A visitor summed it up, stating, “Yes….This is a Hot Mess.” The deeper we all dig, the more problems that surface.
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276 thoughts on “Latest Testing Rules Fail: Hawaii Vacations Upended”
A visitor summed it up, stating, “Yes….This is a Hot Mess.” The deeper we all dig, the more problems that surface.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Yep not worth it, a false positive is problematic too, hence not worth the risk. Taking my $ to Cancun. Hawaii’s economy continues to be decimated by poor execution and decisions.
I would suggest that the whole scam is pathetic. You have to test within 72 hours of takeoff of the last leg of your trip into Hawaii, but cvs takes 5 days to give you the results. Let me do the math; nevermind, cvs doesn’t lose the airfare, fees, rent, and additional cost of quarantine—loser. Then you are asked to pay for a follow-up test $150 to satisfy some phd’s statistical risk calculation whether in quarantine or not. Get a gun and visit Chicago is my recommendation. No covid testing required.
We’ve been waiting for our test results for 60 hours. Our family of 5 is set to wake up and head to the airport in 6 hours from now and we have nothing to show for all our efforts. Could be driving to the airport only to cancel the flight at the last minute. So much for “trusted testing partners”. I just wish the airlines would’ve refunded us to begin with back when we missed our first planned trip last summer. Really don’t want anything to do with Hawaii.
Why would you want to go now anyway? The people that live there don’t want anybody there. My sister lives there and i was minutes away from buying my ticket in march when this all went down, i dodged a bullet and now im still waiting for this to die down so i can go and enjoy my trip and not worry about wearing a mask or quarantining or negative tests that still could be wrong! Go somewhere else, some place thats not an island!
I went to Hawaii a week ago. I did not have my test results but felt they would be negative and they were. I find the biggest issue is that Hawaii says you can’t take the test more than 3 days before your flight. My flight was on a Sunday so Thursday was the soonest I could take the test. Weekends do not count for labs and my understanding was that you were not to use a rapid test. There were some people on my flight going to Hawaii that took the rapid test, maybe I read it wrong. Was a bit stressful at first but a great trip
I recently traveled to Hawaii and it took CVS 5 days to provide results and 1 day for state of Hawaii to update my status. So I had to quarantine for 4 out of 7 days.
Aloha BOH
I’ve spoken with friends on Maui they’re saying with yesterday’s reported spike of positive covid tests and the 7 deaths on Oahu tensions are running high. Hording of durable goods and staples has started causing food prices to rise and shortages.
Today they reported 123 cases with 2 new deaths due to covid. The numbers are starting to rise on Kauai with 6 new cases reported. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but before reopen Kauai had close to zero cases of covid.
Remember Hawaii’s According to the state’s new protocol, the infection totals are two days old ― so these numbers reflect the count from Friday.
Senior citizens are getting fed up with none mask wearing by both tourist and younger residents living on Hawaii.
They’re happy about the new 72hr testing policy hoping that it will discourage travel to the islands during this wave of positive covid infections and deaths.
We will see, but if you can put off travel to Hawaii I’d do it.
Every word is spot on. Thank you for posting.
I followed the rules online. I went to California for 1 week. 2 days before returning got a test from one on the states approved list. With neg test result boarded plane and arrived on oahu to and was met with totally confused looks and screeners ended up denying my test results and now I can’t return to work for 14 days. Have to stay home! What a waste of paying for test and getting tested and planning a trip!
No such thing as an exemption! Talk about inflexible! I’ve been on Oahu since the Oct. 15 when Hawaii opened up to travelers, arriving with a neg co-vid test results that the state accepted to visit my daughter and her family. The test was conducted by Augusta University Medical Center. It is a major teaching/training medical institution in GA. Also, it has been a designated Co-vid testing site for that region, since the pandemic began for the state. My husband came on Nov. 19, with neg test results from the same testing site. He has to quarantine because it was not listed as an approved testing site, even though, the test was the one mandated by Hawaii. Also, Augusta University Medical Center has applied to be added as a trusted site. Since they aren’t approved yet, too bad. All the above was explained, still exemption denied
Next, we asked could he do a Costco/AZOVA since it was on the approval list and it could be conducted without breaking quarantine. The test would be delivered to my daughter’s residence and I would mail it out. NO was the reply. We have been waiting for him to come so we could do many of the wonderful activities on the island. Oh well, a lot money saved instead of boosting the local economy. Upside, unlike many others whose trip is completely ruined, my husband still gets to be with our daughter and her family along with getting acquainted with our newest grandchild.
