Hawaii Safe Travel Covid rule changes. Official source reveals target date as Oahu, Maui, Big Island align.
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557 thoughts on “Starting February 18: Hawaii Safe Travels Booster Requirement + More”
Hawaii Safe Travel Covid rule changes. Official source reveals target date as Oahu, Maui, Big Island align.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Thank you for keeping us updated with information, however, I am still confused and hope you can clarify. After canceling 2 trips, we hope to finally take our granddaughter to Honolulu in May. She just started her vaccination process and won’t yet be eligible for the booster when we travel. Does this mean we should again cancel this trip? I need to purchase our airfare soon and want to understand better before doing so. Thank you!!!
Hi Georgia.
No information about that has been released. It will in all likelihood fall in line with CDC guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.
Aloha.
I am not getting your emails anymore. 😔 Did I do something wrong?
Hi Rae-Marie.
We checked but didn’t find that email address in our database. You can sign up again. Let us know if there is any problem.
Aloha.
Aloha.
this is confusing. these articles are always written as if a pre-test isnt an option anymore
please clarify
Hi Brendan.
It clearly states that testing is an option. We have not heard anything about that changing.
Aloha.
I’m sorry but doesn’t anyone know that boosters do not stop Omicron?
And it is now known that a vaccination or booster after having had Covid can be deadly. .especially for young males? I had a very bad reaction to the second vaccine and my doctor has recommended that I not get anymore Covid anything! Apparently a fairly significant number of people are developing autoimmune probas a result of this Vax. So, I guess we will be taking Hawaii off our list of travel destinations permanently! Sad!
Timmie, your “apparently a fairly significant number of people are developing autoimmune problems” has no basis in fact. So many people are spreading misinformation it’s ridiculous. People spreading misinformation are responsible for people who have died as a result of choosing to be unvaccinated due to the spread of misinformation.
Boosters are keeping many out of the hospital.
This is insane policy. First of all, omicron will be essentially done by then. Secondly, double vaxxed plus boosted does not stop omicron. These policies make no sense. Hopefully they will still allow a negative test before travel or I need to cancel two trips in the next 8 months.
Please clarify what in meant when you state when the Safe Travels website cannot support tracking boosters. If you submit your CDC card showing two initial shots of Moderna at the appropriate span of time and a follow up third shot of Moderna at the appropriate span of time, what is the problem?
Thanks,
Jim H
Hi Jim.
The state has indicated that Safe Travels is being modified to accept boosters. It wasn’t designed for that initially.
Aloha.
Jim H – I would assume that what is meant is that the State website doesn’t have anywhere for the data entry people to input your booster information. Should be a very easy fix for the developers, but it IS a government website…..
Mahalo, BOH. We return in 2 days!
Hi Ed.
Thanks. Yes, that sounds about right. Have a great time in Hawaii.
Aloha.
Will the booster requirement apply to Hawaiian residents returning from the mainland? It seems it would have to. Maybe this would motivate the locals to get vaccinated and boosted.
Thanks to BOH for keeping us updated. We have a five week trip planned for Kaua’i I March so I like to stay on top of the situation.
Hi Paul.
The same exemptions apply to everyone, both residents and visitors. Happy travel to Kauai.
Aloha.
Aloha Rob & Jeff.
Just coming towards.the end of my vacation on O’ahu. Been great. A lovely time away. Restful, enjoyab and all in tropical heat. You guys and all who live here have all the luck!
I read with interest about travellers requiring booster for future visits. I have had my booster, but the vaccination certificate only records the initial two jabs. A little card given after the booster is all I have to prove it. Wondering if for the international brigade that will be enough?
Mahalo
Hi Michael.
Have a good trip home and we look forward to your returning again soon! Yes, that is part of the problem, apparently, as indicated in the governor’s quoted statement.
Aloha.
I think it’s wrong to make that requirement vaccines with boosters do not stop Covid people that are fully vaccinated even with boosters Ken pass Covid along to others the vaccines do not really protect you with boosters and I think you’re basically cutting off your nose to spite your face per say because you guys depend on travelers to come in to help your economy and I think it’s shameful that you want proof of someone’s personal information
James,
Google Earth your location then ZOOM to Hawaii. Its a small island chain literally in the middle of the ocean. Its not like driving from Idaho into Montana.
