92 thoughts on “Follow Hawaii Rules Or Else: Here’s What To Do”
Jamie L
does anybody have experience with city health (who runs the “free” testing in oakland as well as SFO and sacramento)
we are supposed to fly to maui on weds the 30th but the only available cityhealth testing site (sacramento) has no slots on monday. as of now we have one slot for me sunday morning and one for my wife on tuesday morning
do they still allow walk-up tests, and does anybody know if my wife can show up early with me and test on sunday? Its basically impossible to get anyone from cityhealth on the phone
Bob L.
Here you go. $20 for HI travelers. You are welcome.
BOH, please can you confirm that all of Hawaiian Air’s trusted partners are accepted by the State? After a prior failed attempt at getting tests done in time through Kaiser, we took tests again yesterday morning via Worksite Labs at the San Jose airport in CA. I didn’t see them listed on the State website, but when I asked Hawaiian air about it they assured me that all of their testing partners are approved. I sure hope this is true or we’ll be out hundreds of dollars and a ton of time, again- and will be so very disappointed. Honestly, I think I trust Hawaiian Air more than the State website at this point… Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Kim.
While each trusted partner is approved for Hawaii’s Safe Travels program, it does not mean that all of their tests are. Some may offer other types of tests, in addition to the PCR/NAAT tests that Hawaii requires.
Aloha.
jim B
A bit of clarity is needed as the term “rapid test” can be misleading. Not all “rapid-tests” are the same.
At this time there are both “anti-gen” and “molecular” (PCR) tests available as “rapid tests”.
Not intending to promote any particular vendor, but Abbott has produced at least 6 different testing protocols, several of them are “rapid-tests” with results in minutes rather than days. A quick verification at Abbott’s website will confirm this availability.
Further, see David O remarks as confirmation that this source is acceptable to the State.
I’m not sure what each of the approved partners are providing, that is a task someone in Lt Gov office should be doing and publishing (IMO). But if you select your provider based first on time (overnight at most), and then on molecular, everyone should be able to meet the States timeline. (Again IMO)
Dn
Has anyone used US Biotek here in Portland and experienced any delays?
Elaine C.
Beat of Hawaii, you saved us. Well, at least my husband because we haven’t tested yet. It is ONLY because of BOH that I discovered, in time, that if my husband tested 72 hours before leaving for Maui, he could have (likely) tested positive as he is recovered from Covid as of October 2020. I did not think he could still test positive up to 90 days after recovering from Covid. Because of your help (and a reader who prompted me to ask), we were able to do what we needed to do to get him an exemption. Had he tested with us, it would have been too late to do what we needed to do to get the exemption (MD visit to attest he is recovered, original lab report stating his COVID result). I would have never found on the Safe Travels website this tiny reference as to what to do if you have had covid. It isn’t so easy to find.
Not to overstate—if you want to go to Hawaii, check and double check all that is required. We aren’t there yet, but hoping and praying our family trip will happen on Sunday. There are lots of “hoops” to jump through, but we think it will be worth it. We know it will be worth it. We cannot thank you enough for the amazing updates you provide.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Elaine.
Thank you! That’s great, and we’re so happy to hear that it all worked out.
Aloha.
Don R
Just returned from Oahu last night after 15 wonderful days! Enough restaurants are open, beaches are empty, people are glad to see you and have your business! Selfishly, we enjoyed the lack of a crowd.
Jeanne F
Glad you were able to enjoy Oahu ; beautiful timeless Waikiki without the crowds;.diverse and welcoming-so happy for you!!
GS
Do you know if the vaccines affect covid test results?
Kim H
The vaccine does not contain the virus. It will not effect your COVID test results. I was in the vaccine trial and the medical professionals told me my vaccine would not effect any COVID test results.
Donna M.
