With so many questions from those who still aren’t clear about what is needed to be able to travel to Hawaii.
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109 thoughts on “Important Hawaii Travel Tips | Guest Post”
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With so many questions from those who still aren’t clear about what is needed to be able to travel to Hawaii.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
My daughter is 11 so therefore is not vaccinated yet. I’m still a little confused, will she need to have a covid test done within 72 hours of us boarding?
Thank you for the great information….it is really exhausting trying to keep up with the changes.
Hi Gayle.
Yes, she will need to adhere to the testing protocol of the Hawaii Safe Travels program.
Aloha.
Due to political spin and officials do not know what to do……I would hold off making travel plans as the Virus surge is ongoing…..visit at your own risk as hospitals are full.
However, there is no enforcement as no manpower as people do as they please…..just read the Comments section on staradvertiser…hope this helps.
I visit Oahu last October and Maui in June. We thought of going to Kauai in Oct or Nov but have decided to wait considering the current situation. For anyone planning a trip, reserve your rental car ASAP and prepare to pay a steep rate.
Do you know if your making multiple flights if you have to redo a covid test why in Hawaii?
multiple flight before you get to Hawaii= test must be conducted with in 72hrs of the last “leg” of your trip. Flight island to island= yes, in june I flew from KOA > OGG and island to island travel requires neg. test results
The number of Hawaiian Covid cases is skyrocketing. The count for toady is 1,658 new cases, that is about 500 percent more than any day in 2020. No one should be so naive to think todays set of rules will apply next week or even tomorrow. The situation is approaching a crisis, and unless you want to lose airfare, lodging and car expense don’t think a set of simplistic rules will save your trip.
Hi Robert T.
Indeed.
Tough times. Sage advice.
Rules will most likely change, change, and change once again.
Within government, change very often masquerades as progress.
Should our 14 year old son upload his covid vacation card also? Create an account in the safe travels website?
Thank you for the information. I would to know places of best interest in oahu that are must see. It’s my first to be in the island. I’m traveling 3rd week of September.
Hi Marissa.
We’d suggest you check out the Oahu Revealed guidebook online or in print.
Aloha.
Dear Marissa, I’ve postponed my Oahu trip until 2023 & this makes it the 3rd time. It has been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation!! 🐢🐠🌺🍍🥥🌏🏖🏝🛩🌞🌈🌊🕶👙🛍🩴👒📅 My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. I’ve always wanted to pay my respects @ PH since I have a deep connection to USA history! PH is # 1 on my itinerary & my itinerary has been completed for months now. I will share with you my itinerary so here goes: Waikiki beach,Pearl Harbor,Polynesian Cultural Center,Iolani Palace,Waikiki aquarium,Leonard’s bakery,foster botanical gardens, zoo,Bishop Museum,Ala Moana center,Aloha tower,& Henry’s Place. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Stay safe & be blessed 😇…psalms 91:11
Hello again Marissa, I’ve heard the food trucks are a great place to get good food😊 I’m an Elvis fan & he stayed in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. When I go I’m going to have my 📷 in front of it! God bless you…John 3:16
Marissa, Henry’s place is a local business that has great ice cream, so hopefully it is still open.
Planning a trip Oct 19 to Maui. I live in Illinois & it can take any where from 3-5 days to get your covid results. Does Hawaii allow the rapid testing?
Laura, I would definitely pack the original vaccine card & a copy of it. You never know when you might be asked to show it. Have a fun, safe, & wonderful trip! My trip has been postponed until 2023. Be blessed….Psalms 91:11😇
Walgreens Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID Now) – Results in less than 24 hours, usually in one hour. Free, Drive-thru.
walgreens.com/findcarecovidui/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing
Hawaii Safe Travels Pre-Testing Partners:
hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
No! If you do it you will be turned away Or will be in quarantine for 10 days
you must use a sanctioned test partner:
hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/#partners-domestic
Thank you, BOH and Barbara, for this concise summary of what to do.
