Hawaii official suggests visitors to Hawaii be tested 3 days before arriving. Many questions remain.
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97 thoughts on “Testing Visitors to Hawaii: Will It Work, When Will it Happen?”
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Hawaii official suggests visitors to Hawaii be tested 3 days before arriving. Many questions remain.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
I’m sorry I must say that the tests are not saved for the most vulnerable in our society but for the most valuable in our society such as the White House and their group.
Not just the White House. I would imagine that anyone with enough money and power can buy a test. Regular people cannot – especially the unemployed- cannot.
Personally I don’t have a problem being tested prior to travel. I am concerned of the cost of such testing and that it could outweigh the ability for many people to travel. And would we have to be tested every time we fly? So many questions out there and so few answers.
On another note, most of us frequent fliers have periodically been uncomfortable being on a plane where people around us have been coughing and sneezing and sometimes vomiting. I love the idea of everyone having their temperature taken before entering an airport or at least prior to boarding. It should have been instituted years ago. It’s no fun catching a cold or the flu and this could really lower that possibility.
I work for a local government agency and follow the protocol for distance, face mask, washing hands, etc as per our mayor’s recommendation.
This is just an extension of what we did as a family prior to this; my wife always had hand wipes and we used it wherever we went.
Plus, when I was growing up, my parents always told us to wash hands before we eat, after playing outside, after using the rest room.
It surprises me that basic hygiene has been lost to some of the masses.
here’s hoping for a visit in MARCH to Kauai. gonna try. missing my islands but…want all to stay safe and healthy and keep the numbers flat in the islands that I love. keep up the good work, your website is terrific
Hi Mary.
Thanks for the nice words, and thank you for your many comments.
Aloha, R/J
There are so many issues with how Hawaii is dealing with this, and the rest of the country for that matter.
First and foremost, the constitution provides an American citizen with the same rights of any state citizen when traveling to that state. That means that travelers, by law, can not be treated any differently than a citizen of the state they are traveling in.
Secondly, a required test is likely a violation of HIPPA rights. An airline agency has no legal right to access my private health information.
And if we are honest, the vast majority of people DON’T have this. Currently, if you follow the numbers, less than 10% of those tested end up having it. If you consider the fact that the only ones tested are those with symptoms that would lead one to believe they have it, the reality is hardly anyone actually does. Yes you can say not everyone that has it gets tested, and all that, but the number remains pretty small, and lately has been declining across the country and several parts of the world.
Cant we trust that this will remain on everyones radar for a long time and that now that we know better, collectively we will do better. Dont you think that if someone has symptoms, they will be proactive about keeping their distance, getting medical treatment, etc. without being forced into arbitrary mandates that are not implemented fairly and mostly a violation of our rights? Like letting big box stores be open while telling local businesses they have to close. Are we any safer in a crowded walmart than we are in the corner store? Or safer golfing because the city gets revenue from it, than we are sitting on the beach which is currently illeagal?
We need to really start questioning these choices and looking at them through the lens of our constitutional rights.
Couldn’t agree with you more, Amy. Unfortunately the fear mongering every day on the newscasts and other sources has people in a state of hysteria where they are more than happy to give up their rights that earlier Americans fought and died for.
Perhaps some souls capable of critical thinking might realize that this is the same old game, taken from a playbook that goes back centuries. Scare, then manipulate and control.
I am embarrassed for Hawaii. We try to keep out our fellow citizens but have no problem taking their federal dollars.
“Constitutional rights” … truer words were seldom spoken. W/out our Constitution, we are no longer a freedom loving Country …
He never heard of “The Vi rus” or “testing”, but none other than Benjamin Franklin said: “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Thanks for your words, Amy J
TSA? Any different than post 9-11?
Iceland is planning to implement testing on all arrivals (possibly only Schengen area but maybe all – the article wasn’t clear) from mid June. Results available in 3 hours. You can either wait at the airport or travel to your hotel to isolate and wait for results. You will also be required to download their contact tracing app. The alternative is 2 weeks in quar antine.
As a way of starting travel again, I would be most delighted.
Rational and a way forward with safety, read the same article. Thank you
Unfortunately, right now, there are really only two options: 1) wait for a proven vaccine and a therapeutic (and watch the Hawaii economy implode), or 2) permit visitors with some testing and enforce restrictions (but not a 14-day quar antine). Without a vaccine, you simply cannot reopen travel and expect no consequences (new cases). You can’t have zero new cases and a reopening of the economy without a vaccine. They’re mutually exclusive. It’s the classic line of “pick your poison”. Sorry.
