Since Hawaii officially reopened to visitors last October, the rules that apply to visitors seem to be in a constant state of change, which, to say the least, can be challenging when planning a Hawaii vacation. To help, we try to keep this post updated as things change, so check again for more information. This was last updated on April 13, 2021.
If you read our post before, here is what has changed since the last update.
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- Mandatory 2nd test on arrival coming to Maui.
- New testing partners announced.
- Kauai has rejoined Hawaii Safe Travels as of April 5.
- Update on vaccination travel plans.
What about Hawaii travel for those who have been vaccinated?
At this time, there is simply no definitive plan from the state on when and how travel for those who have been vaccinated will begin. We will update that as soon as that has been decided and expect to hear more this week. Estimates provided by the governor and lieutenant governor have suggested an implementation time between spring and late summer. Plans are being finalized at this time.
Interisland testing waiver is pending.
There has been no further clarification from the state of Hawaii on upcoming changes to interisland travel rules. Until further notice, those traveling to any Hawaii destination other than Oahu are required to have an approved COVID test from a “trusted partner” within 72 hours of travel.
Those passengers traveling interisland to Honolulu do not require a test. All interisland testing requirements will likely be eliminated in the near future, but that has not occurred yet.
Travel to Hawaii still starts with COVID testing.
The bottom line here is that you need to be sure that you test within 72 hours of your transpacific flight to Hawaii and that the Hawaii-approved partner you choose will reliably deliver results before your departure. Period. Costs for testing are borne by the traveler and can vary from free to $250 per person. If you are testing by mail, start immediately at 72 hours since you need to return the test kit in time to have the results obtained before departure.
The state requires NAAT/PCR testing only, and nothing else is acceptable. Also, the test source must be one of Hawaii’s trusted partners, not any lab, even when it is the correct test. The specific language in effect is as follows:
“The state of Hawai‘i will ONLY accept Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS. A negative COVID-19 test result is required before departure to avoid quarantine in Hawaii.”
Tip: Below, we have a list of currently approved testing partners.
Follow all rules closely to avoid ending up in quarantine.
When first announced, Hawaii was more flexible about those who didn’t get test results on time, or even those who obtained them from the wrong source. Starting November 24, however, that changed. The state no longer makes any exceptions.
If anything goes wrong, you could end up having to leave Hawaii or enter the mandatory quarantine. Don’t let that dissuade you, however, as many visitors have come since then, and they have been able to avoid problems. On the other hand, there are nightmare stories of those who took the wrong test, obtained it from the wrong source, or took it a day too early, ruining their expensive and long-planned Hawaii vacation.
Register for the Hawaii Safe Travels program.
All arrivals 18 and older need to register through the Hawaii Safe Travels online program. That is a mandatory requirement.
- Negative test results must be in hand and uploaded to the Safe Travels website before departure on your flight from the US mainland to Hawaii. If you have multiple flights, the time is based on the last one that ends with your landing in Hawaii.
- A mandatory health questionnaire must be added to your Safe Travels account within 24 hours before departure.
The minimum age for testing is age 5. All travelers 5 and above must have a COVID-19 test and negative results through one of the state’s trusted testing partners. Note that some trusted testing partners test all ages, and others do not.
Thermal scanning. All arriving Hawaii passengers must have thermal temperature checks with imaging technology on arrival.
The QR code for your mainland to Hawaii flight will be required for presentation on arrival, as will the QR code for any connecting flight.
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines Pre-Clear.
These airlines’ Hawaii passengers can be checked before departure for Hawaii instead of on arrival. Your airline will verify your Safe Travels profile and provide you with a pre-clear wristband, which allows you to bypass airport arrival procedures in Hawaii. Visitors have uniformly raved about how much this has helped their arrival in Hawaii.
No cohesive statewide plan yet – so you must follow island-by-island rules.
Other than Honolulu/Oahu, each of the counties originally enacted separate and varying rules listed below, together with any special requirements. As of April, the state is acting more cohesively in its approach to travelers. The unified rules will be of great help to visitors in avoiding the frustration and confusion associated with travel rules.
Kauai regulations starting April 5, 2021.
Kauai rejoined the state’s Safe Travels program starting April 5, 2021. Visitors to Kauai must have a negative COVID test result from a “trusted partner” taken within 72 hours of departure from the mainland to the first point of arrival in Hawaii.
For interisland arrivals, a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival is required.
Big Island regulations.