Dont want to deal with the restrictions don’t go.
Great news! When we flew to Maui at the end of October, it was obvious the Safe Travel Site would need updating. My second shot and my booster were recorded on the back of my card, but there was only the option to upload one side of the card. I hand wrote my second shot onto the front of my card and hoped for the best.
It’s too bad the State of Hawaii can’t seem to hire more people, maybe they need to focus on education… oops, off topic.
Thanks for the article, I appreciate it.
Hi Lanell.
Thanks. Yes, as you point out, and did another comment just now and the governor’s quote, there are still issues with the recording and verification of boosters.
Aloha.
Here’s another issue. My husband & I went to Kauai at beginning of Oct 2021. We had vaccines + booster. Just read (no, I don’t remember the source) that the boosters only last about 3 months. Makes sense, as my husband just recovered from covid (3 mo later). So, if I return to Hawaii in ’22, it seems I could bring covid with me & spread it, even as a fully vaccinated visitor. I still think I’m a safer bet than some, but Hawaii is kind of chasing its tail. I’m not sure what the answer is.
I Do need to say that the vaccines “worked” because they kept him out of the hospital (which is what they’re supposed to do), as he’s a Type I diabetic… Only took an antibiotic for a sinus infection.
I’m all for this. Hopefully it means less tourists in Hawaii.
Say that when they raise your taxes, Mike. Tourism generates a lot of capital without which locals will be paying more to keep services working, from parking to bus fares to rent and property tax, because if you rent and the landlord gets a property tax increase, your rent will go up!
You mean the tourists that keep your state afloat. You mean the tourists who spend their hard earned money so a few lucky ones get to stay there. So much for Aloha spirit.
The State of Hawaii and the CDC give a free ticket to ride to Hawaii without Quarantine. like getting vaccinated is a silver bullet, I believe ALL travelers to Hawaii vaccinated or not should be required to test negative prior to departure! Hawaii is an island, Covid is increasing greatly since 2020 Vaccines alone may not work? The Emperor wears no clothes? I say test them all!!
Not sure if many are aware but the boosters don’t do much except make the pharmaceutical companies get rich and the certain types of government make more restrictive rules that they don’t even follow. I mean look at Israel regarding the effectiveness of the boosters. Oh and Hawaii is the only state with these requirements.
Here you go Don S. Please keep up before you post.
news.yahoo.com/essential-workers-coming-us-vaccination-100045423.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Aloha, is the quarantine now for five or 10 days if you aren’t vaccinated?
Mahalo for all!
Hi Fran.
Thanks. It was reduced from 10 days to 5 days earlier this month.
Aloha.
Negative tests are actually the only way to stop the spread of coronavirus. vaccination and boosters DONOT a stop the spread of the virus.
This is bad policy.
That’s a fallacy. Testing is not a panacea. Folks who recently recovered from COVID will be testing positive for months after their recovery.
I’m not due for Booster till 3/13 but on Oahu now until 3/24! Can you please let me know if you’ve any idea whether the Booster will be mandated to enter bars/restaurants or is that for entry to Hawaii? Mahalo!!
Hi Liz.
We don’t know, but it looks like it could be for al bars and restaurants too based on what the mayors are saying. As you may recall, at this point that is being left up to them rather than to the state. We should know more within the next couple of weeks.
Aloha.
So do you know if we can get our money back on reservations if our doctor has recommended against a booster due to very bad reactions to the Vax? We’ve put off a trip for 2years now. . .
Your story on Maui rules is confusing. To dine in a restaurant do you need a negative test result 24 hours or less or 48 hours or less before dining. Please clarify
Thank you
Hi Bob.
Our read of the Maui rules is 48 hours. https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/125111/COM_Public-Health-Emergency-Rules
Aloha.
Mahalo for this info – It’s interesting – I’ve had my booster since my last visit in Sept, so assumed I needed to upload my updated vax card, for my upcoming trip, but I really didn’t. I could simply have added new travel details. I’m actually glad to hear that boosters are becoming necessary. I only wish all the states could unite on the issue.
