Tips, essential Rules, latest changes. Save Time and avoid Worry. What to know before traveling to Hawaii.
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595 thoughts on “Revised November 2021 Guide to Hawaii Travel During COVID”
Tips, essential Rules, latest changes. Save Time and avoid Worry. What to know before traveling to Hawaii.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Hi, we are coming to Kauai on the 30th this month. We live in Oregon and I see that Hawaii trusted testing partners for us is Walgreens, where live there is one (1) Walgreen would like to know if Walgreen is still one of your partners?
Thank you
Hi Howard.
We refer you to the state’s website for testing partners and all the options. https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/.
Aloha.
Dear Howard, I hope that you will have an awesome, fun ,& safe trip to Hawaii!! 👓📅👒🩴☀️🛩🌊👙👒🌈🥥🍍🏝
We have our flight on monday at 6.30pm that being said we can only take test after 6.30pm on firday. If i give test on saturday in AFC or Walgreens or CVS they are not assuring that i will receive the result before monday evening.
Any help is appreciated.
We did the ID NOW rapid test at Walgreens and had results in 3 hours.
Thank you
I got my results from Walgreens in three hours.
I needed a test for my disabled, non-mask wearing, Covid vaccinated daughter in order to fly. Walgreens in the Seattle area didn’t have availability for testing. We were able to use the City of Seattle’s testing program. Also bought a test kit at Costco to be extra covered. Both tests came back in 24 hours.
I think it’s easier to just get vaccinated.
Mahalo, BOH, for the info.
Hi Lanell.
Thanks for the feedback, and glad to hear it worked out.
Aloha.
Dear Abhiram, I hope that you had a very awesome & fun trip to Hawaii!!! 🌸👓📅🛩🩴☀️🌈 It will be my turn in 2023 & I’m getting very excited & can’t wait!! It has been my lifelong dream to go to Hawaii for my vacation 😍 take care of yourself!
If all goes well I will arrive home in HNL on October 12th. Just uploaded my CDC COVID-19 vaccination card to the Hawaii Safe Travels website and will get a PCR test the day before leaving Kuwait City for HNL, cannot enter through airport security here without it unless there are new changes here. Will have physical CDC card plus PCR test results in hand along with my Kuwait civil ID app that shows I am fully vaccinated per their COVID policies (which often change on a whim!). I love to travel but not like this!!!
Oh and thanks to all, your comments and information have been quite helpful.
@BOH and all … Just to clarify … please note the person who posted the above comments as “Paul M.” (with a period tacked onto the last name’s initial) and “Paul M” (with no period, replying to the Kuwait “Paul M.”’s original comment) are not me.
I am the “Paul M” who has been posting about visiting my son on Oahu and a few days ago shared my firsthand COVID-19 infection experience. I am a southern Oregon “Paul M” and I have never been to Kuwait.
Dear Paul, how was your trip? I’m sure you had fun! 🌈☀️🩴🛩📅👓🌸🎉🌊👒🥥🍍🏝🌍
Great info, thank you so much!
Is there a trick to submitting my vaccine exemption request? I have filled in the blanks, uploaded my vax card & “signed” my name but the “submit” button remains un-clickable.
Many thanks for any advice!
Update – I neglected to sign twice – thought the 2nd signature box was only if you were signing as a parent of a minor. That worked.
I used Walgreens for my trip.
Does the rapid test from Walgreens work for Hawaii? I leave on Wed and would have to get tested on Sunday and I dint know if my results will be ready I time. I’m finding it hard to find other labs that are accepted by Hawaii in Colorado. It’s very frustrating.
Short answer = YES
Long answer = at least you don’t live in New Mexico where we there isn’t a single Trusted Partner in the state that does Rapid Results. We have to drive to Phoenix!
Yes. Walgreens’ ID NOW rapid test is accepted by the State of Hawaii. It’s the one I’ve used every time and results come back in less than 3 hours.
Be sure to schedule your appointment on the Walgreens website. Not every Walgreens offers this test.
Can someone please clarify for me about the 72 hour negative covid test . I just want to be sure. My flight is on a Tuesday , if I can tested on Saturday will that be abiding by the time frame? I wasn’t sure if it would count Saturday as day 1. I’m certain im overthinking things but I would appreciate the clarification.
Thanks!
Hi Steph.
So that means precisely no more than 72 hours of the time of your “mainland to Hawaii flight.” So if you are flying Tuesday at noon, then you would need to test Saturday at any point after noon. If you have mainland connecting flights, disregard those.
