Word today that we will have to wait until next week to see changes to Hawaii Safe Travels. The governor, who has been widely criticized for communication issues and unilateral, rapid-fire plan changes, is averse to making any further missteps. Ige said, in apparent support of upcoming changes, that of the nearly 300,000 visitors screened to date, only 44 had a positive test result after arrival. While we anticipated changes would be announced this week, we are now hearing otherwise. The apparent reason for the unexpected delay is to allow time for Hawaii to prepare for the new rules.
Beat of Hawaii editor Jeff was on an unrelated call with Lieutenant Governor Josh Green earlier today. Sharing some good news, Josh reported that Hawaii is doing far better than any other state in the country in terms of COVID. And that Hawaii is doing better by at least 50% than the next best state. That is confirmed by the CDC.
Following are the eight key stakeholder positions the governor will be considering:
1. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who is closely allied with Governor Ige and will run to replace him as governor, said yesterday that he is still awaiting approval from the governor for the single change most critical to Hawaii travel. That change would provide for an on-arrival test option to avoid quarantine. What is proposed is that visitors who tested according to the state requirements but did not receive their results in time for arrival in Hawaii will be able to obtain a rapid test in order to avoid the state’s otherwise mandatory quarantine.
2. Hawaii’s Attorney General Clare Connors told legislators yesterday that an announcement on Safe Travels changes will occur next week. At that time, the quarantine period (when it applies) will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days. That will, of course, be of no use to Hawaii visitors.
3. The House Committee on COVID has submitted its “White Paper” which calls for eliminating quarantine under the circumstances stated above. Mega Hawaii-insurer HMSA’s Mark Mugiishi said “And if you’re negative, you simply stay in quarantine until you get your trusted partner test. And if that’s also negative then you’re released from quarantine.”
4. Hawaii Department of Health. The director supports amending the Safe Travels program to implement a second antigen or another type of test from 3 to 5 days after arrival.
5. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green. He wants to see the pre-travel test window expanded from the current 72 hours to 96 hours, with a second test 3 to 5 days after arrival.
6. State legislature. The “House” Special Committee on COVID, says the Safe Travels program is working well and wants those who do not have a negative test result on arrival to be allowed to take a subsequent test. When both negative test results are provided, travelers would be exempted from quarantine. The “Senate” Special Committee, on the other hand, last week requested the state require additional testing on arrival, plus implement a mandatory 7-day quarantine period regardless of test results.
7. Hawaii county mayors. Kauai The four Hawaii’s mayors have agreed on a proposal to require the current pre-travel test along with a new second, post-travel test three to four days after arrival. This has also been presented to Governor Ige. As we said previously, Ige has indicated he is not inclined to allow the Safe Travels program to be defined differently on an island-by-island basis, as Kauai had earlier requested.
8. Hawaii’s primary medical organizations. Hawaii’s largest insurer and its largest medical/hospital system agree. These health stakeholders suggest arrivals who test within 72-hour of departure be exempt from quarantine if they also obtain a negative rapid test result on arrival in Hawaii and a negative pre-travel testing result. “This solution, in partnership with the stakeholders who will support it, is a good plan for this current time.”
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Hi BOH! Hope you can help with something I just heard.
I contacted a lab to make an appointment for testing, and they said the collection had to be 72 hours before actual departure not scheduled departure, and if you have a delayed flight the result could be deemed out of compliance. I just looked at the Safe Travels website and couldn’t find anything addressing this issue, although I believe I have read on BOH the timing is per scheduled time. Is there anyplace I can reference that if my flight is delayed my test negative result will still be accepted?
Thanks as always!
Hi Pam.
Thanks. That answer is as we said, and can be found on this page: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/faqs/.
Aloha.
Lt Governor Green said no changes are likely this year on Sunday. This must be relief to many.
I hope they change to the 96 hours instead if 72 I am leaving on the 4 Jan in am and there is New Years day which they are not working and that leaves me so close to leaving it is making me nervous . So I am hoping they change it.
The second test needs to be approved for interisland travel as I will not be doing a 2nd test and then have to get another 3rd test for the interisland approved test. We have bent over backwards to rearrange our trip from May with numerous reschedules and trying to get things lines up for travel over Christmas (testing is a huge issue). The 2nd test was initially not valid for interisland travel and I don’t think that’s changed. We’re already spending $1k in testing. We’ve quarantined here to stay negative and we’re having to rebook our flights as to not go thru LAX (because they want you to quarantine). We’re ready to eat our losses if we continue to have to again change all of our plans due to the everchanging rules. I’m totally respectful of keeping HI safe but we know how to wear a mask, social distance and wash our hands. I hate having to check every day to see what Ige has changed to see what I have to do next. My two cents, sorry for the rant. Thanks.