Hi Tea.
Thanks. Sounds like you’re returning again soon. Happy travels!
Aloha.
Does it appear the negative test will no longer be sufficient to skip the mandatory quarantine? I am traveling with someone in April who has been granted a medical exception by their employer, but that is a private company and it is not recognized in our area as a means to bypass local rules.
Dear Jeff, yes a negative test result would work. It is either testing or vaccination. Hope this helps. God bless you! Psalms 91:11 😇✈🌍🍍🥥🏖🌈🌺
UK, Irelands Prime Minister
Lifting restrictions.
Tired of the misinformation, fueled by politics. 2 yrs in a ‘state of emergency’is enough..
Its hard on the sympathetic nervous system..our mental health, our collective community.
Let mother nature lead us inevitably, and carefully to herd immunity as was intended.
✌🌈🙏
I just watched Hawaii news and listened to a Congressman from Hawaii who, among other things, recommends testing of all travelers into and out of Hawaii, which includes those who are fully vaccinated
Imagine, if this was implemented,the lines and long waits at the Hawaii airports to get tested and get results. I am vaccinated and boosted and have 2 trips set up to visit Hawaii,but I will cancel both if such testing was implemented.
It appears that the pandemic is coming to a close, now we’ll all see the true colors of government officials willingness to follow the science and give up their emergency covid mandate powers.
Won’t it be nice to go back to commenting about who has best happy hour and Mai Tai’s or lowest condo and rental car prices, plus over tourism and new government fees will again be a hot topic.
Ah the good old days.
Richard, I have no confidence that elected officials will return emergency power (any power for that matter) to the people.
Only those running for those offices and repeatedly promising to do XYZ will actually follow through (some of the time).
Hate to be so pessimistic, but the way some elected officials jumped at the chance to invoke uncertain solutions to a health issue doesn’t give me much faith in their motives.
Rod,
The supreme court time and again have upheld emergency powers. No one likes this. No one wants to really wear a mask and go thru all of this but if living is the ultimate goal one does what one needs to to survive. I salute the Hawaiian government for doing what they feel is best for the tiny spec in the middle of the ocean that are the Hawaiian islands.
Paul, well it doesn’t seem as though they upheld the large employer mandate. And, more mandates will fall.
But yes, the governors have the right, indeed the duty, to protect residents and visitors to their states – within reason. And, acting hastily and beyond reason is not a good way to operate.
For the first time during the pandemic, Gov Ige is showing smart leadership by delaying a decision on boosters.
Aloha!
The SCOTUS held:
[1] That the executive branch, via OSHA, did not have authority to mandate private employer worker vaccinations absent congressional authority.
BUT
[2] That the executive branch did, without approval from congress, have the authority to mandate that medical service providers be vaccinated in order to accept Medicare payments.
“For the first time during the pandemic, Gov Ige is showing smart leadership by delaying a decision on boosters.”
Not at all. Ige is very progressive-authoritarian, and happy to require as many shots as Pfizer-Moderna demand. He just got stalled by web site “difficulties”.
The odd one IMO is that Kauai Mayor Kawakami, by far the most COVID-authoritarian for the first year+ of this crap (remember “bubble resorts”), has not required vax-ports, let alone boost-ports. Not yet, anyway.
Once again. Google earth your location then Zoom to Hawaii. The islands are a tiny spec in the middle of the ocean with very limited hospitals available. Grow up and stop with the paranoid rants.
Paul C, we are not living life to the fullest…we are existing
How quickly we forget we live in a society, not an island of individuals. We have lived with what the young or unfamiliar view as “mandates” for as long as man decided to live in a community instead of the steppes. WW2 restrictions, seat belts, DUI, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and hopefully now tropical diseases with the help of mRNA technology as recent examples.
Unfortunately, some of the Greatest Whining Generation have devolved into the same shadows occupied by an earlier deniers.
You are incorrect in your premise. All previous have been conditional mandates. Seat belt if you want to drive, MMR if you want your kids in public schools, etc. When you start saying mandatory to buy food you are approaching Nazis, communists, etc.
Yeah, the U.S. government “mandated” that Japanese-Americans be shipped off to internment camps during WWII. In many instances, they were forced to relinquish their farms and property. How did that mandate work out?
