An update from the governor’s office late Thursday added new information and needed clarification for those who have been fully vaccinated, and who wish to visit Hawaii without pre-travel Covid testing. Below is important information about what is required and how the new Hawai travel rules starting July 8 will work.
First, the good news: this is really happening. There were questions posed to Lt. Governor Josh Green this week about whether there was any possibility the state would change its mind regarding the elimination of test and quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers.
Governor Ige’s office reaffirmed today, that starting July 8, “travelers vaccinated in the U.S. or U.S. Territories may participate in the exception program starting on the 15th day after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine — or starting the 15th day after their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”
This is a change in language regarding the definition of fully vaccinated.
Documentation process updated.
1. Upload one of three vaccination documents to your Safe Travels Hawaii account before traveling to Hawaii. Effective July 1, the state confirms that the “Safe Travels digital platform is now allowing vaccine document uploads for trips arriving in Hawaiʻi on July 8 and beyond.”
One of the following must be uploaded:
- A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.
- VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout.
- DOD DD Form 2766C.
New legal attestations also required.
To qualify for the exemption, visitors must “Sign the online legal attestations on Safe Travels Hawaii, confirming the uploaded documentation is true and accurate.”
A hard copy of vaccination documentation is needed too.
Starting July 8, visitors seeking the vaccination exemption must “bring a hard copy of their vaccination documentation to show screeners at the gate before boarding and/or upon arrival in Hawaii. Screeners will review/verify the vaccination documents, match photo IDs, name, and DOB, and confirm that the attestations are signed.
What about children under 5 and those from 5 to age of vaccination?
The state confirmed that the rules for children will not be changing at this time.
- Children under 5 years old are not required to test and will not be quarantined if traveling with an adult who has a pre-travel test exception or a vaccination exception.
- Children 5 years and older who have not been vaccinated must participate in the Pre-Travel Testing Program and test with an approved test from a Trusted Testing Partner to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Additional notes.
Interisland travel (solely within the state of Hawaii) does not require either vaccination or testing.
This program does not cover international travelers.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Aloha.
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For vaccinated CA residents:
Follow the easy directions here to receive the digital version of your vaccine history which you can then photograph and save in your phone for easy quick presentation to anyone. At last, easy/peasy. I hope other states do the same. Going to Maui in one week, resting easy.
sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article252208388.html
What about someone who had Covid, has recovered, and PCP said vaccine was not needed?
out of luck..
In a State that won’t even let you test out after arrival, ” science” means nothing to our State gov’t
If a visitor arrived july 6, fully vaccinated in Arizona , completed the safe travels form, no pre testing done, but was fully vaccinated in May- placed on quarantine. Will he/ she continue to be in quarantine despite the new mandate on fully vaccinated travelers that will be released on July 8?
Mahalo as always you have the best info.
Could you please republish the testing requirements for non vaccinated persons (I am being polite, many words can be used to describe them) as well as international traveler requirements.
I there any information on future for international travelers who have that countries vaccination proof.
Mahalo agin.
Hi Mounque.
Thank you. Those can be found here. Also, check the state’s website at https://hawaiicovid19.com.
Aloha.
Many words may be used for non-vaccinated people. But, before you judge, be aware there are valid reasons why some can’t get vaccinated. It is also a personal choice and not mandatory. Thank you for considering this.
unvaccinated here… Please, by all means say what you feel..
Do you think people will need to upload the cbc cards
In if they have a trip in. September or October
Thank you
Hi Greg.
It would be best to plan for a yes answer and be pleasantly surprised if not.
Aloha.
Aloha!!!
Just uploaded my Vaccine Card on to the Safe Travel Program. The Vaccine Card shows it is under “Uploaded Vaccine Documents”. However, how do you know if the upload of was successful?” Or since it is on the “Uploaded Vaccine Document” does it mean it went through? Sorry for the confusion of this make sense.
Thank you!!!
Hi Michael.
Best advice is to ask the state. The Safe Travels help desk is at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Hi Michael – I’ve seen the same thing, the document shows uploaded but you can’t click on it and open it which is confusing, how do they check? I’m going to call the Safe Travels # today and make sure, I think maybe it’s because you don’t get the QR code until 24 hours health check is done before flight maybe? I hope. I really don’t want to mess this up, it’s so stressful.
If I get through on the number, I’ll update. Thank you.
Thank you for replying back. I’ve been doing the same thing. Clicking the document to make the card upload went through. However, I can access it as well. I’ve trying to call the safe travels. I either have to do so many voice commands to where I need to go, or I’m on hold for a long time once get that tech support. Let me know once you find anything. Thank you!!!
Hi Michael G. – so I didn’t get through on the phone line but I did get a response through the email system. But it didn’t solve my question – I was told to click on the blue link to the uploaded document. When I explained that nothing happens, he said it might be downloading to a separate documents folder and to look in the downloads. That made no sense and it doesn’t seem to be downloading anywhere, there is something going on with a pop up blocker, but even when I allow it, it only opens a weird google docs header message but nothing shows up. He said you can reupload your document and it just replaces the other one so I’m going to reupload one more time and call it a day. Maybe someone else who has traveled knows how it all works. Wish us luck!
Thanks for the update. Were you able to reupload your card again and replace what was downloaded already?
Hi Michael – yes, I was able to reupload and I paid super close attention at each step. When I uploaded the photo of the card, I did see the image show up until the very last step when you sign the last part and click submit. I also saw it say that the document was uploaded and that it would be verified at the airport checkin.
