We are coming down to the wire on reopening Hawaii for travel.
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134 thoughts on “T-48 Hours: Hawaii Testing Failure – No Availability”
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We are coming down to the wire on reopening Hawaii for travel.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Kaiser / Part 2
How much does testing cost?
Testing and diagnosis at Kaiser Permanente are available at no cost to members.
How will I get my test results?
If you’ve been tested at Kaiser Permanente and your result is positive, you’ll get a phone call from us with your results and steps on how to get care. Your result will also be available in your medical record on kp.org. If your test is negative, you’ll be notified through kp.org.
When will I get my test results?
The turnaround time for diagnostic testing is usually within 2 to 3 days. But timing may change based on demand and testing capacity, and whether the test is processed at the Kaiser Permanente lab or at a private commercial lab, which may take longer to report results. We prioritize our lab testing and may use private lab services for asymptomatic, less urgent cases.
Hi there. We used to have Kaiser, and my login still works. I didn’t try to set an appointment, but this was the information I pulled up:
We’re testing all members with symptoms or suspected exposure, and offering tests to asymptomatic members who are in these groups:
First responders, front-line health care workers, and over 27 other non–health care occupations declared by county, state, or federal regulations to be essential workers requiring testing. This includes teachers, transit workers, food service workers, agricultural or food manufacturing workers, retail and manufacturing workers frequently interacting with the public, and workers providing in-home care for elderly individuals or people with disabilities.
Anyone in close contact with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19
Residents and employees of facilities where many people live together, including nursing homes and other assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and mental health facilities
People who live or work in a setting with an outbreak
People required by the health department to be tested (excluding for general surveillance, which is conducted at specific public health agency surveillance testing locations)
Kaiser Permanente patients before surgeries and certain procedures
People required to be tested before seeing their dentist
People who frequently spend time in crowds or on mass transit
Those seeking testing to return to work or college, or to travel
Aloha BOH and readers
What an odyssey this testing plan has been:-). Traveling AA to KOA via PHX from DFW on Sat 10/17/20.
After much research over the weekend, calling AA who doesn’t have much information it seems, and on the phone with our provider, I called my insurance again today to see how we could avoid the $150/person Care Now Rapid result testing and with them on the line they called Quest, CVS and Urgent Care Now to ensure that the coding they use is appropriate.
CVS in Plano is returning tests 2-3days from testing so we’ve scheduled our tests 70 hours prior to our PHX flight, meaning tomorrow around 2pm. Fingers crossed that results will come in within the timeframe. Quest didn’t answer and CareNow takes 3-4days if covered by insurance and not willing to pay $150 per person for rapid results. (Plus, I don’t see them on the trusted list of partners just yet)
Calculated risk that if results don’t come back in time, we still have time to fork out the $150 or $250 at airport if necessary and get results prior to flight.
I looked for locations near me at cvshealth.com/Covid-19/testing-locations and then registered in advance online at cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing. You can select times today, tomorrow and the day after. Provided front and back of the insurance card and got an email confirmation for testing tomorrow.
Will keep everyone posted.
Hi Julieta.
Thanks for that. Good luck!
Aloha.
Ok. Here’s the latest. We had our tests done 70hrs prior to our last leg ( 10/14 at 1pm and 3pm respectively) and we both got our results today 10/16 at 5am and 7am! Fewer than two days! So in ~ 40hrs results were in which is a great turnaround. Covered for by insurance and not having to pay the $150 in person or mail-in kit.
So we will be on a plane tomorrow 10/17 at 8:51am from DFW!
Thank you BOH and all other fellow writers and providers of great information.
I will update one more time, once we land and advise of how that experience goes.
Excited to be returning to Hawaii :-).
Hi Julieta.
Thanks for the update. Safe travels (forgive the pun).
Aloha.
Do you think that if my doctor prescribes the test at CVS I can get a quicker response? I went on line and the only appoint I could make was for tomorrow. Had wanted to see if I could get one in December before my flight. Have been tested once by our local lab and got results within 14 hours so if I can use that test, not an issue to have the proper paperwork for my arrival in Lihue, but only if they will recognize that testing lab. Will do more research! Thanks for the update.
Hi Scott.
No idea the answer to that question. But let us know how it goes. Thanks.
Aloha.
Where did some of you hear about writing STAT Hawaii on the Vault return package.
Thanks!
Called them directly and was told this by the representative.
We can confirm Barbara M’s comment about VAULT in Washington state at least. Live in Seattle area, we are flying out to KOA on the 15th on Hawaiian, conducted our VAULT test yesterday via Zoom, lab received our test kit today.
