North Shore Kauai

Kauai Travel Will Reopen April 5: Details

Hawaii Travel Tips / / 198 Comments

We’d heard rumors and now it is has been confirmed. Kauai travel will finally resume.

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198 thoughts on “Kauai Travel Will Reopen April 5: Details”

  2. Eddie K.

    We are traveling to Kauai on 4/3. We are staying at a resort bubble. We will have a pre flight Covid tests. So are we out of quarantine on 4/5 or will we still have to take a second Covid test? Any insight would be appreciated.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Eddie.

      You’re the third person to ask. That was not addressed by the county today. We will try to get an answer.

      Aloha.

  3. Suzy M

    This news is too late for us, too. We re-cancelled our Kaua’i stay starting April 6th for 5 weeks when I read that the rules wouldn’t change until mid-May. Going to Oregon instead. Oh well, we’ve rescheduled Kaua’i for the fall.

    1. Don C

      We have a CA friend joining us at the KCR Beachboy on April 4…He has both shots…Is he out of luck by one day, or can he join us without Q if he has his pre 72 hour test ?…Thanks…PS, we arrive in Kona March 21 and Kauai March 28…

      1. Beat of Hawaii

        Hi Don.

        Quite a few people have asked the same question, and how that will work will need to come from the county. April 4 arrival would indicate either quarantine, resort bubble, or prior stay on another island with a second test. That is all subject to change, and we do expect clarification soon since yesterday’s information was rudimentary.

        Aloha.

  4. Karen N.

    That is Great News. Thank You . I support 3 people and all of us have gotten the Covid Vaccine and have a trip planned May 20th we are hoping this will happen. This will make the people I support so happy. Thanks again for this wonderful new information. Sincerely Karen N.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Karen.

      We hope to have an answer about when vaccine travel will occur soon.

      Aloha.

  5. kathryn v

    i am wondering about person who had both vaccines by mid February and going to Kauai in May, do i still need a negative test?

  6. Dan J.

    wow, April 5th. Godspeed for Mayor Kawakami, who we can all presume has endured little to no personal income loss from his absurd lockdown! Why April 5th? What is the “Science” requiring another 32 days of economic devastation! Shame on you Derrick and lets hope the voters put him on the unemployment rolls at the next election!

  7. Jason1704

    I had planned on flying to Kauai in August for my 50th birthday and stay with my parents but, I’m not sure if I want to go now and I may do a road trip to MT and WY instead.🤔

  8. Marla S.

    Great news! Native Kauaian ready to move back home to Kauai!I get it about the 72 hours pretest.. and No 10 days quarantine? Right?

  9. Susan B.

    Aloha, Does Kaua’i COVID policy address incoming travelers who have been vaccinated? Is the COVID testing requirement the same for those already inoculated?

    Mahalo, Susan

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Susan.

      When that happens it will come from the state, not the counties. It hasn’t happened yet.

      Aloha.

  10. Kris M

    Oh well, after rescheduling 2 times we cancelled our April 11th trip when this site said it would be mid-May at the earliest. The mayor has been too wishy washy and we are done taking chances that he will change his mind again. Off to Florida instead.

    1. Kathy B.

      “This site” reported what the Mayor indicated at public level. Blame the Mayor for the erratic decision making. This change is great news for the island of Kauai and it’s residents!

  11. Chris G

    This is great to hear. The key part of the announcement to me, as a resident that supported Kawakami’s decision to opt-out, is this:

    “by April he’s confident that employees in the hospitality and food service industries will be offered vaccines.”

    Creating a buffer of immunity around with the visitor/restaurant industry and around older residents is exactly what we needed in order to rejoin. This isn’t totally risk-free but there will be no risk of some uncontrollable surge.

    1. Tj

      Chris G. Based on your comment it’s obvious to me that you have already earned your retirement savings and are retired. And … albeit you earned your retirement on the mainland … am I correct? God bless the working age locals that have, or are in the process of losing everything they have due to the unforgivable, irresponsible decisions of the mayor (Kawasaki) that you are singing praise to.

      Mahalo,
      TJ

  13. Donald E

    Now I know that I can make my annual trip in mid-May and I may be able to use my vaccination to eliminate all the hassles. Hallelujah!!!!!

  16. Elyse H

    This is awesome news! Can’t wait to visit Kauai in May!

    Has Hawaii started talking about different restrictions for visitors that have documentation confirming Covid vaccine(s) received 2 to 4 weeks before travel thus, not requiring a 72 hour Covid test? Just curious.

    Thank you for the great news today!

  17. Peter M

    Mahalo for this update. It sounds like great news for those of us planning to arrive via another island.

  18. DeniseK

    Ecstatic!! Even though we already have plane tickets and a bubble hotel booked, we are so happy for the people of Kauai!! Thank you BOH for always keeping us in the loop!
    See you soon beautiful Kauai!

  21. MIKE

    Yay…..! Now the fate of the islands are in ONE HAND. Lets hope that hand makes the right decisions… or all will be for NOT….

    MAHALO NUI LOA!!!

  22. Marjorie k

    PRAISE GOD!! Maybe the island will be saved. About bloody time!! Hopefully the mayor will stick to his word and not continue to be so WISHY washy. Pray for the economy and the people of KAUAI.