Thanks again for your daily updates-absolutely invaluable!On 9/4,due to HI not implementing their “safe travels” program yet,we cancelled our original 11/8-11/22 reservation on Kauai,just outside of the 60 day window requirement for our timeshare.We usually travel to Kauai in the spring,but we planned our 2020 trip for November this year so that our son & daughter-in-law could celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary on the island where they were married on 11/13/15.Shortly after we cancelled,HI announced that the “safe travels” program would begin on 10/15,so we rescheduled our trip for 11/13-11/27(couldn’t get our same 11/8-11/22 dates).We had our tests done at Kaiser at noon on 11/10,and our son & daughter-in-law had theirs done at 11:00am the same day.Our flight out of SJC on 11/13 was at 7:50am.My husband & I got our results around 6:30pm&7:30pm on 11/12-less than 12 hours from the time we had to leave for the airport.Our daughter-in-law got hers the next morning,11/13,at about 6:30am,after our son had taken us to the airport;our son got his at 7:50am(our flight time)-both too late to leave-so they didn’t go.My sister & her fiance were joining us on 11/16 with a flight out of PDX at 10:55am.With no results yet,they drove to PDX in hopes that their results would come in during their long drive to the airport,but they didn’t,so they turned around & went back home.They also had their tests done at Kaiser-but on 11/13 at 4:00 PM,and they didn’t get their results until 6:00am&3:00pm on 11/17,the day after they needed them.We have to say that all the resort staff, the restaurant staff, and store/shop staff on Kauai constantly thanked us for coming,and told us how glad they were to be open again and able to welcome us. No one made us feel that we were not welcome.We’ve made our 2021 reservations on Maui&Kauai for April instead of our usual March,so we’re hoping that things will be better by then,but not so sure we’ll test at Kaiser again-even though it’s free.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Donna.
Thank you. We appreciate the report and mixed news on how the testing went. Kaiser continues to sound unreliable at this time for Hawaii testing. We were told it simply is not a priority for them, for what that’s worth.
Aloha.
David K
Please advise me who provides an accepted COVID test in Arkansas for travel to Hawaii.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi David.
You can do the Vault mail-in test from anywhere in the U.S.
Aloha.
Al G
David – Walgreens in Little Rock AR has a location with the rapid test available.If you are closer to Memphis there is one there also, as well as a AFC clinic doing the radid test. Follow the links from the safe travels web site.
Dn
See but that’s the thing. Maybe you get your test results 30 minutes after you get there. There is no reaso to make anyone quarantine for two weeks because of that. They did everything they were supposed to do but results came back negative a few minutes late? So require another test a few days later. But imprisoning someone for two weeks over a technicality is the most idiotic thing.
Sarah R
Hi DN,
What you have proposed was the Safe Travels original testing plan that was altered on 11/24. They made the changes to the new must have results uploaded before departure because of the administrative burden of clearing people out of quarantine when the results did come in whether it be 30 minutes after arriving or a day or two and the challenges faced for traveler who had to change their accommodations at the last minute since under quarantine you can’t rent a car or stay in a vacation rental. Not to mention, the issues that arose when people flew with tests that were positive upon arrival which forced them into medical quarantine rather than travel quarantine. Note that as of tomorrow 12/17 the travel quarantine is 10 days rather than 14. With regards to the pre-travel test and then a second post travel test, we know that it’s a non-starter with IGE( Kauai’s mayor request has proven this twice now)
Flying to Hawaii as part of the safe travels program is risky, and yes people should be effected if their results don’t come back. When flying to Hawaii as part of the Safe Travels program the, the traveler is one choosing to fly and thus they have have to accept the responsibility if things don’t work out which is the terms of usage.
We can debate if it’s fair or not until the cows come home and an internet comment section isn’t the place for that debate. Simply put: Participating in Hawaii’s Safe Travels program is risky unless you are able to use a provider that guarantees same day results. If you want to avoid issues, follow the directions and select a same day results travel partner and board your plane and fly here. Pretty simple, I’d say. If you don’t want to accept the risk then stay home until the travel restrictions are lifted or testing results start coming back in a timely fashion.
