While visitors are returning to Hawaii, it is a challenging time to travel.
112 thoughts on “Some States Say Don’t Go + New Hawaii Testing Includes Costco”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Some States Say Don’t Go + New Hawaii Testing Includes Costco
I commented earlier, but I just want to add after reading some of the comments…everyone (democrats and republicans) knew back in March when numbers surged during flu season, that when fall came (flu season) there would be another surge! What’s happening today has Nothibg to do with our sitting president! He is Not to blame for Covid 19!
End rant
This is not the place for a political rant. This is a site where folks can comment on travelling to Hawaii and that is all it should be!
I think a lot of people didn’t believe it was real. They thought it was a hoax. One nurse in South Dakota wrote that even after patients were diagnosed, they didn’t believe it, and were angry that staff was wearing PPE around them – right up until they died. There are still a large part of the population that doesn’t believe the science, because they’ve been told not to.
Sad, but true … we have 4% of the world population and 20% of the active COVID cases. We have about 154,00 new cases and 1,500 deaths TODAY alone in this country. Right now, it’s out of control here in the US and a big part of that is people denying how bad it is, or that it even exists. The other part is that we have politicized the response, and therefore 1/2 of the population won’t do what needs to be done to slow down the spread. That means that public health officials are left with few options other than lockdowns, which have a terrible effect on the economy. It’s catch-22 folks, all because some people have been convinced that there’s a connection between wearing a mask and their constitutional rights. In the end, this has meant that I have had to cancel my Kauai trip and rebook for May of 2021. But in the end, I did what I had to do in order to keep my family safe. I would rather miss one Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom, than all the rest.
You’re right, he’s not, what he’s responsible for is his inept response to the pandemic. He owns that … sorry.
Hello
Sure appreciate your updates.
Planning to visit Kaui again in January
Below are the 2 tests that Walgreens offers. Both are NAAT tests. Are both ok to get as the pre travel test?
RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel Test – NAAT
Rapid Point-Of-Care (POC) Test – NAAT (ID NOW)
Thanks
Hi Todd.
Thanks. So as not to provide any incorrect information, we would refer you back to the state’s help disk for any clarification needed. 1-855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Please, as the guys suggest, check with the state’s website as I believe the ID Now test (Rapid Test) has not been acceptable as, to the best of my knowledge, it is an ANTIBODY test not a PRC (NAAT) test.
Hi Barbara.
Thanks for your good help.
Aloha.
Governor’s Office takes a while to respond but they always do. I’ll post when I receive a response to my inquiry about the acceptability of a POC test vs a PRC test.
Checked again and the requirement by State of Hawaii still seems to be a PRC test. Feel really uncomfortable that some providers show the POC test as being an NAAT test. Checking with the governor’s office and will post when I get clarification.
Todd B., I just took the test from Walgreens a few days ago. In the drop-down menu just select travel to Hawaii and they will administer the correct test. I got my results within 30 hrs. I am now in Maui enjoying the sun!
This came via email to me today, 11/18, the Safe Travels Team in response to asking the same question you asked above…
Please inform the Walgreen’s point-of-care (POC) testing center that you require the NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) or the equivalent PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2.
A rapid antigen test will not be accepted for quarantine exemption in the Pre-Travel Testing Program.
We hope this offers appropriate clarification.
Mahalo,
Safe Travels Team
I went to Walgreens on Saturday. Had my negative test results within 33 minutes! Better yet, it was FREE. Go to Walgreens and select only the locations with a RED dot. They guarantee results within 24 hours. Traveling tomorrow, Tuesday! Hope all goes well when entering Hawaii!
It surprises me that the Rapid Test is now acceptable because it’s always been an ANTIBODY test (which is why results of so quick). I’ve checked the State of Hawaii website and it doesn’t distinguish between the “regular” and the “rapid” test.
Please post when you have success with that type of test! It will be appreciated. Even Walgreens differentiates between a PRC test (which is the REQUIREMENT) and a POC test (which is the Rapid Test).
Found this posted on the Governor’s website on 10/21…Request the RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel or Rapid Point of Care (POC) test, which are both approved by the State of Hawaiʻi.
Hello – can you please tell me how you got the test administered for free at Walgreens? Did they bill your health insurance? Also, did you end up having any issues getting into Hawaii with having had the test performed by Walgreens? Thanks very much!
Melanie
Melanie… Be careful about the Walgreen’s testing until we get confirmation that the POC test is acceptable to the State of Hawaii.
KL – please post if you are successful with a POC test!!!! Mahalo.
Thanks for your great information! I must test negative to board the plane. What does this mean when I land in CA, at SFO airport? The governors of California, Oregon and Washington are also recommending that those returning from Hawaii and elsewhere self-quarantine for 14 days. I would just be proceeding through customs and then taking a 2nd test – within 72 hours!!!!!!!! – before boarding the plane to fly back to Hawaii. Then do I reuire a 3rd test when landing in Kona?? This just gets better by the day. Mahalo for input.
