Is there hope on the horizon for Hawaii travel after this?
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227 thoughts on “No Recovery Yet For Hawaii Travel. Here’s Why.”
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Is there hope on the horizon for Hawaii travel after this?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We went to Maui February 2-10 and experienced no problems. Flew Hawaiian and tested with Worksite Labs, everything went very smooth. A little different having to wear a mask most everywhere we went but wearing a mask in paradise is not that bad.
Aloha sad for the residents since many small business is hurting. My sister has been in hnl for approximately a week. They will stay til April and they seemed to have a rather complicated time arriving there but they made it. Mahalo for your updates.
Hi Marilyn.
Always good to hear from you. Glad they made it over and hope that they are enjoying their time in Honolulu now.
Aloha.
The only thing that is going to fix this situation for me is vaccine travel that doesn’t have a short time limit. Period. I have three kids and my wife’s work schedule is set 3 months in advance. A slow test or, God forbid, a positive test would wreck our vacation plans and still cost a bunch of money (because we would lose the money from our vacation rental). And don’t talk to me about trip insurance until you have tried to get your money back from a trip that was cancelled due to COVID–I’ve been down that road once and don’t care to do it again. The current plan for vaccine travel doesn’t help because my kids won’t get vaccinated for a long time and my wife’s vaccine will “expire” in 6 weeks according to the current 3 month limit. Sigh.
We are in Hawaii Hell. We have had reservations for almost 8 months for Kauai at the end of April. It is our 50th anniversary and our family took their only vacation time to be able to join us to celebrate. 3 of us are fully vaccinated against covid but the other 2 aren’t in age group that can get the shots yet. The line in the sand keeps changing and where it is going changes on any given day by the officials who change what they say. Do we have to go to another island first and if so for how long? Will the house we rented and paid for be able to accommodate our possibly changing plans? Your people are losing business and health insurance. Covid rates are down. Vaccinations of Kauai population is moving along at a pretty good speed. We are asking for some clear communication of what is going to be required in a timeliness that allows us to make final decisions. I know we are not the mayor’s people but we are people who need some grace and mercy extended to us.
I had my test (the approved type) done at my modern local hospital. They do heart surgery there. But Hawaii would prefer a test performed at Walgreens or CVS. That makes no sense what so ever. Just another example of people in government making the wrong decisions because they can. Our town in Wyoming has no CVS and the Walgreens there could not guarantee the test results would be available in allotted time. We have citizens that work the oil fields in Alaska. Two weeks on and two weeks off. They use the Hospital because the test are accurate and results are available in a timely manner. Hawaii needs to recognize these tests performed by accredited hospitals.
Thanks you for passing this on. With luck, someone in the Governors Office will read it. Having been born and raised here, we look forward to our annual visit. It’s difficult enough without our government making it more difficult than it should be. It is painful to see our friends and relatives suffer the job losses they are enduring.
Aloha
Hi Jon.
The state knows that the trusted partner program isn’t adequate. That’s why the governor announced plans for a major revamp and expansion. We hope that will come sooner than later.
Aloha.
What about vacation rental occupancy, how does that compare? Around the country people are gravitating more towards vacation rentals during the pandemic.
Aloha! It was super easy to get tested ahead of time in Seattle with King Country free testing centers. I did two separate companies to make sure one arrived prior to departure and then they tested upon arrival on the BI. I’d do it again in a heart beat. So nice to get away from the mainland for a bit. Mahalo for keeping me updated
Hi Lizzy.
Thanks for the update on the free testing in Seattle for your Big Island trip.
Aloha
According to data from Moderna, which tracked the people in the test group, only 11 mild cases of covid out of 15,000 vaccinated. Not sure what the tracking period was. That’s a pretty good record. Hopefully Pfizer is also tracking, and will release data to CDC soon. Hopefully by the time we travel in June, this will all have been worked out. But I’m losing faith in any of the systems.
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Hi Lee.
Thanks. Yes we too are seeing favorable data coming from the vaccine manufacturers and are hopeful. Let us know how your June trip planning goes.
Aloha.
