Using the Hawaii Coivd website for Safe Travels to the islands? Many issues remain to be clarified.
204 thoughts on “Total Confusion Reigns on Hawaii Rules and Testing Partners”
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Using the Hawaii Coivd website for Safe Travels to the islands? Many issues remain to be clarified.
Comments are closed.
First of all THANK YOU to Beat of Hawaii for trying to keep us all up to date. Not sure what I would do without you!!
I’ve been online all day trying to figure out where to get my covid test for our 10/15 trip. I had NAAT tests scheduled at a CLIA certified lab per the Hawaiicovid19.com website, but apparently this may no longer be valid. I’ve contacted several of the approved partners and wanted to share the information I have found (but please check for yourselves because most people I’ve talked to were unaware of the deal with the State of Hawaii’.
– American Family Care: they have Abbot ID Rapid tests with results in 20 minutes (this appears to be an approved test??). The cost is $250 and they didn’t think insurance would cover it since it’s travel related. Only select locations (mostly West Coast).
-Carbon Health: Can only use their ‘Hawaii’ program if you are flying Alaska. Otherwise you can purchase their non-travel test but may take up to 5 days to get results back.
– Quest: They only administer tests through Walmart and CVS. But you can only test at Walmart if you have a doctor’s note or have symptoms. CVS as well, although they may have a Hawaii offering as of 10/10. Quest also said there are providers that may process their covid tests using the Quest lab, but they couldn’t tell me which ones and not sure if this is acceptable by the State of Hawaii.
– Vault: Can only use their ‘Hawaii’ program if you are flying Hawaiian. It’s a home test. They will overnight you test, you do a teleconference with them while taking the test and then overnight it back to them. If not flying Hawaiian, you can purchase their non-travel test but it may take 72 hours AFTER they receive the test (more expensive and longer turnaround).
-CVS: CVS website (Minute Clinic) says they will take self paid appointments as of 10/10. Nothing published about Hawaii and can only schedule tests 2 days in advance.
Hi Macie.
Thanks very much for sharing your experience, albeit frustrating and confusing at best. It seems that the state has to take responsibility for clearing this up with its trusted partners, hopefully, sooner than later.
Aloha.
Hawaii needs to stop confusing everyone with multiple sites with conflicting information. If anyone from the government or travel industry reads this, please take all but one of these pages offline immediately. Revise hawaiicovid19.com with the correct information and let that stand as the single site of truth and authority. The current communication efforts are laughable.
“A man with one watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never really sure.” One site only folks. Do it now now, now. People are arriving in a week, which means they need to be tested in four days and your lack of clarity has caused nothing but confusion.
Hi, I was able to schedule testing through Quest as one of the options in the questionnaire is that the test is being requested by a County Health official. On one of the many websites I have perused over the past 24 hours, the directions for being tested prior to travel to Hawaii indicate that as the response to provide for approval. I hope that helps!
I keep telling you fools that it ain’t gonna happen.
It is impossible to run a state when you either have your head buried in the sand.
Fools? That’s unnecessary, Jared. And again, thank you BOH for your timely updates.
Hi Claudia.
Thanks for your many comments.
Aloha.
Listen, its very obvious that Hawaii does not want any type of visitors or returning residents as the restrictions keep changing. I will not go to our home there unless my local county health departments nasal swab testing is accepted. Ridiculous that you would need to test prior then test again but only with those testing facilities accepted. What Hawaii are you receiving a kick back now? Very very discouraging..guess just have to wait until next year while I sit and watch all the locals suffer with their businesses and or local employment sad sad. Not in the best interest for the economy there. My opinion any how..
Does anyone know how to contact United in LA to learn about their testing program? I read they start testing at 9 A M, and that is when our flight leaves. I have called United, but I couldn’t get information I need.
United only testing at SFO for now.
United only has a testing program in San Francisco airport at this time. They are working to expand to other major airports but will not be up and running by 10-15-20. This info came from a United call I made today.
Appreciate the continued updates. Hope everything is sorted out by Thanksgiving. I’m glad that I insured my families trip.
Hi Grant.
Thanks. Please let us know how it all works out.
Aloha.
dear travelers
we can’t get any answers either or travel to another island without test or quarantine. Call the mayor’s offices if you want to speak to someone. at least here on Maui they answer the phone.
Ane T
Maui
Following BOH updates is like watching a soap opera, while doing drugs. LOL! But, thanks as always for keeping us updated!
This whole testing requirement is such a mess. And, is it really going to make the islands safer for tourists or residents? Not likely. So many ways for someone to get infected between testing (or even 48 hours prior to testing which would not show on the test) and the arrival in Hawaii.