It sure seems odd to read all the entitled whining. It’s a pandemic…it’s getting worse. What kind of self entered people plan to “vacation” during a global crises , to the most isolated islands, with severely limited healthcare, then complain its getting more difficult to get here? Anyone have a clue how ridiculous it sounds to be crying about lost deposits, disappointed children and teens who wanna see the whales!?!?
Cry us a river!!! What utter disregard for these islands residents. Anyone with the audacity to complain about losing some money or having to cope with “disappointment” your plans to vacation in the middle of a pandemic should really take a hard look at yourselves and feel some shame. Residents will be disappointed when they lose more of their loved ones, because you just had to take trip. Very extra safeguard is welcomed by those who have to live here. Either suck it up and take your chances or stay home, like you should be doing.
Aloha guys,
People need to understand the difference between the rapid POC/PCR NAAT test and the PCR NAAT test. If you’re going to travel do not use the regular test. You will need to use the rapid test. The rapid test allows you to get the test quickly. The rapid test can be found at CVS, Walgreens and the airlines. I think Vault has it also. CVS and Walgreens offer both kinds of test so be aware. Do not try to use anything other that the rapid test when travelling. In order to stay in Hawaii you will need to download a copy of your negative test to Hawaii Safe Travels. Also all vacation lodgings will want a copy in their files too. It is Hawaii state law. When we wanted to play a round of golf the golf course wanted it too. Do not try to come to Hawaii without a test in your hand prior to arrival in Hawaii. It doesn’t work any other way.
I hope this is helpful.
Mahalo Guys
Hi Roy.
Thanks for your help.
Aloha.
We are hopeful that our trip will be a gon in December, but are concerned about this new rule of having results before departure or winding up in quarantine even if you get negative results. CVS which is on the list of trusted partners has a notice on their site that says they can’t guarantee results in time so if you need the rest for Hawaii then go elsewhere. This is the problem with most testing places. Unless this changes no one will want to risk their vacation time and money. Tourism is all that Hawaii has and once people can’t pay their mortgages, taxes or HOA they will be be forced to fire sale their homes for pennies on the dollar. Of course there are investors just waiting to pick up properties from people who are left with nothing. I really don’t think the governed thought this through at the very least he should eliminates their property taxes and pay for those crazy high HOA’s that people won’t be able to pay due to vacancies.
If they are going to make such a strict rule then hawaii should offer rapid testing kiosks at major airports in the us.
I just went to Oahu and getting a test done and uploading it to the government system was very easy and straightforward. This article makes it sound like something difficult to do! There is a rapid Covid testing location in the International Terminal at SFO, San Francisco. It took a total of 1 hr to go there, sign up (best to make a reservation in advance), get a test and the neg results within 15 mins. You make a PDF of your neg results and upload it to the Travel Safe website. Very simple. Just do it! Hawaii is smart to have the system in place, it is working and simple. They will keep the virus off the island with this system and you can enjoy a nice Covid free holiday and flight. Also the government of Hawaii contacted me 5 days after landing and offered a free follow-up Covid test. So I took that and was then sure I didn’t catch anything along the way and I could give lots of hugs to my family. This good testing and the requirement to have a neg test result in hand will help increase Tourism and keep the Hawaiian islands safe. We all want to be on vacation and in an airplane where you feel safe these days. Getting a test is a small inconvenience for a greater public good. Just please wear a mask in Hawaii too once you are there! Aloha and Mahalo!
We just cancelled our upcoming trip to Hawaii because the rules keep changing without giving enough notice. With Covid cases rising and a smaller time frame to obtain the test results, it’s just too risky. Especially since I expect test results to take even longer during the holidays. You don’t really have a lot of options to get test results fast, if you don’t live at the west coast or are planning to fly with Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.
I tested with Walgreens using my personal insurance to not pay the $150 fee and I received my results in 1 day even though they told me 3-5 days. The key is scheduling your test in advance so you time it right before the the 72 hrs of boarding a flight. You literally give your self 3 days to get results. Some wait till the day before or day of to test then wonder why they have to quarantine upon arrival. I just went to Maui 1 week ago and I had absolutely zero issues. It seems like a hassle, but it really isn’t. Some people are just lazy and spoiled to have to take extra steps to book a vacation. Stay your butt home if that’s the case lol
For those of you canceling because you don want to get stuck with hotel bill if your test results are not received in time, consider going ahead without any advance lodging reservations. Lots of places, including vacation rentals, will be happy to get a last minute same day booking. If you do get your results and take the flight, first thing you do after you land is get a place to stay.
Blog guys – maybe you can do a post on strategies for getting same day accommodations on the various islands. The woman who manages our vacation rental when we are off island told us she is getting lots of same day bookings by people wanting to extend their stays. Same logic applies for people who weren’t sure they could get on the plane.