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
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does anybody have experience with city health (who runs the “free” testing in oakland as well as SFO and sacramento)
we are supposed to fly to maui on weds the 30th but the only available cityhealth testing site (sacramento) has no slots on monday. as of now we have one slot for me sunday morning and one for my wife on tuesday morning
do they still allow walk-up tests, and does anybody know if my wife can show up early with me and test on sunday? Its basically impossible to get anyone from cityhealth on the phone
Here you go. $20 for HI travelers. You are welcome.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cityhealth-urgent-care-partners-with-sacramento-international-airport-to-offer-covid-19-testing-301193705.html
BOH, please can you confirm that all of Hawaiian Air’s trusted partners are accepted by the State? After a prior failed attempt at getting tests done in time through Kaiser, we took tests again yesterday morning via Worksite Labs at the San Jose airport in CA. I didn’t see them listed on the State website, but when I asked Hawaiian air about it they assured me that all of their testing partners are approved. I sure hope this is true or we’ll be out hundreds of dollars and a ton of time, again- and will be so very disappointed. Honestly, I think I trust Hawaiian Air more than the State website at this point… Thank you!
Hi Kim.
While each trusted partner is approved for Hawaii’s Safe Travels program, it does not mean that all of their tests are. Some may offer other types of tests, in addition to the PCR/NAAT tests that Hawaii requires.
Aloha.
A bit of clarity is needed as the term “rapid test” can be misleading. Not all “rapid-tests” are the same.
At this time there are both “anti-gen” and “molecular” (PCR) tests available as “rapid tests”.
Not intending to promote any particular vendor, but Abbott has produced at least 6 different testing protocols, several of them are “rapid-tests” with results in minutes rather than days. A quick verification at Abbott’s website will confirm this availability.
Further, see David O remarks as confirmation that this source is acceptable to the State.
I’m not sure what each of the approved partners are providing, that is a task someone in Lt Gov office should be doing and publishing (IMO). But if you select your provider based first on time (overnight at most), and then on molecular, everyone should be able to meet the States timeline. (Again IMO)
Has anyone used US Biotek here in Portland and experienced any delays?
Beat of Hawaii, you saved us. Well, at least my husband because we haven’t tested yet. It is ONLY because of BOH that I discovered, in time, that if my husband tested 72 hours before leaving for Maui, he could have (likely) tested positive as he is recovered from Covid as of October 2020. I did not think he could still test positive up to 90 days after recovering from Covid. Because of your help (and a reader who prompted me to ask), we were able to do what we needed to do to get him an exemption. Had he tested with us, it would have been too late to do what we needed to do to get the exemption (MD visit to attest he is recovered, original lab report stating his COVID result). I would have never found on the Safe Travels website this tiny reference as to what to do if you have had covid. It isn’t so easy to find.
Not to overstate—if you want to go to Hawaii, check and double check all that is required. We aren’t there yet, but hoping and praying our family trip will happen on Sunday. There are lots of “hoops” to jump through, but we think it will be worth it. We know it will be worth it. We cannot thank you enough for the amazing updates you provide.
Hi Elaine.
Thank you! That’s great, and we’re so happy to hear that it all worked out.
Aloha.
Just returned from Oahu last night after 15 wonderful days! Enough restaurants are open, beaches are empty, people are glad to see you and have your business! Selfishly, we enjoyed the lack of a crowd.
Glad you were able to enjoy Oahu ; beautiful timeless Waikiki without the crowds;.diverse and welcoming-so happy for you!!
Do you know if the vaccines affect covid test results?
The vaccine does not contain the virus. It will not effect your COVID test results. I was in the vaccine trial and the medical professionals told me my vaccine would not effect any COVID test results.