To MJ
So, the whiners make the same claim about the restrictions imposed by choosing to infect rather than vaccinate. That’s fine if you refer to them as conditional mandates. Please don’t fly, dine in restaurants, send your kids to get an education, workout in gyms, go to concerts, etc. I am fine with conditional mandates if that’s what you prefer.
To Curtis C. The U.s also mandated that its citizens only buy gas on certain days, relinquish the use of essential wartime metals, grow their own victory gardens, and black cloth windows at night. Wasn’t much whining from the Greatest Generation.
As for internment, what goes around…Look no further than the southern border.
To James, you’re missing something. My point was invasive vs. protective. Jabbing someone’s arm against their will is different from rationing, defense procedures against bombing, etc. And the FDR administration was wrong and overreaching with internment without cause and forcing parents to both inject and send kids to public schools. America means freedom from totalitarian governments. I am vaxxed and flu shot but I won’t force you.
I have been two Hawaii twice this year. June after 2 years of waiting to get there. then again in October. Neither time did I have any issues because I did the right thing filled out all the paperwork and didnt complain one single time and had a fantastic time on Oahu.
Really? Who is stopping you? I am, my friends are, sad you arent. Can we help?
Indeed.
Our political leaders may well soon check their political windsocks and declare that due solely to their daringly brilliant actions they are beating Covid into retreat.
However, they will also state for your safety it is necessary the powers they ever so reluctantly assumed during their single-handed fight need remain with them.
“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
― William Pitt the Younger
The supreme court ruled the fax mandate is unconstitutional but Hawaii governors think they can still mandate
Natural immunity.
Maria, that’s not the worst of it. I’m a small govt contractor, make that tiny (not even a rounding error) and, as near as I can tell, I’m still subject to a mandate because of my status as a govt contractor.
So, in my opinion, many of those companies with 100+ employees will still be subject to the same mandate I’m in fear of if they are govt contractors.
I’m too small to even be able to afford an attorney to figure out my requirements under the mandate. Executive Order 14042.
actually no the supreme court did not rule on states rights to impose vaccine mandates. Please get your facts straight.
Paul is correct. Agencies cannot issue edicts, only elected officials can.
On another note, effective Saturday Ireland has rolled back almost all Covid restrictions.
Oh Maria, That was an employer mandate over 100 employees and its only been stayed not ruled unconstitutional but whatever.
Maybe, just maybe, little Iggy is trying to do something correctly in not jumping the gun as the Maui mayor did about the booster crap. The numbers are literally going down everywhere such that the UK has said enough already. A wait and see attitude might just end up with even him saying no to the booster nonsense.
Today our President went on and on about spending our tax dollars to send out masks (too late) & tests. But across the pond in the UK, their leader ended the mandates for face masks everywhere & vaccine mandates/passports. He even stated the evidence shows that masks don’t work at stopping transmission. Gasp! I’m happy for the UK and hope we will follow! The WHO has also come out to say boosters should not be given to children. And many countries have now stopped giving Moderna to those under 30
I am downright scared about the young soccer player who fell dead on the field just a few days after getting a booster shot!!! And the sports teams are keeping quiet about other healthy athletes who have gotten very I’ll from the booster.
One doesn’t need to study the news too far to figure out the guys and gals in Honolulu have once again fueled up the Covid Control Clown Car with political gas.
At this pace, Covid will be morphed into a single sneeze before they ease up on their day late – dollar short requirements.
And best of all? The yet to come but soon to be released Boosterized Covid Confabulator Visitation Demodulator software.
“Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and conf
If truth were that simple, you needn’t post so much irrelevant info.
I have a flight in 3 to 4 weeks and already have the “green (cleared)” QR code. If the rules are change, would my QR code no longer be valid?
Isn’t the entire purpose of a vaccine passport crushed by Omicron? The point was that vaccinated individuals are less likely to spread. Not the case anymore. Also, are we really willing to jump through all these hoops long term? If you are not willing to do this indefinitely, I would say stop with all restrictions now.
I don’t care what the rules are if I want to go to Hawaii which I love I’ll jump thru whatever hoops they want me to. Go to Florida and stay away from Hawaii please.
