Four policy changes are coming that could impact your Hawaii vacation to keep everyone safer.
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205 thoughts on “More Changes Coming to Hawaii Travel Rules”
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Four policy changes are coming that could impact your Hawaii vacation to keep everyone safer.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Aloha and thank you for all the info!! Lets save lives together!! See you soon Mahalo!!
Hi Diane.
Thanks. It sounds like you have a trip to the islands upcoming. We hope it goes great.
Aloha.
Hello i am flying nov 28 can i do the test Wednesday 25 at 4:45. My fly is out seattle Saturday at 5 arriving kuawau at 9.
Thanks
Hi Maria.
Technically it should be after 5pm, not at 445pm to be within the 72 hours. We don’t know (and comments have reported differently) about how much that exact time matters. To be safe, we’d stick with 5pm.
Aloha.
Unfortunately I cancelled my California to Hilo trip. CVS has no location that does travel testing and Kaiser never responded. Unless there’s a quick test at the airport prior to departure, I’m unlikely to travel.
You get more safety when testing just before departure. United airlines foes it at SFO for $250. Should be cheaper and offered at all Hawaii bound airports.Thank you!
Al in San Diego
Hi Al.
Vault testing by mail is available without regard to location and other comments say it has worked almost universally well.
Aloha.
Vault worked for us, but it was a little nerve-wracking, because we couldn’t communicate with them once we shipped the test kits. You can try, but they’ll get back to you a week later and still not answer your question. And the Vault test results email does not include a time-stamp indicating what hour the test was taken. They just have the calendar date. HI apparently is fine with that, because our test results were accepted. (We took the tests about 71 hours before our departure time).
At the advice of the Vault Zoom lady that supervises your test, we wrote “STAT Hawaii” with a big Sharpie pen all over the test envelop and other packaging, including the outside of the large UPS envelop. I don’t know if that made a difference, but we did get the results email late day after we sent the UPS overnight.
The Vault Zoom lady said that around half of the test takers she was handling were doing it for travel to Hawaii. At $150 per test, Vault is cleaning up. They won’t want to get a reputation for not coming through. We were lucky because Wyoming paid for our Vault tests using federal government cheese, I mean, CARES Act money.
Hello-does anyone know if vault works within the 72 hour window if sent from Hawaii-Maui to be exact?? I’m thinking it might be easiest to order vault tests, take them to Maui and use them within 72 hours of our trip to the Big Island. It also appears there are Walgreens locations on Maui, however when I try to make an appointment for curiosity sake, only Oahu locations pop up. Anyone have any insight on these issues. Thanks again! Stay well.
Hi Cherie.
As far as we know, Vault works from any US address. You should double-check with them, and perhaps others with experience can add to this discussion.
Aloha.
What matters is whether the UPS overnight shipping will get your tests to Piscataway NJ “overnight”. If so, then would be same as mainland.
Check UPS “overnight” shipping from Maui. And locate a UPS Store on Maui.
Thank you! That’s a great idea. Much appreciated.
Are the results of the pre-travel test acceptable in email or is a hardcopy needed?
Great Covid safety program ideas. Implementation will be challenging. Fines & penalties should be a state mandate with some bite. Does Mufi Hanneman have a team of trackers who are asking people on the street if they are locals or visitors? If not, his statement is bogus.
Mahalo.
You nee to have them uploaded and accepted on your “trip” on your Safe Travels web site account. You also need the health questions answered (cannot be done until one day before your flight) and get your QR code.
You upload via a one page pdf of the email with your results.
Have both. Better safe than sorry.
The best option is to upload an electronic copy to the Safe Travels website before you go through the check-in post flight.
Email isn’t acceptable. Once you get your negative result emailed to you, you must create a one page PDF of the negative result, then log in to the Safe Travels website (where you have already created an entry for your trip) and upload the PDF. Print two copies of your negative result in case of problems upon arrival.
Then, no more than 24 hours before the last leg of you’re of your trip, log back in to the Safe Travels website and complete the health questionnaire. You will then receive an email with a QR code that you must save a small either an image and/or text to yourself so it can be scanned upon arrival (I did both). Print two copies of the QR code as well. Once you land, you will be required to do three things: show your photo I.D., show the QR code from your photos or messaging app to be scanned, and open and log in to the Safe Travels website and show your negative result under the “My Trips” tab. If you’re phone isn’t working or has lost it’s charge, you’re printed copies may be used for verification.
