Hawaii visitors are returning in record numbers. Change how to plan your Hawaii vacation.
65 thoughts on “Hawaii Vacation Demand Exceeds Capacity | What You Need To Do”
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Thanks for all your information! We were worried about the demand so we booked our flights, lodging and car for late October. I normally don’t book so early but better to lock in pricing now.
Hi Cheri.
Time will tell, but it looks like you’ll think that was a good decision. Please let us know.
Aloha.
If you come, and I wish you would wait, please wear your mask!(It IS a statewide mandate, afterall.) We have not yet achieved herd immunity as a nation, and HI has not yet gotten to vaccinating much of the population. I continually see tourists pulling down their masks as soon as they walk past hotel employees or store staff. We have limited health facilities here, and can’t just drive over the state line for services.
Yes! I’m not sure what was meant by “Ubiquitous COVID vaccinations.” I work in a hotel and I’ve been fighting to get a vaccine, even though I qualify, but no luck so far.
I hear you. The state said people qualified but there was no way to get an appointment, and only recently have they started sending letters to many businesses with workers that qualify. My son and husband, who are essential workers in food and tourism, finally got their appointments, one goes tomorrow and the other the week after. I hope you get yours soon, too.
I totally understand your concerns. We will arrive fully vaccinated and we faithfully wear our masks and hope to spend most of our time outdoors. I had visions of peaceful times on the beach, now I am not so sure that is possible
Don’t let the haters and Debby Downers get you down. They exist everywhere. Have a great time, be happy, enjoy the beauty and thank you for contributing to the economy. Most are grateful. The ones that are not should be forgot.
Car prices are definitely jacked, but I’m seeing lots of availability at my usual accommodation provider on Maui. It’s usually already booked solid for the summer.
Please share your rental car provider.
I used Budget and paid $515 total for 10 days for a minivan. Smaller cars like Jeeps were more expensive.
But I had 5 grandkids! The jeep my daughter rented was $650 for 7 days!
Please share your usual accommodation provider.
Thank you.
I just called hawaii travel and learned Rapid ID NOW test are acceptable. My concern is that we get it and then somewhere someone flips the script to say it’s PCR only. Can anyone confirm on here as well if Rapid ID Now is sufficient? I appreciate the assist!
Hi Kristoffer.
The best advice we can offer is to check with the state’s Safe Travels help desk at 1-855-599-0888 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
Aloha.
My husband and I got the ID Now test through Walgreens. Followed the link through the state website. The Walgreens site confirmed it was good for Hawaii. Double check to be sure, as things can change.
We used the Walgreens Rapid ID Now. 7 members tested successfully. You will get a QR code that you must present on landing and when renting a car. But it was easy. I stressed way too much.. Hawaii is so worth the extra effort to protect the islands.
We used ID Now at Walgreens to travel in early March. No issues.
I’m very excited the vaccine passport is coming soon!! I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year!!♡♡
Spot On! I just got back from a 10 day trip to Maui last week( my son lives there!) We stayed at Royal Lahaina and it was pretty laid back for the 1st week, but then the area seemed to come alive! Wow! If you are particular about a certain restaurant book now! There are a few that don’t reservations, so we gravitated to those…but most are super booked!! So beautiful, it’s so worth it!!
Thank you for all the information you provide. We are planning a September vacation to Kauai and hope everything continues on a positive up swing. I hope to get all my reservations in place in the next 6-8 weeks,that will be 3+ months in advance. Do you feel that will be adequate? Your thoughts please.
Thanks, Bill
Hi Bill.
This demand just sprang seemingly from nowhere. So it is not possible to predict what September will look like. Our sense is that it will be far busier than a normal September, but again, no one knows.
Aloha.
Aloha,
I am on Maui right now and boy its packed…. Here are some suggestions because restaurant capacity is limited as are excursions. We have only been able to get into happy hours. Book yesterday. I get its spring break and you want to have fun but please wear a mask. All the stores are very diligent about asking you to and signs are everywhere but a few folks who are probably not used to mask wearing are walking in without them. I feel for the poor clerks. Bring your aloha. Maui residents have been awesome but they are not used to all these people. Have a fun but safe trip. The whales all say hi!!!
I have a week in a 1 bedroom condo, locked in in August at Lawai Beach Resort on Kauai. It’s a shame it will go to waste and be empty.
Why will it go empty??
Do you need to rent it???
We are at Lawai Beach Resort enjoying our last of 3 weeks here. This is our annual trip and it has been a pleasure, as always. There are less people but we are enjoying that! Covid 19 precautions are evident and the entire island seems safe. We were on Maui for 2 weeks prior to our trip to LBR. We had to have a 2nd Covid test before flying inter-island to here and it was worth every cent! 5 weeks of Aloha before heading back to snow is priceless! Come on down!
Aloha Patricia,
Who did you use for testing on Maui? We need to test on Maui on 4/7 so we can fly over to Kona. I would sure appreciate hearing who you used for testing on Maui and how long it took to get your results? Mahalo!
Hi Kim, you can go to the Hawaii state site where they list all the inter-island travel testing companies. We used S&G on the big island to travel to Kauai. <24 for results with no issue and now safely on Kauai!
Thanks so much for this update and ALL of your updates throughout this past year of the pandemic. My April 2020 Kauai trip was canceled, and I’ve decided to wait a little longer to rebook the trip. Now that demand is suddenly soaring, I’m curious to find out if you think the airfare deals are long gone and that fares will quickly be returning to pre-pandemic rates. I’ve been tracking fares, and they’ve started going up considerably in just the past few days alone. I’m now wondering if the airlines are going to start jacking up their prices in order to make up for their losses. What are your thoughts? Mahalo!
Hi Brian.
Yes, we do expect airfare prices to go up. There could still be gaps in demand filled with some sales, but that is anything but clear at this moment.
Aloha.