We did not verify we are flying on any particular airline, I did send an email to vault asking about the Hawaiian “preference” including what I’ve read about 24 hour results upon receipt of our samples, was told 24 hours is the turn around time, with no comment about proving flight on Hawaiian.
Keeping our fingers crossed (and praying hard) that the two of us pass all 4 tests, for unrestrained access to the Big I. Also reserved 2 rental vehicles (3 days apart) in the event we need to quarantine for 3 days.
Once again. Lay down the standards for the testing lab and the required time frame for the test and leave it up to the traveling public to get it done. Unfortunately Hawaii’s government doesn’t trust human beings to wipe their own rear ends, (probably a reflection of their own ineptitude, but I digress), so we shouldn’t be surprised!
Lets hope Governor Ige steps out of his comfort zone and allows some leeway for the test and gets the county mayors back in line!
I just used both AFC Urgent Care and Vault for our family’s trip on 10/15. Here is my experience:
AFC Urgent Care- used the Ladera Ranch, CA location. You can schedule 2 days in advance and there was a lot of availability. They will direct bill insurance but you pay $100 out of pocket (plus any copay) if you want the rapid 20 minute response. I paid the $100. The process was easy and efficient. Got a print out before I left. It lists the molecular test (does NOT indicate whether it was rapid or lab), with the date and time.
Vault- used vault for my son who lives in an area without a lot of testing options. Test arrived the next day. He just took his test via zoom and dropped it off at UPS. Assuming UPS delivers the test to Vault tomorrow morning, we should have results Thurs. If you use them, make sure you write STAT Hawaii on the package so they will expedite it.
Very nervous that something will go wrong despite trying to follow all the rules.
If you do make it to the island, PLEASE let’s all be respectful that this will be a nervous time for the residents. We will be wearing masks at all times (except maybe in the ocean), will patronize as many restaurants as possible but will probably get take out and leave a big tip and social distance. If you do eat at a restaurant, try to opt to eat outside and wear a mask anytime an employee comes by. Okay getting off my soapbox but I feel like this is a gift and I would like Hawaii to be successful!
Hi Macie.
Thanks for that report.
Aloha.
You are all NUTS! Going through all this BS to still be restricted in Hawaii? Restaurants are closed, beaches closed, no live music. What are you going for? The locals don;t want you there. And to pay hundreds of dollars for tests? I have gotten 4 tests here in Tucson and they pay me $50 to take them as part of a vaccine study. I canceled my trip to Maui for this past Summer and went to Mexico instead. It was great. People great! Beaches opened up Aug. 1, 2020. All restaurants and shops open. People are so happy to see us there. Yes, we ad to get temps taken, sprayed, wash hands, use sanitizer, temps taken again, etc. But that’s it. They even sprayed our vehicle and then certified it as “hygienico”with a sticker. They are more than careful and have beautiful beaches and lower prices. There are other places as well (Cambodia, Thailand, Dominican). They all have their own system and restrictions but NONE are as bad or useless as Hawaii’s regs. Good Luck if You go. I admire your persistence but that’s it. In the end…. No Fun in Hawaii
Not real sure where you’re getting your info. The beaches are open. Most restaurants are open in limited capacity – but with very few tourist in comparison to the “normal” then that shouldn’t be an issue.
As long as you’re following the physical distancing requirements, and wearing a mask when needed, there’s really not a difference in the experience.
I keep hearing “locals don’t want you there…” and that may be the case for the vocal minority, but business owners that depend on tourism are sure to be welcoming of those of us that are willing to do what is needed to safely travel and help them out in a time of financial ruin.
We scheduled our test at AFC Urgent Care in our hometown in NC. AFC Urgent Care is listed as a trusted testing partner. However on the Safe Travels website (hawaiicovid19.com/travel) where it lists the trusted providers it provides a link for AFC and the link is specific to AFC Portland afcurgentcareportland.com/traveling-hawaii. On that link it says to ask for the Rapid RNA Molecular test and it says they will get a printed copy of your results to you before you leave. My question is whether the only trusted site is in Portland or if the AFC Urgent Care in my hometown is authorized too. And I want to make sure the test they list on their website is acceptable (Rapid RNA Molecular). I have left two messages on the Safe Travels site.
Can you let me know what you find out about AFC Urgent Care sites not based in Portland? I noticed the same thing. I have an AFC Urgent Care not too far from me in FL Nd would like to know if I can use them. Please let me know what you find out.
