Another wild tale from those who discovered firsthand what happens for not following Hawaii COVID protocols.
95 thoughts on “Still Not Following Hawaii COVID Rules: What Just Happened To These Visitors”
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Home » Blog » Culture and Events » Still Not Following Hawaii COVID Rules: What Just Happened To These Visitors
We went to the Big Island in April, no problem getting the correct COVID test from a trusted partner, we used a trusted partner with the lab on-site, so we had our results in 20 minutes. We are currently on Kauai, having used proof of vaccination to avoid quarantine here. I feel very strongly that the information on the safetravels web site is more than adequate, and I feel there’s no reason to not have things go smoothly if you just read what it says and follow the instructions. My husband and I are in our 70s and if we can cope with following the instructions AND get all the data onto our smart phones, most people should be able to do it. Thanks you for providing all the helpful information. We went to Ke’e Beach and your information about the Hanalei Hill was extremely valuable in planning that day trip !
BTW, United Airlines is also a good partner and gave us our wristbands in Denver so arrival at our destination both times was a breeze.
Sorry to here of the family’s trip where a late covid test result led to then having to fly home . I think that after sept 13 any Oahu traveler either gets the vaccine or goes elsewhere as without a vaccine card or vaccine passport you will need a covid test within 48 to enter restaurants and other businesses UPDATE: 2:00 p.m.
“Customers at restaurants, gyms and other businesses will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 48-hours to enter the establishments beginning September 13th.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the Safe Access O‘ahu program today, in hopes that it would decrease the high levels of COVID-19 infection circulating on the island.”
The party that used Walgreens resulted in a bad outcome. However Walgreens does not guarantee results in time for travel. That is why I chose to use Hawaiian’s Trusted Travel Partner in San Diego and pay the money to be on the safe side. I could have gotten the tests for free at Walgreens. Caveat Emptor.
Very frustrating that Hawaii partners with Walgreens/CVS who cannot guarantee 72 hour results, but will not accept state government authorized testing which guarantees faster results. For example: Test Iowa is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Public Health and the State Hygienic Lab.
Please tell me where else in Iowa that tests are acceptable besides CVS and Walgreens which are not guaranteed. Yes, I’ve read the Hawaii Trusted Testing Partners list, but its quite convoluted trying to find what is available in each state.
I’m not saying Hawaii is making bad rules, but they should be making “test site partnerships” for travel with companies who can guarantee 72 hours or less since that is what is required. Who can argue with that? I’m willing to pay more, but I don’t see any other testing options available in Iowa. Should we just cancel our trip?
You could try Vault.
This is someone who can’t follow simple guidelines, ie;trusted partners are clearly listed on the Safe Travels Hawai’i site.
I have no time for attention deficit people.
Pay attention or don’t travel.
(Edited – warning on not adhering to https://beatofhawaii.com/comment-policy/
Thank you! Trusted Partners are clearly listed, but NOT necessarily available in all states. So far in Iowa, the only Trusted Partners are CVS and Walgreens which do NOT guarantee results in 72 hours. Shouldn’t “Trusted Partners” guarantee the 72 hour results that are required? Please explain how this process is easy or reliable?
Marie,
Call the safe travels people. They will help you thru this.
I am not sure where to begin. I have been to Hawaii twice in since January 2021. Yes, it is a cumbersome process (which we compounded by going island hopping) but in the end totally manageable. It is obscene to blame the State of HI for doing their job (protecting the well being of its citizenry). Traveling during a pandemic has and should to require more than clicking the confirm payment button.
This level of entitlement being blasted on the same people you expect to welcome you to their hometown is horrifying.
The Requirements aren’t difficult. Especially if you use a trusted airline partner (the ones that give wristbands – Alaska Airlines ftw). That helps in 2 ways: 1. Ensures you have all necessary documentation before you leave your zone of familiarity, and 2. Once you get to HI you can breeze through the airport and begin your vacay.
Thank you to the people of both Hawaii and Maui for the two amazing trips this year.
This is standing applause for your comment! The entitlement especially on this site is out of control. I can tell you from my experience in June, almost all tourists and locals were very nice, helpful and glad to see us. Treat others with respect and you will get it in return. Treat people like your entitled to something. Yeah.
Well stated!
If the so-called “entitlement” is “out of control” why do you continue to get on this website. I appreciate BOH for not censoring comments and allowing freedom of speech. If you don’t like it go somewhere else where everybody thinks as you do.
I couldn’t agree more! I just got back from a week on the Big Island, and it was wonderful. The people were friendly and helpful, and we had a great time! I suspect that was mostly because, as you suggested, we were respectful and just plain ‘ol grateful to be there. You reap what you sow.
I’m surprised that the word “respectful” is in your vocabulary.
Bunch of twenty something entitled brats….rad, understand, follow the rules….same for the rest of the things in your life.
I agree with your assessment of Latonia’s situation. It has been clear all along that you will have to stay in quarantine if you do not have a negative test upon arrival. Full stop. IMO, Hawaii doesn’t need entitled visitors with a nasty attitude anyway. However, I don’t understand why the honeymooners would have to quarantine. If they were fully vaccinated, why would it matter that they got the incorrect type of test? I wonder why they got tested at all? Were they just extra conscientious about not wanting to bring Covid with them even though they were vaccinated? (Which would be a great idea.) Or did that happen after vaccines were available but before Hawaii changed the rules to allow vaccinated travelers without negative tests? Thanks for clarifying!
Sorry but she sounds like another self entitled individual that thinks because they spend money to book a budget trip that they’re entitled to complain when things aren’t perfect. This is a global pandemic with no signs of slowing down currently. The airlines all need to stop having fire sale prices to lure tourists and recoup what they lost. Everyone plays a part in this, this isn’t just an island problem, this is a societal problem that will only be fixed by all of us striving toward the same goal. No one should be traveling here right now and if they do, be prepared for it to not be what you hoped for. This isn’t Disneyland, this is our home, please stop treating it like it’s only Hawaiians responsibility and blaming our ‘system’ because you can’t follow the simple rules we have in place. Thank you..
I suggest Hi residents Not be allowed to travel to the mainland
They’re the ones bringing it back.
Yep blame the locals. Stay away from Hawaii
Yep, blame the science and the data, that’ll fix your local problem.
It’s easy to say “follow the rules” but with the current surge, getting test results back in 72 hours isn’t always possible even if you do everything right. Some friends had to change them flight at the last minute and pay hundreds more for a different flight because the tests they took from a trusted partner were not ready as of their flight departure. They didn’t want to risk quarantine so decided to pay the money for a new flight. The results ended up coming in when they would have still been in the air on their original flight, but of course they didn’t know that would happen. I love Hawaii but I won’t be back until there are no restrictions. It’s not worth the gamble, losing my vacation and lots of money, when no one can guarantee a 72 hour turn around on test results.
If you choose to travel during a global pandemic, then you need to take into account that labs are backed up, just like lines at grocery stores, restaurants, and mail shipments. The fact that your test does not come back in time is NOT the fault of the state of HI. If you cannot afford to deal with this as a possibility, or choose not to, then halt your travel plans till it is less likely to happen. From the beginning of the pandemic this has been an issue. It is not the responsibility of the residents or government of HI to ensure your travel plans go smoothly during a global health emergency.
Make the choice to travel and accept the fact that things may not go your way. Or better, stay home during these periods of uncertainty and save your $ for a better HI experience in the future.