Do you know how international visitors traveling from mainland will probe his vaccination status?. Are foreign countries vaccine cards accepted?.
Regards.
Hi J.
Yes, they are. Anecdotally we have been told that you will not get cleared before arrival, however, when the vaccine is not from the US. The state says “All vaccines approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization will be accepted.”
Thanks for the update on the current issues with boosters.
You say that Safe Travels only supports Negative Results or Primary Vaccine. Does Safe Travels support Exemptions? I thought there were 3 methods – I am referring to your earlier post on exemptions being accepted by the state.
Thanks for clarifying.
Hi Cynthia.
Exemptions for those who have recovered are handled by the state attorney general as is linked to in that article. https://ag.hawaii.gov/travelexemption/
Aloha.
Been there, tried that, didn’t work. Nuf said.
Are you saying you applied for an exemption based on the state’s rules and it did not work??? I know someone who is getting tested so she can apply for it.
“As of last week, the governor intimated it would be days, no[w] it looks like it will be weeks or longer.”
Works for me.
“Neither boosted nor fully vaccinated. Quarantine for five days. Wear a mask for five days after quarantine. Get tested on day five”
Good luck with that.
If as an unvaccinated resident of Hawaii, returning to the Big island can I avoid testing and self quarantine for 5 or 10 days before resuming normal activities?
Yes you can I’ve done it a number of time. You to find a trusted testing partner near where you are staying and get tested within I think it’s still 72 hours … but l could wrong about that.
Hi! Our son is traveling via United to Oahu next week. He has completed the Safe Travels and has his QR code. When we went to Kauai in Oct, we received our pre-clearance wristband at the gate prior to boarding. Are they still doing pre-clearance at the airports? (SFO) or upon arrival in Hawaii? Thank you!
Hi Lara.
As we understand it, Pre-Clear is hit or miss largely due to staffing issues at the airlines.
Aloha.
Can someone please give me a straight answer to this question: if we are vaccinated and have had a booster shot, do we still need to do that test before flying to Hawai’i from the mainland? We are trying to figure this out, especially because, if we need a specific test, we need to find a place that gives it, that Hawai’i will accept as a provider. Mahalo.
Hi Teri.
It is testing or vaccination at this point, not both.
Aloha.
wait, so they are going to eliminate testing for entry?
this is insane.if theres one thing omicron has demonstrated, vaxxes and boosters do little to curb infection and protect hawaiians from infection and spread
they are going the wrong way, they need to be mandating tests for everyone, regardless of vax status not the other way around
“wait, so they are going to eliminate testing for entry?”
No “testing requirement” is being eliminated. There is no “testing for entry” required for Hawaii if you are traveling from within the US. There is a quarantine requirement. You can get an exemption from quarantine based on testing, proof of being vaccinated, or if you recently recovered from covid and have the required documentation.
Any new booster/vaccine mandate makes me wonder big time how International travelers-Canadians will navigate the system. Sure, we’ve had the 2 jabs, +booster, but our vax card status is not getting updates, so how will non-Americans get to prove their vax status…CRAZINESS. The whole thing is ridiculous as even Israeli is proving out by their scientists that vaccines after 4th jabs, or “multiples” of them, are not very effective and may be doing more harm than good. Look at Israeli’s cases #s.
I live in Canada and have had 4 vaccinations and they all show up on my QR code so not sure what problem you are having. Not really our place to question their policies either just follow them if we want to go there.
HI BOH guys,
I was hoping you could do an article on dog quarantines when they come to Hawaii and compare it to current rules re covid to get into Hawaii.
Hi Paul.
We think you are joking. Thanks for your 700 comments to date!
Aloha.
Hello PAULC
I shipped my military daughter’s two dogs twice to Hawaii. I could have gotten them into North Korea easier. The Veterinarians who did all the required medical prep and paperwork just shook their heads at how outdated and unnecessary some of it is.
But you have me thinking. Perhaps the Hawaiian Covid and Rabies Control Offices share the watercooler.
