Here’s what you’ll need to know about testing for Hawaii travel.
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146 thoughts on “Testing for Hawaii Travel: Many Questions Await Answers”
Here’s what you’ll need to know about testing for Hawaii travel.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Keep me updated when Hawaiian airlines flight 7 las to hnl resumes August 1.
Thank
You
Hi Greg.
Thanks and will do.
Aloha.
does the “test” need to be done within the 72 hour timeline, or the “results” within the 72 hour timeline?
Mahalo
Hi Bill.
As it stands today, subject to change obviously, it needs to be done within 72 prior to travel commencing.
Aloha.
Aloha Guys!
Testing at a non-medical facility may affect you receiving results in a longer time span, rather than just going to your Doctor. Mine was understanding to the Travel I need to do, and told me I would get a test. I was also told that I could have results in a short time (less than 72 hours) from my Doctor. My biggest concern is that should a problem arise, because all this crap is beyond my own control (other than going to the Dr. and taking a test 3 days/72 hours before I leave), who is going to incur the expenses for ME not being able to travel, because of other extenuating and potential issues that are beyond my control???
What if, they screw up the test results, and the results aren’t ready before the scheduled departure date/time? What if you have a slight temperature due to being overheated (It’s still hot in August and Sept. in some places). You may not be truly sick…will they let you through the Airport at TSA?
Let me explain what I just went through in my conversation with Hawaiian Airlines (HAL) last night, but let me “set the stage”, first…This is classic!!!
I received the Screaming Deal in March for a direct flight to Maui (OGG) $99 each way, from the West Coast, for an April to May trip. I then booked my mileage on SWA to hop from Maui to the Big Island round trip to get the best deal possible. Yes! I booked a $198 (taxes included) flight to the Big Island!!! Happy Happy! LOL…All while realizing (of course) that I would likely get canceled (which obviously happened), because this was literally when they were starting to shut down the country! BUT…I ensured (via Email correspondence) that I was guaranteed a R/T ticket “anytime on any flight before 12/31/2020”.
Now…Jumping forward to last night!
I contacted HAL to rebook my flight for early August, and I hammered the Gal with lots of (Back-up Plan) questions, including what I already asked above. I had a few more similar questions and scenarios…
I was told that because my flight was to Maui, and that Maui was my “final destination” on their HAL flight, that if I did not have the Negative test results for c0vid, then I would be quar antined on Maui! Awwww, HELL NO! Lol, I hammered her with a LOT more questions! I specified that I had connecting flights on another airlines (SWA, which I honestly had not booked, yet, but was going to), and I was still told that I would have to quar antine on Maui, if I did not have clean test results. I said that makes absolutely NO sense, if I have a flight to move on to my final destination, as I had NO place to stay in Maui!! I then asked is HAL going to put me up in a room and pay for my meals for 14 days? She actually put me on hold to ask, and 5 minutes later said of course not (obviously)! I asked if the State of Hawaii was going to prevent me from traveling to my final destination, and would they be “footing my bill” to stay on Maui, which she clearly did not know. I asked probably half a dozen more questions, before she put me on hold to make some “inter-island” and “secondary airline” clarifications. I was on the phone for well over 45 minutes (total), trying to get answers from their “front line personnel” who answers the phones, with absolutely ZERO results. Finally, when she could not provide adequate (logical) answers, I asked to be transferred to a Supervisor. I was on hold with the Supervisor for well over another 30 minutes (almost 2 hours on the phone combined. repeating all my questions), before I got some actual clarification.
Here is the clarification I was FINALLY given…
You will not have to do a quar antine, IF you land in Hawaii and are “hopping” between islands, IF you do not leave the Airport, and IF your fly on a connecting flight within 4 hours, and that continues for all your layovers/transfers, you have 4 hours to fly. If it is beyond your control due to delays, there was no clarification on that, but I do not think they can force you to stay on a particular island, because of delays past 4 hours. They should be responsible for ensuring you get to your final destination!