We were looking to travle to Hawaii for the first time in May however due to the thier COVID requirements and the uncertainty surrounding them, we have opted not to go and are planning to go elsewhere with less uncertainty. We are bummed but dont want get our trip all planned out and have to spend the entire time in quarantine.
I think people just don’t want to spend thousands on a vacation where they have to worry about getting tested, worrying about getting test results in time, wear masks all the time, have restricted seating at restaurants, questionable rules at popular attractions and excursions. Why spend that money when you have so limited freedom. If all you want is to get some sun on the beach, there are plenty of places along Florida’s shores to do just that, without all the hassles that Hawaii is imposing. And about the CDC…. In a previous post, BOH said that CDC’s rules were that you must travel within three months of your second vaccination. In other words, they have no idea of the vaccine’s effectiveness beyond three months. So what about people who have already had two shots, but they are not planning a Hawaii vacation until after June? I think all this weighs on people’s decisions to visit Hawaii. I feel for you guys at BOH, but the low numbers do not surprise me.
Hi Rob.
Thanks for your fast-approaching 100 comments. We appreciate your participation.
Aloha.
My husband and I were coming to Hawaii at the end of April/ first of May for two weeks for our anniversary. I do not feel comfortable in booking anything in Hawaii at this time because it seems like the rules change weekly, if not daily.
I do not want to come to Hawaii and spend thousands of dollars to sit in a motel or be restricted on what I can and cannot do.
Once Hawaii has made some definitive decisions about how they are planning on dealing with travel so people can come and just enjoy, then I will make my plans but for now, everything is just too wishy washy for me.
I love reading your articles and thank you so much for sharing with all of us.
Hi Debbie.
Thanks. We hope you can feel comfortable planning a return visit soon.
Aloha.
After I get fully vaccinated, (in two weeks) am I free to travel to Maui without restrictions? Or do I have to test for possible infection and/or get a tracker.?
Vaccinated or not makes no difference at this time. Everyone has to follow the same protocols.
I have done all that I can do that is “reasonable”. Then I will wait until I do NOT have to prove that I am NOT infected.
Thank you very much for this update. It shows that a lot of visitors are having trouble meeting the 72 hr rule. 96 hrs sure would help.
I had my 2nd shot today and asked the doctors how long the vaccination Would last.First answer was about 1 year. Or you might need a booster shot.
Then he backed off and said we do not know for sure yet. These are doctors from one of the largest group of hospitals in MN. The group is MHealth/Fairview. Consist of about 11-12 hospitals.
What I am pushing for is a recent test.(4-5 day) and being vaccinated. How much safer can you be for A visitor and a resident.
Aloha , this has been by far the most stressful trip I have ever booked. The test was fine but my results took an extra day and I was in a panic thinking I wasn’t going to be able to go. My husband and son and I all got tested at the same time and there’s came back no problem but I literally had to email about six times and make about four phone calls before I finally got my information it definitely weighed on my mind and I didn’t sleep at all. I don’t think I will ever do something like this again for the money that we saved distress wasn’t worth it we’ll find out how it is in Maui and hopefully all this will be worth what I went through. Mahalo
Hi Meredith.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Sorry to hear it was so stressful. You aren’t alone.
Aloha.
do you think Kauai, will survive
seems like its an island only for the wealthiest ?
however that being said I have been in healthcare for over 30 years
even had a job interview at Wilcox
The health care stem there cannot under any circumstance handle a nasty covid outbreak, so I understand the hesitancy
I’m not sure that the lack of Canadians is fully because of the new/changing Hawaii rules. Canadians are being asked not to travel right now and if we do, we have to pay for a quarantine hotel upon arrival back to Canada for 3 nights (if we test negative upon arrival) and then need to quarantine for another 11 days at home after that. That makes it very difficult for a lot of us to travel right now. If there were no restrictions upon arriving home and they weren’t telling us not to travel right now I would be there in a heartbeat even with all of the restrictions. I cancelled a trip in November 2020 and now my March 2021 trip. We have rebooked for November 2021 and are hoping we will finally be able to visit again then.