We leave on Saturday, so hoping when we do the health check on Friday we see the QR code and something different. I think it worked but no way to know, clicking on the link right now doesn’t show anything.
Hi Michael – just thought I would update you on how it went. We did the health check survey, got the QR code’s no issues. TIP. – print the QR code and bring it with you. This morning we got to check in, printed our bag tags and waited for the agent. After they checked out I’d and weighed the bags then he asked for the QR code’s. It was much easier having them printed, He barely glanced at our vaccine card so the upload must have been fine. We got our bracelets and now we wait. So excited.
Hi Becky-How did everything go in Hawaii? Did everything go smoothly? What airport and airline did you take? What kind of questions were on the questionnaire and how many were there?
Do we have to wear mask while there?
Thanks
I hope Hawaii will get to
70% fully vaccinated by September before October 1
Thank you
Do people still have to upload their cdc card when Hawaii gets to 70% fully vaccinated
After the safe travels program ends
Hi Greg.
If Hawaii gets to 70% then Safe Travels will end. Nothing more will be required.
Aloha.
Aloha, I have a vaccine card. Do I need anything else to get passed security and board the plane?
I have a kit from AZOVA. Are those results still required?
My travel date is July 9 and my return date is July 19th. Thanks,
Jodi
Hi Jodi.
What is required is within the post with the language provided by the state. If you comply with that, then nothing more is required.
Aloha.
We fly into Hawaii on the 7th. We made our reservation 3 months ago. We need a negative covid test on the 7th which will cost us a total of $400.00. One day later and we could have saved that money to spend in Hawaii. Happy 50th anniversary!
Hi,
My family of 4 arrive to Maui on July 11th. We found Walgreens no cost. Are u vaccinated? We are not, but believe you still negative Covid even after the 8th. Very confusing…. good luck!
I am fully vaccinated and have uploaded my documentation to the Safe Travels website. However, I keep seeing references to a QR code that I must have as well. Could anyone please explain this? I will be relocating back to Kauai and traveling with my cat and would really like to avoid airport delays caused by my own ignorance. Thank you!
Hi Robyn.
It is our understanding that you’ll receive the QR code after uploading the health questionnaire and within 24 hours of travel. Others may add their experience on this. One of us is flying to and from the mainland next week, so we’ll have more first-hand experience.
Aloha.
Aloha and thank you
We have a foreign exchange student starting in August and landed travel to Hawaii in December. Will they need documentation as an international traveler or as a domestic traveler. Thank you any additional information you could provide would be appreciated.
Hi Stacy.
Not sure what specifically you are asking for. Those vaccinated outside the US will need to comply with Hawaii’s testing program.
Aloha.
Aloha!!!
Just a quick question. Has anyone from the mainland able to download their Vax Card successfully onto the Safe Travels program for trips on July 8th and beyond? Even though on Safe Travels still says, “Fully vaccinated travelers who received their vaccine in Hawaii may be eligible to travel to Hawaii from the continental US or from a US territory without having to pre-test or self-quarantine.”
Mahalo!!!
Hi Michael.
We’ll ask others who have had that experience to share the answer.
Aloha.
Yes, we were able to upload our CDC vax cards on June 30th for our trip on July 9th. Canceled our pre travel Covid test at a Hawaiian Air participating test center in San Francisco.
Once you were able to upload your vax card did you receive or wait for anything else? Like was the upload successful or any confirmation. Thanks!!!
Hi Darren,
When you uploaded your Vaccine Card on to the Safe Travel Program. Did your Vaccine Card show/come up under “Uploaded Vaccine Documents”? Did it show under “Uploaded Vaccine Documents” with the Name of card, Traveller, and Trip Name? Also, did it show anything else, or just those information. Curious because that what it shows under mine when I uploaded my Vaccine Card. Thanks!!!
I uploaded my vaccine card yesterday. We’re traveling from Texas to Maui on July 8th.
Yes, we had success doing this on July 1 for our July 9 flight. It still says that only those vaccinated in HI can qualify but I was able to upload my vax card in the vax section. I had tried in June and it didn’t allow me to do so.
Hope this helps.
How long did it take to download your card onto the safe travels? Did it take awhile?
My wife and I are both vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and are traveling to Hawaii in January. I have registered on the Safe Travels website, but cannot do so for my wife. I keep getting a message “this email is being used by another user.” What do I do?
Sounds like you can’t share the same email address. Try getting a free email address for your wife (ie from Google) & use that.
what are the requirements for Canadians flying from the U S fully vaccinated
My son, 7, is not vaccinated, obvious. Can he bring test results from a covid test taken in NY on the previous Friday… if our flight is on Sunday?
Can people be able to upload their cdc vaccine cards to the safe travels website starting July 8
Or did it start July 1
Thank you
Hi Greg.
Ability to upload according to the state was to start July 1. We’ll let others comment on their experience since then.
Aloha.
Why is the State in such a hurry to do away with testing for Transpacific passengers. 30,000 people a day are landing in our state having to jump hoops to get here but they are doing it. All 30,000 people are doing the test so why not keep the testing going I sure would feel.a whole lot safer. Thank you for reading my comment.
Hi. Will be traveling to Hawaii in August. One adult is a US citizen but was vaccinated abroad with the Pfizer vaccine. She has a vaccination card. Will she still be able to register with the safe travels site?
I think they said for US and US territories, they didn’t mention outside the United States or Canada