Hapuna Beach

Essential Hawaii Travel Q&A | More New Rules + NO SafeTravels App.

We’ve had a barrage of questions since yesterday’s announcement proclaiming Hawaii travel reopening to all islands starting tomorrow, October 15. We’re still sorting through all the information coming in, including changes to the state’s website. In the meantime, please dig in with us as we attempt to make sense of it all.

1. Had COVID already? Rules just changed on that. 

The state website has been updated with this information for those who have previously had COVID. “In order to qualify for a COVID-19 exemption to the 14-day quarantine, you must submit two pieces of information and receive approval prior to arrival: 1.) Copy of a positive test (must be a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) from a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory) taken no more than 90 days prior to your departure date; and 2.) a signed letter from a medical provider stating that you have not exhibited symptoms and are fully recovered (this letter must be signed at least 10 days after your positive test and no more than 14 days from your departure date). All documents must be on company-issued letterhead and submitted to [email protected] for processing prior to travel. Please allow a week for processing.

2. What if COVID threat tier changes mid-vacation.

Debbie D.: Hello-if I travel to Kauai from the mainland with a negative Covid test within 72 hours of travel and the county is in tier 4 on arrival, will I have to go back to the 2-week quarantine if they go to tier 2 while I’m there visiting? I’m hoping I’d just stay as is since I would be fine on arrival in the proper tier.

Another good question. We have not seen any position from the state on this possibility. We would also assume, like Debbie, that once she is here, she will be fine no matter what happens.

3. “Safe Travels” is actually not an App at all. 

Shannon said, “Would you please post a picture of the Safe Travels app? There are different options in the App Store and none of them look even close to being the right one.”

The state and others have repeatedly referred to Safe Travels as an app. The state says “Key features of the new app include.” Correction big time. There is no app and there is no app coming that we are aware of. It is a website and is found here: https://travel.hawaii.gov/#/.

Regular Nate B. added, “As far as I’ve researched – it is not an actual app. Rather, it is more of a web-app and it is used and accessed via your web browser on your phone. You register there and then enter your trip information. “Careful, as the requirements are detailed. IF you have a layover in HNL (which it seems most all flights now do) then you have to enter 2 trips. One for your trip from the origin airport to HNL and then another from HNL to your final destination airport. Rather than be caught up in the chaos of the airports and not have the correct info, it’s better to be safe and have too much information. Good luck to those traveling tomorrow. Please update us all on the processes as you arrive so those of us coming behind you know what to expect.”

4. Only certain testing locations? Quest offers many but Hawaii only mentions Walmart. 

Angie Asks, “Please clarify! Can I get a Quest diagnostics Covid test anywhere, or does it have to be through a Walmart location? My doctor offers the test, but the website says: “Quest Diagnostics – Individuals may order and schedule the company’s COVID-19 Active Infection Test online and select from more than 500 Walmart drive-thru pharmacy locations for a nasal swab test.” Will the test be accepted from my doctor’s office, or only through Walmart?? Thank you!”

Good question. We aren’t sure the answer and suggest you contact the Safe Travels Service Desk (10 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST): 1-855-599-0888. The state’s website states only, “Quest Diagnostics – Individuals may order and schedule the company’s COVID-19 Active Infection Test online and select from more than 500 Walmart drive-thru pharmacy locations for a nasal swab test.

5. Interisland travel pre-testing is approved (except Big Island), but how will that work?

Michael B. said, “Is it my understanding that if I plan to fly to Kauai for a few days and then hop over to Maui for the rest of my trip, this is not possible at this time? We are still waiting on how interisland flights will be handled?”

Thanks for asking. We are awaiting clarification on this for visitors and for ourselves. In yesterday’s press conference it was indicated you can do that and be tested, we assume in advance, to avoid quarantine. Where will those tests taken in Hawaii come from?

6. What about Canadians? It is nearly “snowbird” season. 

Lorna said, “All the airlines that have approval for their pre-test are U.S. airlines. What about all the Canadians that travel to Hawaii direct from Canada?? Are the Canadian tests going to be valid? They’re working on a plan with Japan but no mention of Canada?”

