New order will impact all arriving mainland visitors to Maui.
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135 thoughts on “Maui Adds Mandatory On-Arrival Testing As Rules Change”
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New order will impact all arriving mainland visitors to Maui.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We are flying from San Diego to Kauai via Hawaiian Airlines on May 11 but landing on Maui to board another Hawaiian plane to Kauai. We will never leave the terminal. I am curious if we will be subject to this test given that circumstance. If we are in fact subject to that test, I’m a bit nervous about how that small airport is going to handle this without hopelessly disrupting connecting flights due to the inevitable time delays that will occur in the process of testing.
What a nightmare..! And who pays for that? Are they trying to keep visitors out?
Yes, I am also wondering if passengers will have to pay for this. We are traveling to Maui at the end of July.
Here we go again. Was hoping a vaccination would fix all this. Guess not. Disappointed. :0(
To everybody whining about our testing rules you have a few options…..1)Don’t travel during a global pandemic and expect everything to be ‘normal’, 2)Follow our rules that are intended to keep residents and Kapuna safe…we don’t care what mandates your state has, 3)Check all available information..there’s multiple websites to stay updated, 4) Having acquired a negative test does NOT entitle you to flaunt or ignore our rules once you leave the airport..respect our Islands and our people, 5) Stay home or travel to a location that doesn’t seem to care about masks and testing. There is currently NO vaccine passport and even vaccinated people can still carry, shed and transmit the virus. Somehow over 20,000 people a day for the last 3 weeks have found a way to navigate the rules, protocols and procedures…if they can manage, I’m sure you can to.
Well said. I too am so tired of people whining about their vacations when they forget that there are those of us that live here and have to deal with the aftermath of tourists. While the majority follow the rules, there are plenty that don’t. If they don’t like the rules that are in place, then they can stay home. Hawaii doesn’t need them.
Amen brother. The whiners are the ones who either didn’t check the protocols, thought they could ‘slip past’ the rules, feel a sense of entitlement because they got the 72 hour test and/or vaccinated, are vacationing on the ‘cheap’ and think because they ‘spent X amount of dollars to come here’, or come from a state that doesn’t have or doesn’t enforce Covid rules. We don’t need or want ‘those type’ of tourists or the mutant strains of the virus that’s highly prevalent in at least 5 states. Stop whining or please, just stay home
Thank you for the update. Have they considered whether vaccinated passengers will be treated any differently?
Hi Teri.
As indicated in post revision, there is no exception for vaccinated passengers. That would need to come from the state, not from Maui.
Aloha.
Maui’s decision is a wise balance of preserving their economy while adding additional safety measures.
Sadly, Kauai could have chosen this airport testing plan last December, rather than the demeaning and economy-crushing resort bubble fiasco.
My recollection is that Mayor Bubbles wanted a post-arrival three day quarantine before a mandatory second test. Ige turned him down. Mayor Bubbles then tried to get arriving people to voluntarily take a second test after three days. I don’t think many people did. We sure didn’t. Then Mayor Bubbles opted out completely, although a month later went with the bubble hotel or another island for 3-4 days before second test route. Some people have done that, with their reward for all the extra hssle, rick and expense being way less tourists to compete with.
Mayor Bubbles has opted back in and is once again asking people to voluntarily take a post arrival test, plus to download the famous contract tracing app that was much debated on this site. He’s asking private businesses to offer discounts to tourist who agree to the second test. I have no idea how many will do that for some coupons, but I would put the over under at about 5% max. When he becomes disappointed that people aren’t voluntarily taking another test and risking quarantine, maybe he’ll also pull this airport stunt. The Big Island is apparently still testing some arrivals at the airport. I’ve read it’s 25% of them. Not sure what the point of that is other than to validate the Safe Travels program.
Do you really think Hawaii wants to reopen? This is now ridiculous. My family of 8 planned to go to Maui in July. That’s not happening now. Forget you MAUI! I feel badly for their economy and the citizens that are subjected to their crazy leadership.
Thank you for keeping everyone updated.
Hi Linda.
Thanks for the input.
Aloha.
This Maui mayor is just some kind of stupid. Please let us know what testing company he chooses, I want to buy the stock. A test with in 72 hours then again on arrival, what a waste of time and resources. I guess the safetravels form and QR codes are not good enough to come to Maui. Someone please make a suggestion to the mayor to use the resources for the extra test to help the unemployed or the homeless people of the island. Funny, no mention of anyone that has received the Corona 19 vaccine could pass through.
Thank you for reading my rant. Hopefully the mayor will rethink his decision!!!!