Hi Nancy.
As if all of your flights from Asia weren’t already enough of a problem. At the Big Island, you are good to go with just the test you took on the mainland. That is according to their official website. https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/travel.
Aloha.
Because of the high price of the tests, most people cannot afford to travel to Hawaii. Maybe that’s what Hawaiian Airlines wants. They could get reasonable tests or free if they choose to.
Hawaiian Air offers their test at the lowest rate I’ve seen – $111 – AND you can purchase it with HA Rewards Points instead.
Hi there,
Can you tell me the difference between a NAAT test and a PCR test? The trusted testing travel partners offer the PCR test but the Safe Travels Hawai’i website says I need a NAAT test.
Thank you,
Hi Carolyn.
You can search for this, but it appears it is the same thing. Others may comment to help further.
Aloha.
A PRC test is a type of NAAT test. Period!
I’d come to Hawaii even if I have to be tested, but not if I have to wear a mask while lying on a beach- ridiculous. Deal breaker. I feel bad for the Hawaii businesses that rely on tourists. 😕
Debby J,
Maybe this will change, but I don’t see anyone wearing a mask out on the beach in our neighborhood (Wainiha-Ha`ena Kauai). There is ample beach for people to be very spaced apart, at least for now. In past winters, much of tunnels beach popular with tourists because of the guide book will get swept away by the high surf, only to reappear in April. Scared people should probably avoid that beach because they will get pre-occupied with the mask-wearing (or not) by others, instead of enjoying the moment.
Hi David-
Our friends traveled to Maui and were cited for not wearing a mask on the beach. Apparently, others in their hotel received citations, too. I’m fine sitting at a distance, but a mask on a beach is overkill. Mahalo. Thanks
Sucks for them. Sounds like Ka’anapali, which is to be avoided. But, I’m talking about far north shore Kauai.
Debby J… This is a direct quote from the 12/16 proclamation from the Governor (his 15th)… Not sure why your friends were cited unless they didn’t have the 6 foot distance established.
This is from the “exemptions” from wearing a mask, Section J…
“While outdoors when physical distance of six (6) feet from other individuals (who are not members of the same household/living unit/residence) can be maintained at all times;”.
Sorry – meant 11/16/20 proclamation.
Barbara M- The governor of Hawaii has waffled back and forth on these restrictions until the date you gave in your reply. My friends were there 2 weeks ago and knew they had to wear a mask in many places, but not on the beach. That’s something that should have been spelled out properly but Hawaii’s leadership has been inconsistent at best.
Aloha,
We have 2 trips booked to Hawaii. Kauai in the first of April. We may have to cancel this one. We are going to wait and see. Things have to be reasonably normal before we are going to spend thousands of dollars for a Hawaiian vacation. We have been to Hawaii 15 times. We love spending our vacations there. Our second trip is in September to Maui. We really hope that things will be back to normal long before then. Thank you Beat of Hawaii for keeping us informed.
Hi Janet.
Thank you. Please let us know as your trip planning evolves. It is definitely the hardest time ever to plan for travel.
Aloha.
The problem with people who do not have a negative test before they fly is that they could infect others on the plane. It should be mandatory that all travelers flying to Hawai’i have a negative Covid Test to protect the islands and other passengers on the flight. This is a no brainer and should have been done from the get go.
Kathy
I agree, the trouble is that the state of Hawaii doesn’t have the authority to do order this. That would have to come from the Federal government, and we know how likely that is until Jan 20th. What I don’t understand is why the airlines don’t require it voluntarily. I would think that they have a vested interest in keeping their passengers safe.
BTW, I have reservations for the Big Island come May, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that a vaccine will be widely available by then.
Super mahalo for your non stop no non-sense cut to the chase user friendly traveler info.
Unfortunately, something the County of Kauai traveler info is oblivious to. As if so many of us living on Kauai or traveling to Kauai have the time to listen/watch the mayor for 10 minutes to get the latest.
Why not a 10 point daily written bulletin on Facebook or texted to subscribers?
You have to call your lawyer to make sense of the mumbo jumbo proclamations & addendums written to cover the counties legal liability, but unfortunately not user friendly.
Likewise, your webpage layout, graphics & colors are a treat!
Kudos!
Hi GB.
Thank you. And LOL – we get it about the Facebook show and the sometimes unintelligible information.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for all your help! I have been following your page for years and suggest it to anyone asking about Hawaii.
We are flying from Oakland at 0930 am to Kona on Jan 9th 2021 on Southwest. So we are testing at the Oakland Airport area on the 6th at 0945. Then on the 16th we are flying to Lihue. Is there anyway to find the least expensive and fastest test site on the Big island? Is Kauai ok with the 72 hour time frame? We haven’t made our flight plans from to Kauai yet. Would flying with Hawaiian offer any discounts with testing?
Hi Janese.
Thank you. Yes it is the same 72 hour requirement. Perhaps those with first hand Big Island testing experience can comment.
Aloha.
Thanks so much!!