State officials have repeatedly mentioned that they are working on a process for Canada. The last time we heard that was about two weeks ago, and since then it seems all resources have been sidelined in order to be able to open tomorrow.

7. If you can’t get an appointment for a test, don’t give up. Keep trying.

Owen P. commented, “We’re heading to Kona in December, so I appreciate the notice about appointments. I scheduled them tonight. I did notice that there were available spots (2-3) every day from Thursday on for at least the next week. I’m guessing some people are canceling, or double-booked, so if you couldn’t schedule, try again.”

8. Who is paying for these new 2nd tests? 

Maribeth asked, “When you say, “optional second tests will be made available in 3 days on Maui” does that mean the county pays for it?”

Yes, that’s correct. All second tests were said to be provided at no cost to the traveler. In fact, it was mentioned that there may even be a gift card or other incentive to get people to take second tests.

9. When does your negative test result need to be uploaded. What does this 24 hours mean?

Regular commenter Jon asked, “Can you clarify the wording “within 24 hours before arriving?” concerning the safe travels app? Does that mean no later than 24 hours before your arrival or no sooner?”

Great question Jon. The state’s website says, “You will be required to upload your negative pre-travel test result and answer a health questionnaire 24 hours prior to your departure.” So our read of that is both the questionnaire and test result need to be there 24 hours in advance. Honestly, that doesn’t make sense with the tight timing of testing and waiting for results. There is conflicting information that states that once the negative test result is uploaded, you are clear. Sorry to not have more information yet.

10. What will be open and will you be welcome?

Nate B. just replied, saying “The beaches are open. Most restaurants are open in a limited capacity – but with very few tourists in comparison to the “normal.” As long as you’re following the physical distancing requirements, and wearing a mask when needed, there’s really not a difference in the experience. I keep hearing “locals don’t want you there…” and that may be the case for the vocal minority, but business owners that depend on tourism are sure to be welcoming of those of us that are willing to do what is needed to safely travel and help them out in a time of financial ruin.”

We agree, Nate. There are many mixed emotions. Residents are concerned about COVID numbers increasing but at the same time, our economy is crashing without tourism. This is a time for everyone to work together and practice safety measures while enjoying our beautiful islands. 

 

33 thoughts on “Essential Hawaii Travel Q&A | More New Rules + NO SafeTravels App.”

  1. Could you please help me in this matter. I tested positive for COVID on February 25th and we are planning to go to Hawaii on the 18th of April and stay the week a signed letter from a medical provider stating that you have not exhibited symptoms and are fully recovered (this letter must be signed at least 10 days after your positive test and no more than 14 days from your departure date). All documents must be on company-issued letterhead and submitted. Using my example when would I go to get my letter from my medical provider? Also how does it effect my departure date on April 18th to head to Hawaii?

  2. Another question..does it have to be exactly 72 hours or is it more done by the day? For example, I am traveling on Thursday. I plan to test on Monday via Vault. I have to do it first thing in the morning according to Vault so I can get it to their lab the next day. My flight to Hawaii is 11:00 am Thursday morning. Do I have to wait til 11 to be tested on Monday? Does Hawaii collect the exact time you were tested or is it just the day you were tested?

    1. Stephanie, we are heading to Maui from Phoenix tomorrow (Friday Oct 16), and took our Vault tests on Tuesday morning. They were quite easy. Dropped them off at UPS at 1:00 PM, and tracking showed them arrive at the NJ Vault lab on Wednesday afternoon. We woke up this morning (Thursday) with emails dated 2:00 AM with our negative result. There are TWO emails you will receive from Vault – one that just has a simple blue logo, your name, your test result, and the date of the test – but no specific hourly time. Look for a second email to arrive simultaneously confusingly subject line “Insurance Reimbursement Details” – if you scroll to the bottom, there is a MUCH more official looking lab report with the official test name, clinical codes, descriptions, and a digital doctor signature. However, this one only shows a date of collection, not a collection time either! The only time that is printed on the report is the “Result” time, which was actually two days after our test. So, unless Vault is transmitting testing data directly to Hawaii (highly doubtful based on the disorganized nature of all of this so far), my assumption is that they will probably take any test done on T-3 days from arrival, and not a super-exact 72 hour point in time. Also, neither Vault email includes a PDF copy of anything, and the Vault website doesn’t provide a PDF either, to I resorted to “Print to PDF” both reports, and uploaded both to my Safe Travels profile (it accepts multiple document uploads and lists them all). Within a few seconds, the site says “Manual Verification Required”, but I strongly suspect that this will actually happen to everyone, as they want the arrival screener to take a look at the lab result in person (I’m printing them out on paper as a backup). After uploading both Vault emails in PDF form, filling out my trip info (which has to be done before uploading actually), and submitting the health questionnaire, I got the QR code and am ready to fly tomorrow. Aloha! Thanks