You hit the testing nail on the head. Living in Arkansas, Walgreens is the only “trusted partner” available to us. We were scheduled to travel to Kauai two weeks ago. With all the uncertainty, we cancelled our trip to Kauai and went to St. Maarten instead. St. Maarten is giving US residents 120 hours to get the negative test prior to departure for PCR tests or 48 hours for antigen tests. Our Walgreens PCR test took 4 days to get our results. St. Maarten accepted any accredited lab or clinic testing as long as about 5 requirements were followed. We had no problems traveling to or from St. Maarten. Every one we interacted with on the island was incredibly happy to see us. Everyone was a winner. We spent 8 days in St. Maarten. Loved the trip, and we were able to do our part to help St. Maarten’s economy. We will gladly return to Kauai when it becomes a realistic viable option. But until that time, we will be traveling to other locations.
The governor said he continues to await guidance from the CDC before any changes are announced. The governor needs to grow a pair, make decisions that are for the good of the state of Hawaii and not his retirement fund. Can any say what this governor has done for Hawaii during his term? Other than sucking up to Obama and friends. I am trying to be positive, but with the lame duck governor not looking forward could bankrupt the state. Thank you for the Beat of Hawaii for having us to vent. Also hoping all the comments are not falling on deaf ears… Thanks again guys.
Hi Mark.
Thanks for all your comments. And the venting.
Aloha.
We have scheduled a trip to the Big Island in July and all of the “rules” are a lot to comprehend! We’re arriving right after the 4th of July so what will a Sunday holiday do to testing timeframes? Stressful planning which is not fun and we will have been vaccinated by the vacation.
Thank you BOH for your always excellent stories, facts and updates. I share your site with everyone we know traveling to Hawaii.
Hi Jan.
Thanks. We’re hopeful your July Big Island trip goes off without a hitch.
Aloha.
I am ready to get back to Hawaii. In fact, we almost pulled the trigger. It’s not the travel or the worry or quarantine that turn me off. Instead, it’s the “what if I am asymptomatic and test positive.” The thought of losing $3000+ in lodging expenses is what is holding me back. Something has got to give. Cancellation policies (condos) are more strict than I have seen in the past. I would consider it, if cancellation was more flexible.
It’s no wonder why the occupancy rates are 23%–the process is too difficult and restrictive! We went to Maui (the least restrictive island) around Thanksgiving. The amount of anxiety the trip caused, ie: not knowing if we would be able to go, not knowing if we would get the test back in time, the chance of a false positive test, the possibility of losing a lot of money due to a possible positive test, etc. is seriously high.
Hawaii makes the travel process too difficult. With vaccines coming on-line, the process needs to be streamlined. Ideas:
1. Make the test cut-off so it is 7 days.
2. Open up testing to any credible source. Testing should only apply to those that choose not to get vaccinated.
3. Allow for a doctor’s note to be used in-lieu of a test if you have had Covid and recovered.
4. Allow for vaccines to be used as a travel pass. The paper written cards vaccinated people get should be enough–I shouldn’t to be enrolled in a service that tracks me. (Doesn’t this seem a bit Orwellian?)
5. A single standard for all of the islands–the resort bubble needs to go away.
Let’s simplify the process so we can contribute to Hawaii’s economy, while still keeping them safe!
Mahalo!
We traveled to Maui in January, it was a very simple process to manage. Set up our covid test at Walgreens 3 days before departure had results in 4 hours, uploaded to safe travels website, filled out health survey 24 hrs before departure. We were cleared in San Francisco through United Airlines given a wrist band. Landed on Maui walked to baggage claim and car rental and we were on our way. No issues on island at all, never had to wait for a table, no traffic and everyone was as pleasant as always.
We live in the Bay Area and fly Alaska. Fair straight forward process to getting Covid testing. Carbon Health is a trusted partner and they have partnered with Alaska. Go two days prior to your departure date and get your results fairly quickly. We got ours in 24 hours. Alaska in SJC has a pre-clearance process where you can bypass the Safe Travels check in once you land in Maui. We departed from San Jose, so I know that is a metro airport so I know some of you live in smaller towns which might be more difficult to get a fast covid test.