I just performed my VAULT spit test via Zoom at 2 pm PST (72 hours before my Friday, 10/16/20 United flight from LAX to Lihue). So far, a seamless experience. I then dropped off the test kit at my local UPS store, and it will be shipped today overnight air to the VAULT facility. It will be received tomorrow, Wednesday, and I should get my results by Thursday or Friday morning. VAULT had put a yellow neon sticker on my return package which meant URGENT. I was also told to write STAT/HAWAII on all the packaging. I will update everyone as to when I get my results.
Mahalo. Appreciate learning thru others experiences. We plan to take a very similar path with a late Tuesday test in prep for a Friday flight. Please come back and share your results.
Thanks BofH for the update on how the tests are going. Valuable info for those of us traveling in a few weeks.
Mahalo
Hi Kyle.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Thank you.
Aloha.
We have been coming to Hawaii for the past 35 years. We lived on the Big Island for a few years and have a deep love for Hawaii and their people. We are deeply distressed at the current situation. We had planned to come again for 3 and a 1/2 months in 2021. Now it doesn’t seem as likely as we would like due to the apparent complete lack of planning. Imagine what a predicament our country would be in if every state had the same entry proposal that Hawaii does. Please Gov. IGE and Mayors, et al figure it out and soon. Thank you
Dear BOH,
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for your reports. We are planning on Maui in November and your posts have been incredibly helpful.
Hi Lisa.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Portland Oregon: CVS: no testing sites within 100 miles. What?? There are lots of CVS pharmacies in the Metro area . . .
Thank you for all the great, current info!
Hi Marci.
Sorry to hear that you too are having problems getting tested. Thanks for all your comments.
Aloha.
Just because there is a CVS building DOES NOT MEAN they are authorized to conduct the test nor to they have the “drive thru” facility to do so! Same here in Albuquerque where there’s a CVS on nearly every corner but none conducting the test within 100 miles! you are not alone!
VAULT is an online, mail in test that is indeed available in all 50 states. Perhaps Drew was looking for it to be physically local but it has no local locations.
We are traveling on Thursday 10/15/20 from Arizona, San Antonio, TX and Anaheim, CA. On Friday or Saturday, this past weekend, we were all able to get reservations at Walgreens for Monday afternoon COVID testing. Three of us in AZ had our results sent to us today! Less than a 24 hour turn around!! Still waiting to hear from our TX and CA friends to see if they got their results. Testing is very limited. Walgreens is free and we had to travel 40 miles to the closest testing site. CVS costs $140 and I don’t think we have any of the other “trusted partners” here in AZ.
Jumping through these hoops has been extremely stressful. Our original testing site (Embry Women’s Health is doing free 24-hour/7-day a week FREE testing) and they use LabCorp to process their tests – this is the same lab that processes Walgreen’s COVID tests. As many have mentioned – why isn’t Hawaii allowing other TRUSTED sources to do the testing? This would ease the bottleneck of so many now trying to test for traveling purposes.
If we have even one more hoop to go through, we are cancelling. Good Luck everyone!
I’m booked to fly from SMF to HNL on Oct. 15. Had an appointment for my covid test with Kaiser Permanente on Monday, got the results back inside of 48 hours (Kaiser advised that the results could take up to 72 hours). I guess I’m good to go… as long as the Hawaii Gov doesn’t change anything.
I am in Utah. Supposed to fly to Hawaii on Friday. The only two options we have here are Walgreens & Quest, and neither of those test anyone under 18! So we have no options for our children! And even those 2 are booked out! We own a house there so we are just trying to get there! This is a nightmare and Hawaii is being ridiculous. Our IHC hospital test that we were planning on getting would be more that adequate because it is the same test that they are requiring…the NAAT test.
Southern California Kaiser will only give you the test if you have symptoms. You have to do a telehealth check-in and they’ll decide if you get to take the test.
Work Site Labs who is Hawaiian’s partner for in person testing in LA and SF have yet to open their calendar.
Sara – I contacted my primary care physician via email and told her about my travel plans. She was able to secure me an appointment at the drive thru clinic in Irvine for this weekend. Kaiser just changed their policy in light of the Hawaiian governor’s ruling. Maybe try and check with your primary instead of calling the main line. Good luck!
I am flying to Big Island (hopefully!) next Tuesday. I was able to make an appointment with Kaiser in Irvine, CA for a test on Saturday. My doctor did warn me that while the results “usually” come back in 1-2 days, with the current back log it could take longer. I am just trying to be with my mom on her 80th birthday (Wednesday) who lives in Kona, but it has been a crazy experience with all of the change in travel procedures. This pandemic is definitely teaching us all about patience! I originally had a non-stop flight to Kona, but Hawaiian changed all flights to go through Honolulu. I am really hoping that does not affect anything!