  24. HECTOR N

    We are planning our annual trip in September by then we will be fully Vaccinated ar we going to be required to have more shots again? Thanks 🤙 ???????

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Hector.

      We’re all waiting for the state to tell us more about the plans for vaccination-based travel.

      Aloha.

  26. Patty R

    Please clarify for me….I am in Maui for my second week & will be flying to Kauai on Saturday 3/6/21. Do I need a Covid test from a trusted partner within 72 hrs of my 11am flight on Saturday? Does the test have to be the NAAT test that takes up to 3 days for results? Will a paper copy or iPhone copyfor the test & QR code suffice? Thank you

  27. Linda T

    Thank you, thank you for all of your reports over many months. We’re planning a trip, of course…fly from San Diego to Honolulu June 12, depart HNL June 19 for LIH, return to San Diego from LIH on July 1. The rest of our family flies roundtrip from San Diego to LIH on June 17, returning to San Diego from LIH on July 1. Sounds like as of now, we’ll all need COVID tests 72 hours before departure. Do we need a second COVID test in HNL 72 hours before flying from HNL to LIH? Thanks again for all you do in keeping us informed and staying safe!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Linda.

      Thanks. That was not specifically clarified, as we mentioned. Our assumption is that per Lt. Gov. Green’s plan, interisland will not require testing at some point quite soon. Stand by and we’ll be updating that as soon as we learn more.

      Aloha.

  29. Art R.

    Aloha! Your article states that a negative result for a COVID-19 test is required to visit the island with no restrictions, but what about fully vaccinated individuals with the vaccination card? Thank you for all you do and Mahalo.
    Art

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Art.

      Thanks. As we mentioned before, vaccination exemption to testing will come via an announcement from the state, but as of today that does not exist. The only option is for testing.

      Aloha.

    2. Andrea B

      Hi Art, I am also waiting for the vaccine passport to be official. I am a teacher who lives in Alabama & im fully vaccinated as of this past weekend. I’m planning my dream vacation trip to Oahu next year!! It worries me that not getting my test result back in 72 hours would be very stressful to me & this most likely will be my only opportunity to come to Hawaii. Aloha, Andrea

      1. Ed. C

        Andrea B – if possible, try to get the ID NOW rapid test at Walgreens. Results came back in 3 hours and took a LOT of the stress away! Also, was cost free with our insurance.

        Also, what we thought would be our “only opportunity to come to Hawaii” was 14 trips ago!

        1. Niki S.

          Thank you for the suggestion Ed. Does the ID NOW Rapid Test fit the criteria? I am still somewhat confused what falls into the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test category.

          1. Ed. C

            Yes the ID NOW rapid test is a NAAT test and is accepted by the state of Hawaii. If you go to the Walgreens website, there is a specific page for Hawaii travel testing and it will tell you which Walgreens in your area offer that test. You just need to verify it is the test accepted by the state of Hawaii when you get the test. You also have to schedule it on the Walgreens website.

  30. Jason W

    Thank goodness! Now I just have to decide if it’s worth it to risk $8k in lodging on a possible positive test….

    1. Michael B

      Aloha BOH, I’m wondering the same thing. We arrive on April 4, so I am assuming we would be free to roam off our bubble on April 5. I’ll be curious if our bubble resort will require us to purchase a $78 bracelet for the 6 hours after we arrive on property. Rental car will be a problem for one entire day too. Bad timing… shoots.

      Mahalo for all the information you provide.

      1. Beat of Hawaii

        Hi Michael.

        Great question. It was not addressed, but we will try to find the answer.

        Aloha.

  33. Michael D

    What if you have been fully vaccinated, will Covid testing still be required within 72 hours of departure to Kauai from the mainland?

    Thanks.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Michael.

      When vaccination passport travel is announced it will be by the governor and will be statewide. That has not happened and we don’t know when it will.

      Aloha.

  34. Laurie G

    Exciting news! There was a growing momentum against Mayor Kawakami for failing his people. I for one, became a huge advocate for rejoining Safe Travels on the island’s daily Facebook briefings. I had a lot of haters originally, but you could just see the tide turning and more and more people were angry at his stonewalling.

    Let’s hope his decisions don’t cause long term damage and Kauai rebounds quickly.

  35. JC

    Oh wow, when will this be official? We just canceled our trip for a second time, we were coming 4/7, but switched to September, however the Alaska Airlines flights are not reflecting this change starting next month, yet anyways, as their nonstop flights from California show up in September, but still gone for our original dates in April. Kinda risky now to try to get our April dates back for the VRBO, and especially the airfare, it’s crazy expensive on Alaska right now. I’ll be curious to see what happens, but I’m skeptical. Best wishes.

  37. Claudia S

    Aloha and mahalo for your info! OMG, I just breathed a sigh of relief that I’ve been holding in for longer than I wish to admit! I hope to see businesses opening up and people going back to work! Cheers, everyone!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Claudia.

      Yes and thanks. So many people are unemployed and this will really help start the process of rebuilding the economy.

      Aloha.

  38. Frieda G

    With Aloha, we welcome you back!!! Yay! Our visitors can come back and weddings can resume without having to quarantine as long as they get a negative test result before travel!!!

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