P.S. My wife & I should be on Day 3 of our 3-week vacation in Kauai.
So first treat tourists brutally then try to force tests on them as a condition to return and spend their hard earned money in Hawaii?
In the Aloha state there isn’t much aloha for tourists these days. But when locals run out of cash and start riots because tourists don’t come back? Hawaii looses!
Money matters alot more than Aloha. And whats the saying burn me once, shame on you….. I think the situation has been handled extremely poorly. Hawaii will have to learn respect with its lifeblood or the tourists that did not come to hawaii with any ill intent and are innocent
Hawaii now has the lowest per capita infection rate and the lowest per capita death rate of any state. Please understand that public health measures work in an environment of no treatment, no vac cine. This is not about “freedom” or the heavy hand of government. Hawaii is a small, vulnerable state that must protect its people, and eventually this to shall pass. Patience and freedom are equal virtues.
I think testing is fine . I just got tested today and it does take 7 days. so they would need to help us fond a place that does the fast one. I also think temperature and masks on planes.
Thanks
I was tested Saturday and it took 10 minutes for the results to come back negative
But even if you get tested, which violates my HIPPA rights, you can test negative and still be a carrier. My family and I are coming in to Hawaii in late July, I sure hope we can come. I am sorry, I don’t believe I should be tested to come to your state and spend money. If you want to keep your doors closed, fine. I prefer swimming in fresh water than salt water. I don’t believe that Hawaii should have the right to test me and then decide if I can come. Too bad, I was really, really looking forward to coming.
It will be like checking off all the boxes for pet arrivals – rabies test, vet visit, clean bill of health. The “war” on this disease is lost if we let fear take over and not let nature run its course.
I am a senior citizen – one that is most at risk, and so it should be up to me if I want to shelter at home and become a Rapunzel. My chances of getting the disease would go up if we return everyone’s life to normal, and my chances of dying are higher than young people, but even so, it is a small chance – anywhere from .02% to 1%.
Meanwhile, our tourism based economy is taking a beating that it will take months, if not years, to recover. The irony of this is that the ones who come out the most unscathed are us retired folks.
I am really sorry that everyone has to cater to my senior status. This old lady says, let’s just accept the risks of life and try to make the best of it rather than become ostriches and avoid them. I miss the tourists, and they miss Hawaii.
I agree 100%
Well said, Auntie … thanks for your words.
Awww. You are the first local to say you miss us!! I grew up on the islands and after a very long time, have returned multiple times in the last two years! My heart has come alive again, until all the negativity over people coming. I changed plans from a week on Kauai to a week on Oahu and a week on the Big Island for October but have been apprehensive in bringing my family so they can be given stink eye and no Aloha. You, Aunty have warmed my heart with true Aloha once again. Thank you! ❤️
There’s been false positives with the tests that take a week for results. Are the 3 day tests any better? The instant tests aren’t. That said, Hawaii is part of the United States and we are not required to have papers, shots or tests to travel.
I am scheduled to come to Hawaii with my family June 29th for two weeks. One person’s opinion: I would happily get tested before coming in order to take a safe vacation and to keep the the residents of Hawaii safe. Actually, I’d prefer it so I know Hawaii is as safe as it can be. This assumes of course that tests are readily available.
Jeff
I agree!
We second this thought. We are scheduled for July 17th and we would happily get tested before coming in order to take a safe vacation and to keep the residents of Hawaii safe. However, the million dollar questions… are the tests available, can the results come back in time to make them useful and are they affordable so they can be scaled out to all visitors. In PA we can currently only get tested with a doctor referral due to symptoms. This needs to change. To me this is all about testing, testing, testing. Would it be possible and worth it for Hawaii to attempt something similar to Austria (all arrivals are tested) or Emirates airlines (all travelers are tested before boarding)? Sure the cost is tremendous but the gain of $ returning to the economy is even greater. True the quick tests are not always accurate but this is why you would continue with face masks and temperature checks in addition. All about minimizing the risk in an executable way.
WOW. 3-day testing. A completely false “security” premise brought to you by the government. And this will be the final nail in the coffin for Hawai’i tourism.