You would only have to do the 14 day quar antine at your final destination, if you DO NOT have a confirmed test result, within 72 hours of arrival. If you fly from the Mainland and you DO have a confirmed negative test, once you are in Hawaii, you can fly in-between islands without having a test, as interisland flights no longer require tests to be taken. You will have no quar antine for flying to any island, after you land, and prove you are c0vid free.
This really should be verified from a Government source, just to make it “legitimate”, but Honestly, This whole process is a Cluster (you know what), and there needs to be a far better plan in place. I don’t see this working well, trying to keep track of literally thousands of people. Flights are already starting to get booked for the month of August, on multiple airlines. For me personally, I can take a 14 day hit, should the Crap hit the fan. and something goes wrong, but travelers, who would be forced to lock-down because of no fault of their own are, frankly, going to be pissed off! Just my 2-cents…
Mahalo Guys!
Hi Jim.
Thank you for this and your nearly 50 other comments. Couldn’t agree more that this is not yet cooked. It will get changed and clarified and should become workable. It has to. We’ll be writing about this a lot more, including within the next hour or so, with some interesting and more workable changes we expect to be forthcoming.
Aloha.
Aloha Jim,
Regarding a 14 day quar antine, it is my understanding, as LG Green spoke about this the other day, that if your pre-travel test is NOT back by the date of travel, you will only need to quarantine until your “negative” test result comes back.. which should be within a day or two. Now on the other hand, if it comes back positive that opens up a different can of worms.
My personal opinion as a Hawaii resident with family and a one year old only grandchild on the mainland that I miss beyond measure, is that people should give serious thought to postponing their Hawaiian vacations until the worst of the pandemic is over or vaccine is available. With our extreme isolation and limited resources tourist travel puts the islands at risk.
With cases on the rise all over the US and the likelihood it will only get worse through the fall it just doesn’t seem safe to be traveling on airplanes.
Mahalo
Jeri
And thanks guys for the great blog.
Hi Jeri.
Thanks! Still pandora’s box. If you’ve reserved a vacation rental, but now need to go to a hotel. Some form of on-arrival testing option is coming – that’s for sure.
Aloha.
These are the risks of traveling during a HIGH RISK Pan demic. I suggest if you can not abide by the consequences then do not travel. Planes are large germ tubes. Not to be rude, but if you do not care for the safety of our community more than your cheap fare then please choose somewhere else because that is not what Hawai’i is about.
Well said. It’s so odd that people can’t just wait – a year, if necessary – and travel when things have improved (vaccine, better tests, etc.).
Meanwhile, on the mainland: People traveling to Chicago from 15 states with increasing numbers of confirmed cases of the coronavirus will have to quar antine for two weeks upon arrival or face possible fines of $500 per day(!)Travelers must stay at a single home or other dwelling for 14 days except to seek medical care or be tested for C0VID-19.
Hawai’i is taking a huge chance to open up during a surge on the mainland. Visitors need to recognize that, and show enough consideration not be part of the problem. And finding loopholes is part of the problem.
I can’t get tested unless I have symptoms
Have you spoken with your doctor? I did earlier today and explained the situation and he said he could get me approved to get tested even though I am showing no symptoms. In addition their are FDA approved home test you can do and get the results back with 72 hours.
Thanks for this excellent travel blog , I know it’s frustrating for people like me who have trips planned in the next few months ,But I do think we need to give the state of Hawaii a little time to the testing program up with cvs and maybe also Walgreens and rite aid . I understand the state wanted to announce the opening of Hawaii and didn’t have the testing format finalized . This does however need to happen soon as people can’t be left in limbo , big amounts of money and planning go into planning a trip so this testing format needs to get announced in the next week Or or August Trips may be in jeopardy .
Hi Tim.
Thanks! We couldn’t agree more about the need to get this clarified ASAP.
Aloha
Thanks for ALL you do to keep us informed. I’m still hoping testing is figured out by January! In the mean time enjoy the peace and quiet and STAY SAFE!
