One of the states most distant from Hawaii is demonstrating what Hawaii visitors should expect in a to-be-announced change. This could allow vaccinated visitors to come to Hawaii without further testing. Massachusetts says it will no longer require those who have been fully vaccinated to quarantine or provide negative test results before arriving, provided they have completed the vaccination process at least 14 days before travel.
In the same vein, Pfizer said today, in what they termed an “extremely important” result, their vaccine blocked 94% of asymptomatic infections in an Israeli study. This news is critical to Hawaii’s plans since Governor Ige has listed asymptomatic transmission as one of his chief concerns needing to be addressed before announcing Hawaii vaccination passport travel. JAMA reported that 59% of COVID transmission is associated with these people.
Israel’s Health Ministry Director said this “Gives us hope of regaining normal economic and social function in the not so distant future.”
Pfizer is evaluating the situation with the South African COVID variant, which they acknowledged is the most concerning.
Today’s news comes on the heels of CDC’s announcement last week that vaccinated people are free to gather together. They did not add travel guidance. We had been told was imminent and should still be forthcoming soon.
In Massachusetts’ highly relevant example, those completely vaccinated with either two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or who have had a single dose of the Janssen (J&J) vaccine, at least 14 days prior, who do not have symptoms, will no longer need to obtain a negative test before traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival in the state. The announcement did not indicate whether they will be using a travel passport such as CLEAR or whether just paper documentation will be accepted.
We are awaiting word from Hawaii officials on today’s news.
Beat of Hawaii © photo at Three Sisters rock formation/Keomuku, Lanai.
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Thanks for keeping us informed. Dianne M.
Yes! That would be terrific! Hope it happens soon.
Dear Susan I’m patiently waitin for the vaccine passport! Then I will be off to Oahu!♡♡
Thanks for all the updates. We just re-scheduled our Kauai for the 3rd time ( May this year),
Hopefully this will be the one.
What if you’ve already had COVID, which is better than a vaccine because it is more current. The vaccine was developed a year ago! Can you come to Hawaii if you’ve already had the VIRUS?
Yes, the State’s guidelines are listed. Sorry, don’t have the link handy but listed several places here on BOH
Dear Karen, I’m patiently waiting for the vaccine passport then I will be off to Oahu! !♡♡
Aloha, hope all is well…
Here, on the mainland, we’ve got a CDC report that says “Those inoculated can gather at home, or in large groups of vaccinated people, but should still refrain from any unnecessary air travel…”
Kinda sounds like a no travel order to us….
Mahalo.
As a frontline worker (hospital chaplain) I was completely vaccinated in January. This won’t help me or my traveling partner who just completed her vaccines for our October trip. I doubt we’ll be getting 2nd vaccines when so many need first ones yet. Of course October is a ways away so HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!
And to comment on Brad’s question about “natural immunity” from already having the virus…there’s no solid evidence you can’t get it again thus far, so no immunity.
There’s no proof that the vaccine prevents infection either. There have been several studies that show natural immunity from exposure is likely to last year’s, maybe decades. Immunity from a vaccine is not superior to natural immunity!
No proof. What are you talking about? There’s scientific evidence these vaccines prevent the virus in 95%: of the time, and prevent severe cases. Look at the CDC website and other information easily available on the internet.
Hopefully the state of Hawaii will figure this out soon. I know many will be coming over to Oahu from the mainland to attend the 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I would hate to see our beloved Pearl Harbor Survivors attending have to jump thru hoops just to get to Hawaii….
What about people with natural immunity from actually having the virus?
Actually, it appears the CDC’s desired travel guidance was buried by the Biden administration:
politico.com/news/2021/03/08/cdc-guidelines-vaccinated-people-474355
Aloha.
Thanks for the update. I checked the MA website. Here is what the state requires:
Persons Who Have Been Completely Vaccinated for COVID-19: Individuals who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, more than 14 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative test prior to traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival to, Massachusetts. COVID-19 vaccinated individuals arriving in Massachusetts must have documentation of their vaccination(s), including the date(s) of administration, available if asked.
So the CDC card you get when vaccinated is sufficient proof (at least for now).
Thanks for continued information on Covid testing requirements. I am wondering what kind of proof we will need to show that we have been vaccinated. I have the card that I was given that was dated and signed at both my shot appointments. Is this what is required? Anybody know?