Aloha.
Ok so my flight is at 7:50am on Tuesday so as long as I get tested after 8am on Saturday I should be ok??
@barbara this is my worry! I am hoping I can find a rapid test on Saturday or keep my fingers crossed the results will be in time. We are getting married Sunday before we leave Tuesday for our honeymoon so time is already at a crunch! Monday testing is on my mind as well. I plan on calling the testing sites approved to see what the best plan is.
Thank you both!
Hi Steph.
Yes, that’s correct, so long as the test result comes back in time. Rapid is undoubtedly the less stressful albeit potentially more expensive way to go.
Aloha.
STEPH A… BE CAREFUL with Saturday testing. Numerous labs are not available to process the test over the weekend so you might want to utilize Rapid Results testing on Monday and those results are not processed over the weekend.
Hi Barbara.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Aloha. Traveling back home from mainland, and would need to transit through Honolulu and head on to final destination – Guam. Di i need to get tested ?
Thank you
Hi Leilanie.
If you remain in the airport we understand the answer to be no. It would be best to check with your airline.
Aloha.
Hello, My husband and I are visiting Maui in a few days, with all this covid spiking again my concern is canceling of flights returning back to our state. I know I am probably overthinking this but, what if??
Any help I’m traveling goin to LA this coming august 17. Need to know what the procedure for lay over to hawaiin and what documents do I need to bring for travel . Thanks
Hi Celest.
The rules don’t change based on your layover. If vaccinated, then that wouldn’t impact you. If you are testing, it must be per the Hawaii Safe Travels rules and done within 72 hours of the flight from the mainland to Hawaii. https://beatofhawaii.com/ultimate-guide-to-hawaii-travel-during-covid/
Aloha.
Hi,
I am traveling to Hawaii in about 2 weeks. Before reaching my final destination of Honolulu, I have a layover in Maui (OGG). How does that process work? Will my covid exemption be checked in Maui or once I land in Honolulu? I filled out the online safe travel Hawaii information, but my final flight from OGG to HNL was not coming up as it is a Hawaiian Airlines flight and not my original Delta. As of right now, I put in my flight from Salt Lake City to OGG…
Dear Delaney, how was your trip? 🌍🏝🍍🥥👒🌊🎉🌸👓📅🛩🩴☀️🌈❤
No QR code is necessary for entry to Hawai’i. Just the proper documentation.
That is correct. Not everyone has a “so-called” Smart Phone.
no required but makes the process much quicker. You can print off your qr code and get a pre clearance wrist band. Makes the process easy and smooth. We moved right thru the airport and on to our rental car.
Hi,
Going to Hawaii in a few days and I’m full vaccinated. I’m trying to do the pre-clearing before departure however, I’m take JetBlue then transfer to Hawaiian airlines. Does anyone know if during my wait time for transfer if I can get a pre-clearing done?
Yes go to the counter of Hawaiian show them your QR code and you’ll get a ore clearance wrist band
Thank you
Astrid,
Creat a “Safe Travels” account at:
travel.hawaii.gov/#/
Follow the directions described there. Also review the Hawaii travel information at:
Hawaiicovid19.com/travel/getting-to-hawaii/
If you have a vaccination card that proves you have been fully vaccinated, you can scan it into your “Safe Travels” account.
Yes, thank you.
We love Hawaii…absolutely everything about it!!! We have been here several times before. We are currently here for 2 weeks. Please tell me why everyone is being so nasty to the tourist, from the hotel check-in, the sales clerks and especially all the pre staff(hostesses), while your waiting 3hrs for a meal. Once your famished and get to sit down to eat-the waitresses are welcoming and nice; however, this has been an awful experience, what is going on??? We feel like the people of Hawaii don’t want us here??? This isn’t only us, everyone at the pool and beach are saying the same thing. Please help us to understand what we need to do to help make this trip better, sadly a 25th Anniversary Trip is currently being ruined!!! Thank you
I’m so sorry you are experiencing such animosity and challenges. We are currently halfway through our 2 week vacation on the beautiful island of Kauai and are having a fabulous time! We come to Hawaii every other year. What island are you on?
I truly hope your trip gets better!
Maybe because they are massively overworked and under paid there is an employee Shortage amd Mullins if
Demanding tourists. Lighten up a little your in freaking Hawaii
Thank you for all the updates! I have a question that maybe you or some of your readers can answer. On the safe travels site, what happens when you submit your vaccination proof and attestation? I submitted but I don’t see any proof that I’ve submitted this information. Am I suppose to receive some sort of acknowledgement or confirmation that they have received? I don’t want to get tripped up on arrival. Thanks!