IMO… the Governor was under so much pressure with the threat of lawsuits that he had to something that gave the appearance he was opening up to tourists. I believe he knows full well that most people will not be able to get the test results in the required time, which will effectively keep the islands shut down, but he has done what he needed to do to keep the lawyers off his back…for now.
This won’t work. Even if you test negative, you go to an airport full of people who do not need to test to travel to other states and countries. You can still catch it and spread it. Most test results do not come back in 3 days, nor is CVS set up for the amount of testing needed. What happens if your test doesn’t come back in time, or heaven forbid it comes back positive. Are the hotels and airlines going to return your monies? Won’t work…
You will never get tests results back within 72 hours in Arizona…..they are sooo back logged. We cancelked our trip. So many people are in the same boat….
My thoughts exactly
Testing asymptomatic people is a good way of controlling this epidemic and should be able free to everyone, Remember for every 100 positive sick people of C0VID, you have another 100 or more well asymptomatic people spreading the disease.
I agree, ever since the announcement was made I know many of us from the mainland have since booked hotels, airplane tickets purchased, car rentals, etc… I know we are in a waiting game right now, and I am traveling to the Big Island at the end of September, renting a large house to share with 10 of my friends, and we are all hoping to see something sooner than later regarding the testing piece. With only a month away when does the state plan to roll out its plan to ensure we can get tested and results within 72 hours if we are showing no symtoms? We booked all of this within the last 72 hours.
I just want my refund from Hawaiian airlines!
This morning in a hearing before the US Senate, the Assistant Secretary of Health, Adm Girion, said that states are mandated to offer testing for asymptomatic individuals with need for “exception” and that “exception” includes travel. He said the states just aren’t understanding that! DOn’t know how you overcome that hurdle!
So typical of the feds these days: they order that something be done, but they’ve helped ensure that it can’t be done. No state has enough testing kits, facilities and personnel to test everyone who wants it. And of course people lie to get what they want. (The idea that vacation travel is an essential need is absurd on its face, but that another story.)
I really hope Hawaiian airlines reads your blog! I think it’s only fair that airlines give refunds to those who choose to either forego their trip at this time, or choose to not go at all! Like me, there are many who only have this time slot available for several years! I don’t want to, nor should I be bound by rules or tests, which are not even guaranteed to work or be back on time. For the love of all that’s good, just refund us our airfare!!!!
JW
If you can’t abide by rules or tests, you’re in for some very rough sledding. Rules and tests are part of life.
I personally wish we could return to the days when all flights could be changed or cancelled with no fees, but deregulation and corporate greed put an end to that decades ago. As it is now, HA has a very flexible policy on changes in travel plans. And anyone who made a travel reservation after C19 became a known issue was really rolling the dice, to say the least. (That may not apply to you, but it certainly applies to others who have posted anguished messages on this site.)
On c0vid, don’t forget the virus can show up upto two weeks after exposure. So how accurate would a test be if a person was exposed on the same day of travel or even a bit earlier? Person will already be in Hawaii with a negative test result.
I was telling my husband that today. If a traveler comes to the islands from NY, how many airports and different airplanes are they on before actually arriving here. Potentially being exposed all along the way. I live on Kauai and was planning on an Alaska trip this month I cancelled because it just isn’t worth the risk of catching it and bringing it back to the islands and my family.
Well said. If everyone had your attitude the C19 outbreak in the US could have been controlled long ago.
I had plan and booked for whole family 12 adults and 4 children since 7/2019 a vacation would be on 5/2020. Then had been reschedule until 9/2020. Now with the new requirements for testing like that, sorry Hawaii I just canceled the trip. Luckily, I got the full refund from rental house, cars, but credit from Hawaii airlines. I don’t want to deal with that headache anymore.
I found a test sight that may be a solution to the problem. Vaulthealth.com has an FDA approved Saliva test that is taken in the home with a professional from vault health walking you through the test via Zoom. You then overnight the test to them, and results are back to you within 48-72 hours. It is available to residents of all 50 states, and you do not need to have symptoms to take it. It was tested alongside the nasal swab test, and results were identical. This is not the anti-body test, but the actual test to see if you are carrying the virus. We will be coming to Kauai in September, and are hoping the Hawaii government accepts this test. I know two people who have taken it, and it was simple, and in one case results were back in 24 hours. Let’s hope this is a solution.
how much did the test cost you?