Disclaimer: I lived in the Territory in the ’50s/’60s, passed through there many times while in the Navy, was based there for 12 years while in the airlines. I still maintain a residence in the Islands.
Local realities: as economic generators — first the sugar cane industry was destroyed … then fishing … and then the pineapple industry. And now this … destroy tourism, too?? It’s almost like a self-inflicted financial death wish. How is Hawai’i going to survive financially? This isn’t rocket science — tourism and the jobs it provides is the last/best chance for the Islands …
To compare other airports’ worldwide procedures and “screening” practices — that are heavily subsidized and used by government protected airlines — is a false comparison with our situation. Our airlines have to make a profit or they don’t survive …
And the TSA is going to do any future “health screening”?? That’s a laugh … the TSA is one of the most dysfunctional parts of our government. That’s my opinion and first hand knowledge that comes from 30 years in the airline industry including first hand knowledge of airports, airlines, security procedures, and government “screening” …
Thank you for your update on potential airline safety procedures. My question is about the 3-day testing prior to flying to Hawaii. Since the safety issue isn’t passenger to passenger but rather crew to passenger, are airlines planning to test their crew the same way? Mahalo
Hi John.
We’ve heard conflicting reports on the airline personnel. They may be deemed essential, but airlines have told us they are flying dual crews to avoid the issue. How can it be both ways?
Aloha.
I wear a mask for 8.5 hours a day at work in a hospital. I’d gladly wear one on a plane for ONLY 6 if the reward is a Hawaii vacation!
After Pearl Harbor and 911, Americans from all walks of life banded together for the common good. Unfortunately, this has been politicized with a lot of finger-pointing and I don’t see it getting any better. Sadly, the common person who wants to go on a vacation to Hawaii and the workers of Hawaii who are down in the trenches are left out in the cold.
You are right that tourists will look for alternatives. The Palm Springs area and Catalina Island sure ain’t Kauai, but they have some beautiful resorts. There’s no way people will put a mask on for a 6-hour plane ride from the mainland.
Thank you for your website. I wish all were this informative.
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for this and your many comments.
Aloha.
Hawaii is part of the United States. Personally, I love Hawaii. However, what gives the local government of Hawaii the right to implement or require any kind of testing that is not required by any of the other states. Hawaii has the benefit of being surrounded by water, thus protecting them from citizens of the other 49 states. Testing would be the equivalent of the other mainland 49 states not allowing Americans to flow in and out of nearby surrounding states. How is it right for Hawaii to not allow American visitors into the state? I completely understand that the various states had to implement a mandatory stay at home order; for a period of time. That being said, it can’t go on forever. It’s time to open up and at least allow, fellow Americans to visit the state. Isn’t it the responsibility of the “federal” government to determine and implement what rules must be followed and requirements met in order to fly? Seems to me that Hawaii is quickly approaching the threshold of “federal” government involvement. Most of Hawaii’s people want to be able to return to work. Let them return to work and let visitors return to the beautiful islands and stimulate the need for Hawaii jobs again.
Mahalo!
Hi TJ.
Thanks for your many comments.
Aloha.
If United doesn’t give a refund for our June 4th flights I will surely get tested for whatever you want me tested fo, just so I don’t have to sit in the airport for two weeks. My condo reservations were cancelled weeks ago. (actually I have family I could stay with so I could at least get out of the airport). I’ll get tested every day for a week if you will let me ride da bus. Hey, is Da Bus running? Thanks, Jim
It doesn’t matter where you stand on the issue. There comes a certain point where people NEED to make a living. We can’t live on unemployment forever. The state can’t financially afford it. We will loose our homes and businesses (it is already too late for many). There is no perfect plan to start implementing tourism. Let’s not all act like we can afford to wait for a vac cine that may never come.
The assumption being that Where we live(Saskatchewan,Canada) we are Able to get a test just by asking. Here, in our city of Regina, we have had No new cases in a week and our province, only 6 deaths. 573 cases over all and only 193 active. Only 3 in intensive care. We are hoping to visit in Oct or Nov.
Robert
Please don’t open up flights to Hawaii yet we don’t need a Large out break of on the islands! Mahalo
How long do you think it will be before we can fly without worrying about 14 day quar antine in Hawaii?