I seriously doubt everything will be sold out or overpriced right now. Just the opposite. Aren’t some of the big tourist hotels just about to open? (they must love this rule change … not)
Hi David B,
A critical flaw to your logic is that the safe travels program requires you to enter lodging information as part of your profile.
Glad your vacation rental is getting business but Jeff and Rob, let’s not encourage his suggested practice because it’s not smart travel practice during any times let alone a pandemic.
Sarah, I forgot about that, but you could always enter a location that you plan to stay without paying any $ in advance. You may end up staying there, you may end up staying someplace else. If you want to be boy scout, you could always update your location on their web site after you are on island. The web site also wants people to enter a return flight, but obviously people can’t be held to that. Frankly, its not the business of Hawaii or Kauai county when we leave.
It’s not our vacation rental getting business – we are staying here ourselves. It was a statement made by the broker who rents several dozen of them. Her point was that many people are spontaneously extending their stay on island, and its easy for them to find lodging to do this. The government of Hawaii cannot force people to leave the island. Of course, it can be strong-arm recommended like what happened with the cult people.
We are moving to Waikiki. We have a condo lease. Can we fly in and drive our van, friend bringing it to airport, to the condo and be quarantined there?
Yes. Strongly recommend you bring evidence with you. Copy of the deed, prop tax bill, something like that. If you bought in name of trust, then also a document showing you are the Trustee(s).
We were supposed to travel to Oahu on 12/7 as a Christmas present for our children.
Both are in the Air Force and it has been their dream to go to Pearl Harbor. With the new rule change and hotel requiring 72 hrs to cancel, there was no guarantee all 4 of us would get our results prior to departure so we canceled our trip. Will miss getting out of the cold. Considering going elsewhere.
Hotels will need to adjust their policies to free or minimal charge cancelations for people that don’t get results in time. Airlines have bitten this bullet. Rental cars do not require advance payments.
Smart players in the lodging industry will pivot to no penalty last minute cancelations as a way of attracting business. Especially larger hotels – no way they are close to capacity anyway, so why not … ?
My wife and I have a 25 day trip planned to the Big Island commencing 12/5. We don’t live in one of the gateway cities from which Alaska Airlines flies to Kona so our testing options are very limited. Vault is a joke in my opinion. They promise 24-48 hours After they receive the test. Same with the new Costco test. With the new restriction that you must have a negative test in hand before you get on the airplane and still fit into a 72 hour window is ludicrous. We plan to take a shot at getting the test results. If they don’t make it in time we will get our money back from Alaska and the condo owner. I’m computer literate and I’ve found a myriad of problems with the safe travel program. At this point, I’m glad I’m not a business owner in Hawaii.
Anyone coming from Washington State. Use Bartell Drugs. Easy and 48 hours exactly.
Thanks Mitch for sharing your experience but I caution people to understand that each situation is different and you may not get your results back within 72 hours prior to departure!
Glad it worked for you but please remember you are guest in the island and do your part to be a good temporary community member! Wear your mask and take part in one of the post travel testing programs!
You will if you go to Bartell Drug store. It’s all the other facilities that have nightmare results. Been coming here for over 35 years. We have always respected the Islands and it’s residents. We also take covid seriously. I will remind you to wear a mask and social distance. Too many residents don’t.
Is there 1 specific place where youcan get tested and will definitely have the result within 3 days?
Linda, you ask a decent question but you’re doing non-medical COVID testing during a pandemic with cases rising faster than ever … As your testing is considered voluntary labs aren’t making it priority to process but most can meet Hawaii’s 72 hour turnaround to get you the results.
Best of luck if you decent to participate in Hawaii’s Safe Travel’s program.
This has been going on since Oct 15th.
Why are people surprised there might be changes to coviy prevention? We are on a tier system. If you did your research you know we have a tier system and if infections go up there are further shutdowns.
Not only shutdowns here but you yourself are likely to return to your own community with changes in prevention. That’s the sad state of affairs relating to Covid19.
If you become sick you are the farthest way from anyone you can possibly be.
If you get sick here you cannot leave here sick.
We have 9 ICU beds on Kaua’i. Please think about that.
Tourism = entitlement. I do not want the tourism that was !The last 7 months, has been amazing. We have to limit our tourism maybe 3 to 1 , NOT 5 or 6 to 1. This is my home, i was born and raised here!
Remember thst when the feds are no longer paying peoples bills and your property values sink. You are being short sighted and xenophobic.
As a visitor for the last 35 years. I agree.
