Hawaiian Faces Setback as United Plans To Make Headway

United and Hawaiian Airlines Bypass COVID Screening at Hawaii Airports

United joins Hawaiian and Alaska to make your arrival in Hawaii easier without long lines. Here’s how it works.

Continue reading

154 thoughts on “United and Hawaiian Airlines Bypass COVID Screening at Hawaii Airports”

  1. Keeping fingers crossed that AA will join the program soon for DFW departures! We’re on our way to Maui the middle of February.

    Mahalo BOH for all you do to keep us up to date with the latest information!

    1. Hi Edward.

      Thanks. Yes, from the latest visitor comment we just received about United (we added it to the article after publishing), it does seem that the other airlines should be on-board soon. Fingers crossed on that.

      Aloha.

  2. The airline is recommending guests also carry a printed copy of the negative results.

    What’s the use if t\Hawaii only recognizes an uploaded version?

    1. We just returned from the Big Island. At both hotels we stayed in, we were asked for proof of our negative test results. It was handy to just pull the paper copies out of my bag, and easy for the hotel to scan as well.

  3. Any update yet on the Covid vaccine passport? Will the CDC card which is given when you receive a vaccine suffice? The other question is how will they handle kids that are too young to take the vaccine. I’m assuming they need the 72 hr. test?

    So looking forward to our June trip. After 4 cancellations, we are hoping to be able to get together with Hawaii family and enjoy the islands.

    Thanks BOH for keeping us up to date. You are our most trusted choice for information on these matters. Keep up the good work.

  4. Please do you think Hawaii will change testing from 72 hours to 96 hour for

    results. Certainly like the new Alaska program for screening do you think

    other airlines will follow suit. Thanks for keeping everyone informed.
    Jean

  5. Thanks for this and all the other updates. Likewise to other commentators it doesn’t seem that Alaska passengers aren’t being asked to do anything others aren’t, so not quite sure I understand the move here–not that I am opposed.

    A question that is a bit off topic but I don’t know where else to ask–I have an AirBNB rental for 12 days. If I test positive at the airport after arrival and have to quarantine, am I correct in understanding that I can’t quarantine at my rental? How does one find quarantine lodging at that point–does the state help/assign or are you on your own? Is the cost prohibitive (doesn’t seem like you would have much leverage at that point)? Thanks much

    1. Hi Paul.

      Thank you. So you are correct in that you can’t quarantine in a vacation rental. We are the state is assisting people in finding quarantine accommodations, and it is one of the complicating issues. ‘

      Aloha.

  6. I think you should report the Lt Governor’s proposal to allow those with vaccination certificates to bypass Quarantine and the testing process. There is far too much hysterical anti vaccine propaganda on the web and travelers on business or pleasure coming to Hawai’i should get their vaccination to keep everyone safe. Like myself though, if you have allergies then you need to talk with your physician to ensure that you get the right vaccine. Stay Safe Hawai’i. (92)

  7. I haven’t read an answer to this yet. The Big Island requires a test upon arrival, does his “Alaska test” eliminate the need to take that test ?

    I am a frequent traveler to Hawaii and I am pro science and believe in testing, etc. to keep Hawaiian residents safe, but since my travel insurance doesn’t cover quarantines I face a loss of a lot of money if I test false positive. I have spoken to and read many comments on line that many people, including myself, won’t travel to the Big Island until there is no chance of quarantine.
    Does anyone know the answer to my question about the post arrival test on the Big Island ?

    1. I am confused about your statement in general. If you believe in keeping Hawaii safe (the BI, in particular), why not just wait until the pandemic dies down to travel at all. As residents, I can tell you that many of us find it so hypocritical when someone says “I want to keep Hawaii safe. I believe in Science. I am coming anyway.”. Just doesn’t make sense and it why those of us who live here are so over people not just waiting to come. It will still be here when all of this is over. Please just wait. You test negative before you come with Alaskan Air (or whoever) and then you get exposed on the plane, you are still a risk for our community and our health care capacity. Aloha

      1. Chris, here is why we would like to travel to Hawaii. First of all, frivolously, winters are cold here – no excuse to take chances. More pragmatically, we have had to plan a trip a year in advance and put up a substantial money outlay with no guarantee we will not lose it. Losing our outlay would halt future travel to Hawaii and the financial impact to its economy. We are very conscientious about protecting the safety of others as well as ourselves. Our time on the islands would be spent mostly outdoors, masked, easily distanced. It would not be difficult to spend the other time in our unit enjoying the views. I would feel less threatened to contracting, or spreading, the virus in Hawaii than around here. I have lost three friends to Covid-19 and do not speak lightly. I fully agree with the pre-travel testing protocols, I would not want a positive traveler to come here to my county. However, if I do not bring the virus to you, and you do not pass it to me, we can come, enjoy your beautiful state, support the economy and do so safely.

          1. ALOHA!! Took pre travel Covid test at SMF(Sacramento airport site) on 1/16 am—got negative result 1/17 late afternoon—effortless process! Arrived with all the necessary info 1/19 & am on Oahu for 6 weeks!

            Mahalo to BOH staff for keeping us up to date w/fluctuating info! And kudos to City Health Urgent Care-Oakland for the testing site at SMF!

            Very few tourists on Oahu—nice & quiet! Mixture of open/closed businesses but ok! People welcoming & following safe practices that I’ve seen! In my Happy Place!!

          2. Hi Liz.

            Thank you. We appreciate you reporting on how it went and are glad to hear you’re enjoying your 6 weeks in Honolulu.

            Aloha.

        1. Negative tests are not 100% reliable. Stay were you live, don’t travel — don’t contribute to the spread.

    2. I live on the Big Island and returned from a mainland trip earlier this month. Flew Alaska Air PDX-KOA. Had my negative test results 1 hr prior to boarding (whew!), downloaded to Safe Travels app, got my Pre-Clear wristband from Alaska gate agent at boarding. At Kona, waited about 5 minutes to get my nose swabbed again and was off. Yes, you do have to do the 2nd test, but there is no cost for it. My 1st test also did not cost me anything; I think the state I was in at the time was doing all for free. I haven’t heard much about false positives causing an issue. If your 1st test is negative, why would the 2nd be any different?

      1. Are you saying you got your test results in five minutes in Kona? I am trying to understand the process at Kona. Vacation in March 🤗. Mahalo nadine

  8. Would really appreciate feedback on this… Has anyone who used Vault been covered under Medicare. Vault will not send us a test because we are covered by Medicare and we can’t figure out if this is an issue in our state only or is it universal. Would Really Appreciate Feedback! Mahalo!

    1. I had the same issue when ordering the vault tests. I just went back in and selected “not covered by Medicare” and bingo test arrived a few days later.

      1. T…
        THANKS! I tried to change that entry but it wouldn’t let me. I even tried creating an account with an alternate email address but it spotted it as a duplicate. I’ll try again. We’ve cancelled our trip at this point but if we still have to test that way come Summer, I want to be in place with Vault! Thanks for the info – it appears it is not a state issue but a universal one.

      2. T…
        Thanks again – I swear it would not let me change the Medicare Yes/No previously – I swear I tried over and over to do so! This time it let me. The trick is to say you’re starting a new order!!! Mahalo nui loa!

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top