Hi SCL.
Perhaps someone who has traveled with vaccination proof can comment. You can also check with the Hawaii Safe Travels help desk at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
It will just tell you it has successfully been submitted. Go back in and see if it’s there!
Thanks Barbara!
I’m traveling to Hilo, Hawaii in a few weeks from the mainland with a connection flight in Honolulu. Will I go through the post-screening process in Honolulu or my final destination in Hilo?
Thank you
Hi D G.
That will be in Honolulu. There is no Covid screening or any related requirement for interisland travel.
Aloha.
How was your trip D G? Tell us about it. 🌏🏖⏰💺🐢🐋🐠🛩🌸🍍🥥👒🇺🇲🌈
Hello- Any help would be much apprecited/it is all so confusing! I am leaving from Boston on Monday 7/19/21 at 9:30am direct to Hawaii. For the 72-hour pre-testing window to be correct do I need to consider the time change- we are 6 hours ahead of Hawaii time? Or would I test Friday at 930am or after? Also, I want to get the Walgreens Rapid Diagnostic ID Now test (because it comes back faster than the pcr test) but want to ensure Hawaii will accept that ID NOw Test result. Traveling so far I want to ensure I get it right! Thanks for all the help.
Hi Sam.
So for the Safe Travels testing exemption, you test within 72 hours of the departure of your mainland to Hawaii flight. If you are on the nonstop, then it quite literal. If you are stopping en route, again it is within 72 hours of that last flight that goes directly to Hawaii. Others report the ID Now test is accepted, but certainly on any of this you can check with the state directly at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Hi all. As I am typing this, we are having a big issue. Our flight departs from Los Angeles tomorrow at 8:25am to Maui. We’ve uploaded all of our negative Covid test results from Walgreens onto the HI state website only to find out that the lab Walgreens went through (Aegis, PWNHealth) entered my husbands collection date as 6/26/21 when it should’ve been 6/29/21 making him outside the 72 hour range. I am more than upset about this whole ordeal as Walgreens is telling Us it’s out of their hands and we need to contact the lab company. They are not open until normal business hours. Anybody have something similar happen to them??? Any resolution?? Help!!
Hello going to Hawaii in a few days and want to know if you can get the ID now test from Walgreens?
Headed to LIH from JFK with family of 4 on July 7th. Covid test very difficult to fulfil because of the July 4th holiday. UPS not delivering results Sunday or Monday therefore no mail order options wor nor does CVS or Walgreens because they won’t have enough time retunr results being closed for the holiday. I need an exemption or something. So stressful. Can anyone help me please?
Hi Peter.
To our knowledge, there are no exemptions to the current rules. On searching, we do find that CVS in NYC and surrounds does appear to offer same-day rapid PCR testing. We’d suggest, alternatively, you contact the state’s Safe Travels help desk at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
PETER C… Xprescheck has a facility at JFK. $200+ a pop but it’s better than not going. ALthough this doesn’t appear to be what you need, you can book way in advance. Xprescheck.com. Assume you’ll be flying out early July 7. They have tons of times available on July 6 for Rapid Results Testing. OR you can wait one day to fly and not have to have any testing done for those fully vaccinated.
Hi Barbara.
Thanks for giving Peter a hand. There appear to be multiple testing options available to him, although an exception to the rules is likely not one of the solutions.
Aloha.
I got my results from Walgreens by email in under two hours.
Just learned after calling the safe travels desk that Jeffrey is right with a rapid test option that I didn’t think was available. Not all rapid tests work but Walgreens, not CVS, does have one that works and results are returned within a few hours. A huge relief. Thanks for the responses. Aloha to all.
Hi Peter.
Glad that worked out for you. Happy travels.
Aloha.
When you arrive in hawaii do they check your flight tickets or do they check an ID? Or our they only interested in the QR code?
My flight was booked with my travel voucher (from cancelled Ireland trip) so tickets our under my maiden name on my passport. I plan on using passport for TSA only. Everything else (hotel, rental car, rental condo vaccination proof) are all booked under my married name and ill use my state issued driver license.
We fly in on July 7th so we still need the negative covid results despite being vaccinated.
Do I still need to do travel safe questionnaire if I’m only transitting thru hawaii for few hours? I’m originating from Baltimore heading to Guam and I am fully vaccinated. please repond as my flight is tomorrow morning. Thanks
Hi Dolores.