CVS was unable to get my grand daughter’s test back in time, even after rescheduling her trip for a day later. A very disappointed teen and a waste of $139 for the test and a huge waste of time. I wouldn’t even consider her trying to go again until everything opens up there.
Hawaii has created near impossible restrictions/criteria. They limit the amount of retail locations you can get Covid testing (and those same sites have yet another layer of restrictions for scheduling your tests to make it work with 72 hr requirement). Then of course none of the testing locations will tell you when they will return your test results leaving TOTAL uncertainty whether you will in fact be able to board the plane. Very few individuals even can realisticslly deal with this many layers of complexity let alone a family of 5. NOT risking it/the cost!
Time to ditch Hawaii….apparently they can’t be bothered with a plan that is even attainable.
Mexico? Dominican Republic? 5 people now cancelling our Dec Hawaii trip & beginning a tradition somewhere else!
Has anyone used Color For their testing through United? I am flying out of the Bay Area.
If so, was if the one within 72 hours or the rapid same
day as your flight?
Thank you!
Thanks for the article. My wife and I narrowly made the window last week with the testing rules enacted on October 15. We located a trusted testing facility (Quest) performing the NAAT test and took it right inside the 72 hour window to give us enough time to receive the results. Two hours before we landed in Hawaii (thank God for WiFi on the plane), we received the negative results and was able to upload them to the site. With the new restrictions in place, we would have been quarantined.
Hi Jerry.
Thanks for the report on how the testing went.
Aloha.
Hawaii resident here. Agree. This is idiotic. I need to travel for business and my flight leaves BNA on 1.2.21
Vault says unlikely ill get my results within 72 hours with the holidays.. there’s One cvs location in the whole state that might get
The results no guarantees AND I have to pay twice because I already paid vault cash. Plus, I can’t make an appointment until 3 days before And its a 2 hour drive.. This plan is ridiculous. Come on hawaii!
Walgreens let’s you schedule 3 days out but due to the increase in testing, you may have to select another location. Several locations offer rapid results, within 24 hours but I got mine in less than 12 hours. Depending on how you answer the questions on Walgreens questionnaire, you may qualify for free testing so be mindful of that. Good luck!
I booked my flight from NY weeks ago and have been monitoring the Hawaii approved test sites and with the uptick in Covid cases it is nearly impossible to get an appointment for a test and most providers only offer 24 hour to 3 to 5 day results with Rapid testing being in short supply and that’s IF you can get an appointment, thanks
Hi Henry.
Thanks for the update.
Aloha.
Rapid tests are not accepted by hawaii.
That is not true. Rapid test are valid and I just used the one in San Francisco airport and had no problems getting the test and no problems entering Hawaii with a rapid test result. It was easy and simple. Please don’t make it seem more complicated than it is. Very simple process, and an added step to keep Hawaii safe.
Once the vaccine is here things will begin to seem normal for a change just keep the p eth with masks and distancing till then March or April it’s really that simple
On CFAR insurance, be aware that maximum reimbursement is 50% of total trip cost, with a maximum total trip cost of $25,000. There are exceptions to this rule, but this is where the major insurers have gone post- COVIS-19.
Hi Karen.
We need to point out that is incorrect information. Virtually all policies we can find with Cancel For Any Reason coverage, still provide 75% coverage up to 2 days in advance.
Aloha.
It is ridiculous residents of Hawaii are sick in the same mess if we want to travel to mainland. Only thing is we can’t take an additional 2 weeks off if our results are delayed I can see a day or 2 while waiting but not straight to quarenteen for 14 days regardless. We have a new cares money lab at the airport that does the rapid test that should have been on the approved list before it opened, come on government push that through if your really serious about opening the islands back up for residents and tourists. This whole crap about approved testing places its all about money and the state has to be getting a kickback from them on the tests they do. If you have a proper test from a hospital then that should be good, but if you come here with a screenshot of a test from some unknown clinic or place I can understand that. Come on state of Hawaii you have had almost 9 months to get this together you are holding us hostage in our homes
We came last Monday. Had everything in order and happened to have all required documents to meet next weeks requirements. Hoops for sure but well worth it. It’s to keep you and residents safe. For travelers who have been here before you know why you are coming back. Covid is real and if you don’t like the rules stay home. Hawaii needs you but not with an attitude or disbelief.
Totally agree, Mitch. We were on the Big Island November 7-18. The hoops weren’t too difficult to jump through. An added benefit–not as many tourists, so it was easier to get around. A couple of our favorite restaurants had not reopened yet, but hopefully they can reopen profitably soon. As a business owner myself, I am sad for the businesses that will not make it out of this.