Sound practices, Dr Green, mahalo. A few steps further are necessary. Assigning masks worn above the nose not masks pulled below the noses as commonly seen today. And talking on cellphones with masks worn, not hanging off an ear, or stay inside your car and talk on your phone. These are daily occurrences seen everyday by many people, and it’s scary.
Would you please check into University if California Hospital system to become a Trusted Partner??? Many California’s are members across the entire State. Also. CVS and Walgreens won’t allow appointments more than 3 days before. That makes it almost certain to cause a late response. Please ask them to make appointments earlier. There is no good reason not to. I’d appreciate a response if possible. Thank you.
Hi Joyce.
The state has said there will be a list of new partners released by next week. We don’t have any information as to who will be on it. Stay tuned.
Aloha.
We are leaving tomorrow for the big island there is no way to make sure your test is Uploaded before you leave considering you can only do it 72 hours before and it has been taking 2 to 4 days to get your results back because of the surge of covid at testing locations that would not be fair at all they might as well just go back to banning travelers if they’re going to do that!
Such a sad time when tourists are seen a lot more than locals complying with wearing a mask, especially in Waikiki. I’ve seen this with my own eyes, and have passed a few groups of locals saying ignorant things and some swearing that’s thrown in to our visitors about their masks not on, and the local people don’t have one on themselves. Locals, wake up! This is our island to protect and preserve with Aloha. Our officials here do need to strengthen language in our mask mandate. That doesn’t mean locals get off the hook. Wake up!
Please please please do not mandate mask wearing. Some people can’t breathe with it on. I personally don’t know if I will set foot on the islands I love so much, ever again as long as mask wearing is mandated. I have a trip possible for January, & I most likely won’t go now.
We’ll miss you .. ..
Don’t be such a wus. I wear masks for 12-15 hours a day at work, as do my colleagues. To say you can’t breathe is ridiculous. Yes, they can be uncomfortable and sometimes life is. Stay home but you still should be wearing your mask.
No issue at all except with 14 day quarantine if you don’t get results in time. No provider is guaranteeing 72 hour results. Even more difficult if you are traveling early in the week and need to test on the weekends. I felt the current situation was reasonable. I see both sides though-what happens if one arrives and ultimately is positive. Maybe a combo of the rapid and PCR test could allow reasonable assurance that the person is negative yet allow time for the PCR.
If the city and state want to encourage compliance with a mask wearing mandate the only way to enforce such a rule will only work if financial consequences are levied against violations.
Please increase the approved test locations. I was invited to Maui 5 days prior to my United flight. I scoured the internet for an approved test location within 30 miles of San Francisco. Many Hours online and on phone. Finally found an opening 42 hours before my flight time.
It’s very very difficult to get tested unless it’s a month in advance.
I’m hoping I have my results upon landing.
So sickening …. all’s i read is people wanting to run amuck on Maui .”…We gotta drive for tests, this puts our vacation on hold… Blah blah blah” Stay in the mainland land with your entitled selves. We have enough of you in our islands !
You have visitors who tested negative prior to arriving to Hawaii but you allow passenger who have not tested on the same plane. That makes no sence. You run a high risk of exposure to passenger who will not be quarantine and develops the virus from a passenger not tested.
“You run a high risk of exposure to passenger who will not be quarantine and develops the virus from a passenger not tested.”
Maybe in someone’s mind remembering their past cramped flights packed full of coughing people, but not on the flight we took over last week. Hardly 1/3 full. Everyone spaced apart wearing face diapers. They constantly circulate the cabin air with outside air.
I’d say you have a much better chance at the Costco or Foodland, and if you believe masks make a big difference, then just stay out of bars/restaurants, because it is impossible to eat and drink with them on.
There is new and good evidence coming out of the Covid scientific community, that flying even with infected individuals is fairly safe. This is due to the frequent air change and the HEPA filtering onboard most of the main carriers. Check with the carrier of your choice to see how they are doing on air exchange and filtering.
