New Rules For Hawaii Travel After Covid Recovery

With more visitors arriving following Omicron, last week the state updated its exemption for Hawaii travel after Covid recovery.

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284 thoughts on “New Rules For Hawaii Travel After Covid Recovery”

  1. Aloha,
    I just wanted to know if labcorp covid test results are accepted for covid screening. Thanks so much in advance.

    1. Hi Taylor.

      Here is the list of Hawaii Trusted Partners. That company does not appear on the list.

      Aloha.

  2. It looks like Maui recently added a post arrival rapid test requirement, in addition to the state’s safe travel program. If we receive the exemption from the state (because of prior covid) I assume it also exempts the individual from Maui’s post arrival test?

    Thanks for your guidance.

    1. Hi Paul.

      As we indicated, there is no longer any testing on arrival. That has ended. You just need your exemption if you’ve recovered within prior 3 months.

      Aloha.

  3. Hello,
    I am planning on travelling to the big island here on June 27th for my honeymoon. I am currently sick. I dont think its covid, I have yet to be tested and I have already received the vaccine. If I receive a positive test result back tomorrow and then receive a negative test result back after that when I have recovered between now and June 27th, will I be able to come to Hawaii? Thankyou!
    -Davis

    1. Hi Davis.

      The rules are stated and you will need to apply for an exemption if you have COVID. Otherwise, you need to comply with the testing requirements exactly. Vaccination doesn’t count for anything at this time in terms of Hawaii travel. You can also check with the state’s Hawaii Safe Travels help desk at 855-599-0888.

      Aloha.

  4. Where is the best place to receive the letter of recovery? Will a place like AFC provide me the necessary documents? What have been your experiences?

  5. Hello,

    I was wondering if the positive test has to be from an “approved test” in order to get the exemption? We leave in a few weeks and I am wondering if I have to get retested since I was already positive or if the test I already got will be enough to upload..

    Thank you.

    1. Hi Jasmine.

      No it does not.

      “Positive Covid 19 Test. The positive Covid 19 test result MUST be: A molecular test (NAAT, PCR, or RNA);
      Processed by a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certified lab OR Department of Defense Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) lab with the name and CLIA/CLIP number of the lab clearly printed on the result; and Dated no more than 90 days and no less than 11 days from your departure date for Hawaii. If the laboratory name and CLIA/CLIP number are not on the lab result, you must obtain this information and include it in the “Details” section of the application.”

      Aloha.

  6. Aloha Again,

    PS – I just sent you an email & have a quick f/u question – As an last minute back up plan, if we don’t get a response from the state before my daughter flies out on 5/19/21 can she just bring her documents with her (her positive, PCR Covid test from a CLIA approved lab along w/letter of recovery from her Doctor) & present them directly to the airline in Boston & Denver and then again to the state upon arrival in Hawaii??? Praying the answer is yes (as a last resort) & that she won’t lose the $3000+ that she spent on this vacation!! Thank you again so much for your time & attention to this matter!! Mahalo ~ Karen

    1. Hi Karen.

      The safest answer is to present your issue to the state at the number you already tried calling. Suggest trying again. We don’t have any definitive answer to provide and it would need to come from the state. Others may add their own experiences.

      Just FYI, we are not able to respond to emails from visitors, merely to comments, as is indicated on the contact form.

      Aloha.
      Aloha.

      1. Hi Karen, I’m curious how this worked out for your daughter. My 15 year old daughter is in the same position. We are not getting consistent and timely replies from the Attorney General Office.

        Was your daughter able to get the exemption upon arrival at the airport with the paper documentation?

        Thank you so much for your thoughts.

    2. Hi Karen, how did it go with your situation below? Did ur daughter able to make it to Hawaii? Did she get an approval from the state?

