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.
And AFC CARE link only works for portland..not the afc care local in ca
So if I use an AFC care in Ca am I ok ? Who the heck knows
Thank you for keeping your readers abreast of the confusion. One thing that is unclear about the comments is whether they relate to outbounds or inbounds to the State. I’m planning a trip to HNL and returning from SEA so am interested in requirements to HNL but not knowledgeable about any requirements concerning leaving the State.
Hi Tom.
Thanks. There are no requirements for leaving Hawaii.
Aloha.
Can we also get a clear cut decision about Inter- Island travel. There are 9000 articles about what they want to vs what they are going to do. Its all over the place…The mayors need to figure it out..but its way more confusing.1 Island doing X. another doing x….quarantine on this island, not on the other…test accepted here..not there…Lets figure this out!
I have no current desire to plan a future Hawaii trip and put money at risk (from a family that has been there 16 times this century) until there is 100% clarity from the Hawaiian Government as well as at least a 6 months period to see how things pan out. I am beginning to think that 2021 travel may not be realistic considering the current disastrous trend. Best to All!
This Covid testing has given many people sleepless nights.
Everyone wants to comply, but there don’t seem to be any
set rules or instructions that give peace of mind.
I am visiting relatives and do not want to force them to
Quarantine. Just want to come masked and with my test results
and enjoy your beautiful Island of Oahu. Please help us do just that
enjoy all that is to offer within reason.
Thanks, Jean S.
Hi Jean.
We’ll have another update on testing coming out today. It is frustrating and confusing for sure.
Aloha.
I’m probably out of line and if so, apologize. But I really wish you would not have shared about the turtles down at Poipu. The crowds are now ridiculous. How does one stop people for taking 1 or 2 home?
Love to you both-
Hi Pat.
Thanks. We both still remember fondly all of the time we spent together.
Aloha.
All PCR tests are NAAT. If you go to Walgreens or one of the other testing providers, and it’s a PCR test, it counts as an NAAT. I’ve had many PCR tests at several providers over the past few months (as part of surveillance testing) and the lab reports always say “PCR-NAAT”.
If it’s *not* explicitly called a PCR test, it’s probably a “rapid” test, and it’s likely either the Abbott ID Now machine being used (which is technically a type of NAAT as well, just not using the PCR method) or an *antigen* test, which isn’t PCR and isn’t NAAT and wouldn’t be accepted by Hawaii.
PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction. NAAT stands for Nucleic Acid Amplification Test. Basically, it’s a test for the DNA of a virus (DNA itself means “Deoxyribonucleic acid”). There are several methods for “amplifying” the nucleic acids in DNA to detectable levels, and “polymerase chain reaction” – aka PCR – is one of those methods.
There are other ways to amplify DNA, including quicker ways like the Abbott ID Now system, which basically amplifies DNA in a simpler, quicker process (that’s why it can be done in a tabletop machine in around 20 minutes), at the expense of some accuracy (it misses more positives than PCR).
Antigen tests, on the other hand, aren’t NAAT, or PCR. They don’t require a lab or machine at all. They basically look like a pregnancy test – expose the nasal or spit sample to some liquid, let it soak up a strip of paper, and the paper turns a color, indicating that proteins in the virus are detectable. These tests are very cheap and quick (no lab required), but they have a lot of false negatives (meaning, lots of reported positives that actually aren’t positives) – the governor of Ohio notably had a positive antigen test that was later confirmed as negative with a longer PCR test.
Basically, look for a PCR test. They take the longest – at least 24 hours due to lab work, but they are the most likely to be acceptable to Hawaii.
Thank you for this info!!
Aloha!.. do you know if we go to Maui for one week with a negative Covid test result (which we’re still trying to figure out from where and exactly when we should get it to be within the 72 hours of “when we arrive”..??).. do we need to get tested again before we fly to Kona on Hawaiian Airlines for our second and final week in Hawaii?? Thank you so very much!!
Hi Tammy.
The interisland protocol is still being worked out. Currently, it would require a 14-day quarantine.
Aloha.
The confusion about the big island finally got cleared.
They are not opting out of the pre-travel test program (phew).
Nearly impossible to find a place to get tested. We know of a place, but it isn’t a “trusted partner.” We don’t have a lot of choices.
Thank you BOH! Truly, your updates have provided a wealth of information.
We had tests scheduled w/a lab that meets all the criteria and is often used for international travel for passengers traveling out of LAX, but since they are not on the list we cant use them. In looking at the list – Kaiser is viable – if you are a member. Thank you to Lou who said that I can take it if we tell them required for travel. Quest – will not say it can be completed in 72hrs and in the 24hrs since the announcement they raised the test price. Hawaiian Airlines partner – they say it can take “up to 72hrs” for results from the time they RECEIVE the test via mailing it. Well, that is a no go, as it is resonable that it will take at least 1 or 2 days to get to the lab. Walgreens offers one site in San Diego County and they are running 4 days. I will wait for CVS announcement on Sat – if not viable we will cancel.
Hi Stacey.
Thanks. You didn’t say when you will be coming to Hawaii. It is likely that these issues will get resolved once this gets underway.
Aloha.
We travel on 10/19.
Thanks,
Stacey
Hi Stacey.
That date is a little soon after reopening to expect all nuances to get resolved. But please let us know how it goes!
Aloha.
Hi Stacy L,
Just want to clarify your comment on the Hawaiian Partner. If you are flying Hawaiian, Vault will turn around a test in 24 hours after they receive the test sample. It’s a mail in test that is overnighted to you and returned via UPS overnight. It costs $150 and they don’t direct bill insurance. So for example if you take your test Monday and send it overnight, you should get your results by Wednesday. You have to specifically put STAT on the return package with your flight time and flight number. They are the only partner I’ve contacted so far that actually seems like they are aware of their partnership with Hawaii and is making accommodations. You should order your test ahead of time to make sure you get the results back. I’m going to use them next week so we’ll see. But I do like that all of the reps seem to know the urgency of the Hawaii travel restrictions, unlike most of the other preferred partners I’ve spoken to.