I am moving back to O’ahu after living on the Mainland for 28+ years. I called the Safe Travels tech support because I wasn’t sure how to categorize the reason for my travel to HI. (“Moving back” was not on their list.) Once that was figured out, I had new issue: I don’t have a smartphone. Tech told me that I could print off the page that shows “Green Checkmark” and show that at the airport in Honolulu.
Dear Mary, I hope that you have a safe trip & move to Hawaii whenever the dates are! G of bless you….psalms 91:11 & 118:14😇🌏🛩💺📅🌺🥥🍍🌈
Mary, meant to say God bless
EXCELLENT topic and comments.. Mahalo nui loa
I apreciate all the info coming on everyday. Barbra will it help to cancell my trip for the end of October as the Hawaiian officials are requesting or canceled completely until further notice. My wife is mad at me for thinking this way and she wants to go even when I tell her it’s better to wait to enjoy the trip the way we expect.
Dear Alwing, You need to tell your wife that I feel the exact same way. Maybe she will consider after she learns that other people think like you. Originally I wanted to go to Hawaii in 2020, but virus hit. Then I postponed for April 2022, but now since the cases are high I just don’t feel comfortable traveling anywhere where the cases are high! I’ve decided to postpone until 2023. That is the safest choice I can make for myself & others to be safe. Hawaii isn’t going anywhere & I’m trying to be patient while waiting my turn. 🐢🐠🌺🍍🥥🌎🏖🏝🛩🌞🌈🌊🎉♥️🕶👙🛍🩴👒📅 It has been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation😊 My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects. PH is #1 on my itinerary & my itinerary has been completed for months now. Take care, stay safe, & be blessed 😇…..psalms 91:11
Hi
Does non US citizens required any extra test or documents.
Thanks.
Yossi
Hi Yossi.
Those not vaccinated in the US must comply with the testing protocol of Hawaii Safe Travels. Nothing else is different.
Aloha.
Aloha, thanks for the guest post. I am due to fly to Hawaii a week from tomorrow. We have uploaded vaccination cards, waiting for next Sunday to do the questionnaire. On the Safe travels website, after I log in, it says “Please complete the health questionnaire prior to your flight. You will receive an email with a QR code that will be scanned by a screener at the airport.” I am not understanding why the green checkmark isn’t mentioned. Any thoughts on this? Mahalo,
Patrice
Dear BOH Guys;
Thanks again for the info, useful and timely. Have you ever considered putting a “like” button on commentaters posts? You could be the next Facebook.
Hi Mike.
Thank you for the suggestion. We just implemented that feature. Please let us know your thoughts.
Aloha.
Aloha BOH Bros, I mean seriously how dumb can a person be to say that I didn’t know harassing wildlife is illegal?! Those kind of people just get on my nerves & they just disregard caring about the wildlife! Have a blessed week!! 😇😍 Stay safe
We’re leaving for Hawaii October 4th. When do you think I need to get this done. I have been vaccinated and have the card to show. But where do they require you to test negative. Can it be a Walgreens? Thank you for taking you’re time to inform us.
Hi Cindy.
You only need proof of vaccination at this time, not testing too. And you must comply with the Hawaii Safe Travels protocols. https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/
Aloha.
For those who are not vaccinated, Walgreen’s Diagnostic Rapid Test (ID Now) is an accepted Hawaii Safe Travels partner. It must be the ID Now Test.
walgreens.com/findcarecovidui/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing
Hawaii Safe Travels Pre-Testing Partners:
hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
I do have two questions:
First…what will happen to my two friends traveling with us, who are not comfortable with smart phones. They registered for Safe Travels but what if they don’t have smart phones or a laptop to use at the airport? Can they print something out to bring from the website?
2..Do we get our wrist bands when we check in at the airport or at the gate. And again, what about my friends who might not be able to pull up the website at the airport?