I was very nervous about leaving the islands for any reason, until I started to look at the latest evidence about air travel. I feel better now.
Thank you for the update. Would you know when 14 dat quarantine rules change for those who haven’t received their test before entering the state?
Hi Mel.
We don’t know that yet but will update as soon as we do.
Aloha.
Thank you for the update! I’m traveling around Thanksgiving to visit family on Oahu. I’m very worried about how the Thanksgiving holiday is going to affect the turnover for testing labs. If the policy is changed where I don’t have my negative results when I land that means I will have to quarantine for 2 weeks which basically means no vacation. As of now if I don’t have my results when I land once i get them I can be taken off the quarantine list. I have not found any info on how Thanskgiving holiday will be handled as far delay in lab results. Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Andrea.
Good point. Other than checking with the labs themselves, we don’t know how that is working over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Aloha.
Been ready for our trip since first making reservations in February. Being extremely vigilant here at home except for going to work where we are holing up inside our offices and always wearing mask. Ready to get tests using CVS,and Walgreens if we must, but the 72 hour is the largest challenge and stressful. We only have an hour in between our Seattle change of planes for second leg of trip if results are not yet in when we take off 4 hours earlier. Not fair to make people quarantine for the full 2 weeks if tests are late. We have no control over that.
Cyndi – Kauai will be here for a long time. Skip your 2020 plans to visit b/c, yes safe protocols are in place. We & our Ohana want to be safe as well as you & yours. So don’t stress about coming here now. Stay home or go elsewhere for your vacation. Mahalo.
Me too I bought my ticket in February but haven’t gone cause no way I could handle being stuck in a cage 14 days when the rest of the animals r on the loose
I hear you, but please understand that we have a large population of folks who live here and not a whole lot of medical resources. It is vital to the community that when welcoming tourists back, we do it safely. I do recommend Florida for a vacation less concerned with COVID. Aloha!
Hello ! We planning with my husband come to Hawaii ! And I want to know which test is right to take ? Cvs or Walgreens should be ok ? And if tests will not ready the time of arrival, how long we will stay for quarantine?
All these rules really stressful
I would suggest going to Walgreens and finding a location that offers the Rapid test which is accepted by Hawaii. We got tested within the 72 hour window and had our results within an hour. We sailed through the screening process when we landed.
Yeah those are approved for testing and if you don’t have results when you land you have to quarentine until they results come in. Must take test in 72 he window before flight.
People today are very self centered. The most important thing have become the exercising of ones own rights, at the cost of others. We need to be yeilding to the greater good, and in the greater interest of others. Example, if you had an adult kid, that was a recovering alcoholic, would you consider your own interest above his and have a few drinks in his presence? You do have the ‘right’ to, but wouldn’t it be more loving to consider whats in ‘his’ best interest? We need to learn to look after the interest of others, above our own interest and so called ‘rights.’ We live in a system, where we put our own selves above ALL others. Is it so hard and difficult to do what is right! My 9 year old mo’opuna never questions the importance of ‘masking’ up. She does it, because she understands, its in the best interest of not only herself, but others too. Think about it!!
We were in Hawaii on Maui and we from the mainland were more concerned with wearing a mask then the hawaiians were. Parties of 30 or more and no mask.
Trusted partners are all on the west coast & in large cities. My children would have to drive over a hundred miles to get a test & CVS/Walgreens are the only options. Major medical facilities aren’t even o n the list (ie Mayo Clinic). We can’t schedule more than 2 days out & would be impossible to get results before flying. Remember it will affect residents returning from the mainland too.
Joanne,
You have choices. Either you go the extra mile and put in the effort to comply and do what is required or don’t come. We cherish our families and our islands. We have to alter our lifestyles and tolerate priveldged attitudes most visitors bring with them. I am tired of hearing my fellow islanders having to remind you that “this ain’t the mainland.” So act accordingly and show respect. You are, after all, visiting our world. Disrespect yours hometown, but please respect ours.