We just returned from our third trip to Hawaii in the past five months; all three were great as always. But if the trip had been planned for a week later and we were told we had to take another test upon arrival, we would postpone our trip. Even though we take precautions on the mainland and would’ve tested negative in the 72 hour window prior, it’s not worth the risk to quarantine over a positive test (or false positive). We won’t be returning to Maui until this requirement is gone and maybe that’s what Maui wants.
This is full BS – thousands of travelers are already non-refundable on summer vacations. This move epitomizes the very opposite of “aloha” spirit and will likely drive mass cancellations. Rationale families who can actually reschedule will because there’s just too much at risk with this on-arrival test. Bad form Maui!!!
SoCal Matt
Changing the rules yet again… Moving the goalposts yet again… This is so frustrating…
Is anyone in charge over there who can actually act consistently? Rationally? This will just make tourists stay away longer. Why make (mostly nonrefundable)reservations, spend all of that money, go to all of that bother, pass Covid tests on the mainland just before traveling if not being vaccinated, only to be required to do another test at Kahalui Airport? What if there’s a false positive? Will Maui reimburse folks who have false positives at the airport for their lost time and money?
Sigh… Face palm… I want to return to Maui, to spend my tourist bucks (and yes, I’ve been vaccinated), but until Hawaii gets its collective act together I’ll be staying away. There are lots of places here on the Mainland that want my money more.
I’ve just about given up the notion of visiting the Islands this year. The rules are in constant flux making it difficult to make and keep reservations, many not always 100% refundable. In addition to that, the prices for everything there have jumped so high that it’s no longer an affordable vacation, even from the West Coast.
I’ll check in this time next year and see if Hawaii has their act together yet. In the meantime, many places are starting to open back up to vaccinated travelers so I’ll spend my vacation dollars there.
I thought this is why everyone is being vaccinated.
I am not sure if I understand. Is this within arriving from the mainlands also? You take a test at home in U S at home. Then take another one there?
How about travelers who have been vaccinated? Will they still be required to have the COVID test?
Thank you
Hi Jen.
That exemption for vaccination will need to come from the state, not from Maui. It hasn’t happened yet and the governor last said perhaps early July.
Aloha.
Does anyone know if they are offering lockers at Hanauma Bay? I’ve been there many times and I know they once did, but not sure since COVID because they have very strict rules now. Thanks so much!
Hi Amy.
The locker concession remains closed at this time.
Aloha.
Let’s see, test negative BEFORE flight, AND test again on arrival & wait in Huge Lines to do so, are you kidding me????? Covid Fear has gone to a new level! Why not test negative to travel once, and then test again with say a blood test while you wait for HOURS in the humid heat with a mask that restricts your right to breathe, with hundreds of passengers for results???? Common sense, logic, and critical thinking is gone as FEAR takes over the frontal lobe of the brain. Why stop at 2 tests? Why not 3 or 4? Why not ever other day? Unbelievable!
Well you won’t wait for HOURS…the line goes rather quickly. I live here and have met with multiple people and families that came through the arrival gates and no one waited longer than 30 minutes….which in reality is fine since it will probably take you longer to get your luggage from baggage claim.
We arrived on the 28th of March and waited 1 hour 5 minutes. I can only speak for my personal experience. About 5-7 other flights arrived while waiting and the fights had the precheck so they passed right thru. In a testing scenario those 1000 people join the line. And of course testing would take longer than checking the QR code. I think it is very fair to assume a multi hour wait but only time will tell. It is clear to me they want less travelers and that is probably a good idea based on how crowded the resorts and some beaches have been.
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for keeping us informed.
Note we would still come back. The pros still outweigh the cons. We would just avoid the Kaanapali area more. And be sure we had every meal booked and not just 76% of them. And know all excursions should be booked way in advance too. With plenty of planning it is still worth it in our opinion.
Hi Kyle.
Thanks. We appreciate your sharing your experience on Maui and your many other comments.
Aloha.
I am talking about the 2nd test which has not been implemented yet- I am imagining the lines because when I flew out of Maui mid-December the wait was 1 1/2 – 2 hours as major Christmas holiday passengers were arriving…and I carry-on always:). Awesome if they are able to move the line in a timely fashion once 2nd testing arrives:)
After struggling through all the changes and rules the last three times we have been to Maui since it opened in October, I’m afraid this will be the end of it for our family fir several years. No vacation is worth the stress, anxiety, testing costs (up to $240 pp) with no guarantee the test result will be available before you leave, and then once you land l, stand in hours long lines for a second test. Car rental pickups delayed (possible even canceled), vacations delayed, family plans delayed and your first vacation day was nothing more than additional stress and anxiety with hundreds of people waiting to get a second test while not observing social distancing. Sad that Maui County believes tourists are the reason for the uptick in numbers. Maybe they should be looking at the residents that do not mask up for church services, family celebration, birthday parties, and workplaces. From the statistics, travelers are far less likely responsible for the clusters of outbreak than the residents are.
