Hawaii official suggests visitors to Hawaii be tested 3 days before arriving. Many questions remain.
97 thoughts on “Testing Visitors to Hawaii: Will It Work, When Will it Happen?”
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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