Hi Sharon.
Thanks for the feedback.
Aloha.
Second rapid test works for me. My family is coming in a day after Christmas and we lose a testing results day. Long story short, a test at CVS or Walgreens 72 hours ahead of time will sit in the pharmacy until the end of the day, then get shipped or mailed to a lab which may cost another day depending on how it’s done. Then next day is a holiday so no work gets done. Slim chance of getting a test result before flight time. My last covid test took 15 days before a flight to Alaska
What would work great, 96 hour test would let me know before I fly which is hugely reasonable. Also we need more health labs at major airports. Love the article!
Hi Art.
Thanks. We are hopeful to hear about the suggested move from 72 hours to 96 hours next week.
Aloha.
I had book travel to Kauai from L.A. 3 weeks ago only to learn that travel restrictions has changed from pre flight testing to a 14 day quarantine. So, I cancelled my booking and now awaiting a total refund. Today I’m reading that the travel procedures may change back to its original 3 day travel pre test. Why can’t we get a definite plan procedure? This so confusing for us that really want to travel to Kauai.
XPRESCHECK Alert: New note on Xprescheck.com site: They do not offer Rapid Results testing at every location! (Specifically, they do not offer it at the Phoenix location.) Since when you make an appointment, there is no way to tell them which test you will be getting, you will not receive notification – that note has not always been there.
No more Hawaii in January for us!
Hi Barbara.
After all that! So sorry to hear that.
Aloha.
BOH…
It was just becoming totally nerve wracking and we decided not to go. After we made that decision, we discovered that Xprescheck.com, our ONLY option for Covid testing unless we wanted to spend FOUR extra days in Phoenix (and then sweat it out), did not have Rapid Results NAAT available.
I’ll actually sleep better now!!! We’ll be spending 10 days in Phoenix instead.
But we’ll still be on Kauai for three weeks in July/August and we’ll see you then. In the meantime, I won’t be leaving the site. You’re addictive!
BTW… I looking into flight reservations for the summer, Hawaiian Air has really bumped up their points requirements – by almost 50% depending on day/date!
Hi Barbara.
Thanks for this update and over 200 comments. We look forward to seeing you next summer when we trust much of this will be behind us.
Aloha.
The reason this whole thing is so complicated is because COVID is just not a big deal for such a high percentage of the population.
Everyone is familiar with the risk of getting sick and having it ruin your vacation. That’s a typical risk that everyone takes when they plan a vacation.
But now on top of the usual concerns, people are worried that they will have their vacation ruined not because they feel sick, but because they are told by a test that they are sick and a threat to everyone around them.
And the government is trying to convince people they should still come spend money in Hawaii, while also satisfying all the demands of people who want numerous tests at various intervals, like the 3-5 days after arriving idea from Josh Green. That’s just another source of anxiety on a family who spends thousands of dollars, and doesn’t know if the trip will get cut short in a moment.
People can yell and scream about how serious COVID is, but for most people it just isn’t. And in the end, it will prove to be far less serious to the people of Hawaii than the economic devastation from Governor Ige’s leadership.
Too true
Thank you BOH for an informative update. I am dismayed to see another round of changes to come. Though it takes a while to perfect a recipe, it seems Hawaii is taking a half baked cake out of the oven, adding more ingredients, then putting it back into the oven. Why? If data so far indicates 44 post-arrival positives out of 300,000 arrivals, what is Hawaii trying to achieve? Wish they would just leave it alone for a while and let the current program “season” before tinkering with it. Just my perspective.
Hi Jon.
Thank you. Interesting baking analogy.
Aloha.
So does that mean once you arrive with a negative Covid test, you are in quarantine until you get the results of the 2nd antigen test?
Regarding Kauai, if they are able to rejoin Safe Travels (with hopefully a quick-test upon landing), I wonder how quickly the airlines can re-add the non-stop flights that had been cancelled from the mainland. Also, curious if the big hotels would bother to re-open. Hopefully short term rentals can be occupied, with no quarantine. I’m still hopeful I can get to my condo for Christmas!
LAURIE…
As of yesterday (12/08), the Marriott on Kauai was still waiting to here if they were going to be a “resort bubble” so it doesn’t sound like even that large hotel is aware of anything “better” coming their way.
