
Aloha.
This is all so unclear. On the official hawaiicovid19.com website, it states any NAAT test from an approved CLIA lab is acceptable. It does list the “travel partners” but does NOT state the test has to be done by one of these partners ONLY. See “What is the pre-travel test program?” Is this not the official government website?
So many indecisions on one test or two from the Big Island has forced us to cancel our trip. The stress of every decision changing daily is not worth the trip. I feel bad for the residents of Big Island’s businesses.
I’m so confused. I thought any NAAT/PCR test from a CLIA Lab was acceptable. Now it has to come from one of the named testing partners? We have reservations to come 10/15 and am extremely concerned now about my ability to get a test. I have called the repeatedly and gotten nothing but voicemail with no call backs. I already have an appointment for a NAAT test at a CLIA lab, but not with one of the partners listed above. We can’t get more information from CVS until 10/10. Vault won’t guarantee I get test results back before I board my flight unless I rebook with Hawaiian Air. I’m not a Kaiser member. So frustrating. I’m willing to comply with any rules the state of Hawaii has but this is ridiculous.
Why won’t anyone answer this question: Are the employees of the resorts and restaurants have to get tested for Covid also?
Thats a big no! I understand why the locals are scared of tourism but… we are statistically more likely to get covid from the locals after having a negative covid test?
Aloha everyone,
I checked out the Hawaiian Airline websites about their COVID-19 testing. It seems pretty straightforward. But the catch will be careful planning due to time constraint for the test within 72 hours result: $90
1) Ordering the kit: shipping and handling free
2) How long will it take for the kit to arrive?
3) Do the test via Zoom video link.
4) You have to mail it back-in right away. Expedited shipping and handling included. That’s where it becomes nerve wracking!
5) Awaiting results within 72 hours.
I am still awaiting the $139: 30 minute rapid testing website information.
Good luck and Mahalo
Hi Lou.
Thanks for that information.
Aloha.
Aloha, The state has a posting regarding the pre-travel test that seems to imply that the test can be “Any approved Nucleic Acid Amplification Test performed at a CLIA certified lab.”
This makes it sound like we can go to our regular health care provider (as long as the associated lab is CLIA certified) for the test, rather than a Hawaii designated provider?
Mahalo,
Barbara
Hi Barbara.
At this point, as has been made abundantly clear by the state lieutenant governor for the past week, only the trusted partners will be able to provide approved tests. Sorry for the confusion which we see as well from the state’s other information.
Aloha.
I wonder why American Airlines is not on your list. We will be getting tested November 7th at DFW airport before leaving on our Maui flight.
Am I correct in assuming American Airlines will be included. Am I correct?
Thank you
Jill B.
Hi Jill.
This is not our list, it is the list provided by the State of Hawaii. American Airlines is not listed as a trusted partner at this time. That’s all we know.
Aloha.
The state Website says the test must be “Take FDA-authorized Nucleic Acid Amplification
Test (NAAT) from a certified CLIA lab”. This article says “Trusted Partners”. I got a certification letter from our lab but now you give a list of approved partners (who do not all meet the previous requirement). So which is required the CLIA Lab or one of the businesses listed above? Does it have to be one of these businesses or simply that these are known to meet the CLIA requirement. Thank you!
Hi Amy.
Only tests from the trusted partners listed will be approved at this time.
Aloha.
In completing the Safe Travels application, they ask for Travel members. I assume they mean other members of your traveling party? Does each individual have to sign up for the app? IE If I travel with my wife she is my travel member and vice versa?
Mahalo!
Hi Jon.
Good point. We don’t know the answer, but hopefully, if you call them, they can help. 1-855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Actually, once you go thru the online setup, only minors can be your “travel partners”. All adults over 18 must setup their own account.
Not sure if the Safe Travels app has the same requirement yet but I checked out several testing options and for each they required that each traveler had a unique email address, including kids. I assume the email address will be the key unique identifier when syncing results between the approved testing sites and the Hawaii Save Travels app. Vault mail testing was one example of this. It makes sense too that they are requiring everyone to use their approved providers. Will be easier to sync results to the Save Travels app and quickly check arrivals have a valid test without long queuing in the airports which in turn would create more exposure risks. Working in IT and system integrations it seems logical to me for them to start with a set list and expand when they can. I am going to setup accounts for each family member on the testing site and see if there is a way to sync them to 1 Safe Travels account. If they cant all feed into Safe Travels then will simply set up an account for each family member.