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204 thoughts on “Total Confusion Reigns on Hawaii Rules and Testing Partners”

  1. Nathan G

    Hi. Has anyone taken the Walgreen’s PCR test in Hawaii yet? We took it last Fri for the purpose of traveling from Oahu to Maui (for today, Mon). Still haven’t gotten the results back though. I know they say three days, but just wondering if it took any longer for anyone else who has taken it.

    Thanks.

    1. Nathan G

      Update: We’re still waiting for our results from Walgreens, and it’s been greater than 72 hours. I found out that the tests are shipped off to the mainland to be processed, which is probably what is causing the holdup. As a result, I would highly recommend not using Walgreen’s test in Hawaii for interisland travel, just so you avoid having to be stuck in your hotel.

      Thanks.

  2. Vicki

    We took the Walgreens Rapid Test and it was accepted by Hawaii. The result page shows it is a (nucleic amplification test NAAT). We had our test results within 2 hours at the Walgreens we went to in Las Vegas. We wanted to be sure we had the test results back in time before our flight, so we had it done 2 days before. I had read that many people used the Walgreens rapid test before I decided to proceed with it. Enjoy Hawaii

  3. Misty B.

    I have a similar question to David P. regarding Walgreens’ (1) “PT-PCR Diagnostic Panel” and (2) “Rapid Point of Care (“POC”) Test”.

    I have read that #1 is a NAAT test, but am unable to find documentation as to whether or not we can rely on using #2. Any help would be appreciated.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Misty.

      We can’t say with certainty and would be happy to get input from readers who may have been through the Walgreen’s process.

      Aloha.

      2. Nathan G.

        Hi. Can anyone confirm if Walgreen’s RT-PCR test was accepted? We took that test on Friday in order to fly from Ohau to Maui. (Our flight is Monday morning – still have yet to get the results in, although, I know it’s supposed to take three days).

        Any help would greatly be appreciated!

      3. Nathan G

        Hi. Can anyone confirm if the Walgreen’s PCR test is accepted? We took that test on Fri in order to fly from Oahu to Maui on Mon. (Still haven’t gotten the results yet, although, I know it’s supposed to take three days).

        Any help would greatly be appreciated!

        Thanks.

    2. Mary C

      Misty,

      We arrived in HNL yesterday using the Walgreens COVID Rapid Test. No issues! It says NAAT on the ‘lab PDF‘ and you should print this after loading it into the required Hawaii Safe Travel Questionnaire. You only need to worry about filling in the areas with asterisks.

      Please have your questionnaire filled out, the barcode (they will send you once that is approved) on your mobile device, a photo ID and a printed copy of your Lab PDF results in hand when you land.

      You should have absolutely no issues!

  4. Chinni

    Aloha. I provided my COVID negative test one hour after leaving the airport on 10/17 and have yet to receive clearance (it’s been 4 days). I’ve tried every number I can find on all of the government websites but haven’t heard anything useful nor anything about timeline.

    Is anyone in the same boat or have any advice?

    1. David B

      Have you actually been quarantining? Is there someone supposed to be monitoring you that you can complain to?

      1. Chinni

        I truly have been quarantining – From everything I’ve read, I’m not allowed to leave my residence until I get my test verified. Those required to quarantine check-in daily with the location via the SafeTravels QR code side so there’s unfortunately no one I can directly ask.

        1. Leslie

          4 days in Quarantine!!!? You poor thing. I decided to rebook our family trip in November. Too much stress for me with a family of 6!!! I couldn’t take it. I pray things will get better for you. Keep us posted.

  5. Chinni

    Thank you very much for your help. Where did you find the contact form/which phone number did you call? Appreciate it.

  6. Mary C

    Anyone know if the 72 hours is being calculated from the time zone you take the test in or adjusted to time zone of last leg of trip? Example: test in Michigan on Wednesday at 1:00pm with last leg of flight out of Seattle at 10:30 PST on Saturday (which would be 1:30pm in Michigan)

    2. Shelli L

      We are leaving Michigan at 9am on Thursday dec 3. Our test is scheduled for 1030 am on Monday Nov 3. Were you ok with timing? We leave Denver at 12:15

      1. Matt K

        Shelli L: my family and I are running into the same issue you posted about. How did it go? Are they a stickler on the 72 hours? Because with my test in the ability to overnight the vials to Vault, it will be about 74 hours. Fingers crossed.

  8. Sandra S

    I just received my results from vault. I dont know what im suppose to upload to the Hawaii safe site? All I have from vault is a section where it says negative test result?? Does anyone know what we are suppose to upload? I board early tomorrow morning.

    1. Brad H.

      Even though it says that you must upload a PDF, just do a screen shot of your Vault results and upload it to the portal. YOu may also get a follow up email with the test results and you can upload that as well.

    2. Macie L

      Hi Sandra,

      I used Vault and agree with Brads comments. You should receive a more formal result in an email from Vault. I suggest you scan those results. But bring a physical copy as well since they check it upon arrival.

  9. Anil A.

    I looked at My Walgreens rapid test again. Now it says NAAT. I think they added it later on. We are landing at 5 PM today and I will update.

        1. Doug M

          Same here. Breezed right through, although the screening line was extremely long and took a little over an hour.

          1. Doug M

            Note that from 15-18 Oct, they had spontaneously announced that the stage wad accepting any compliant negative test results, not just from the trusted testing partners. Now that the 4 day “grace period” is over, it will be interesting to find out if the Walgreens rapid test is still accepted. I believe it will be, but not 100% sure.

      2. Dan G

        Hi Anil! So I just want to clarify you did the rapid POC from Walgreens and this was a NAAT approved test and you had zero problems getting into Hawaii with your results? How quickly did you get results?
        Thanks!

        1. Anil A.

          You are correct re test
          Results were in my inbox when I arrived gone from Walgreen – within 30 minutes

  10. Brad H.

    I landed yesterday, test results were not in yet so I was put into quarantine until negative test results (same problem with a lot of people on my flight). The test came in last night and I uploaded to the portal but it states that it needs to be manually approved but no instructions on how to get that approval. The only mention is to show test when arriving at the airport, no instructions on what to do if someone has already arrived. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get out of purgatory.

    1. Chinni

      I have had the same issue but have yet to figure out how to escalate that process. Were you able to figure this out?

      1. Brad H.

        Yes, 2 things –

        Document uploads will never change – take a look at your trip profile

        1) They will not contact you when they do update this
        2) If this is still not processed, fill out the contact form on the website or call anytime past 6 PM

        1. Chinni

          Thank you very much for your help. Where did you find the contact form/which phone number did you call? Appreciate it!

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