  7. Aloha,

    My name is Karen and I am reaching out on behalf of my daughter who tested positive for Covid on 4/23/21 (it was a PCR test & was processed @ a CLIA lab). She did her quarantine & then got a Document of Recovery letter from her Dr. (all within the appropriate time frames) and then uploaded the documents to the state @ travel.hawaii.gov on 5/10/21. It said to allow one week for the state to review & respond and today is one week but she still hasn’t heard anything. I am extremely nervous b/c she is scheduled to fly out in 2 days on 5/19/21 and also b/c I noticed a previous Q & A from Stephanie who said she rec’d her response within 2 hours. Is there anyone I can call or email to politely request an urgent response based on this tight time constraint? I called the Safe Travels help desk at 855-599-0888 but got a recording that basically reiterated what forms she need to submit (which she’s already done) & unfortunately I wasn’t able to speak with someone directly. And my daughter sent an email to [email protected] & although she did receive a response, it appeared to be a generic one that referred her to another website for FAQ’s but that’s not what we need. My anxiety is through the roof, so any help you can provide to hopefully help us obtain a response from the state about her exemption before she flies in 2 days would be greatly, greatly appreciated!! Sorry to bother you & thank you soooo much!!! Mahalo ~ Karen

    1. Hi Karen.

      We do not know how to be of any further assistance. The state offers email and phone support. Perhaps, however, due to unexpectedly high demand that they had not anticipated, they are not reachable. Suggest you keep trying. We are very sorry to hear this.

      Aloha.

    2. Did you apply for the ‘Recovered from Covid Exemption’ at the following site: ag.hawaii.gov/travelexemption/

      The Attorney General’s Office handles these types of exemptions. I applied for the exemption through this site by providing the positive Covid Test Results and a Doctor’s Letter, and received an Exemption Approval ID via email within hours. I would then PDF this email that you receive and upload it to the Safe Travels website as a PDF if ‘Other’ uploads. This worked perfectly for me, and I was able to travel to Maui and Kaui with this exemption.

      Without the approval from the Attorney General’s Office, not sure if you can just show up at the airport with the positive test results and the doctor’s letter. At the airport they expect to see that approval ID. Good luck. Mahalo!

  8. If received covid recovered exemption how do we put it in the safe travel. Do I need to upload any documents

    1. Yes, PDF the email that you received that included your approved “Recovered from Covid Exempton” and the approval ID. Upload that PDF in ‘Other’ documents for each Trip you are required to make in Safe Travels. This will help the process go very smoothly. Safe Travels may or may not actually accept the approval ID from the “Recovered from Covid Exemption”. But if you upload the approval ID to the website you will be safe. Good luck! Mahalo!

  9. Hello! My wife and I are heading out next weekend and I will likely be needing a covid exemption. Is there any word on their denials? Should I be concerned at all if I meet their guidelines? I’m post 10 days from collection and have no symptoms along with the test results from a CLIA and doctor’s note. Just looking for an answer to ease my anxiety!

    Thanks so much

    1. Hi Rob.

      As far as comments at least, we have not seen anything about denial of Covid exemptions. Obviously, as you said, the guidelines need to be adhered to.

      Aloha.

    2. Hi Rob H –

      Make sure you have submitted your positive test results and your doctors letter to the Attorney Generals Office and have received the official ‘Recovered from Covid Exemption’ and have the approval ID. This is the important piece that the officials at the airport will expect to see. Apply for the actual exemption here: ag.hawaii.gov/travelexemption/

      Mahalo!

  10. Hello!
    I am traveling to Maui, Kauia, and Big Island on May 8.
    I was covid positive one week ago (no symptoms at all) . Having a negative test 72 hours before arriving in Maui is enough to by pass the 10 day quarantine?
    Is there any restrictions for people that tested positive recently but recovered before traveling?
    I am fully vaccinated.
    Thank you very much!
    Carolina

    1. Hi Carolina.

      The rules for those who have recently recovered have not changed from what is included in the article. If anything isn’t clear about that please let us know or contact the Safe Travels help desk at 855-599-0888 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.

      Aloha.

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