Thanks again. Debra
Hi Debra.
Thanks. We’ll have to wait to hear from the state on that question.
Aloha.
Hi Debra, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I will have a vaccine passport. I’ve been waiting for this because I’m a teacher & now fully vaccinated! I’m getting very very exicted:) God Bless & stay safe € healthy:)
get back in the classroom, or is that more dangerous than a vacation.
As a daily reader, we give Mahalo to BOH. Seeing what Hawaii will do with future vaccinated travelers from the mainland like us is like watching a tennis tournament — back and forth and back and forth with the tennis ball. Yes, we’ll be fully vaccinated within 14 days of our departure date so I hope they decide soon whether we’ll need to drive a long distance away to get a NAAT COVID test prior to our trip.
Hi Steven.
Thanks. We hope this all works out for your upcoming travels.
Aloha.
Thanks for the continuing updates!
Sure appreciate your updates. I’m really missing Hawaii…..just got my second shot so hopefully, I can get back over there before too long.
Hi Gwen.
Thanks. Yes, let us know how it works for you to return to Hawaii.
Aloha.
Dear Gwen, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year. I’ve been waiting for the vaccine passport because I’m a teacher & I’m vaccinated. I’m getting very very excited about my trip! God bless & stay safe!
Still wondering why, in their infinite wisdom why the governor and the LG, who is an active doctor, did NOT ask President Trump to send one of the hospital ships over to Hawaii so that the state could have been opened up quicker without the overly cautious concerns about available hospital beds or ICU space. 3000 beds on a ship that could have moved to whichever island needed the medical support! What a concept! Just imagine how many personal lives could have been saved by doing something like that.
Great to hear, looking forward to my annual trip to kauai for 2 weeks in September, hope everything stays on the right track, many blessings. 🤙
Dear Hector, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year! I’m getting very excited♡♡ I’ve been waiting for the vaccine passport because I’m a teacher & I’m vaccinated. Stay safe & God Bless♡♡
Great for Massachusetts! But what about the 3 month issue? There was talk of Hawaii allowing vaccinated people but only if they had been vaccinated within 3 months of travel dates?
The news is beginning to look better and better each day. Thank you for keeping the masses updated.
Mahalo
Hi Dale.
Thanks. We concur. They’re is a lot of pent up travel to look forward to.
Aloha.
I am told a “ferry service” is already operating to get vehicles from Black Pot beach over the Hanalei river to the PV side. There must be some private driveways/roads on the PV side that go up the slope to Hanalei Plantation Road?? More details needed, but I’m told the Kuhio highway wash-out looks like the one in Big Sur, Calif, meaning it’s gone.
Sorry this is OT to COVID vaccination passports, but if no tourists are going to be allowed beyond Princeville for who knows how long (it took 14 months to re-open the highway past Waikoko back in 2018-19), that’s a death sentence to what remains of the businesses out there. Apparently, folks in our neighborhood are already meeting and talking about re-starting the food banks that they had during those 14 months. But this time the affected population is much bigger.
Hi David.
We’ll try to get up there for more info. HBR has a road up from the other side and maybe there are others.
Aloha.
Latest news is 5 day minimum to open one lane “emergency access” – and that’s if we get lucky and the road itself is not undermined (meaning the slope below the road). Look like the intense water came from an old plantation days irrigation tunnel. Those things are dug all over the place, but this is weird one, since empties out the side of a cliff. It’s easy to see i the aerial pictures. Since Kauai not re-opened for another 3+ weeks, maybe this will resolve itself to at least be passable with lines. But if the lower slope is undermined, then this could take months.
Hi David.
That area has been a problem for many years. Finally, the hillside bottom area at the road was stabilized but as far as we know, nothing was ever done about that to control the source. Ugg.
Aloha.
I am well aware. There’s been repeated slides during our 12 years out there. But, this one is the worst I’ve seen, at least visually. We’ll find out soon enough whether there’s still a road under there. If not, it’s going to be a long (long) summer for everyone stuck out there. It took a good 3 weeks as I recall to finally open one lane back in 2018. And then 14 months later …
Hi David.
We’re hopeful but not optimistic about the road situation. The state was to bulldoze today to ascertain what is going on underneath.
