Live reporting, updated as of 1030 am, 9/18. Hawaii’s governor David Ige announced yesterday that starting October 15, visitors to Hawaii from the US mainland will be able to pre-test in order to avoid the current mandatory 14-day quarantine. He said, “This pre-travel testing will allow us to add a greater element of safety for travel into our state.” The program will be managed by Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, who himself tested positive for COVID this week.
BOH: It is amazing to us just how quickly news is changing on the ground here in Hawaii. We are left wondering if resort bubbles are even going to be an issue after the governor’s afternoon announcement. Did Kauai’s major know this was coming? And given that the governor’s planned today’s statewide reopening announcement, why did he approve the Kauai resort bubbles just yesterday? Furthermore, what happened to the interisland pre-testing program the state planned to use as a pilot? When asked about that program this afternoon, Ige said, “Certainly, we are in discussions.”
This is being done in cooperation with CVS Pharmacies, Kaiser Permanente, and other partners to be announced. The program permits those who take an approved test within 72 hours of departing for Hawaii to avoid the quarantine that has been in effect since late March. Clarity is still needed as to whether it is actually 72 hours before departure or 72 hours before arrival. The availability of timely tests throughout the mainland is of course in question.
“Pre-travel testing provides travelers with an alternative to the mandatory 14-day quarantine if they are tested no earlier than 72 hours before their flight arrives with an FDA-approved nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), performed using a nasal swab, and can show proof of negative test results from a CLIA certified laboratory. Travelers also will have their temperatures checked upon arrival and must fill out a travel and health form. Upon arrival in Hawaii, passengers unable to provide proof of an approved negative test will be required to go into quarantine for 14 days or until they can provide proof of negative test results.” – State of Hawaii.
More details are soon to be announced and we will provide an update here. That will include which test types will be accepted. Also will shorter term quarantine be available to those who haven’t yet received test results, and if so how will that work? Could testing in Hawaii become a possibility? Please check back later.
Many of you have asked about requiring tests for all Hawaii bound passengers. In that way, those testing negative would not be exposed to others who had not tested. It is not possible for either the state of Hawaii or the airlines to require that, as we have been told that is solely within the purview of the federal government (FAA).
Alex Da Silva, of Hawaiian Airlines just said, “We are ready to safely welcome Hawai‘i travelers under the state’s pre-travel testing program. It is another important safety layer that strengthens the comprehensive protocols Hawaiian Airlines and our visitor industry partners have adopted in recent months to protect our employees, guests and community. With these measures in place it is time to begin to reopen our economy.”
We think it is unlikely that this reopening date will change yet again, which is great news. For those of you planning on making Hawaii vacation plans, please stand by for an update on Hawaii airfare deals which are soon to be announced.
Image: State of Hawaii.
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First, let me apologize to folks flying out of the East Coast where timing issues are insane relative to testing! But we have a whole new conundrum!!! The two hospital systems in our Metro Area are now testing using PCR only if you have symptoms! That leaves the only alternative to be such as Urgent Care Centers who only offer the Abbott ID Now (i.e., rapid response test). Recently the LT Governor stated that a negative response to such a test would be acceptable but the subsequent press release from the Governor didn’t even mention such. Any thoughts?!?!?!
We have plans to visit two islands. I have been unable to get clarification if inter island travel will be allowed for those of us testing negative prior to arriving on the first island.
I have a trip to Maui scheduled for 10/23. I hope this all plays out. Called CVS in California today and they’re clueless on a rapid Covid test. One rep said they’re not now testing for “travel” and that it would be the end of October before a travel test was able….but she didn’t seem confident at all in her answer. Lt. Gov Josh Green will be answering questions on Facebook tonight at 5pm Hawaii time…..maybe more answers then.
Yes, always the second Friday in January to the following Wednesday. Rotates between Maui, Kauai, and Waikaloa on the Big Island. Not a big deal, the streak was bound to be broken. And this is about number one million on inconveniences from COVID19. I was sad about the 5 or 10 million dollars lost to Hawaii forever.
SOOOOO– what does this mean for interisld resident travel???? So sick of this wishy washy crap!
If I fly from a mainland city (with a negative Covid 19 test) into Honolulu will I be allowed to take an inter island flight from Honolulu to my final destination Maui???
Aloha David!
I was on nextdoor.com this morning and saw a post for 2 or 3 places that did offer the rapid covid19 test in the Bay Area. Check out your local nextdoor.com. I hope you find one close to your city! Good luck!
Dignity offers a rapid covid test in Mill Valley but says it’s “authorized” not approved by the FDA. So wondering if that will be acceptable. Thanks!