We’d suggest checking with the airline or the state of Hawaii. They can be reached at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
hi i will only be transitting less than 2 hours in honolulu coming from baltimore. do i still need to do safe travel q’s?
My husband and I are traveling to ME for a family wedding next month. We are Kauai residents and both of us were vaccinated here on island. When we return in mid-July, will we have to have a negative Covid test? Aren’t we exempt since we were vaccinated here in Kauai?
I have a question of my first flight out is the 29th and I get tested the mor ing of the 29th and I have a overnight lay over and leave the next day on 30th and arrive on the 30th in the night 945pm will that be still 72 hour window?
getting tested on the same day short of them promising to have your results back the same day is in my opinion pushing the limits.
I believe if I recall correctly you have to be pre cleared before starting your journey to Hawaii.
We used a company that works directly with Hawaiian airlines and had our results in about 8 hours and were pre cleared to fly which gets you a qr code you show at the hawaiian air or whatever airline you are flying. they gave us a wrist band that passed us thru many long lines right into Hawaii with no delays.
Paul, please tell us about your trip! I hope it was amazing for you!
Any tidbits of helpful info regarding testing, etc? Any surprises? Stressers to warn us about?
Thank you so much!
Hello,
I tested at Walgreens using the rapid test in enough time for my flight, but the is something going on between Walgreens and PWN (that gives the results). I was able to obtain a print out of my negative results directly from Walgreens. I uploaded them to the safe travels website and my result came back as “status negative”. Do I need to be concerned that I didn’t get the results from PWN, and rather got it directly from the Walgreens I tested at? Thanks in advance!
Hi Becky.
We’d suggest you contact the Hawaii Safe Travels help desk with your question. They can be reached at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Becky, would you please report back what Hawaii Safe Travels tells you about Walgreens and PWN concern?
Thank you!
Hello! Yes, I spoke with Safe Travels and they told me that the print out I received directly from Walgreens was acceptable. I also got an email response to my inquiry that said that the status of “covid-negative” on my account meant that my test results were precleared.
Hope that helps!
Becky,
Thank you!
We are getting ours done at Walgreens soon and your response is helpful!
Have a fabulous trip!
GREAT news for you!
BTW, how soon after you uploaded your test results to Travel Safe Hawaii did your account stated COVID-NEGATIVE ?
Once I uploaded the negative results, my account was updated immediately to reflect the appropriate negative status, and I received the QR code.
Becky, Thank you we go to Walgreens on July 2nd for our test. How long did they take to get back to you on test results. Bev F.
Hi! Unfortunately, I do not have a particularly helpful answer. My husband got his results in 4 hours, I got mine in about 40 hours (which caused some significate stress). In the end we both got them in time, but I definitely recommend going as close to the 72 hour mark as you can, to allow as much breathing room as possible.
Good afternoon.
I am traveling to Hawaii next week to visit a friend who lives there. If I get a PCR test from the Atlanta Covid testing center in Atlanta, GA will that be approved as a Trusted Testing Partner?
Thank you for your help.
Hi Carly.
You need to follow the procedures here exactly: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/. The Trusted Partners list is also found there.
Aloha.
@Carly … I checked your available Atlanta Walgreens locations and you can make an appointment for a “Hawaii Trusted Partners” test at a Walgreens that offers the tests. I recommend the “Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW)” test because results are available “within 24 hours” the web site says (my results twice came back into my email Inbox in less than three hours). There was no charge or co-pay to get that test.
Find a Walgreens location near you at:
walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_heroban
My fiancé and I are traveling to Maui in late June for our honeymoon. We are connecting through Kauai to get to Maui. Our flights are as follows:
– Los Angeles -> Kauai (Connection, not leaving airport)
– Kauai -> Maui (Final Destination, staying 5 days in Wailea and 7 days in Kaanapali)
– Maui -> Los Angeles (Return Flight)
How would I fill out the Trip Details on the Safe Travels website? Do I need to create a trip for connecting in Kauai, and another trip for our stay in Maui? I know inter island travel restrictions have been lifted.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi Alex.
So as not to provide erroneous information, it is best you check with the state’s Safe Travels desk. They can be reached at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Is the QR code generated when you get a pre-travel Covid test? Just wondering where the code comes from. Signed up with Safe Travel Program.
Hi Bob.