Thanks, Derry
Hi Derry.
As others have reported, it is possible to not use smartphones and still comply. You may also check with the Safe Travel helpdesk, found at 855-599-0888.
Wristbands are at the discretion of the airlines, but are likely to be found either at the boarding gate for the Hawaii flight or at a customer service kiosk.
Aloha
We used hard copies of the QR code with no problem. The line for wristbands was at customer service at United by the gates to Hawaii. Very long line and not fast. However equally long line arriving at Kona for those that didn’t have a wristband. Didn’t know it at the time but wristband was also available at United club if you have a pass.
Also, when I have gone the last few times, the Airports in Hawaii have staff and computers to aid the digitally challenged. It may take time, but they do help everyone, who has issues navigating the chaos. It’s not really that bad, once you do it once (or twice).
I believe they are still doing it, but it’s been a few months.
I uploaded my vaccine info to Safe Travels in a jpeg format but it says to use a pdf format. Will this be a problem? I’m not sure if I can change it.
I used Jpeg also, and everything worked out as I see it, haven’t traveled yet, but I did get the green checkmark saying exempt, so it looks good. Best wishes.
Thank you. When do you travel? And where do you see a green checkmark? Is that after you take the questionnaire? I don’t go until November, but I want everything to go smoothly.
I saw the green checkmark next to the word Exempt, after I uploaded my vaccine card in the Safe Travels site. I also was finally able to connect the Clear app Covid vaccine proof through Safe Travels, but I know that’s an extra step, not required.
Was that when you click on apply for exemption and see where your upload is? I uploaded mine over a week ago and still is not green checkmarked. Did it take a long time?
Where do you see the green checkmark? Is that after completing questionnaire?
Did the green check mark showed up after you filled up the health pass questionnaire? Traveling in September with friends. Thanks
We uploaded our vax info after creating the “trip” on the website. However, when we uploaded our questionnaire (we department tomorrow am), we got the QR code but no green checkmark. The site asked if we wanted a quarantine exemption, but then says to upload are vax info, although it displays that we have already uploaded the vax info.
I’m not exactly certain what is going on. Anybody know what I am supposed to do to get the checkmark???
Replying to my own comment, I recall the site confirming acceptance of our vax info. Possibly that was when the green check happened? – and not when the health questionnaire submitted?
Thanks for the great update!
I have to agree with Ane T, from Maui. STAY HOME.
When Covid is done thanks to having more folks vaccinated or it just fades away, then it will be time to take vacations. Help the Islands by letting them have the use of their own hospitals. That would be real Aloha.
Dear Skip, Originally I wanted to come to Hawaii in 2020, but then virus hit. I then postponed for 2022, but since the cases are high I just don’t feel comfortable traveling anywhere where the cases are high. I’ve decided to postpone until 2023. It has always been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation!! 🐢🐠🌺🍍🥥🌎🏖🏝🛩🌞🌈🌊🕶👙🛍🩴👒📆 I’ve waited all my life to come, so what is alittle more time?! Hawaii isn’t going anywhere. This is the best choice I can make for myself & others to be safe. We should be taking steps & precautions to keep each other safe because as humans we are all in this together! Stay safe, take care of yourself, be blessed😇….psalms 91:11
Thank you Barbara for your clarification for visitors and returning residents -I am a Kauai/Oahu resident who has met so many good people visiting Hawaii. In the spirit of travel,and loving life,thank you
Aloha Jeanne, I was suppose to be coming to Hawaii in April 2022, but since the cases are high I just don’t feel comfortable traveling anywhere where cases are high. This will be the 3rd postpone but I’m okay with that because Hawaii isn’t going anywhere! 🐢🐠🌺🍍🥥🌏🏖🏝🛩🌞🌈🌊🕶👙🛍🩴👒📅 It has always been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation & I’m getting very excited for whenever I do get to come ☺ My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. I’ve always wanted to go to PH to pay my respects since I have a deep connection to USA history! PH is #1 on my itinerary & my itinerary has been completed for months now. I’ve been doing my Hawaii research since 2019 & I’ve learned a few things. For example, after Pear Harbor happened the Pink Palace of the Pacific was closed to the public. The hotel was used as a place for rest & recovery for our military. I will be the best, most respectful visitor you will ever have, I promise ❤ Stay safe, take care of yourself, & be blessed 😇…..psalms 91:11, 31:14, & 118:14. Smile, God loves you….John 3:16!!
