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85 thoughts on “Maui and Kauai Set New COVID Restrictions | What Visitors Should Know”

  1. Mike S

    Thank you for this update. Despite a 60% vaccination rate the increase in cases on Kauai does not come as a surprise to many of us, given the nature of this threat and the way it has been handled on the island. It is good to see that visitors are not automatically being blamed for the increase and hopefully the community spread can be minimized.

    Have you heard if post-arrival second testing is still being done on the Big Island? Wasn’t this program due to expire on May 1 given the $1 million per month expense?

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Mike.

      What set heard is that the BI is still doing testing through 5/10. After that we assume it will end but have not had confirmation of that.

      Aloha.

  2. Mignon B.

    Aloha,

    We are arriving on the Big Island in 2 weeks and are wondering what & how long the process is after you’ve landed showing your proof of a negative Covid test. We’re flying on Hawaiian and using WorkSite Labs to test within the mandatory 72 hours preflight.

    Also if anyone can share their experience getting their rental car at the Kona airport. Is it accurate that it can take 2-3 hours in line?

    Mahalo to BoH for all your valuable information. It is tremendously appreciated!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Mignon.

      Thank you. Please see our response to Mike just now regarding the current 2nd tests on the BI. We look forward to and appreciate others sharing their recent arrival and car rental experiences at Kona to help.

      Aloha.

    2. Kim M.

      Mignon B,
      We fly from Maui to Kona on 4/10. My advice is to sit as close to the front of the plane as possible. We were on SWA and sat in the first few rows. It didn’t take long for us to show our test results and get our clearance. At this point I went to get the rental car shuttle and my husband stayed to get the luggage. The rental shuttle was full and I was about #8 in line when we got to the counter. The rental car process is very slow at the Kona airport. It took about 30 minutes for me to get to the counter. However when I left the car rental there were now about 30+ people in line so I’m sure it took some people 2 to 3 hours to get a car. We rented with Alamo and there were 3 car rental companies being handled by the same 3 staff so this contributes to how long it takes to get a rental car. If the line for your rental car is short you’ll be fine but if it’s long be prepared to wait. When we flew home we went out of Hilo and there was no line for rental cars in Hilo. Have fun on your vacation!

      1. Mignon B.

        Hi Kim,

        Thank you very much for the arriving in Kona info. I hope it goes as smoothly and quickly as your experience last month. Can’t wait to get back to the Big Island! 🙂

  3. Dolly

    Thank you for the Covid updates. You are keeping us informed to keep everyone in the known before we visit. I continue to look for your updates along with the state websites so their isn’t any question what we need to do and what to expect. Thank you.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Dolly.

      Thank you. We look forward to your being able to visit and hope everything goes smoothly for you.

      Aloha.

      1. Dolly S

        Thank you again for keeping us all up to date on the ever changing time.

        Looking forward to seeing our Ohana at KBH. Few more weeks. Excited and blessed. ❤️🌺

  4. violet j

    this is a perfect example of how the virus is being transmitted by those being vaccinated, so now visitors need to keep their distance from residents until all vaccinations are completed and 2-4 weeks after.
    It’s unfortunate that people were not educated on this imortant aspect
    when they received the vaccine. At least once everyone that wants the vaccination has had it, after a few weeks of shedding, the transmission rate will start to decrease, thankfully.
    With warmest aloha : )

    1. David B

      “this is a perfect example of how the virus is being transmitted by those being vaccinated”

      You are assuming facts not in evidence. Nowhere has it been reported as to whether any of the positive tests caught the virus from a vaccinated person. Perhaps and perhaps not.

    2. Meaaloha A.

      Just to clarify this, I was told by my local family on Kauai that the surge was due to one local woman that was positive with covid attending all 3 events. They know her personally.

  5. Jo M

    We leave for the Big Island tomorrow. Tests came back in 24 hours, uploaded and have vaccine cards in hand. So very excited. Thank you for all the updates a long the way, they really helped me plan. Aloha.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Jo.

      Enjoy your trip to the BI. Thanks for sharing your experience.

      Aloha.

  6. John B

    Question: If someone arrives on Maui from the mainland having had their second COVID shot three or four days before arrival, does that count as being “fully vaccinated”– and exempt from the on-arrival test requirement? Aloha and thanks, BOH!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi John.

      Thanks. Fully vaccinated and exempted means 14 days after completion.

      Aloha.

  7. Rob L.

    BOH, our kids and grandkids are traveling to Kauai on May 16. They have not been vaccinated but will be tested within 72 hours of travel and upload their results to SafeTravel. Will they be required to be retested on arrival? Any other restrictions? Mahalo.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Rob.

      Thanks. We’re happy to hear about your family visit. When traveling directly to Kauai, there is no additional requirement at this time.

      Aloha.

  8. Mounque B.

    Aloha and Mahalo for your always great information.

    The vaccination card and proof information is all for the US CDC. How ill travelers coming from international countries and have proof with that countries Vaccination cards be handled.Is there any info on this?

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Mounque.

      Thanks. We appreciate your many comments. There hasn’t been anything yet about vaccination proof for international arrivals. Hawaii is first trying to figure out domestic travel when vaccinated outside of Hawaii and they aren’t quite even there yet.

      Aloha.

  9. Lori R

    We are planning our annual girls trip to Maui later this month. If I am reading your article correctly since all 5 of us have received 2 doses of the vaccine more than 14 days ago, we are now exempt from the second test upon arrival as long as we show the appropriate proof? It was my understanding this exemption was just going to be for locals who had received their vaccine on Island. This is great news if it’s true!

  10. Anonymouse

    Hawaii really needs to roll out the vaccine passport for those of us who are fully vaccinated.

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