Aloha
Look at Vault. You take the test at home via Zoom. They are in NJ. We had results back in 48 hrs. They are on the approved list
Please read the box that the masks come in, it clearly says that they do not protect against a microscopic virus, in addition waring a mask is detrimental to you healthy imune system! The Covid virus is real, but the pandemic is a hoax! The death rate should be the factor that influences the policy, not how many cases are reported. The gold standard PCR test is not a covid test, but a general virus test. If you have had a bad cold or Flu in the past years,you will test positive, but not have the virus. Our elected officials must realize that the lock downs are unconstitutional, and courts across the country are ruling as so. Stop the lock downs immediately, if you contract the virus, take Hydrocsycloroclin and zinc, or inhaleable steroids. Mahalo.
I am honestly concerned and dismayed by your depiction and disdain when describing how we the people of the State of Hawaii and specidically, how you describe my Island of Hawaii as begrudgingly tolerating visitors when they come.
With the number of visitors who already disrespect their own State of origin by not wearing a mask can put our families and our Islands well being at risk.
There has always been an air of previliedge some visitors travel with towards my local brothers and sisters when they come for holidays. Lately I’ve noticed a trumpian attitude and a negative vibe of hatred for people of color that they no longer feel is necessary to hide while they are here. The lack of Aloha is blatantly obvious.
I would appreciate it if you could please make it a point to include in each of your updates how important it is for them to obey our laws and respect the sensitiveites of others before they arrive and throughout their stay so we can all keep one another safe.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
Denise T.
And your grammar is the worst!! I’m a frontline RN, working with COVID patients and absolutely WEAR, not “ware” my mask 😷 for over 13 hours straight, daily and have NO ill affects from it. So please stop spreading FAKE information based on your personal beliefs and not one scientific fact! And you can’t just go pop Hydroxychloroquine whenever you want as it is a prescribed drug, which has not even been proven to work and is Not even used as part of the medications given to COVID-19 patients!!! I get sooo perturbed by these “know it all” unprofessionals, believe everything they read on the internet as they are the ones who are spreading COVID-19!! Very dangerous!
Thank you, Neil, right there with you. The world have lost their minds. I can’t believe I’m watching this unravel right before my eyes. Industries destroyed over a hoax pandemic. People are worrying about the virus that in most cases is not more serious than the cold, but soon they won’t be able to pay for their house or put food on the table.
As someone who tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, this is complete nonsense. I haven’t gotten the flu or cold in over 20 years & yet I still tested positive. My children who get sick multiple times a year tested negative for this virus (all on PCR). Your ignorance really shows regarding the masks, it’s the only way I was able to protect the rest of my family (everyone else in my household tested negative). Hopefully your ignorance will be silenced when you contract this virus and infect your loved ones.
This response is ignorant at best. Masks do protect against the exhaled water droplets containing the virus, most importantly those coming out of the mouth of an infected person who is asymptomatic.
In addition, death isn’t the only measure of what this virus can do. The long term effects have yet to be known, but many people experience blood clots, organ damage, lung scarring, and brain damage. 1 in five recovered develop mental illness.
Finally, I have no idea where you got the idea that wearing a mask harms your immune system. I’ve worked in immunology for over a decade now and I can tell you that’s not how the immune system works.
My wife had the flu in February which was confirmed by uw flu test.
She has been tested four times since then for the coronavirus with pcr test and every time it has been negative.
So your information on this point is wrong. Thanks.
yes!!! i agree
100% spot on. Gave me hope to see this “woke” comment this morning.
More restrictions? The left is nuts. More cases bc tons more ppl are testing – I don’t want to hear about cases who cares – I want to hear about deaths and hospitalizations. Otherwise it has the feel of fraud. Most hospitals are eliminating their Covid sections bc they are empty!
Most hospitals are not eliminating covid units. Please stop spreading false information to others. I work in covid units and the surrounding hospitals are too.
The idea that that the wearing of masks is “left” is so wrong, I don’t know where to start. And it’s dangerous. I’m pretty sure that the evidence is in, that masks cut down on the transmission of the virus and is simply the only mitigation technique that we have short of quarantine. Get with the program
Please do not mandate masks. This is unconstitutional. I’d never try to take away you right to ware a mask. Do not take away my right not to.
Our liberties are not there priority
Do you think it’s okay to drive while drunk? Do you think it’s your god-given right to put others at risk because the rest of us want you to not to climb into a 2-3 ton piece of machinery while you’re impaired?