Is this any different than what Big Island has been (or was?) doing since Oct 15?
What percentage of arrivals with negative pre-flight test results have had positive post arrival test results on the Big Island? It must be a meaningful amount for Maui Mayor to start doing this 6 months later.
And, yes, this will make for some hellish lines at the airport, unless they just pick random few people to test. Maybe use virus-sniffing dogs instead?
Just booked a trip to Maui 2 days ago for a June trip. If we would have known this we definitely wouldn’t have do it. Why is Hawaii making changes worse than trying to make it easier for visitors? It’s like they don’t want us there.
Correct, we don’t
David, please explain how the people on the island are supposed to survive without the tourist income? Do you work or are you on a government dole program. Your attitude is amazing, if you’re caucasian they probably want you to leave as well but we won’t want you on the mainland either. Glad to see you speak for everyone on the island.
Does anyone know if they are going to be charging for this test…and how much?
To Quote Dana Carvey’s Church Lady: “Isn’t that special!”
Fingers crossed that they implement this AFTER April 22, as that’s our arrival date. Mahalo BOH for posting this so quickly. I saw this story on my Google News feed yesterday.
NJ –>> Maui here we come! No worries locals, we’ve had our 2nd Pfizer vaccine and it will be 2 weeks later when we fly to your Paradise in the Pacific.
Hi Steve.
Thanks for the levity. Have a great time on Maui.
Aloha.
I’m a little speechless.
I will have both doses of the vaccine completed, had already scheduled a covid test 72 hours prior and now will need to take another test upon arrival. My vaccine CDC card means nothing because the state will not accept it until June or July or whenever. The restrictions are more than when we traveled in November 2020. We abide by the rules – just so much undue stress.
Please, does this testing include those who have received the vaccine? Thanks
Hi Michael.
No exemption for vaccinated travelers at this time.
ALoha.
Pardon me if this is obvious, but will visitors who pull a positive test upon landing in Maui be required to quarantine?
I ask, because the rapid tests, while useful as an initial screen, tend to have a comparatively high rate of false positives. Even at a low 2% false positive rate, that adds up to several hundred people being put into quarantine every day as travel resumes, even though they were not actually sick. These are all people who were able to pass the more accurate PCR test before they took off. A pretty high percentage will already have been fully vaccinated as well.
I have a trip to Maui planned for late May. I’m already disappointed that my vaccine will no longer let me skip the pre-trip travel. But now I may have to weigh the risk that I or a member of my family get unlucky on the arrival testing and we spend the trip in quarantine (and, presumably don’t get any refunds on the thousands of dollars we’re laying out for the trip).
This is ill conceived and poorly thought out by mayor Victorino.
So…. I get vaccinated, get a pcr test 3 days before, and now a rapid in Maui. I am sure Kauai will do the same. It’s going to be difficult enough processing all the tourists this summer through the safe travels program. I have no idea how they can manage this with thousands of arrivals.
Well, I think the negativity has finally got to me. I will be cancelling my long planned trip that I postponed due to my respect for the island. I am fully vaccinated and should not have to be subjected to the time and chaos at the airport after traveling g for over 12 hours already. I am checking into the legality of such mandate as the federal government has deemed travel safe for the vaccinated. Enough is enough with corrupt politicians.
Sounds great in theory. In reality, based on our experience last week, even with the majority of arrivals being pre-approved prior to arrival, those of us flying American Airlines, etc who didn’t have pre-approval had to wait about an hour just to be checked. This is fine. Worth the wait. However, if now you are going to test EVERY arrival, I cant imagine this going well. Going from checking paperwork on 20% to testing 100% of arrivals will be a logistical nightmare. Maui was extremely overloaded last week. It was spring break so hopefully things slow down a bit. The island wasn’t ready for the influx of visitors. Hope they have learned from that experience and will be prepared to test everyone but I tend to doubt that the ones making these decisions have the knowledge or capability to operationalize them. End result though is our visit to Maui was worth waiting an hour to have paperwork checked. And it would have been worth waiting many hours to be tested so dont be disheartened. Just a shame that Maui is making things more difficult with minimal value.