Hawaii needs to lockdown now! Please reschedule your trips to the islands. Governor. Mayors. Please put your foot down NOW so we can reopen in two months. You’re just putting off the inevitable. Get real. Act smart. And stop the media from promoting trips to Las Vegas.
It’s the “scientists ” from the CDC whom have stated vaccinated people are safe to travel. Its outta Hawaii’s control cuz its federal. Besides, lockdowns don’t work.
The “Covid Panic Porn” (some other commenter used that phrase) makes some people highly fearful and demand that the government DO SOMETHING to other people. Shut downs, curfews, mask mandates are all Government knows how to do. Doesn’t matter that they don’t work or if the negative consequences are worse than what is actually accomplished as to slowing Covid. What matters is that they are DOING SOMETHING. Arresting/fining people for sitting on the beach by themselves. Yeah, that will help.
Please read to see why we are in a crisis. What can happen with one unmasked & un-vaccinated teacher that chooses not to be inconvenienced. Notice how close to the teacher mattered, notice the spread. cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7035e2.htm?s_cid=mm7035e2_w
Our experience in the spring was we could and did provide our Covid Negative test results on our phones. I think Barbara’s explanations are great but a hard copy of your Covid test! Really? Also, when we arrived at all our timeshare properties both Hilton and Marriott we needed to go through the same process for check in! Does that still happen? We have family traveling in December. Hopefully, all of this will be clear by then. Thanks!
How far in advance can you fill out the forms? I filled mine out about 3 weeks ago and haven’t gotten any response yet. We don’t leave until end of September
Thank you.
So we don’t need to use the clear app? Just Safe Travels Hawaii? (and of course the hard copies of our vaccination cards)
Sandra, I only used the Hawaii Safe Travels site. Once it gave me the QR code within 24 hours of my flight, I was able to go to a designated area within the terminal where they scanned the code, viewed my vaccination card and ID. They then gave me a plastic Wandabracelet to wear on the plane. Once I arrived in Oahu, I was able to freely leave the airport. No lines!
Correct. We thought we had to use Clear too so we downloaded it and had it ready but they didn’t want to see that. Just the QR code from the Safe Travels site.
Just returned yesterday and this is a very good summary. Yes, you need to bring your original card. I also agree that the Safe Travels upload is the ultimate requirement, so you should not bother with Clear or CommonPass. I do not see what benefit they provide. Even though my Clear was showing “exempt” all they cared about at pre clearance was seeing my vax card uploaded. Speaking of which, I cannot emphasize pre clearance enough if available through your airline/airport. Arrive early for this!
Mahalo for the great info Barbara!
When we visited the Big Island last February a covid NAAT test was required to be uploaded to safe travels website. Walgreens was and still is a “trusted partner” however when they provide results of covid test they no longer offer a pdf form and thus it cannot be uploaded to safe travels. If covid tests become required in next several months how does one work around this problem?
Aloha Jim, you should be able to “print” your negative results confirmation email but instead of sending to your printer select “print/save as PDF.” Save to your computer or phone and use this document to upload to Safe Travels.
Hi Jim, even though the PDF form is not offered, what I do is go to print it and on your printer there is an option to “save as” on a drop down menu. So I save to desktop as well as just print it out. Hope this helps.
Aloha thank You for all da information. Very helpful with all da confusion going on out there. Aloha and mahalo. 🤙🤙🤙
Please don’t come at this time.