Mahalo for all the updates. Although each one is met with new anxiety for the rules changing. We are traveling to Maui tomorrow with negative covid test results from Hawaiian Airlines testing center near LAX. We bought those ($90) as they are guaranteed to have the results within 36 hours. We got our results in 15. Only two cars ahead of us – we got there 20 minutes before our appointment and was told we would not have to wait. Total of ten minutes to complete the whole process. Now before we feel like we have complied with all the rules, are concerned they will change while on island. Other than your informative updates, will Safe Travels reach out to those already there if the rules change?
Hi Jan.
Thanks. Doubtful the state would reach out with any change in rules. Honestly, at this point, we don’t see anything like coming, so go have a great time.
Aloha.
Waiting to announce changes until a week before Christmas vacations seems a bit sketchy. This makes me think that they’re not planning to do anything that substantially changes the ability for visitors to come — if they wanted to make them less restrictive (e.g. extending timelines) they would do it now, to give people time to plan last-minute vacations. If they wanted to make it more restrictive, they would want to give people more of a heads-up.
I’d bet they keep things mostly as-is, and possibly grant Kauai’s request to do post-travel testing (but not allow other islands to do it due to testing capacity). The Governor did express some willingness to allow something specific to Kauai given the lower volume of travel there.
Really? The rules changed 11/24 (must have negative results in hand before departure) with maybe 2-3 days “advanced” notice. Of course there will be more changes right before christmas week … wouldnt expect anything less at this point.
Who would pay for second test if you pay for the one before and it’s negative?
It wouldn’t cost the state very much to perform large batches of antigen tests every 12 hrs
Thanks for the updates. This all sounds fine, but I’m surprised there isn’t more urgency to get this done further in advance of the holiday season. If the whole upside from being more flexible is retaining tourism business, aren’t they losing more of the holiday season by the day as they stretch this out? Maybe the holiday season isn’t as critical as I think-I’m not knowledgeable about Hawaii travel cycles.
Hi Paul.
Thanks. Yes the holiday season is totally critical. The only thing we’ve heard is that the delay was necessitated by the state needing to get its ducks in a row.
Aloha.
Aloha BOH-
As always, thank you for your constant updates. We anxiously await any definitive announcements as we are scheduled to travel to Maui on the 21st from the east coast. We don’t mind taking a second test. In fact, we have a second test scheduled because we are on Maui 5 nights and then travel to the Big Island. Is there any word how the second test would work with people only on the individual islands for a short time, or if that second test would count as the pre-travel test for the next part of our trip. I know it is all a guess at this point but you are in a better position than myself to know. Thanks so much and stay well.
Hi Cherie.
Good question. It is doubtful that the arrival test would suffice since that is a rapid test and not the PCR test required for travel.
Aloha.
Thank you!
Could it be that sanity and common sense now will prevail! “Hope remains eternal”!!!
And the costs for all of the post arrival testing will be paid by who? Tourists going to Hawaii have already paid significant up front costs for their vacation so you now expect them to pay even more as their “get out of jail card”!? Just stop already with all of this BS!
DON K…
TO the best of my knowledge – to the best of my knowledge – antigen tests (which is what they probably are talking about) can cost as little as $20.
It is the cost of safety at this point. Personally, we have no problem paying extra for an upon arrival test.
Yes, and after a family of 4 has paid close to $500 for the Vault “spit” tests, what happens is post arrival tests (regardless of who pays) result in false positives??? No visitor is going to risk a false post arrival test … and, if a family of 4 pre-travel tests and is fine with a post arrival test, who wants to “quarantine” 3-5 days for the post arrival test (as one of the options suggests)? Too many hoops to jump through …
Thank you for doing your best to keep us all updated on the latest COVID-19 news for travelers! I’m a Maui resident planning to visit family in Maine this week and have come across lots of roadblocks when arranging for a test to return to Hawaii. There are no CVS’s, AFC’s or Walgreens that currently do NAAT tests in all of the State of Maine. My only options are to use a home test (Vault) that is listed on the Hawaii DOH’s list of approved trusted partners for testing. Fingers crossed it works, and I receive results before my departure back home! On that note, do you know if the airlines are refusing to allow passengers on the plane without a confirmed negative test? I have a leg from LA to Kahului, and have heard rumors they may not let me board without a negative test result. Thank you!
Hi Karen.
Thank you. The airlines have no authority to prohibit boarding based on test results. If you are physically ill, that’s another matter. Interstate travel is controlled by the federal government, not the states.
One note – people say to watch out for which days you travel when using Vault, due to issues with UPS. Just keep an eye out for that.
Aloha.