Thanks again for your daily updates-absolutely invaluable!On 9/4,due to HI not implementing their “safe travels” program yet,we cancelled our original 11/8-11/22 reservation on Kauai,just outside of the 60 day window requirement for our timeshare.We usually travel to Kauai in the spring,but we planned our 2020 trip for November this year so that our son & daughter-in-law could celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary on the island where they were married on 11/13/15.Shortly after we cancelled,HI announced that the “safe travels” program would begin on 10/15,so we rescheduled our trip for 11/13-11/27(couldn’t get our same 11/8-11/22 dates).We had our tests done at Kaiser at noon on 11/10,and our son & daughter-in-law had theirs done at 11:00am the same day.Our flight out of SJC on 11/13 was at 7:50am.My husband & I got our results around 6:30pm&7:30pm on 11/12-less than 12 hours from the time we had to leave for the airport.Our daughter-in-law got hers the next morning,11/13,at about 6:30am,after our son had taken us to the airport;our son got his at 7:50am(our flight time)-both too late to leave-so they didn’t go.My sister & her fiance were joining us on 11/16 with a flight out of PDX at 10:55am.With no results yet,they drove to PDX in hopes that their results would come in during their long drive to the airport,but they didn’t,so they turned around & went back home.They also had their tests done at Kaiser-but on 11/13 at 4:00 PM,and they didn’t get their results until 6:00am&3:00pm on 11/17,the day after they needed them.We have to say that all the resort staff, the restaurant staff, and store/shop staff on Kauai constantly thanked us for coming,and told us how glad they were to be open again and able to welcome us. No one made us feel that we were not welcome.We’ve made our 2021 reservations on Maui&Kauai for April instead of our usual March,so we’re hoping that things will be better by then,but not so sure we’ll test at Kaiser again-even though it’s free.
Hi Donna.
Thank you. We appreciate the report and mixed news on how the testing went. Kaiser continues to sound unreliable at this time for Hawaii testing. We were told it simply is not a priority for them, for what that’s worth.
Aloha.
Please advise me who provides an accepted COVID test in Arkansas for travel to Hawaii.
Hi David.
You can do the Vault mail-in test from anywhere in the U.S.
Aloha.
David – Walgreens in Little Rock AR has a location with the rapid test available.If you are closer to Memphis there is one there also, as well as a AFC clinic doing the radid test. Follow the links from the safe travels web site.
See but that’s the thing. Maybe you get your test results 30 minutes after you get there. There is no reaso to make anyone quarantine for two weeks because of that. They did everything they were supposed to do but results came back negative a few minutes late? So require another test a few days later. But imprisoning someone for two weeks over a technicality is the most idiotic thing.
Hi DN,
What you have proposed was the Safe Travels original testing plan that was altered on 11/24. They made the changes to the new must have results uploaded before departure because of the administrative burden of clearing people out of quarantine when the results did come in whether it be 30 minutes after arriving or a day or two and the challenges faced for traveler who had to change their accommodations at the last minute since under quarantine you can’t rent a car or stay in a vacation rental. Not to mention, the issues that arose when people flew with tests that were positive upon arrival which forced them into medical quarantine rather than travel quarantine. Note that as of tomorrow 12/17 the travel quarantine is 10 days rather than 14. With regards to the pre-travel test and then a second post travel test, we know that it’s a non-starter with IGE( Kauai’s mayor request has proven this twice now)
Flying to Hawaii as part of the safe travels program is risky, and yes people should be effected if their results don’t come back. When flying to Hawaii as part of the Safe Travels program the, the traveler is one choosing to fly and thus they have have to accept the responsibility if things don’t work out which is the terms of usage.
We can debate if it’s fair or not until the cows come home and an internet comment section isn’t the place for that debate. Simply put: Participating in Hawaii’s Safe Travels program is risky unless you are able to use a provider that guarantees same day results. If you want to avoid issues, follow the directions and select a same day results travel partner and board your plane and fly here. Pretty simple, I’d say. If you don’t want to accept the risk then stay home until the travel restrictions are lifted or testing results start coming back in a timely fashion.