      1. Thank you for providing all that information. I feel much more comfortable now that I know how the process works with vault.

      2. Hi Reed!
        Thanks for this thorough explanation, I am also worried about Vault not having time stamp but I’d like to take it as close to 72 hours as possible. Could you please provide an update about your experience with showing your Vault result (even without exact timestamp of when you took it)? Was there pushback when they did a manual check?

        Thank you!

      3. Thanks for all the info Reed. Can you please, if possible update if you have success with you test results and getting verified at the airport. I’m in a similar situation, I don’t know how precise and strict they are being with the 72 hour window, I’m getting conflicting answers from different people. So I will be flying out of San Francisco to Maui on oct 20 at 10:55am with a connecting flight in Honolulu at 3:15pm…I’m not sure if I need to test 72 hours before my first flight or 72 hours before my connection in Honolulu. I will be taking a vault test at home later on today and just need to figure out the time to take it. The hawaii website confused me a little because it says a test needs to be taken 72 hours before the last leg of your flight into a Hawaii airport. I doesn’t specify if it is any Hawaii airport or if it is the Hawaii airport of your final destination. For me the difference in time from my first flight and the connecting flight that makes a huge difference since vault doesn’t test after 3pm and my Honolulu flight would be at 3:15pm, also most ups stores last pickup for airmail is 3pm so it wouldn’t be possible to mail it today and not tomorrow either as they are closed on Sundays. Not sure what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

  3. As expected, all this is exceptionally vague, confusing and a moving target. Thanks to Beat of Hawaii for trying to make sense of all this. The Hawaiian government has had weeks and months to get their act together but continues to fail tourists and more importantly the residents. Hard to imagine that many travelers will be willing to put money and time at risk this early in the re-opening process. Like many, I will sit back and see what transpires in the months ahead before deciding if a 2021 Hawaii trip is worth the effort. We wish all good luck in your travel endeavors and prayers to the people of Hawaii. Thanks again Beat of Hawaii for your efforts to try and cut through all the confusion.

    1. Hi Phillip.

      Thanks! Yes, this is confusing even for us. We keep looking for more clarity and are hopeful. Call us forever optimists.

      Aloha.

      1. You guys are GREAT! Thanks for your hard work and positive outlook – a rare commodity these days!! Never give up!

        1. Hi Nancy.

          Thanks for that and as well as for your dozens of comments over the past couple of years.

          Aloha.

  4. In response to Gerhard’s recommendation for Canadians to fly to SFO for the test….non-essential travel between Canada and the US was extended until at least Oct 21st. and it is very possible that may be extended again. So, right now to the US for vacation travel testing is not a viable option for Canadians.

  5. I’m wondering if the other islands with connecting flights are more complicated than Oahu? We are booked to fly to Kauai with our connecting flight both ways being in Maui. The longest layover is about 2 hours. I think the Covid test 72 hours before our mainland departure takes care of our trip getting there (including the connecting flight) doesn’t it? But what about when we leave Kauai and connect flights in Maui before departing to the mainland? Would we need another test first? Thanks so much for your help.

    1. Hi Carol.

      From all current information provided by the state, your one test will be good to get you all the way to Kauai, and there should be no test on the return as long as you don’t do an actual layover on Maui.

      Aloha.

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