United joins Hawaiian and Alaska to make your arrival in Hawaii easier without long lines. Here’s how it works.
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Thanks
I am curious. When we arrived on Kona on 12/5 the post flight “screening process included a post flight rapid antigen test for all arriving passengers. Will Alaska Airlines “pre clearance” wrist band allow its passengers to bypass the second test or just the myriad of stops prior to getting to the post test. Although my wife and I quarantined for the 24 hour period between when we tested until arrival at the airport the possibility of a false positive on the post arrival test was a bit nerve wracking.
A second point – as I understand, the vaccination series will prevent a person from getting sick from the Corona virus. It has not been determined yet whether that person can be affected, not get sick, and still shed virus. That would be very much like the current situation where 80%+ persons are asymptomatic but contagious.
I see the trip plans for other islands, what about Kauai? The latest I can find for Kauai is that whether you have a negative NAAT test or not you will have to quarantine 14 days. Also, you cannot rent a car after arrival on Kauai. You will have to figure out a way to get to your lodging. And you cannot shop for groceries in person.
Am I correct in this as of Dec. 12?
Yes Jim, you are correct although the 14 day quarantine will be going to 10 days statewide soon. But everyone arriving on Kauai is subject to quarantine until further notice. I was at the airport agriculture station a few days ago to have some sugar loaf pineapples checked that I sent to the mainland and it was a ghost town. The only people I saw there were bored employees. Oh,and we just had five more cases today, so the virus is now spreading through our community rapidly since opening with zero covid cases on October 15th. Thanks.
JIM W… As far as I known, the answer is YES to all! Kauai has opted out of the Safe Travel program and is making their own rules.
Hi Guys! Thank you so much for helping me figure out how to visit grandkids for Christmas. I made it!!! The flights were long. Internationally I had to have a negative test to even board the plane. Flew to SFO. Test done. $250 – rip off (10x the price in Asia) but hey this pandemic is a money maker! Luckily wasn’t chosen for random test in Kona. Only 2 tests in 36 hours! Everyone was courteous and helpful – even helping Tutu upload documents properly on my seldom used phone. Now I am in baby bliss and happy and healthy and thankful to be here for the holidays! Take care and Thanks again! Mahalo!
Hi Nancy.
That report makes us both smile. Thank you and enjoy!
Aloha.
If you get cleared to fly from mainland to Kona with a negative test, does that clear you for your entire trip on the islands? For instance, fly into Kona – stay for 4 nights, then fly to Maui for the remainder of our trip. Would we need another negative test to fly from Kona to Maui?
As near as I can figure there’s nothing new there.
Mahalo Guys
We flew Alaska Air to Maui Dec 11 arrived a little after 3pm and walked passed all the airport screeners because we received our “pass” in Seattle before boarding. It was also accepted by Avis car rental. So it was great.
However, there is still the preflight stress of getting a testing appointment, waiting for a negative test result and filling out all Safe Travels forms.
Mahalo for answering my question…. Is Alaska the only airlines doing the pre flight approval? Yes they are!
It took very little time in Seattle to get pre approved. Just check in at gate, they check your Safe Travels QR code and verify your information. It was completed before boarding and boarding was on time. Alaska has extra representatives to speed the process.
Mahalo for keeping us up to date and a platform to share our experiences.
Hi Richard.
Thanks. We appreciate your report.
Aloha.
Really? So Alaska Airlines only gets to do this, but no one else who is doing the Exact same thing can’t get this approval? Come on Ige!
Thank you BOH for filling a need that a state that survives on tourism really should be offering. Your information is up to the minute, easy to understand, and relevant. We are coming to Maui in January and can live with the steps to get there. However, having 96 hours is more realistic when traveling from Wisconsin. Being put into a 14 day “timeout” because you don’t have the test results on departure but may have them when you land seems unfair and unreasonable. Reasonable would be to free the traveler when results arrive; maybe even demand a second test on island. BOH, you are currently our trusted partner as we plan our 5 week stay.
Hi Dave.
Thank you. We hope you have a great time on Maui.
Aloha.
Most people would opt for a car trip to Florida or California i think this year.
No need to fill out paperwork and be given a chip/wristband and intense government sponsored monitoring. Cheaper too and you can avoid those apocalypse now type situations happening in hawaii. Its totally unacceptable to me and I believe the vast majority of people.
In conclusion, Hawaii i dont think has what it takes to succeed. It needs to be sidelined and re think its policy and leadership yet again.
I think the federal government should also go a step further and place restrictions on the state government and oversee leadership there to make sure tourists and residents do not have to tolerate this abuse any longer.