Here’s a thought to gradually open the economy and local tourism. Hawaii is currently very low in daily infected numbers and, the infection rate is an average of .92, meaning on average an infected person transmits to less than one other individual. After lifting shelter in place on all islands, first allow/even encourage business travelers inter island for two months, measure impacts, then if promising, open the other islands for inter island “staycations”. The modest boost to the economy and another two months of wait-and-see would justify than domestic (U.S.)-only visitors for the balance of the year.
My question is… where does it stop. Test for this vi rus, leads to other.. do we test for TB, Flu, Measles, Pox.. on and on. Even other restrictions. Yes you are an Island but you are part of the USA.
People will go elsewhere or stay at home.
First thing’s first, nothing and I mean nothing is as important as herd immunity, no vaccine, testing, social distancing, hand sanitizer or masks work as good as high levels of herd immunity. That said, people will be infected, most won’t even know it, some will have mild to severe symptoms and tragically some will die. Unless we’re all traveling and living our lives in haz-mat suits with respirators..we all will come into contact with it. This comment comes from a bio-chem background with lots of microbiology as well. While all these restrictions may help a little, it’s not foolproof…for instance:a thousand vi rus particles can pass right through the cloth masks we’re all being forced to wear. I believe our state governors are power drunk and I for one can’t wait until November voting time. This state as well as many others should be open for business so the 30% or so of the people can get back to work and have a sense of pride again instead of being forced to wait in food lines for hours. We shouldn’t let the cure be worse than the disease. Take care everyone.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
In hindsight, we should have done very little in response to this, certainly not shut the economy down. Other than take steps to safeguard the vulnerable people, the goal should have been to develop herd immunity. We should have wanted it to spread fast. It would be interesting to know how many of those that had no or only mild symptoms, and how many deaths were really that. I think the overwhelming majority, nearly all of them, are of people that underlying co-morbidities, and they often count the death of anyone with this (or pneumonia) as a COVID death, even if that played almost no role.
And the number of new cases means nothing. Were they asymptomatic, had mild symptoms, or what?
My husband and I would be very happy to be tested right before boarding a flight to HI. I’ve been suggesting this for months. You can’t let any infected people in and this would help your beautiful State get back to work. WE are so sad about all the unemployment in Hawaii, but thankful your cases haven’t been as bad as in other areas of the country.
Y’all are making it WAY to difficult to come spend our money in your state. Time to find a new favorite place to visit.
I have an idea, but I’m sure I’ll get kickback from some folks. I think a good way to start the visitor opening would be with people who own timeshares or intervals. I am one of those, and if we can’t go, we will lose the opportunity completely, and it will be a financial loss. People like us have made a commitment to Hawaii, and we go every year. We go for 5 weeks each summer, between Hawaii Island, Maui and had planned to go to Kauai this year on July 17. I love reading all your articles and info! We absolutely love Hawaii! Mahalo
As a yearly plus visitor to Hawaii, I would not be willing to travel there, or anywhere, as long as the 14 day isolation requirement is in effect. It is a requirement I support so I guess I’ll take staycations until there is a vaccine. I’ll miss you beautiful Hawaii.
Maybe have people quar antine before going and certify to that effect? Whatever they come up with have lots of issues. But I understand that they don’t want to open things up all the way and get overwhelmed by a huge spike in cases with the limited resources there. We’ll see whether we can go in August. Things will not be back to “normal” for a very long time I’m afraid.
Until you have a vaccine or effective therapeutics, it will be very difficult to resume travel without any infected visitors slipping through. A rapid testing program like the reported Abbott test seems to be the best bet. On arrival, take a quick test, quarantine in room until receiving results later that day.
One way to stop the lawsuits and encourage cooperation is to make pretesting voluntary… But if you don’t pretest, then you have two weeks quar antine…
Everyone will pretest. 🙂
To avid travelers coming to Hawaii, for a temporary solution, until the Vi rus issue is controlled, the Airline to increase the price of the tickets, How, the State of Hawaii should increase the landing fees, Ten times more or even twenty times more, the airline will charge the customers this landing fees, I’m pretty sure the Airlines will not want to pay for it alone.
I’ll do a test to visit if every resident does a test the day before I arrive as well to ensure locals don’t give it to me.
I am in complete agreement with the suggested 3 day testing along with any other requirements put in place for those on the islands. This is NOT the time to look only at our rights but the rights of our community population as a whole.
The more difficult the government makes it for visitors, more and more will choose somewhere else to vacation.