What, exactly, does Ige do all day? Or Green? Or Kawakami? Or the state legislature? A year into this and details are always “to come” or “being developed.” Where’s the sense of urgency? Somebody please wake up these inept bureaucrats!
Does test results from our physician count as a trusted partner for negative results?
No. Only trusted partners on the official State of Hawaii list.
We had to travel 100 miles to get the proper Covid test from a trusted partner. Not easy at all. Plus the QR code wouldn’t come up on my phone when we first arrived. It’s all about the QR Code.
It is still impossible for Canadians especially those that have to take 2 flights to Maui (e.g. coming from Toronto) to 1. find a trusted partner for testing that is acceptable in Maui 2. even if one could be found, the results cannot be obtained in time to avoid quarantining. 3. Quarantining would expensive and depressing, and even if willing to do that, it takes up 2 weeks of the holiday. You will not regain Canadian visitors until you make some doable changes for us.
All those are valid points but then there’s just the fact that some of the world isn’t ready to travel yet and the rest that are, aren’t going to some place where masks are required that will ruin a “vacation”. I would like to get back to Hawaii this year but it’s not looking hopeful. Until restrictions come way down including dropping the mask requirement, I’m not interested. I have been traveling for work continuously during this pandemic and the restrictions don’t seem to be working anywhere I go. The states that are opening up have fewer cases than the ones locked down (like California). The more restrictions CA threw at this, the higher the numbers went up.
The other thing is, airlines and hotels don’t seem willing to welcome us back. I get a “sale” email almost every week from HA but by the time I look up flights and select what I want, the prices are prepandemic. The same for hotels. Looking at Waikiki resorts, the nightly rate is as high as it was before. If the hotels are that empty maybe they need the rethink their nightly rates. I’m not spending prepandemic money to be monitored that I’m following the “rules” of wearing a mask or social distancing. If the prices were much lower, I would be more keen on booking. But with everything the way it is now, I’m not gonna bother.
My wife and I both received our 2nd. Covid shots. Walgreens is approved to give COVID test but the nearest one that will do the test is over 160 miles away (one way) a 3 hour drive. We get tested regularly at an approved county site that gives the same test Hawaii is asking for with results within 48 hours yet can’t use it. We have plans to come to Hawaii soon but the 320 mile round trip 2 days before we fly is going to be a real pain! And yet we have been tested several times and negative and have our approved Covid shot cards. Please ease up on the approved testing facilities. Accept the test instead of the place we get it!
The reason the Govorner doesn’t approve a ‘vaccination passport’ is because the science isn’t in yet that a vaccinated person cannot transmit Covid: he is waiting, as he should, for guidance from the CDC.
It’s really quite sad how many people keep asking if they can bypass testing because they got the vaccine injections. It amazes me how many people took a shot they knew very little about. The vaccine is an experimental vaccine approved for emergency use only. It has been openly reported the data is not yet conclusive regarding if the vaccine still allows an individual to transmit the virus AND how long the vaccine is effective for. Without appropriate data from lengthy studies, one should not assume the vaccines are a foolproof way to be considered safe for travel. You’ll be lucky if you took the vaccine injections and you are granted a 90 day window to be exempt from travel related covid testing and quarantine. Take what you can get.
Why are Hawaii flights $3500 more in December 2021, than the ones that we had to cancel for July 2020? I know that fares are higher for the Xmas time, but this seems exhorbitant. What can you tell me?
Just back from Maui yesterday and had a wonderful time. Please go and have a great time.
We enjoyed our half-empty Southwest flights that gave everyone a free empty middle seat, and the very low-fare of $88/flight with free companion. I was concerned about the pre-flight Covid testing, but found CityHealth with its on-site site test location at SJC for $20 was great. Got results in 36 hours. My son’s “undetermined” results made me think I would have to get an expensive rapid same-day test, but CityHealth offered a free retest with negative results in 20 minutes. Phew.
Stayed at the Grand Wailea and an AirBnB condo at Menehune Shores in Kihei. Resort was beautiful with all pools and slides open, some dine-in and carry-away food available, plus beach and other activities.