We were able to schedule our tests at Kaiser for two day ahead of flying (they had no appointments three days out), and they are saying their current turn around time is taking about 24 hours. Note that you should schedule as soon as possible as appointment availability was running about a week out. We are in Colorado and are coming in on United on the non-stop to Lihue on Saturday.
Doesn’t seem that Hawaii either Is ready or willing to open back up. Making people jump through endless hoops to satisfy testing requirements via a very limited network of approved providers is only going to cause people not to come at all.
We won’t be returning to HI with our kids until no testing is required at all.
We are not for draconian measures and this kind of stuff kills the Aloha spirit entirely. It’s too bad because we always looked forward to our yearly visit for 2 weeks where we enjoyed supporting the local economy and shopping the small businesses and time with the locals.
Best of luck riding this one out and hopefully the leadership with get their heads on straight and reopen fully with no restrictions.
whiner, stay home and let others enjoy their fun
I am flying in December from the east coast and it seems all of these options are geared toward west coast travelers . Quest diagnostics have labs near me and my insurance would cover it but it’s seems that Hawaii wants it done at Walgreens which won’t test children . I could not find any other option for children to be tested by an approved provider.
Keep complaining and tell others about hawaii failures. Send letters to trump and state representatives about hawaii visitor discrimination. Anything to bog down the system and draw attention to the matter.
SUSAN… Use Vault
Hello fellow travelers,
It is important that you do your homework in regards to your test. It must be CLIA certified, and it must be a NAAT test. This is what the State of Hawaii initially stated as it’s approved tests. I learned about this because I was testing thru the city of Seattle, which is not certified by CLIA. Don’t assume! The last thing you want is to find out that you go to fill in the SAFE TRAVEL HAWAII that your test is not accepted, and or you land, get off the plane and are told you will be quarantined for 14 days.
Drew… VAULT is available in all 50 states. Perhaps when you made your comment that it is not available in Washington, you were looking for a physical site. They ares strictly via receive test by mail, test in front of a Zoom call, overnight mail back and then get the results. hope this helps your situation.
I still cannot understand your paragraph number three. I was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 17 to fly on a Hawaiian airlines nonstop flight from LAX to Maui. Hawaiian airlines canceled the flight and now has us on a flight that leaves LAX at 10:45 AM to Honolulu. We change planes in Honolulu and depart at 2:55 PM Hawaii time for Maui. To meet the within 72 hour requirement do I have to test on Wednesday, October 14 after 5:55 PM California time or can I now test after 10:45 AM California time. I had called the Maui mayors office last week as somebody suggested in an earlier post and the person I spoke to said it would be OK if I tested after 10:45 AM on Wednesday, October 14. Being a little nervous, I called back yesterday and spoke to someone else and he said whoever gave you that information was wrong, they won’t except your test if you test before 5:55 PM California time. Testing after 5:55 PM California time is a problem because all of the testing sites close at 4:30 PM. What’s your opinion?
Hi Richard.
Our take is that your test would need to be taken on October 14, after 1045am Pacific time. The interisland flight is not relevant.
Aloha.
Leaving on October 31, have my testing appointment at Carbon Health on October 30. No problem. I just wish that I could use any testing provider that offers the correct test, not just a trusted provider.
I got a letter from the lt governors office that said as long as it is from a certified lab and a certified test. I can’t remember the initials it will work to get into Hawaii. We are going to an urgent care doctors office with a doctors note to get the test done on Saturday with test results on Monday to have on have to fly out on Tuesday nov 24. Correct me if I’m wrong. FDA approved NAAT test seabed by a CLIA certified lab
My son and two teens are here in Colorado flying back on the 16th. The approved testing centers won’t even test under 18 years of age. So no testing for the teens headed back. Choices are Kaiser…Not a member. Quest, CVS and Walgreens. So frustrating. This was not expected to be an issue!
We live in the Bay Area. We had an appt for our test with Carbon health this morning at 8am in Oakland (we booked it a few weeks ago before we knew they were on the list of trusted partners).
We got there at 7:50 and parked outside waiting for the clinic to open. There were about 5 people in line already. When they opened at 8am, we were allowed to walk right in because we had an appt. Everyone else was there as a walk in. So for those of you are not able to book an appt with Carbon Health – “walk-in” is an option. Go early to avoid the crowd!
These updates are very helpful, Thank You.. Hopefully, by the time December rolls around and Christmas travel is due to begin there is a plan in place that will work!
Hi Dan.
We certainly hope so too. Thanks.
Aloha.
We bought test kits from Vault. They arrived the next morning.
We did a zoom as their staff has to watch you spit. We took them to UPS for overnight delivery to New Jersey and wrote STAT Hawaii on all containers The Vault nurse said we should have our results by Thursday to fly Friday!