Aloha.
I am told the boat goes to Laird Hamilton’s property on east side of the river, then some entity is providing ATV rides up to the PV shopping center, where people can catch the bus or Uber or just head back to the boat after shopping. This is not an arrangement that will be effective for too many people, so it comes down to the road. Probably just as well there were few tourists staying in Hanalei-Haena this week.
Bonjour,
That is great news!
I’m closely watch your emails cause I’m scheduled to go to OGG via HNL on HA from MCO towards the end of May.
Merci beaucoup for your handwork & perseverance keeping us all informed on the latest news.
Bonne santé!
Bonne santé
Hi Richard.
Thanks. Wishing you a good trip to Maui.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for the current updates. I am so anxious to return to Kauai that I have already purchased airline tickets and reserved my place to stay for me and my family in August.
Mahalo!
Hi Jim.
Thanks. Great to hear you are on your way back to Kauai.
Aloha.
Aloha BOH,
You have done a stellar job in keeping us up-to-date, literally up-to-the-moment with the rapid changes in Hawaii’s travel restrictions. Big Mahalo! Looking forward returning and sharing aloha. Stay safe (and dry!)
Hi Julianna.
Thanks. We appreciate your many comments. We too look forward to your returning.
Aloha.
OT – but looks like the road between Princeville and the Hanalei river bridge just fell into the ravine, which means all parts of Kauai west of the bridge are cut-off. There is no alternative route for vehicles. One of our neighbors summarized succinctly with: “We’re F%#*ed”
They had done a huge up slope stabilization project after the last big slides (2018), but I recall someone saying the downslope side was still vulnerable.
You guys are incredibly punny. And those double entendres are just amazing!!🌺🌺
In this era of ever changing new plans, I’m especially grateful for you and your reporting!
Have a blessed day!!
Hi Pam.
LOL. Thanks, it’s mutual. Best to you.
Aloha.
The state of Hawaii really needs to listen to the CDC and let travelers come to all the islands to enjoy vacations. My wife and I have both been vacanited and will arrive on APRIL 4. Hawaii is closing the Resort bubble on that date yet I was told anyone arriving on April 4 has to be quarantined for 3 days. This makes no sense. If the Resort bubble ends on April 5 why do we have to stay there and be quarantined. These leaders in Hawaii need to get there act together if they want people to come and spend there money
Yay! Keeping my fingers crossed! It will be close for me since I just qualified for the vaccine and waiting to be scheduled but hubby got the 2nd today. Hope Hawaii follows suit but will test if not. Thank you for all the information you provide, it is very much appreciated. Can’t wait for May!
Hi Jo.
Thanks. News on this is moving quickly, so one way or the other, we should hear more from the state before you travel in May.
Aloha.
Great news! Life is returning to some level of normalcy for many! 1 year ago the WHO declared a pandemic, what a year. I wish you health.
YAY! Glad to see things are moving forward. Last summer I missed my first trip to Kauai in 33yrs. I am starting to recover from that loss and am now hopeful my trip in Aug. will be amGo. Mahalo BOH for all of your updates. I greatly appreciate it.
Hi Becky.
Thanks. We look forward to your being able to return to Kauai.
Aloha.
Great news!! Now move it hawaii. Follow good examples. Get on board and start saving your economy!!! Mahalo
Last year, it was obvious starting in April that Hawaii would need to set up some pre-travel testing program, but they waited until September to actually really work on setting up the logistics, delaying the rollout substantially. And now it’s been obvious since December that vaccination verification will be needed for full recovery in Hawaii travel, but so far it’s just a bunch of talk.
A large and rapidly growing portion of the US is now fully vaccinated and looking for a place to travel with their newfound freedom. That place could easily be Hawaii for a large portion of them, but only if Hawaii actually gets moving on setting up the logistics.
Indeed the rate of vaccinations is climbing rapidly. That is true. ~10% of the U.S. adult population has completed its full vaccination. That is not disclosed in your assumption that 10% represents a “large population”. With epidemiologist estimates that somewhere around 75% of the population needs to be vaccinated before declaring some victory, we are a ways away from that goal. With up to 1/3 of adults polled saying that they will not get vaccinated or are unsure, we may never reach that goal.