Hi Sandra.
We’ll have updates from the state on test types and sources coming soon. Stay tuned for that.
Aloha.
Question for anyone here. I called CVS and they don’t do the NAAT test in California anymore, they only do the PCR test. I also called Kaiser and they give a test unless you are a member. We sure can use some clarification on what test we are allowed to get from CVS. They also told me it is ranging from 3 to 6 days to get results. Sorry I’m just ranting but this is frustrating. Anybody else from California that might be able to shed some light for a fellow Californian I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Hi David.
Yes, as we’ve said, it is unclear how this testing will happen. We expect to hear more shortly from the state about availability and test types and partners and have to trust they worked something out in advance. The lack of transparency makes it difficult to know, unfortunately.
Aloha.
Hi David, I had the same question about NAAT and PCR tests so I spent time with Bing looking into it. I am not a doctor but I found a couple of sites including one from fda.gov that explain that the RT-PCR test is a type of NAAT test. And wikipedia has the gory details.
A NAAT test works by taking the sample from your nose and then amplifying (increasing) the amount of virus RNA and then measuring the amount of covid RNA. The mechanism used to amplify the RNA is called PCR.
I did similar research and came to the same conclusion that PCR is a type of NAAT. I think it is important that the test is NOT antibody/antigen test and is done by a CLIA-Certified lab. Hope to safely travel HI next month. I love this website!
Hi Steven.
Thanks for saying that.
Aloha.
the only way this is going to work is immediate testing. IE to take the test and get your results right then right before you fly. you could be infected right after you have your test and spread it to everyone on the plane. Then what? I know that is not generally available but the NBA NFL etc all have this immediate test. Just like everything else those with money get the best stuff. This is why we cannot have nice things and partially at least why Hawaii needs to stay closed until we can have those immediate test results.
I don’t get it! The Lt Gov (who is a Medical Doctor) has said several times now, including on his Facebook account, that a saliva quick-test with 5-15 minute results and a cost under $5 is OK.
The companies which produce these (there are 3 now) have shown them to be 95% accurate. They are in mass production as I write this.
These are being used by several major sports leagues for players.
Why is there so much resistance to using them for inter-island travelers.
Can someone please enlighten me?
mahalo.
Hi Jim.
We are awaiting more information about this from the state. Sorry to not have more details yet.
Aloha.
Thank you for the information yet again. Learned of this first from Beat of Hawaii. Very helpful.
It will be interesting to see if we are still waiting for details weeks from now. Sadly I would expect so given the history. I am hesitating rebooking a vacation rental for tgiving week (our rental previously cancelled on us but we still have the flights) for a number of reasons. Here in PA it takes a long time to get to Hawaii…thru Boston then on Hawaiian Airlines. Really hoping the answer is the test needs to be completed 72 hours before departure (not arrival). We depart on Friday at 9am Eastern but don’t arrive until 5pm Hawaii time. 72 hours earlier would be 11pm eastern Tuesday night. Of course no testing can be done on a Tuesday night. So that pushes us to Wednesday morning with a Friday evening arrival. We had to be tested previously thru cvs in June and they informed us then that they do not get testing results returned over a weekend. Very worried we would be waiting until Monday and subject to quarantine for Friday thru Monday. Also their website indicates they don’t test for children under 12. Would be nice to understand whether the testing requirements apply to children also.
So here we are waiting again. Waiting for a plan. Waiting for guidance. Hopefully that comes soon but not holding my breath.
Here is hope that life will return to normal soon! Thank you.
Hi Kyle.
Yes, we are all awaiting guidance from the state and their partners. Thanks.
Aloha.
Enjoy all the comments and perspectives from your readers. Several readers mentioned Bobby V’s. It’s got to be over 10 years since my last visit to Kauai. Will definitely have to put it on my bucket list for year 2021.
Two thoughts came to my mind about the 72 hours pre-arrival testing. It’s splitting hairs, but does the program take into account the time difference between Hawaii and the West Coast or the East Coast? I take the covid-19 test at 1 p.m. in California on Day 1 (when it’s only 10 a.m. in Hawaii). Then I arrive in Hawaii at 1 p.m. on Day 3 – at that time it is already 4 p.m. in California. More than 72 hours would have elapsed since my test. Will be interesting to see if this is addressed in future announcements. Secondly, can’t help but wonder if Hawaii is negotiating a fee splitting arrangement with CVS and Kaiser for pre travel testing. Could this be one of the reasons for the delay in announcing the program parameters?
As always, mahalo!
Hi Jon.
Another good question. We would expect it is just literally 72 hours so you would adjust for whatever time zone you’re traveling from.
Aloha.