$150 per test.
In Austin TX we can only get testing if we already show signs of C0vid. What do we do???
I am also from Austin and you can do the home test from Vault Health that i commented on earlier. I also believe you can go out of the county to Williamson and they might have different rules there.
Are there drug stores that can do tests that can give faster results if
a person is planning travel for vacation to Hawaii? Hopefully you have better
sources for investigation. Thanks for helping people find answers.
Aloha,
Jean
Hi Jean.
We expect to have more answers in the next week.
Aloha.
Some of these rapid tests have a 48% false negative. If your test is negative, it is recommended you retest. There is no perfect test. Hopefully someone is looking at the data and prepared for some new cases. Hawai’i is going to have to learn to function is the C0vid era.
RAPID TESTS are the Antigen Test…. NOT the PCR C0VID 19 test that Hawaii is demanding.
June 30th…. Day 5…. still no answers…. BUT, my condo wants to charge me the additional $800 which covers the SUMMER SEASON costs! I rescheduled from May. The costs are getting higher and higher… How much will these C0VID tests cost, if and when a location in the mainland ever appear?
Hi. We hope to travel from the UK, our flight is 1 August. I would really like clarification please on if the test is required 72 hrs before our 1st flight (we have a layover in LAX, takes us near on 24hrs to get there) or 72 hrs before arrival in HNL?
Hi Clare.
We’re awaiting clarification from the state of that. Stay tuned.
Aloha.
Basically the Governor is saying we really DON’t want people to come back to Hawaii from the mainland yet. Tests are not available on the mainland unless you have at least three symptoms and results are not back within the 72 hour timeframe. This is an impossible request.
If they really are serious about opening the state back up to visitors, they need to develop realistic parameters and regulations. Please keep us posted and pass on this info to the powers that be.
Hi Karen.
Thanks and will do.
Aloha.
You didn’t answer the question as to whether children will have to be tested.
This is ridiculous! My uncle just got tested and it’s been 7 days and no result back yet! I don’t need to EVER go to Hawaii again! He is going to bankrupt the state !
[Edited] Good glad you wont ever go again. More room for those of us who dont mind a little sacrifice so we can spend time in paradise.
The state of Hawaii has said they are working on a testing arrangement with pharmacies on the mainland that Hawai’i bound travelers would use. Without this arrangement I doubt travelers will plan travel as it needs to be a streamlined process . I hope they figure this out soon .
WOW! At least a tiny bit of good news!!! THANK YOU, Tim!
I live in Canada and was supposed to go there in September. I can’t just get a test unless I have symptoms and the results take 2-5 days so no guarantee it would be ready. Hawaiian Airlines has already said that I cannot get a refund, only a voucher good until the beginning of March 2022. I will also lose a portion of my condo rental for cancelling. They need to offer something better if they “actually want” the tourists to return.
There are many travel bloggers discussing the Hawaii issue. Some readers were claiming it’s quick and easy to get tested right now citing their own experience. Others not so much. It is still over a month away before Hawaii opens and I think we’ll see the testing becoming more and more readily available.
Residents are enjoying this special time at our beaches and parks. Once the Federal handout of the extra $600 a week stops it will be a different story. I’d say it was good timing getting that extra money into the State.
My husband and I got tested at Walgreens two weeks ago. can I use the test results if we’re coming in March we were supposed to come in September but it’s too soon for us to come because we have a feeling not a lot of things are going to be open when we get there
Hi,
Thanks for all the updates. This is really frustrating. Another issue is that the test is not perfect. I work in a hospital and the rapid test they used proved to be only 43% accurate so they stopped using it. The original nasopharyngeal swab test had a higher accuracy of about 75% but still far from 100%. I don’t have the answers but I sure wish we could get back to Hawaii soon to visit my (Military) daughter and family. I miss them so much. Please continue to keep us informed and keep up the great work you do!