Testing as a prerequisite for travel of any kind (flying, cruises, train…) is just not going to make a significant difference. It really is safety theater. No way I am going to try to plan a vacation around any such requirement.
I’ll continue to monitor updates from BOH to know when unreasonable restrictions are lifted and we can freely travel in this free country.
Hi David.
We are definitely in need of levity. Thanks!
Aloha.
I’m scheduled to fly LAX to Lihue on United October 16th. United only tests from SFO. Extremely frustrating that the main partner – CVS – has no info available until October 10th. In the meantime, I’m thinking better to use Vault, but need to order the test ASAP to arrive at my house on time. Some of their website says 24 hour results after receipt of test mailed back to their lab – others say 48-72, which will not work! However, their website has a graph that shows if you take the test on Tuesday and ship it back same day, then you will get results on Thursday. Should I risk it? I have to decide now in order to have it shipped to me on time.
Laurie G,
I spoke to Vault today. They said the 24-36 hour result is only valid if you are flying Hawaiian Air. Otherwise the turnaround could take 48-72 hours after they receive the test back via overnight courier. I’m in the same boat as you…flying from LAX to Lihue but on 10/15. Unfortunately I think it will be too late for me to wait for 10/10 to see what CVS is offering so I’ll probably have to try Vault and just hope I get test results before we board the plane. If you email Vault for confirmation, they are pretty good at responding. Good luck! We’re both going to need it!
Hi Macie – I don’t see how Vault can know I am flying Hawaiian or not. Just to be safe, I went on Hawaiian’s website and clicked on the Vault link which took me directly to Vault. There is never a question about what airline I am flying. I am optimistic, but may do a 2nd test at CVS as a back up….
Laurie G,
I ended up scheduling a Rapid PCR test from American Family Care. They have several locations in So Cal. The cost is $100 plus any insurance co-pay. The $100 is for the Rapid part (20 min results). If you are okay with waiting for the lab results (ie. not rapid), it will be insurance only and you shouldn’t have to pay. The turnaround is 2-5 days but the person I talked to said typically it is less than 3 days. Don’t mention it’s for travel, otherwise insurance won’t cover it and it will cost $250. It sounds like you went with Vault but since you’re looking for a 2nd test as a back up, maybe you can pick the lab results and live with the 2-5 day turnaround?? Good luck!
Macie – I ordered the Vault test at 2 pm Pacific Time today, and UPS just notified me that packet will arrive tomorrow before noon! Impressive so far – I’m feeling good about the 24 hour turnaround. This should work for your Thursday departure!
Thanks. Unfortunately I missed the 2:00 cutoff. If the test is not ordered by 2:00 PST on Thursday, it won’t be delivered until Tuesday. Since that would be cutting it close for me, I just went with American Family Care. Aloha!
Laurie G,
I spoke to Vault again this morning. If I end up using them, the rep told me to make sure to write STAT on the test sample with your flight number and departure time so they make sure they get it back to you ASAP. Just a FYI! I’m using American Family Care for most of us, but using Vault for my son who is at college.
What a mess! Who in their right mind would even consider a trip to Hawaii under these circumstances? Why would anyone want to be a ‘guinea pig’ with the very real potential for vacation disaster! Talk about stress! Nope. We will wait a year and then ‘maybe…….’ I feel very sorry for anyone who is planning travel in the next few weeks or months.
And what about we Canadians? None of those tests or partners are available to us! We live in Saskatchewan and our numbers are similar or lower than Maui. We are quite willing to do whatever testing would suffice but anything the government, Lt Green or Gov Ige, say about the tests, we do not have! We are hopeful of the Rapid test soon but so far our government has just ordered them not received! We have a little time 80 days till we leave but….
Robert A
I am a Canadian leaving Toronto for Maui on the 22nd a week later than originally planned.
One way is, at this time, to take the test at San Francisco Airport, courtesy of United Airlines. Just leave enough time between flights to get it done. This is what I am doing. Our Canadian Tests are not accepted!
Everything I have read states only visitors from the other states are allowed with the test. No one from, Asia, Mexico, Canada etc.
Having a relative who spent two months jumping through Canadian hoops, quarantine etc to join her fiancee, Canadians should understand.
If you do the test inside the USA, Canadians can bypass the quarantine. That is why we are flying via San Francisco to do the test at the Airport. The Hawaii Tourism Authority at 1-800-464-2924 can confirm that. A direct flight from Canada, e.g. Vancouver with a Canadian Test will not work.