I wish that Hawaii could accept COVID tests from rite aid. We are planning to visit and are flying from Oregon Nov 21-28, and we have to travel over 3 hours round trip 3 days before our trip to get tested, then drive the same route 3 days later to fly. It would the great if you expanded to include Rite Aid, who offers free tests. Our tests will cost us over $300 for two.
Thank you!
Hi Lisa.
Have you looked into the Vault mail-in tests as another option?
Aloha.
Provide rapid testing for free, rather than spending funding on policing. Let’s get tourism back on track! $250 is a ridiculous fee for a test when one can buy a OW ticket for $200.
I fully agree. I can easily get a rapid test from a CDC verified laboratory in my state. But the only trusted partner in my here is Walgreens and they can’t guarantee results in less than 5 days? And they test one person every 15 minutes. A family of four has to reserve an hour block of tests for a process that literally takes 2-3 minutes?
So at the fault of the trusted partner I could be forced to quarantine and donate 14 days of accommodation at a state approved quarantine location. I work in critical infrastructure and CDC labs are ok to support the nation but not ok to visit the beach, what gives? I love Hawaii and its people but they seriously need to get with the program if they wish tourism to continue. If not, so be it…
I wonder how many politicians are on the take from the trusted partners? Criminals. This isn’t about safety it’s about money.
Aloha
Aloha BOH Covid Warriors
Lt. Gov Green’s comments suggest that he already knows it’s game over. It’s no longer a matter of if Hawaii will close it’s when.
My guess is second or third week of December just in time for the huge Thanksgiving holiday covid surge to hit. Could last all the way to April or May of next year.
I hate to be bummer about this, but it’s reality and it stinks…..
Aloha Boys & Girls
Since a vaccine seems to be imminent, how about we let folks that have received the immunization with documentation to get a pass since they are not the threat? Kind of reverse of what is now being the mandate. Present authorities with proof that you have received the immunization, and leave that person alone to enjoy their vacation since they are no longer a threat.
Guarantee, most people will be ok with that if it’s what it takes to guarantee them a decent vacation. With that, the local residents can be assured that vacationers are not committing them to a virus that will be devastating.
People not already retired in the islands are going to lose everything without tourism in the islands since there are precious few exports from the islands these days.
There has to be a reasonable middle ground. There is always a certain amount of risks and if there was no risk in life, we would have never left the safety of our caves back in the day if we didn’t crave progress. Our goal is to assess the risks and proceed with a reasonable amount of caution without stifling progress.
Tourists will absolutely stay away from the islands and simply go elsewhere until they can be assured of a vacation without negative oppression and any liability to the local residents. That’s kind of the whole concept of having a relaxing vacation. We need to do our best to facilitate tourism and guarantee the safety of the local residents if we can. We all love Hawaii and want to create the harmony/safety that will assure the locals and tourists alike the feeling that everyone will feel the love and safety that everyone strives for.
Several months ago I posted the obvious – vacation is just that, vacation. It’s optional. For all of you (probably mostly Californians?) who think this is “just another virus”, tell that to my Level 1 ER/Trauma wife who comes home with “Squirrel eyes” from N95 & double masks. She has over 30 years of critical care experience, and the x-rays of the lungs of a COVID-19 patients are not like anything she’s ever seen. If you or a family member get a severe case, you learn the hard way. Stop your endless, inane whining. Get a grip. Put on a mask. If you don’t like the testing, masks, and quarantines, then just stay home (where cases are spiking). But please stop your complaining on this blog. The simple truth is that travel to Hawaii is not going to be anywhere near “normal” until most of the U.S. is vaccinated. Until then, you are rolling the dice with booking a Hawaii vacation. The numbers are rising in all of the Islands, so it’s only a matter of time until Hawaii is shut down, again.
Your wife says this? I’ve had drs tell me Covid is not very lethal – at least not more so than the flu or pneumonia. Flu had devastating effects on some populations as well. Are we going to stop loving our lives bc we have a 1% chance of death? Wake up pal. Your wife still has work many ppl do not – and over such a small percentage of chances of death? This has come from doctors and surgeons that I know personally. Sorry I think your just a scardy cat. This is more political than you’d like to admit.