Thanks for the info! That makes me feel better….as for the issues with UPS, yes, Vault actually made me aware of that. Thankfully, my return flight is a Sunday, so I have a decent window with which to mail in the test. Thanks again for being my go-to source for all things relating to travel in Hawaii!
Hi Karen.
Thanks for saying that, and good luck with the testing.
Aloha.
The UPS schedule is key to using Vault Health. I first had a scheduled departure for my last leg to Oahu on Tuesday 12/8. Then I realized if I had a 72-hour pre-board observed Zoom call with Vault on Saturday 12/5 I would not be able to start overnight UPS service to the Vault lab in New Jersey until I dropped off my pre-paid UPS envelope on Monday 12/7, because my local UPS Customer Center is closed Saturdays and Sundays. Yikes! There was no way I could get the package from Oregon to NJ AND get results in less than one day.
I changed my departure date to Thursday 12/10 (I added an extra day, just in case there was a delay in delivering results). My observed 72-hour Zoom call was Monday morning 12/7 at 7:45 a.m., package was dropped off at UPS Monday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., arrived at New Jersey Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m., and results were emailed to me Tuesday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. (all times PST).
So I would only use Vault for Thursday through Saturday departures to Oahu. (And perhaps Wednesday, if you want to bet on getting the same results delivery time I experienced … but Vault only quites “24 to 72 hours” results delivery, after a sample receipt at their NJ lab.)
PAUL…
Last time I looked – obviously past your travel dates – their website specifically says not to use them if you are traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thanks for describing your experience using Vault! I’ll be using Vault upon my return home to Maui after visiting family in Maine. My flight leaves on a Sunday so Vault’s suggested timeline for 72 hours prior to my trip would be having the Zoom call on Thursday. I too will be in an area where UPS is closed on Saturday and Sunday. But if I have the test Thursday morning, and drop it off by 1pm that same day, it should arrive in NJ on Friday. So Sunday departures are in the clear. Vault actually suggests to make other arrangements if your flight is on Tuesday or Wednesday given most UPS services aren’t available the weekend prior to those days.
Hi Karen
We used Vault. My test was loaded the next day, my son’s did not load till 4 hours before our flight. Having said that, when I sent an email with HAWAII STAT and my son’s name in the subject line, they responded to the email. His results were loaded at 5:44am and they sent the email at 5:45. Not sure if that was related, but it gave me hope. Also, write STAT HAWAII on the outside of the UPS package (which we did) plus on the inside box (which we did not do) so they prioritize. Keep in mind that Vault does a DAY stamp, not a day plus time stamp. We are in Ohio which is the same time zone as Maine. I thought we needed to do the California time (which means I didn’t get it to UPS to around 1pm), but you apparently don’t have to wait that long. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Aloha Laura C.! Thank you sooo much for those suggestions! I will absolutely take your advice. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
1 – 96 hr pre test window
2 – post arrival test upon landing – negative = no quarantine
3 – if positive a 7 day quarantine until a negative test
Is this so hard?
PS – politicians – you will never get the risk to zero. A layered as above is dam near close and allows us to avoid the horrendous tourism shutdown consequences.
Completely agree! I don’t understand the confusion and hold up. I am a returning Kauai resident and had planned on doing the pre- and post- testing (as a responsible citizen should). Then Kauai’s mayor tossed my plans up in the air. I am scheduled to fly in the week of Christmas. I am really hoping we get clarification early next week. Otherwise I will not be retuning to the island.
Thank goodness for airline insurance and no rescheduling fee.
BOH – thank you for the updates! You have been my go-to source!
Hi Brian.
Thanks. We too hope for any clarity possible to happen soon.
Aloha.
I thought Kauai’s is already defined differently? Would yuo have to quarnatine unitl you had the results of this second test?
thanks!!
7. Hawaii county mayors. Kauai The four Hawaii’s mayors have agreed on a proposal to require the current pre-travel test along with a new second, post-travel test three to four days after arrival. This has also been presented to Governor Ige. As we said previously, Ige has indicated he is not inclined to allow the Safe Travels program to be defined differently on an island-by-island basis, as Kauai had earlier requested.
Hi Jon.
We will see what happens with Kauai, but do suspect that with changes, it will rejoin Safe Travels. As we said before, Ige has been pretty clear that Safe Travels will be defined in one way only, and not island-by-island.
Aloh.
Yes, we have gone to Kauai almost every year since I retired. We may have to rethink our plans with a quaratine. I dont mind masking, takeout at restaurants, but know how our local US economy has suffered when business is sk slow. Amazon is the winner here!