If I know that a destination – like Hawaii – has “difficult” or strict measures in place to help control vi rus infection and spread, I am even more likely to travel to that destination. I love Hawaii and this newsletter!
Hi Glenna.
How can we not say a big thank you!
Aloha.
I agree. We are already beginning to research other vacation options. Hassle is NOT what I want on vacation. Testing, masks, no food – nope. Never thought we would ever consider NOT visiting Hawaii. But…… enough is enough. Viruses will always be with us. I think there is something else feeding this frenzy that trying to save lives.
We’re about to get a real-world (U.S.) test on whether making it easier to travel, shop, mingle with few restrictions results in what Fauci described today in the Senate hearing or what Rand Paul hopes. So, yes, restrictions might reduce the numbers of travelers, but they and the islands would undoubtedly be safer. It’s a personal decision for you. If you are willing to take the risk and another state or country has no problem, then by all means…
In California we are in our 9th week of SIP. If we had the vi rus, even asymptomatic, it would be gone by now. You currently cannot get a test unless you have symptoms or you are a first responder. Even if we could get the test , if taken 3 days prior to boarding a plane you could still be exposed between the testing time and the flight time.
If Hawaii wants to require tests then they need to come up with a way to test everyone before boarding the plane and it can not be an additional cost to the traveler. Why can’t airlines/airports use the Abbott test that has results in 13 minutes or less?
Testing is available in a lot of states- California is one of them. I’ve posted the link below. You do not need to have symptoms to qualify for a test. Also, every time you leave your house, you could possibly be exposed to so you have to restart the two week countdown again. https://www.projectbaseline.com/study/covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR2BjA9dUrvGb2MhJwWikbjKTY09ebg3tp_uBBneEhjr3WSbqYvJSk_ZtN8
Do you seriously expect 200 passengers (guess-timate) to take a 13 minute test before boarding a plane for Hawaii? Let’s do the math.
200 flyers x 15 min per test = 3,000 min… 1 tester no break, two min between passengers.
3,000 min / 60 min = 50 hours
How early do you want to get to the airport?
Does not pass the logic test
How the travel industry reacts and implements health-focused measures will be THE most direct effect as to how quickly the Hawaii economy begins its slow but gradual climb back to economic health.
I would absolutely never allow myself to be tested at an airport other than having my temperature taken. Personally I don’t think it’s going to do any good because you could still be contagious without showing any sort of symptoms. As for air travel, I cannot imagine wearing a mask for a five or six hour flight. It drives me crazy just have to deal with it in the store.
Randy. Hawaii is an Island, they cannot risk people coming from everywhere bringing the vi rus into the sate. When will people realize this not just about you, it’s about you unknowingly spreading the virus to other people. How can people not possibly care about that, just so you can have a vacation? No one will ever wake up until they are staring down at a loved one’s tumb stone. That’s how it always happens unfortunately.
We agree. Nope. Nada. We are planning a nice road trip to the mountains or the Gulf of Mexico.
Darn those personal liberties!
While testing three days may be one step, it still will not prevent this from entering the islands. Multiple testing times – before flying, upon arrival, several days after arriving will only identify those that have it and then the tracing begins. Poor Hawaii just does not have the resources to even test all their own residences, alone adding thousands of daily visitors and then follow-up again if they are positive for tracing.
Hawaii has Great Resources for establishing self immunity.
Sunshine, Vitamin D, fresh air.
The immune compromised, elderly, etc. are always at higher risk for ANYTHING – including the annual flu. 20,000 – 50,000 die in the USA EACH YEAR from it. No one panics. Everyone else recovers. Personal Immunity is the answer to all this and that comes from exposure – not hiding.
Poor Hawaii indeed….and getting poorer every day the draconian lock down continues
I have reservations for June 13th, flying in from California, rural area with few cases. I would be glad to cancel my trip if the condo would refund me my money, but they won’t! Purchased travel insurance, but doesn’t cover pan demic. The test only means you do not have it at that time. I don’t think this is a good idea.
You should post the name of the condo so we can all ‘skip them’ if we ever visit Hawaii again. I know they are desperate, but the least they could do is let you reschedule.
Hi
Wondering why the people won’t refund your money on the condo? Did you rent through a company like VRBO, AirBnb?
They have been really understanding about taking care of cancellations during this awful time.
I’d also suggest you call your credit card company.
Ron