You state that travel to Hawaii is not going to be normal until the U.S. is vaccinated. The new Vice President-Elect recently stated that she won’t be taking “The Trump Vaccine”. All of this is way too political and we’re all worse off for it.
Their’s way too many moving parts in all of the Covid regimen. We cancelled our May trip to Kauai yesterday. But one thing is constant. Good info from BOH. Thank you.
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for all your comments. Do you remember the first one? It was about the false missile alert almost three years ago.
Aloha.
If Lt. Gov Green wants to implement a 14-day Quarantine (mandatory) for anyone arriving without results, he needs to (1) extend the 72-hr requirement or (2) advise the trusted partners that a 24-hr turnaround on results is mandatory (especially if there’s a high $ fee). Its not a visitors fault if a Trusted Testing Partner takes 3-5 days to return results.
Thanks for the info you share here, BOH is a great resource.
Hi Tracy.
Thanks. Yes something dill have to be different.
Aloha.
I have no problem whatsoever with a mask mandate. That is what I think we need to be doing for quite some time.
But the idea of gambling my vacation on the unknown ability of a lab to get me results before I get on a plane but not sooner than 72 hours. . .that is a deal breaker. Why couldn’t they have an official check in location in Waikiki where people can come to show their late arriving test results?
I intend to largely quarantine for about two weeks before traveling. That is what I can do to ensure that we are good to go. The testing is fine. But Hawaii needs to have a more flexible approach to late arriving results than they are talking about.
Hoping that this will be much better by July – I really want to finally take our retirement celebration trip!
Thank you for keeping us informed.
Hi Bobbi.
We do understand your concerns.
Aloha.
You said: “I have no problem whatsoever with a mask mandate” …
And your “no problem whatsoever” affects Mr.
But you pull back with: “But the idea of gambling my vacation on the unknown ability of a lab to get me results before I get on a plane but not sooner than 72 hours. . .that is a deal breaker.”
That affects You.
Soooooooooooooo … it’s all about You. Classic.
Soooooooooooooo much Aloha.
I agree. The 72 hours either needs to be longer or you cannot insist that the results need to be available before departure. In my example, the final leg of my flight leaves the west coast at either 330 or 130Pacific time which is 530 or 330 my time which means it’s too late for me to get my test at the closest CVS or Walgreens an hour from me. That means I have to take test after 8 am on Sunday for my 8 am departure Tuesday out of MPS so I only have 24 hours to know results before I’m in the air for first leg of flight. If I use Vault I can’t send via UPS on Sunday so can’t send until Monday so would have results even later. I’d probably have to go to local clinic for test to make sure I’m negative then go to Walgreens two days before and hope I had results just before I left or while I was waiting in LA for my connecting flight , might I add that my local clinic is the world famous Mayo Clinic.
Sounds like us. Our flight leaves 2pm CST for a 4 hour flight to arrive Seattle at 4pm PST on Tuesday the 24th. CVS says to make appt on 19th for the 22nd so we can get results back on 23rd. That’s even if we get can the proper appointment times to guarantee we have results before we fly out to upload. This trip isn’t only about vacation.
Thanks. How about enforcing 14 day quarantine? A friend was at Waikiki a few days ago and overheard a couple laughing and bragging to each other that they were supposed to be on quarantine and yet they were sitting on the beach. If someone shows up and “says” they will quarantine, use technology to make sure they don’t leave their place of quarantine. Kids and I came August 5 to attend UH and we did what we were supposed to do and honoured the rules for 14 days. I think most people do the right thing. But there are some who don’t and they pose a massive risk to the safety of people here. I know the state is trying, but also know they are understaffed. Thanks for listening.
Hi Diane.
We have seen that as well. The national guard would show up the same time every day. So there was nothing to keep people from violations.
Aloha.
A mandatory full 14 day quarantine if your test results are not already received, uploaded and accepted before you get on the flight certainly raises the ante, and will steer people away from using any testing outfit that does not provide nearly instantaneous results (thinking of you, Vault).