Lol Paul…from someone who also had to jump through those hoops to bring my cat
In the 80’s we brought a family pet to live with us permanently on Oahu. At that time quarantine was 120 days and was brutal on the poor dog and us. Now it’s 30 days even though many vets say if the pet has a rabies shot and tested sequentially for 2 weeks it should not need quarantine at all! But alas, welcome to Hawaii!
Any news on updated rules from the state with regards to boosters? I see the European Union, WHO and the UK all came out and said the boosters do not work, and that they should be treated like flu vaccines and made available around the same time as flu shots.
Thanks for any news – we want to avoid the booster if we do not need it.
Hi Cynthia.
Nothing has changed since we wrote about this last week.
Aloha.
Cynthia,
Exactly! It’s been reported that one of the reasons for the recent huge surge in low level cases is because the booster does little to nothing.
But, politicians always want to be seen doing something even if it doesn’t work. Buys them time.
Please, please please Rod W. Read the actual stories coming out of the UK. The substance of the research is that getting “repeated” boosters could work against the immune system. In the same set of reporting, they recommend annual Covid vaccinations along with flu shots.
This is a novel coronavirus. You nor I have any standing to make a claim that is not supported by research. You just did.
The UK is ending COVID passes, masks and work from home effective 1/26/22. Self isolation rules will be removed end of March. The UK is opening! We can only hope we follow.
Rod perhaps the reason so many of the cases coming out are, as you say, low level is because the vaccines and the boosters are working.
Whatever anyone wants to believe, and there is plenty of misinformation out there, the fact remains it’s the unvaccinated that are the majority of the deaths and the minority of the population. If everyone was vaxxed and boosted there would be even fewer hospitalization’s.
John W that’s because the majority of the cases now are the Omicron varient of which there is a 74% decrease icu admission and 90% hospitalized cases are discharged in less than 3 days. This variant is a virologist’s dream…high infection rate almost zero death rate speeds up Natural herd immunity which is much more effective than one induced via vaccines even against delta.
John, as one who is vaxed and boosted, I’m first in line for shots.
However, with the govt, State & Feds, changing their minds on a regular basis one can be forgiven for not believing them.
And, boosters only apply to the fully vaxed. So, if one is vaxed why would s/he get boosted if the stats for the boosters are not convincing. Remember, already vaxed.
That is not a fact. A huge study just completed in the UK shows that vaxxed people are twice as likely to get covid as those that are non-vaxxed. People don’t want to face the fact that our government has been lying to us for 2 years.
That’s not true Ron…total misinformation, sorry.
Here’ the Reuters fact check on that being spread….
VERDICT
Missing context. Suggestions that higher numbers vaccinated individuals are dying in England than unvaccinated omits context that most of the population has been vaccinated.
So if the vaccine works, why isn’t it working? Hmmm?
Simple math. 8 times as many people vaxxed than non vaxxed so only twice as many contracting the virus means it is working.
Also the US COVID cases are falling, it seems OMICRON has peaked. This is great news for everyone!
As always, read beyond the headlines before you post CV-19 info. The recommendation was to avoid “repeated” boosters due to a potential weakening over time of one’s immune system. Further it recommended annual jabs, same as the flu vaccine.
Jamee B. I want to reply to you directly, but there was not Reply button – just a Newer and Older.
Here’s an excerpt from CNN June 23, 2020
(CNN)It’s an unprecedented effort: the US government is investing more than $3 billion to come up with a vaccine against the coronavirus.
cnn.com/2020/06/22/health/us-coronavirus-vaccine-funding/index.html
Do I need a pcr test if I am fully vaccinated that is boosted? Thanks Jim S
Hi Jim.
No, it is either testing, vaccination or recent recovery. Any of those work.
Aloha.
Unless you are arriving from outside the U.S and then it is testing AND vaccination.
But uploading your Vax card is critical to your flight success.
Living on Oahu and having made numerous trips to the PNW and don’t see what the problem is with safe travels. Leaving nothing to do, returning you just upload your vax card or test results to safe travels, follow instructions and then get a wristband at the gate and walk of the airplane. EZ
Life is pretty normal here right now. Restaurants seat you inside if your vaxxed, if not you can get takeaway. Everything else is pretty normal, malls, beaches etc. right now it is less crowded is all.