Yes, the QR code is generated by the Safe Travels website. If you want to inquire further, they are at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
Hi, My husband and I are planning on leaving for Maui next week (6/26) and we are planning on taking our test with American Family Care on (6/23) to make sure we have wiggle room if that test isn’t correct or is taken at the wrong time or something. We have a layover in San Fransisco. I was wondering, are they basing the 72 hours off of when you leave on your second flight or when you arrive in Maui? I just don’t want to screw this up we really really want to come and enjoy our vacation. We are both vaccinated and want to follow all protocols, but I’m really nervous about messing up the timing on this. We are also flying United, and I was wondering how their testing works in case we need a back up. We both have safe travels accounts already we are just waiting now to get a test.
Do you need covid test leaving maui (we’ve been on vacation)to continental US- Arizona
Does Maui still require the Aloha Safe Alert app on my phone? Thank you for your help.
Hi Margaret.
It is still listed on the Maui County website as being required. Others have reported that they have not had it be required on arrival, however.
Aloha.
Thank you. I don’t fly into Maui until June 17 and I know some things change on June 15. I will check back then. Again, thank you.
What does a circle with a the word” screened” with a red circle and an X in the red circle, mean? This is in my profile. I am Covid negative and vaccinated.
Thank you
Hi Catherine.
We aren’t sure, so perhaps someone else will lend a hand.
Aloha
You should have a green check and it should say screened: yes. Did you upload your negative test result?
Traveling from Wisconsin to Kauai next week and doing the test through Walgreens. Are we able to the the 24 hour Rapid Diagnostic test for Kauai?? Thank you very much Shelly
Hi Shelly.
Any definitive answers are best obtained from the State of Hawaii. Their Safe Travels help desk is at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
I need to know if the ID NOW test from Walgreens is accepted in Maui. Your link, Hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners, states will only accept NAAT but then under Walgreens, under trusted testing farther down the page, it states “Either Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW) or the Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR) will be accepted. It is very confusing. I don’t want to get the wrong test and not be able to fly.
MARGARET W… Both the PCR and the Rapid Results tests are NAAT tests. The tests that are not acceptable are the antibody test and the antigen test.
Thank you, Barbara.
Please, where are we to get COVID-19 testing done to be in Hawaii’s “Trusted” testing? Thank you.
Hi Dee.
https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/.
Aloha.
Thank you for the continuing information. We arrived in Maui May 29th. We did the rapid test at Walgreens. It was free and we had our results within a few hours. Hawaiian Airlines took care of us at the gate in Oakland. Once we arrived in Maui, the orange wrist bands they gave us sped us through the line, which was smooth and quick! The only hiccup was that I didn’t have great cellular service right there at the airport, so it took several minutes to register for the contact tracing program. After we got through the line, we took the tram straight to the rental car center where the process was once again quite painless! Walking through the parking garage, there didn’t seem to be any shortage of vehicles like we’ve heard about in the news. I admit, I was hesitant about jumping through all the hoops to get here, but it’s really not that bad. Thanks to your thorough information and advice, we are now enjoying a fabulous week here in Maui!
Hi Cindy.
Thanks for your report. We hope you have a thoroughly wonderful time on Maui.
Aloha.
What is the rapid test? I thought Hawaii only accepts the PCR test? Mar
We tested May 26 for travel on May 29th at Walgreens (suburban Chicago area) with ID Now and received our results in approximately 45 minutes via an email from PWN Health. Uploaded to Hawaii Safe Travels with no problem. Flew Alaska Air. No problems entering Big Island.
Do not go to Hawaii until it drops all requirements of testing. The requirements have been draconian all along with almost no other states have such travel restrictions. Even CA is not like this. Go someplace that is open and won’t put you under house arrest and check up on you like a common criminal. Vote with your pocket book. It’s the only way they’ll listen.
Hi,
If I have a layover in Honolulu for 22 hours, am I allowed to leave the airport without having to quarantine? What is the process for having layovers? Will I be able to reenter the airport if I were to rent a hotel room for the night?
I would follow protocol as if I were staying on the Island.
HST program is sadly deficient. Traveled interisland under vaccine exemption. Status supposedly passed at airport. Next day multiple texts requiring quarantine check in status. For what? Responded mot applicable, vaccine exemption. No go. Mow multiple texts per day demanding check in. I responded today to 1st. Clearly a dumb database with automated responses, none of which address the system being wrong. So, I am ignoring the rest. I am guessing that behind all this is user error by the National Guard representative at the airport who screened and “validated” my ID and QR code. Hit the wrong checkbox.