Maybe some folks will reserve flights for multiple days in a row, and then actually fly only when they have test results timely received uploaded and accepted? As long as they can cancel their unused reservations without any meaningful penalty (plenty doable on Southwest), then why not? This also means needing to take and retake tests until you get a timely result.
The mask madness will happen at the federal level (I predict), once the incoming Harris administration takes over. However, it will be no more enforceable than, say, the federal prohibition of cannabis. It really comes down to the community. If you travel to a place where mask fever is surging and spiking, you’d best wear one if you are near anyone. If you are in a community where mask fever is sagging, then maybe not so much.
When in Rome….
Thanks, Rob and Jeff, for keeping us up to date on the constant rule changes and moving goal posts.
Hi David.
Thanks for that.
Aloha.
Does anyone have any idea how long a vaccine takes to properly test out on human beings?
Does anyone care?
Apparently not. Side effects from a rushed to market vaccines can be horrific.
I’m not an “anti-vaxers” or “anti-masker” just someone with a family full of medical professionals, including myself.
Be careful what you wish for. You just might end up being a guinea pig.
Mahalo guys.
Stay safe!
Hi Pam.
Thanks for that. It is a crazy world.
Aloha.
Any clarification on the possibly forthcoming mask mandate- where? when? inside? outside? I have heard that at Kiahuna Plantation on Kauai people are walking around the resort without masks, gathering at the beach without masks.
Also, if you didn’t get your negative test result prior to arriving, but got it a day later and uploaded it to Safe Travels, I see no reason to quarantine for 14 days, other than just to punish the visitors.
Thanks BOH. You guys must be frustrated with all this, hopefully not losing any sleep.
Hi Rob.
Thanks for hanging in there for the last couple of years. It has been different this year – that’s for sure.
Aloha.
“1. Implement a mandatory 14-day quarantine for those waiting for results. Green said, “If you didn’t have your result uploaded before you travel, there would be no way to get out of quarantine.” He said that is necessary to keep tighter controls on the quarantine situation. “The benefit would be enormous. Because that would have nobody slipping through the cracks.”
Am I to interpret this that if I get tested before I arrive in Hawaii (for example, 72 hours prior to my trip), but have not yet received the results from the trusted partner when I land, there is no way to get out of the 14 day quarantine? If so, I know personally I will be cancelling my upcoming trip and I am sure tourism will drop significantly. I have no problem wearing a mask, adhering to the local protocols, but this may be a deal breaker for our upcoming trip. I hope I am interpreting this wrong.
I have the same question: say my results arrive the evening that I arrive in HI. I upload them to the Safe-Travel site. Am I still in quarantine for the whole 14 days, or until my results get reviewed by the S-T site?
So keep this in mind if and when the legislature addresses this issue of “masks”. When you put an issue in front of the legislature like this, you have to have public hearings on the item. So far this state’s leaders have nicely avoided the messy “public input” of any of these rules by simply calling everything an emergency and dictating by fiat.
Now if Green and everyone else wants or needs to have the legislature come in and “fix it” then they are also taking up the responsibility of controlling the narrative on it. Let’s get real about what might just happen. You open up this issue, which seems narrow in scope, and still, you are going to get a lot of people coming out to speak about this. While there may be some that are in support of it, the legislature is not going to be able to bar people who are totally against all of this and say so on television.
Does the state government really want to put itself through this debate at that level? If they did, it would have already been done.
Excellent points, Stan. It would be wonderful for those with credible alternative views to get a chance to be heard and seen on TV. Unfortunately, as you suggest, this is unlikely to happen.
It seems to be one step forward, two steps back for us here in Hawaii. Sound familiar?
Getting ready to board our flight in The morning and have not heard from HI testing partner Walgreens regarding our results. Don’t want to panic but what the heck??? What shall we do if we arrive on big island and results are not in yet?
“What shall we do if we arrive on big island and results are not in yet?”
You shall quarantine at least until said results uploaded and approved. Enjoy your flight!
I’m in Oahu now, going to the BI and then Maui for work, I would NOT get on a plane if you do not have your result.
The ‘rule’ right now, is that if you take a test from an authorized vendor in the time window, and upload the results, and the results don’t come in until after you arrive, and are then negative, you will be good to go.