Masks everywhere, from airplane to airport to rental car pickup, and at resort, restaurants. Pool area did not require masks after you got your pool chairs. Water activities such as snorkeling boat trip required masks between locations. Similar for ziplining. Everywhere staff were following the Hawaii guidelines with masks – made us all very comfortable.
With so much availability, there are many deals to be had from air to lodging to activities. Not so much for food, but Costco and local shopping and even food trucks and local eats help if you want to save there, too.
So glad we went and hope you will, too. Aloha!
We will not be visiting Kauai again this year even though we own property. This is the 2nd year we could not visit due to Covid 19. The first year was understandable, but this “trusted” partner business is ridiculous. If Johns Hopkins or Stanford can’t be trusted, then I see Hawaii as being anti-tourist. There’s no other way to look at it. For more than 30 years we thought of Hawaii as our second home, but apparently that isn’t the case any longer. We’re going to Mexico.
We had to cancel a month long multi island trip last Spring and were hoping to do it again this spring, but having to be tested for inter-island travel was ridiculous. We understand testing to go to the first island. We decided to go elsewhere and wait until Hawaii gets it sorted out and makes traveling there what it should be, a vacation!
This is one of your more informative emails, clearly illustrating the difficulty and discouragement that tourists have experienced. Today I received a detailed report how Baja, Mexico was welcoming tourists, making it easy for their testing and arrival and greeting them with open arms. Their tourism has increased substantially since the beginning of the year. Let’s make this happen for the Hawaiian Islands as well, before we lose the market share. PLEASE consider a more user-friendly method of working together so everyone can help the islands come back – for the local job market, for the local businesses, and for the tourists who love the islands. The other issue is the State has had a vast reduction in Bed tax. This is a substantial loss to government funds. Bed tax is almost 15% of each nightly stay. These are substantial sums that the State loses every night they stay closed down. Thank you for this blog and keep fighting on for a better end result. Mahalo!!!
Hi Sharon.
Thank you. We see that hotel chains (not in Hawaii) are getting involved in testing too to facilitate international travel and return to the US.
Aloha.
We wrote off a trip to Hawaii because of the uncertainty and stress around getting a negative test result. False positives happen and risking both the expense of a late cancelation and having to find an alternate use for our vacation time is not worth it. I don’t think we’ll be back to Hawaii until unrestricted travel is again allowed. Really sad because it’s our favorite destination.
We cancelled our Spring Break Maui trip. For us it wasn’t the travel requirements, but rather the resort we stay at has closed many of the amenities we look most forward to. Several of the restaurants, pool activities, grotto bar, rope swing and water elevator are all closed. It is always hard finding chairs at the pool under normal circumstances and as of right now, they took a majority away to allow for social distancing. There is no room service being offered either. Room rates remain unchanged, so it is not worth it at this time to spend that amount of money on a vacation to Maui and not be able to enjoy the experience we pay for. We will wait and go back when we can fully enjoy the resort experience and our vacation.
Perhaps you might now something about this? I tested positive for COVID on Jan 13. I am fine, cleared from local government quarantine, all is good. But – I have been advised I will most likely test positive for the virus for 90 days. My 2nd home is on the Big Island and I’d like to get back there but I cannot find anything in all of the online info that speaks to recovered COVID folks. As I understand it I’m not likely to get a negative test result til mid April but also do not want to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Hawaii. Are you aware of any protocols on how this situation is being handled? Thanks!
Hi Darlene.
The rules for travel including those who have recovered from COVID are here. https://beatofhawaii.com/ultimate-guide-to-hawaii-travel-during-covid/. The state website with details is found here: https://hawaiicovid19.com/.
Aloha.
Aloha,
The state is led by people who don’t understand, believe in, or support the free enterprise system (note the word free). Until that changes Hawaii will be burdened by a cmbersome and inept bureaucracy! Terrible shame!
Canada has its own very stringent travel requirements for air travelers. Fairly certain Canadians aren’t traveling anywhere this winter. Mahalo.
On the contrary, we just returned today from Maui and ran into quite a few Canadians.