Our arrival test in Kona took about a 1/2 hour for results–long enough for the rental car company to run out of cars, so we got a minivan instead.🤷♀️ No problem, we went back the next day and got a car. 😊
Mahalo Mitch
We have been responsibly isolating prior to our planned trip and are willing to jump through those hoops with all precautions gladly taken. But this week, meeting the requirements is simply impossible. Results are not guaranteed within 72 hours of boarding. We cancelled, with a significant lo$$. No attitude, just disappointed in the state’s unrealistic expectations.
I just checked Hawaii’s website and none of the testing done for American Airlines passengers are listed but on American’s website they list several options. Will these be accepted?
I had plans to leave for Hawaii on November 21 this past Saturday but had to cancel my whole trip due to test results coming back after the 72 hour travel deadline. I used Costco/AZOVA. Costco shipped overnight but when you call the middleman AZOVA to schedule the video call They did not have an appointment for 2 days which ate up 24 hours of the deadline. After emails and phone calls that were unanswered to AZOVA my test came in after I was actually supposed to be in Hawaii. If I chose to gamble on the results coming in while I was in the air I would have been in quarantine. Disappointed and extremely upset with that company! They will not refund the $139 And I believe they take the money knowing that they cannot comply with the deadline. Buyer beware!
I chose to fly Alaska Airlines to Hawaii because they partnered with Carbon Health in Seattle, WA to do pre-flight COVID tests. You can make an appointment online within the 72 hour time limit before your flight and get results in 1 hour at a cost of $134.00. However because I couldn’t upload anything to anywhere if my life depended on it, I waited 3 hours for a PDF hard copy to present upon landing showing “negative” results. When I landed the official first contested the validity of the test, then finally accepted it, but said since I hadnt uploaded my results to the Hawaii safe travels site I had to quarantine until I did. When I explained I couldn’t do that in a million years and had no one travelling with me, they first said, “too bad, you must quarantine then.” Distraught, I said” I’m 69 and don’t know how to upload, I’ll pay anyone to help me! I drive 399 miles roundtrip to get tested, paid $134.00, am negative, brought you hard copy proof, and did everything humanly possible to meet your criteria and keep Hawaii safe, and just because I’m not technologically astute you’re sending me to quarantine! What kind if Aloha spirit is that?” The official then asked for my phone and frustratedly uploaded my results by taking a picture if my pdf and pushing buttons in my cell phone (took him less than 45 seconds) and let me through for my on arrival retest. Lesson: Make Sure you upload your negative results to the Hawaii Dafe travels site before you fly. Dint rely on a PDF.
I have an appt with Carbon in January. What is the problem with uploading? I’m going to pay the $150 to ensure I get it in 24 hours but that’s going to be hard for people who just barely get results before they fly.
She’s not tech savvy; she said that in her comment.
Once again the Hawaiian brain-dead politicians are only screwing their constituents. Look around people of Hawaii. Homelessness, mentally-ill and meth heads everywhere. We need to manage this responsibly and not use these draconian measures that affect the working class. No work no food no rent. I guess those in charge will just keep their hands out for more free govt handouts. You can only rob Peter to pay Paul for so long.
We just got back last week from HI. We traveled with a party of 9: 4 were one family, 3 were our family, and 2 were my 75 year old parents. It was extremely stressful to go through the entire process of getting everyone tested, praying the test results come in negative for our entire party of 9 prior to departure. There was also a lot of worry about the proposed second test that they were dabbling with…it would have meant another $500 worth of covid testing for our family of three, and $260 for my parents (the family of 4 was kaiser, and their cost was covered by their insurance), paired with the same issues of the possibility of a single person in our party testing positive. We were glad we made it through the entire process, and were able to enjoy our trip, but holy smokes! It was a very tricky process! The majority of adults on this trip hold college as well as post grad degrees, and we were thankful to know very well the process of jumping through hoops one at a time to achieve a goal.
There is also an important piece of age discrimination that needs to be addressed for their testing and registration requirements. My 75 year old parents had no clue how first to register and pay online for their quest diagnostics drive through covid test, nor did they know what a QRS code is…not to mention trying to get them through the process of registering themselves on Hawaii’s Safetravels site (where they ask questions about specific cars you may have owned, colleges you may have attended, streets you may have lived on at any point in your life- this scared my parents to no end that the computer somehow had this knowledge, and my dad has memory issues on a good day anyways), and then 24 hrs prior to departure complete the health questionnaire and convert their covid test results into PDF form, upload that PDF form into the safe travels site, and then be presented with this magical QRS code that gets sent via email (which they don’t use either).