In addition to the quarantine option, arriving visitors who have approved test results on arrival are free of quarantine. A second, free rapid antigen test on arrival at the airport may be performed, although these have been scaled back.
For interisland arrivals, a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival is required.
Maui (includes Lanai and Molokai) regulations.
Besides the quarantine option, Maui has been providing an optional free test three days after arrival on the island. That 2nd test is about to become mandatory, following the mayor’s request and the governor’s approval. An official start date hasn’t been announced, but it should be by the end of April.
For interisland arrivals, a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival is required.
Maui has also ordered that arriving travelers use a mandatory contact tracing app. Full details and how to comply with this requirement are contained in this post. You must have this uploaded to your phone prior to departure to Maui.
Honolulu regulations.
No special requirements at this time other than the statewide ones listed above.
How does the Hawaii 10-day quarantine work?
For those considering quarantine, or just so you know what (as David B. called it) “hard-time” looks like here are the rules:
- You are required to stay at your hotel (no vacation rentals allowed), except to leave for the airport or obtain emergency medical treatment.
- Food and other supplies will need to be delivered, and you will not be permitted to go out for shopping or any other errands.
- Any hotel space outside your room is also prohibited, including pools, restaurants, beaches, and gyms.
- Hotels will provide you with a one-time entry key so that you may not leave your accommodation and return.
- You are not permitted to rent a car while you are in quarantine.
- Violation of quarantine requirements can result in a fine of up to $5,000 or up to now a year in jail.
Travelers with stopovers in Hawaii.
If your flight requires you to stop in Honolulu (or Maui) before transiting to one of the other islands, the negative test within 72 hours of departure for Hawaii will be accepted to your final destination.
Tip: If you have an actual layover on Oahu or another island (i.e., you leave the airport), you will have to adhere to the additional testing requirements before proceeding to any island other than Honolulu.
Vaccination Passport Travel to Hawaii expected to start sometime between spring and late summer.
Currently on hold, and pending last week’s CDC vaccination announcement. It originally was to start in February. Discussions are in process as of 4/13 and we expect an announcement to be forthcoming.
Travel to Hawaii if you have recovered from COVID.
Read all the rules and how to obtain an exemption to allow you to travel here if you’ve recovered from COVID within the past three months.
Hawaii trusted testing partners.
US DOMESTIC
American Family Care (AFC)+
American Samoa Department of Health+
Atlas Genomics+
Capstone Clinic+
Carbon Health
CityHealth Urgent Care
Clarity Lab Solutions+
CLEAR (ONLY Delta DL 480 and United UA 1158 flights from LAX)
Color
Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation+
Costco/AZOVA+
CVS Health (ONLY www.cvs.com/selfpaytesting, not a different CVS website or walk-in)
Discovery Health MD
DLS Guam
Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
GoHealth Urgent Care*+
Kaiser Permanente (members only)University Medical Center of Southern Nevada+
UC San Diego Health
University of Washington Medicine+
Vault Health
Walgreens
WestPac Labs+
XpresCheck+
HAWAI‘I INTER-COUNTY
Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii
Costco/AZOVA+
CVS Health/Longs Drugs (ONLY www.cvs.com/selfpaytesting, not a different CVS website or walk-in)
Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS)
Hawaii Pacific Health
Kaiser Permanente (members only)
Minit Medical
National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i’s Consortium**+
S&G Labs Hawaii LLC
Urgent Care Hawaii
Vault Health
Walgreens
AIRLINES
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Oakland International Airport
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
CANADA
Air Canada
WestJet
Read Related Posts
Updated 4/13/21.
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Peter M says
Mahalo again for your excellent coverage of COVID travel to Hawaii. Is there currently any approved inter-island partner (that provides testing on the Big Island) who can provide results in hours rather than a day or more? Planning to stay on Big Island (for more than 3 days) prior to going to Kauai in May.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Peter.
We aren’t sure of the answer. Perhaps someone else can who’s tested on the Big Island can lend a hand. Otherwise, it will take checking with the test providers.
Aloha.
Lisa T says
Thank you so much for all the latest info! I am booked for a trip to Maui in March and hoping to make by following all the rules. I am still a bit unclear on the connecting flight rules. In order to get to Maui from Las Vegas on Hawaiian Airlines, they have you fly from Las Vegas to Honolulu and then get on another smaller plane to Maui. Is the 72 hours requirement from the departure time of the Las Vegas flight or from the departure time of the flight from Honolulu to Maui? They were not booked separately, it was booked as one itinerary. Please advise!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lisa.
