135 thoughts on “Maui Adds Mandatory On-Arrival Testing As Rules Change”
Linda T.
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.
Kim M
I thought this is why everyone is being vaccinated.
Paula T
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?
Jen
How about travelers who have been vaccinated? Will they still be required to have the COVID test?
Thank you
Beat of Hawaii
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.
Amy J
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!
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Amy.
The locker concession remains closed at this time.
Aloha.
Nita C
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!
Andy M
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.
Kyle M
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.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Kyle.
Thanks. We appreciate your sharing your experience on Maui and your many other comments.
Aloha.
Nita C
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:)
Suzy L
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.
David B
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?
Jeff
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.
David R
Correct, we don’t
Matthew B.
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.
Anita F
Does anyone know if they are going to be charging for this test…and how much?
Comments are closed.
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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?