That is all you need to know.
Thank you.
I’m sure a lot of people would cancel if it was possible but so many aren’t able to get refunds for air travel, car rentals and lodging. If Hawaii doesn’t want visitors it should cut off all flights in and out of the island with a reasonable warning, you’d need to get the airlines, hotels and car rental agencies to agree to this. I’m guessing others will not make future plans but some are stuck with what they’ve already paid for. Blessings to all on the islands.
Dear Dan, I’ve postponed my 1st trip until 2023 because I just don’t feel comfortable traveling anywhere where the cases are high. This is the 3rd postponement but I’m okay with that because Hawaii isn’t going anywhere. This is the safest choice I can make for myself & others to keep safe. We are all in this together as human beings so we need to be taking steps & precautions to keep each other safe. I’m getting very excited for whenever I do get to come!😍🐢🐠🌺🍍🥥🌏🏖🏝🛩🌞🌈🌊🕶👙🛍🩴👒📅 Stay safe, take care of yourself, & be blessed 😇….psalms 91:11
I appreciate this as well. We are headed back to Maui October 6th. And the information is easy upload. And submit. Just have to be patient and follow step by step process.
Hi Jenn F
We are also headin to Maui but on Oct 4, So, I hope it’s still ok to go there. We are wanting to look in to possibly doing a hopper of sorts to the big island but not sure on that either! 🙁
My parents are flying to Hawaii and don’t have a smart phone or computer they can travel with. I will create their Safe Travels account and upload their vaccination card and help them complete the questionnaire. Can’t we, before departure, just print off the QR code and a screen shot of the page with the green checkmark that they can show at check in? Or does this process assume that every single person who travels to Hawaii must have and be tech savvy enough to use a smart phone / laptop on the road? Actually, does anyone know of a contact phone number for Hawaii Safe Travels that I can ask the above questions? Thanks much.
Aloha Karen,
I just flew to Kauai 2 days ago and didn’t use my smartphone for anything. I had my QR code printed on paper and my actual vaccination card to show Hawaiian airlines at the gate, and they gave me a green wristband to wear. Once we arrived in Kauai, I just walked out showing my green wristband. Very easy and seamless process with no smart phone needed. Hope that helps!
Aloha BOH Bro’s
No intention to be disrespectful I suggest if you want to continue to travel you’re going to need to purchase a smartphone and learn how to use it.
Maybe during a mall walk pop into an Apple Store and see what they have to offer.
Hi Richard.
Lol. We have smart phones. Harking back to the first Blackberrys.
Aloha.
Blackberry Dinosaur Rex old compared to my really old Apple 6s…..Both get the job done.
Hi Richard.
Jeff especially goes way back in tech. Arpanet, etc. We’ll save all that for another time.
Aloha.
Aloha and thank you for the helpful information Barbara M. and BOH. I’m wondering if I can upload two PDFs into Safe Travels since my vaccination card is two-sided. The pharmacy used printed stickers and put one on each side of the CDC card. Has anyone had any experience with this situation that you’re aware of?
Play it safe, create a single pdf document that consists of 2 pages.
Dear Pam, I also have printed labels but mine were put right under each other on same side of card. I got my shots @ a vaccine drive held by one of my local hospitals. Stay safe & be blessed 😇…..psalms 91:11
Thank you for this! Also, on the Safe Travels site they list 3 ways to connect a vaccination exemption, Clear, Common Pass, and Azova. Clear finally worked for me (ran into problems getting my vaccine verified initially), the Common Pass option NEVER worked (stuck in a loop no matter what I tried for my listed vaccine site), and then this response from Azova when their representative finally replied why I was having an issue getting the vaccine verification: “Hello! May I ask if you are going to Hawaii? If yes, you need to have your vaccine health pass. Please go to this website : azova.com/hawaii/vaccine.html to book your 10$ Vaccine confirmation. It usually takes around 1 hour to get verified once you have completed all the forms on the Vaccine confirmation link that I gave you.”