While these measures are stringent, the huge daily increases in most mainland states warrants the strictest of measures for our isolated small state which currently has relatively few cases. Everyone, both visitors and residents, will be much safer. We have very limited medical facilities – especially on the neighbor islands.
Patience – a vaccine is closer than ever!!
Can we assume that the lack of firm, clear test & mask standards in HI is due to a disagreement between the Governor and the Lt. Gov, HNL Mayor, and others? That would seem to be a foolish way to treat those of us that keep so many Hawaiians employed. What are the points of contention?
Very scary police state tactics. As if it wasn’t hard enough on tourists. Now they must play Russian roulette with their vacations. If for some reason their test result comes back a few hours late, they are stuck in quarantine for 14 days for absolutely no fault of their own. So you could take a test 72 hours ahead with no guarantee from the testing facility that results will come back before you line up at the airport checkpoint and now you must head directly to quarantine with no hope of escape. This is worse than the illegals get treated when they cross the border in from Mexico. Enough already!! No one in there right mind will take this abuse. You get what you deserve when you vote these morons into office. So please don’t expect handouts when your state goes bankrupt or you have to line up in food lines. On top of all this they actually think they can get away with enforcing draconian mask policies and second tests on the tourists. Like I’ve said before, dogs get treated better on arrival to the islands.
Agree 100% They are tanking their own economy… 99% Survival rate? Can you say plandemic??
I absolutely agree with you. Who in their right mind would plan a trip to HI with the cost involved only to risk it with late testing results they can’t control? And that 72 hour testing window shrinks down to about 48 hours only if you break up the trip into 2 segments over 2 days like most east coast travelers do and overnight in LAX or elsewhere. This creates an enormous amount of stress on the east coast traveler.
I don’t see the point in this. It doesn’t change the risk factor or lower it in any way. I wondered if it was an enforcement issue but how can it be any easier to enforce a 14 day quarantine over a 3 day quarantine (if you are still awaiting your results)? This is going to shutter the economy again as people decide Hawaii is not worth the risk of losing your accommodations deposits, airfare costs, etc., for a game of Russian Roulette with your test results.
This seems to be punitive in nature.
Completely agree with your concerns. If we can’t guarantee when a lab will issue results why would we subject ourselves to the possibility of being imprisoned in quarantine for 14 days. Especially if we took vacation from work for fewer days … this would put our jobs at risk as well. Ridiculous.
So glad I canceled my birthday trip this year now with Camp Chaos taking it up to whole new levels! Masking and social distancing have been in place in Ohio for months and the numbers are still supposedly rising so guessing the concept of the two together is about as effective as leaving your door open and not expecting to have flies come in. Once again, thanks China!
I wonder when Canadians will be able to visit again. We don’t have any of the trusted test partner companies in Canada. However I understand that Hawaii is correctly giving priority to Americans.
“We don’t have any of the trusted test partner companies in Canada.”
FWIW, at least one person commented on this blog that they flew from Canada to San Francisco first, took their tests at SFO, and then flew to Hawaii and had no problem getting in.
By the way, I’m pretty sure US residents are not allowed to visit anywhere in Canada, even with 15 days quarantine, unless they meet some very specific criteria. No American tourists. Period.
So glad my test results came back before I got on plane…thanks Vault. I’ve been wearing my mask by pool, on beach unless I go in water. Unfortunately I’m in the minority. It worries me that so many on Kaanapali are not wearing their masks. It’s pretty blatant. It worries me that if their not wearing them there, are they wearing them on elevator I’m forced into using. It definitely limits how many times a day I come and go and if I can find an isolated area by the pool or ocean where I don’t have to be around all the unmasked bandits. I’m glad to be here but it’s definitely stressful to travel in a pandemic and I will be cancelling my scheduled trips in January and February. Staying home or close to it for the unforseeable future. Thanks
Thanks
Hi Vicki.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Aloha.
I would like to know if you don’t receive your results by the time you land, you have to quarantine til you get them, or the 14 days?
Also, are masks mandated outside?? In open air??
The ‘rule’ right now, is that if you take a test from an authorized vendor in the time window, and upload the results, and the results don’t come in until after you arrive, and are then negative, you will be good to go.
The article is about a proposed change to the above rule.