Flying out of Sacramento Sunday the 18 th …scheduled our tests at CVS in Sacramento none in our town of Woodland for Thursday the 15 th this better work out or I’m going to scream at someone. So many hoops to jump thru. 😬will test results be available on time? We will see…every pricy at $139 for each of us.
Aloha Rob and Jeff,
As of this moment, I am scheduled to return home to Kauai on Friday, October 16th. This morning, I used my test kit provided by Vault ($150) and “Zoomed” with their RN who is required to witness the test. She was quite wonderful. When I finished the saliva test, her instructions were very clear, and everything was placed in the prepaid UPS envelope. She asked that I take a Sharpie pen and write STAT – Hawaii on the front and back of the envelope as they are giving priority to Hawaiian Air passengers.
Should have the results back before my 10am flight on Friday.
Keeping my fingers crossed that all works as it is supposed to!!!
Mahalo nui loa for all of your hard work for our community,
Melissa E.
Hi Melissa.
Welcome home in advance! Yes, please do let us know. Hope it all goes great.
Aloha.
Hi BOH
I am traveling in early November and had no issues scheduling my test and for the family through Kaiser. They allow traveller testing for those who are in need of it.
Hope it all goes smoothly!
Hi Danny.
Ok great to hear.
Aloha.
The Vault request to get it in before 10 am doesn’t make sense. Ups accepts overnight by the last pickup for the day. My flight leaves at 10:50 so how can I bring it to ups which doesn’t pick up until 4. I called the 855 number for Hawaii health and 2 days later are still waiting for a return call. I leave Saturday and will be tested tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed. Mahalo
Hi Hoan.
Good luck. Please let us know how it goes.
Aloha.
We live in the Bay Area and have an appointment with Walgreens tomorrow. We made the appt on Sunday. Hoping it all goes smoothly. We did have a backup appt at Urgent Care in SF but canceled because Walgreens will be free and drive in is more convenient. This was the fourth time we’ve rescheduled travel to Hawaii since August. Can’t wait to get home and see my Ohana.
We tried CVS here in Texas. They had no idea what we were talking about. We moved on to Quest and bingo! We were able to schedule through Questcovid19/hawaii. We scheduled for October 27 (our flight is on the 30th). Quest is partnering with Walmart pharmacy, so I even called the Walmart where we are scheduled for the test, to make sure they knew we were legit. The pharmacist was able to pull my husband and myself up on the computer. So, I think we’re good to go. I hope it all works out for everyone!
PS – I think Quest might have activated their schedule sight today, because I did try to pull up the test sights and couldn’t until today.
Hi Brenda.
Thanks for letting us know. Hope it all goes perfectly.
Aloha.
Yep, sounds like another failure In typical Hawaii fashion. More stalling and inaction at the last minute, yet again. Reopening has never been a priority for the state government and never will be. Their hatred and racism towards thier own country, America shows in vivid colors. Especially forcing travelers, or both residents and visitors, to fish around for testing that hawaii should be fully responsible for. As was also stated before dogs should be used instead or as an additional supplement.
Such a lack of concern for fellow Americans and US Citizens! They think that possibly saving just a few lives justifies massive increases in homelessness and welfare program dependency. It is contributing to the already out of control beurocracy with programs like section 8 housing choice vouchers, where people cant find housing or Get back on their feet at all. What a mess!!
Unbelievable!!! I can not thank you enough for keeping everyone updated on the latest, truthful and honest, information. As a condo-owner, I look to your site for the most up-to-date info., and appreciate your insights. Mahalo!
Hi Marcie.
Thanks. We are hoping for much better news ahead for all, in every way.
Aloha.
Sorry, regardless of the opening I’m not going to have to pay that much per person for a covid tests it’s a complete rip-off and greed of the airlines as usual play we have whole schools here giving kids free testing Etc you can’t possibly cost that much. If it were a nominal fee that would be great but costs as much as one way ticket. Hawaiian government needs to step in and stop this practice if they want people to come to Hawaii which I’m still not really sure if they want is to? But this is a definite no-go for me and our family.
We live in Georgia. We were able to schedule an appointment last week through Quest Diagnostics for a PCR test with a Walmart drive thru pharmacy. We got tested this morning with a projected turnaround within 2 days. We are leaving Thursday morning for Maui by way of Seattle and Honolulu. Fingers crossed that we will get the results by the time we land in Kahului. After following this thread since its beginning, I consider us fortunate that we were able to get tested within the 72 hour window!
Hi Tracey.
Thanks for some more encouraging news. Let us know how it works out.
Aloha.