I know this takes money out of pockets so it would never happen but if you really want to reduce the threat of spread then you need to reduce the overcrowding. Hotels and rentals are not reduced but restaurants and tours are. This resulted in lines everywhere. Crowding at pools and beaches, lines for food. To me it would make more sense to cap the hotels at 80%. Maybe they are hoping with the extra tests it will deter some from visiting and reduce the crowds that way????
Well this seems to be going backwards isn’t it? With vaccines coming and becoming more pervasive, it seems like a lot of setup for nothing. This will definitely dampen tourism on Maui, just like it has on the other islands.
Any idea how vaccines will impact Maui’s decision?
Mahalo!
Hi Mel.
It would seem that vaccines will fit into this somewhere. But that is up to the state. For now, Maui wants to get a handle on the positivity rate of arrivals.
Aloha.
Unbelievable.
From what I am reading those coming from another island won’t be tested? We are flying home from Maui but only plan to stay there one night but may consider just transferring through the airport because I was hoping by now they would have vaccine exemptions.
Hmmm…it’s a no from me…
Keep moving that goal post.
… Roll out the welcome mat …
This is ridiculous. This is not even in line with CDC recommendations for fully vaccinated passenger travel within the US. I think that until Hawaii is in accordance with CDC guidelines—which are grounded in science and not xenophobia and hysteria—all mainland bound passengers from the islands should be subject to mandatory on-arrival testing.
Fair enough. What’s good for the goose…..is good for the gander.
Wow! Another hurdle. No worries tho, we will roll with it. We must do our part in this war against the Virus
I understand the need for a 2nd test. As a returning resident, I receive a negative test (rapid test) the day before I arrive and then again the very next day. Do they really think a positive test will happen within 24 hours of the first test? Or attempting to catch one who had a test within the 2-3 day period? And how long of a wait will it be at the Maui airport? Hopefully they might have 2 lines, one for tourists and one for returning residents.
Vicki – Why would there be a separate line between tourists and returning residents? It’s actually the returning residents that have the higher risk of bringing Covid into their communities. Tourists stick to their own travel group. Again, there is this ugly mentality that tourists have some type of cooties or selfish agenda that returning residents don’t have.
That sounds like a logistical nightmare. As much as I love the islands do I want to spend usually 15 hours traveling there, then what will be hours to take and pass a COVID screen test which has a high rate if false positives and then proceed to wait hours for my rental car as usual as well? From there, with traffic into Kaanapali then spend an hour plus getting to the resort. So grateful I enjoyed Maui for so many years before things became so congested it becomes unappealing. I loved the islands before they abandoned all other industry and became totally dependent upon tourism. So sad
Mahalo Rob and Jeff for the incredible job you’re doing for residents and visitors alike.
Your updates are a welcome sight, and help all of us navigate the ever-changing rules and regulations.
As much as I love you guys, it would be a welcome respite to have Hawaii stop moving the goal post every week.
Please let us know when this mess settles down and a decision is made on interisland testing requirements.
It seems just downright mean to, potentially, trap residents and visitors alike when returning to Maui with what could be another round of devastating testing that could end up with a 10 day quarantine.
Blessings and mahalo for your diligence in reporting!
Hi Pam.
Thanks, as always. We continue to be optimistic that the state will arrive at workable solutions, including interisland, and vaccination travel.
Aloha.
I have been trying to get a group of 16 there for well over a year now. It seems Maui is making it harder not easier to go there. We loved Maui but are not going to skip another family vacation. If Maui doesn’t want us the we will go somewhere else. I would tell the mayor and Governor to please accept without further testing anyone who has has a Covid vaccination. If not why are we getting the vaccination? Got the say we’ve started looking at alternative destinations.
Trying to figure out… If everyone is wearing their masks indoors, at the hotels etc. And the masks are settled science proven to stop the Vid dead in its tracts.. (sarcasm)
And I doubt locals are hanging out with those “dirty unmasked tourists” at the beaches…
Where exactly are locals contracting the Covid from tourists in these mass numbers Victorino is so afraid of….
Could it be just returning residents going home to their families?
Neh, that would mean we’d have to admit it’s not tourists.
Thanks for always keeping us up-to-date! What a complete mess this is. We’re fully vaccinated and spending 10 days at the end of the month. By now they should allow vaccinated travelers to skip the 1st test. But now they want us to test again on arrival? What a complete waste of time and resources.
If I could switch to another island or destination I would but flights and cars have risen dramatically since we purchased.
The only thing this is accomplishing for us is making us more ticked off and skeptical of this whole pandemic. Masks weren’t enough, vaccine isn’t enough, what’s next?
Hi Erin.
We hope your trip later this month goes off without a hitch. Please let us know.
Aloha.