Sincerely,
Julie
Hi Julie.
Stay tuned as we all learn more. Thank you!
Aloha.
So,If the State requires the TEST within 72 hours of a FLight, and Most results take 5 days which is more than 72 hours, JUST HOW are you supposed to Fly???
Thank you Beat of Hawai’i, for the amazingly accurate updates.
The only clear thing about this mess is that no one knows what to do.
Then today there’s news from China about a new strain of flu.
Why not, ugh.
Aloha to all, and stay safe out there.
Hi Pam.
Thanks for your nice words and all of your comments as well!
Aloha.
You do a great job keeping those of us on the mainland apprised of the dire travel situation in Hawaii. I agree with the three comments that appear in the update posted on June 29th. Seems as if Hawaii authorities are making promises they can’t possibly keep. Maybe it’s time to recall Gov. Ige and the boys in the band. This is ridiculous.
Hi Dale.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Thanks as always for the very helpful information and perspective that you provide!
With a heavy heart, we just canceled our 2 1/2 week trip originally booked for early Sept because we just don’t think this is the right time for our next visit to the islands.
We have no issue with the idea of getting tested. Or wearing masks. Or soc. distancing. But a number of factors are giving us pause:
– Uncertainties around the ability to get a test result within the allotted time frame , and the financial risk associated with not getting results in time and either not being able to come at the last minute (and lose a significant amount of non-refundable $) or having to quar antine.
– We all know that cases in HI are likely to rise within a few weeks of the reopening. The Aug 1 ‘reopening’ start puts the likely first brunt of that right around the time we are scheduled to arrive, and we think there is a strong likelihood that the quar antine could (and, understandably should if there is a big surge) be reintroduced in that early Sept time frame.
– We’re from California, and although we ourselves continue to be VERY careful, we’re extremely disappointed in the reckless behavior of many of our fellow Californians (and fellow mainlanders) and see the reality of the rapidly rising number of cases — not just from our state but from many others. This means not only heightened risk to us from others on the plane, but a chance that if we were infected during travel that we could unwittingly represent a risk to the people of Kauai.
– If there is a surge, we think there would be an understandable reaction to visitors from residents who are concerned about the spread.
I love the islands (born and raised on Oahu) and especially Kauai like no other place in the world. We hope that next year we can resume our trips to Hawaii (we usually visit every 1-2 years, basically as often as we can afford.)
Aloha,
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn.
Thank you for all of your comments!
Aloha.
I think… the tests need to be 72 hrs before you leave the mainland…negative? then you get in
Make Las Vegas a hub and you will get results in 24hrs or less.
Aloha,
Any information on kids being tested? What age has to be tested? CVS only does testing for 18+.
Mahalo
Hi Julie.
Great question. We haven’t yet seen the answer.
Aloha.
Help, flight to bug Island on Aug 2, can’t find a place to test with 72 hr results, also most only test person with sysphoms. What will happen if we arrive with a negative test results that was taken 4 days out not 3 days? 4 days sites will guarantee a results to travel with. CVS in CA isn’t testing for travel needs. I’ve email Hawaii Governor office for help no reply.
I received a reply from the Governor’s Office – a non-informative reply but a reply nonethless
I work for cvs and I am unable to get an appt due to no symptoms , no body else in town are offering testing , cvs is also booked for over a week or so !! It will be impossible to do the testing within 72 hours , there has to be another way so we can travel to Hawaii , I have rebooked twice already ! I did the antibodies test and it was negative but I’m sure that won’t count !!
So i take my test, get a negative result and spend the next 72 hours exposing myself unintentionally of course… and this solution works how?
This is no different than what was before in place, the only thing the governor did was open to mainland travelers knowing they cannot Obtain a test within 72 hours. And if you do it’s not foolproof because you may test negative 72 hours prior but on the plane you may be exposed to someone who is asymptomatic!! And then what?
Here in the LA area there are no rapid testing sites at all there are a few up in the northern area of the state and that’s it so just another ploy to keep mainland visitors out. Nothing has changed.