You need to test within 72 hours of flight from LAS to HNL.
Aloha.
Lisa T says
Thanks so much! I asked this previously and saw the response wound up in my junk folder! Sorry for the extra email but mahalo for the answer! FYI , I asked this on a chat with Hawaiian Airlines and the rep said they did not want to interpret the DOH guides. The flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu and then to Maui goes every day… One would think that they know the answer! However I understand. It’s so confusing for us all. If not for the information that I get here at BOH I wouldn’t be traveling. Aloha!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lisa.
Thanks. Safe travels.
Aloha.
Cf says
No other state has confusion about their mandates and laws other than hawaii. They set them and notify the public in most states. Then it is either enforced or not. And it does not usually change more than once every few months.
Hawaii changes its mind and laws daily and has poor communication and organization issues all the time 24/7. It unfairly and strictly applies these random laws it creates through emergency proclamations. It marches to its own drumbeat. Hawaii does not follow what other states are doing. It does not give enough notice to the public and sends wishy washy mixed messages to everyone. Corruption is rampant in hawaii.
Angie S says
Thank you for compiling all the essential information in one post! We’re hoping for the best outcome, following the guidelines, of course, for our annual trip to Maui in March. Have a good week, thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Angie.
Thanks. Let us know how your Maui trip goes.
Aloha.
Teri V. says
I thought CVS opted out of Safe Travel Partner program. Are they back in?
Paul M says
CVS Health, on their “Voluntary COVID-19 testing” web page, currently posts the following text next to a yellow warning symbol, with the last part in bold text:
“We cannot guarantee a specific turnaround time on the lab tests accepted by Hawaii – travelers to Hawaii should make other testing plans.”
So, the initial CVS Health legal agreement with the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to be a “trusted testing partner” might still be in effect, so the DOH still lists CVS as a partner.
But CVS Health apparently has chosen, based on their reported challenges providing timely test results, to continue to offer the service, but also warn Hawaii travlers to obtain the service elsewhere.
David B says
“Violation of quarantine requirements can result in a fine of up to $5,000 or up to now a year in jail”
Don’t be this guy:
thegardenisland.com/2021/01/14/hawaii-news/judge-denies-bail-decrease-for-utah-man/
Katiemarie A. says
We are traveling to Hawaii, the big island, next month. My family all had Covid this month so we are going to opt out of testing, following all of the rules that Hawaii has set up. I know you need to show a positive test result and a note from your dr showing you are recovered. I know you need the note from your dr 2 weeks before your departure and it will take 1 week for the approval to happen. What I don’t know is if the positive test needs to come from a trusted testing partner or if it just needs to be a CLIA lab? Online, it just says a CLIA lab but the last thing I need is to not get the approval for my trip 1 week before we go. And then trying to get the test and approval in 1 week. Thank you for your help!!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Katiemarie.
Our read of it is the same as yours, that the positive test can be from any CLIA lab. You can always contact the state if you want further clarification.
ALoha.
Katiemarie A. says
Thank you so much! Is there a specific website or phone number I should use to contact the state?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Katiemarie.
There used to be a special number, but now their website says “For additional assistance, please contact 1-800-GOHAWAII.”
Aloha.
Bill M. says
How does the Hawaii 10-day quarantine work?
If I am a returning local….can I quarantine at home?
Mark M says
If our intention is to quarantine at our home on kauai, do we still need to test neg prior to departure from the mainland?
Betsy M says
Thank you for this concise list of CURRENT rules & regulations. Have you considered a job within the government of Hawaii? We all would be better off if you did! (But you would still need to maintain your essential website.)
I’m flying from California to Maui then to Lanai on January 27th. Had to cancel two previous trips to get back to my home. Keeping my fingers crossed for uneventful travel.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Betsy.
Thanks (blushing)! Hope your trip goes great. We appreciate all of your comments over the post 5 years.
Aloha.
Barbara B says
I have had the vaccine..2 doses…do I still need to take the COVID test 72 hours before I go to Maui?
Paul W says
One thing about the Kaua’i Regulations, I believe you do not have to use one of the preferred providers for the COVID test. They accept any test approved by the FDA: molecular or antigen.