I agree, Safe Travels (and at least a copy of your vaccine card with you) is likely the way to go, less frustrating that’s for sure!
Best wishes!
I found out that Clear only works if your trip is within 41 days.
Aloha again, I feel like a broken record…
Best Hawaii travel tip – Stay Home!!
We residents are being told to stay home…you traveled should also.
This is an unprecedented stress on our ONE hospital with no where to send anyone cause Oahu is over stressed also.
10,000 active cases in our state right now. 120 new on Maui yesterday. We locked everything down last year when the cases got to 30ish. We could not even go to the beach to swim!
This is nuts and just not a time for vacation!
Maui thanks you for staying home
Ane T
You too could travel if you really wanted to but maybe you never travel and resent people who embrace life -Hawaii is not the only place in the USA,the world with restrictions..People who travel are taking a break from their local restrictions and you could too,
Unfortunately, timeshare companies aren’t allowing people to bump time (again) without a total shut-down in place. We stand to lose 3 wks of paid time bumped from 2020 to 2021, so we use it or lose it. Were both healthcare professionals, so we know the importance of extreme caution. We will be cooking at home, and enjoying only socially distanced beach relaxation. Please don’t hate us!
We made it through last week with only a printed copy of the QR code. Didn’t know about the green check mark. Glad we were lucky I guess. It was a very easy process.
Our hotels verified everyone in our party’s green check. Worst thing for us was getting kids negative tests and timely results.
Hi….quick question. Can husband and wife both have their Safe Travels info, QR code and green checkmark on the same phone? I assume it is ok, but thought I should check to make sure. Thanks much.
It’s not ON one phone. You have two accounts. If you can log into both accounts from one phone, you’re good.
Hi Barbara, Mahalo for the tips. What is the work-around if you don’t have a smartphone, tablet or computer to show the green check? Thanks.
Barbara-thanks for all the useful info. Did you have a situation where you had to provide your original vax card? Is there somewhere you can point to that clarifies this requirement? I ask because I am not thrilled about taking my vax card along for fear of losing it. A photo of it isn’t good enough? Also you mention possibly a copy. Is there a reason to bring the original if a copy is ok?
Although I don’t know if a copy is acceptable, when I traveled to Maui in April, I took my original card and a copy. I used the original if needed at the airport and always had the copy with me while on Maui. Left the original at the hotel. Think of it like your drivers license. You don’t take a copy of that so keep them together.
Nancy-were you specfically asked to show your card or a copy? When we were in Maui in April it was never required.
Mahalo!!
Dear Nancy, I’m getting very excited for whenever I do get to come. The plan now is for 2023. This will be the 3rd postponement for the trip. Right now I just don’t feel comfortable traveling anywhere cases are high! This is the best safest choice I can make for myself & others. We as human beings need to be taking steps & precautions to keep each other safe. We are in this together!❤ it has been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for my vacation, so what is alittle more time?! Hawaii isn’t going anywhere. 😍🐢🐠🌺🍍🥥🌏🏖🏝🛩🌞🌈🌊🕶👙🛍🩴👒📅 My itinerary has been completed for months now. Looking forward to the day when I’m sitting on the ✈💺 coming to Hawaii 💐🌸🌺 stay safe & be blessed 😇….psalms 91:11
Aloha! Was looking for help with the following!
Barbara-thanks for all the useful info. Did you have a situation where you had to provide your original vax card? Is there somewhere you can point to that clarifies this requirement? I ask because I am not thrilled about taking my vax card along for fear of losing it. A photo of it isn’t good enough? Also you mention possibly a copy. Is there a reason to bring the original if a copy is ok?
Thanks, Barbara and Beat of Hawaii, for being so helpful! All the information is very much appreciated.
Hi Babette.
Thank you.
Aloha.