Suzanna G. says
Dear BOH,
As always, your info is so timely & appreciated. With all your tips (and that of some other readers) we had a safe & enjoyable time on Maui late Dec. It was so nice, we are going to the Big Island for the first time early Feb. We have our tests already lined up with CityHealth at SMF. I do have one question. Since we are already registered with the Hawaii Safe Travels website, do we just download our new test results for new QR Codes? I assuming the systwm will let us. All the locals have so warm & welcoming. Also, what bicket list items do you recommend for the Big Island? We are staying at the Westin Hapuna Beach resort but have a rental car. (We’re not golfers or big hikers.) Thanks again! Suzanna
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Suzanna.
Thank you. As far as we know, your previously created account continues to work. Regarding bucket list for the Big Island, we’d include Hapuna Beach State Park, Hilo town for browsing and shopping, Mookini Heiau and seeing the manta rays at night.
Aloha.
Jim H. says
I was confused by your two statements in the “Stopovers in Hawaii”part. On the one hand you mention that if we stopover in HNL and our destination let’s say is Kauai, our original 72 hour negative test of departure to Hawaii would be accepted at our final destination. Where I’m confused is that your Tip says we would have to adhere to additional testing requirements before proceeding to any other Hawaiian island. I’m not trying to split hairs here but if you are just connecting to another island is that different than a stopover?
My family is headed to Kauai mid- June and we usually fly United ORD-HNL-LIH all in one day.
Thanks for all the great information you provide.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jim.
Thank you. If you are connecting, while we haven’t seen anything specified precisely from the state, it implies same day transfer. That is not a stopover, which implies leaving the airport, staying a night or two or longer, and then going to another island. Kauai, of course, has regulations that will current mean resort bubble, 3 days on another island first, or 10-day quarantine. June is a long time away in today’s world, so undoubtedly some of that will change.
Aloha.
Rebecca F says
Thank you – this is phenomenally helpful. I’m still, despite your excellent summary of the ever changing landscape that is travel during covid, confused about the required testing after arrival in Oahu if continuing on to another island.
Let’s say I fly on a Sunday at 1 pm. I get my mandatory test on Thursday at 130 pm and I’m in the 72 hour window.
I touch down in Honolulu from the mainland with plans to continue on to Maui that night on a different flight.
Do I need a second test, later that day on Thursday or on Friday morning?
My flights are different – different airlines and therefore technically separate. Any idea how that works?
Mahalo in advance.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Rebecca.
Thanks for asking. That is fine and no additional test is required. You will obtain two QR codes, one for each fight from the Safe Travels website.
Aloha.
Lynn L says
Important typo at the end of Para. 1: This was last updated on January 18, 2019. (2021!)
Beat of Hawaii says
Thanks Lynn.
Where did that come from? LOL.
Aloha.
Paul M says
Thank you for the comprehensive guide!
Your “2019” paragraph 1 typo is minor compared to the paragraph 1 typo in the Maui “Office of the Mayor” proclamation “Public Health Emergency Rules, Effective January 19, 2021,” which strangely describes the virus as an illness “with … no vaccine.” What?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Paul.
Thanks. Ours we fixed.
Aloha.
Ken says
If you should happen to arrive without your negative test results as they weren’t returned in time, can you reduce your quarantine period by getting a test (negative results) locally
Elaine C. says
We used Worksite Labs when we flew Hawaiian in December. They said the results would be available in 36 hours, and the results were available in 24-26 hours. In February, we are flying Southwest. Since we had such a good experience with Worksite, can we use them again and have these results accepted? Worksite Labs is not on the list above, but is a partner with Hawaiian Airlines.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Elaine.
As far as we know that is fine. Again checking with Worksite Labs and/or the state would further alleviate any concerns.
Aloha.
Jon D says
Aloha!
This is a great resource. Can explain where you get this QR code? “The QR code for your mainland to Hawaii flight will be required for presentation on arrival, as will the QR code for any connecting flight within Hawaii. A
Also, am I correct in thinking that Alaska’s Pre-clear doesnt apply to Kauai?
thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jon.
Thanks for that and more than 50 comments to date. We appreciate it. The QR code is obtained via the Safe Travels website. At this time pre-clear wouldn’t apply in that you only have the three options of resort bubble, 3-nights on another island first, or 10-day quarantine.
Aloha.
JWI says
Hi BOH. Regarding where to get the QR Code, maybe better update your post instead out depending on people finding out here buried in the Comments.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi JWI.
Thanks, updated.
Aloha.
Jenny says
Is there any chatter regarding when Kauai might relax its rules?
Tommy S. says
No 72 hour approved testing where I live so sadly I won’t be coming anytime soon even though I already purchased an airline ticket