It’s clear that the state is largely incapable of policing fake vaccination cards being used for Hawaii travel. And officials have said as much. A big deal gets made of those found using fake cards, and those found have clearly been flagrant, but the reality is, those caught are likely a drop in the bucket.
It makes us wonder why anyone would use this way of entering the state. It is dangerous since it puts the health of people living in Hawaii and those visiting here at risk. Also, anyone presenting a fake vaccination document is subject to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. It’s not worth it – just get vaccinated or take the pre-travel COVID test to avoid the mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Recently, seven individuals have been arrested in Hawaii for allegedly using fake vaccination cards.
In the most recent case, which made national news, a 24-year old woman who arrived in Honolulu on a Southwest Airlines flight couldn’t even bother to spell the name of the vaccine correctly (note Maderna instead of Moderna in the image above). In addition, she took the subterfuge even further by providing fake accommodation details. The charade came to an end as she was trying to leave the state and was arrested at the Southwest ticket counter at Honolulu Airport. She was in custody on $2,000 bail until being released at a hearing yesterday. Another virtual hearing is set in three weeks.
Also this week, a Georgia couple was taken into custody at a Waikiki hotel following vaccine card irregularities noted by officials. In August, a father and son from Los Angeles were arrested for trying to use fake vaccination cards in Hawaii. And also in August, a couple from Florida was arrested for falsifying vaccine cards. The tip-off? The couple presented vaccination cards for children ages 4 and 5, who are obviously far too you to have been vaccinated.
“The screener at the airport, when they came through, noticed an anomaly about the age of the children and the vaccine, and that’s how we got involved.” — Hawaii Attorney General’s office.
The Attorney General was also quoted as saying that “fraud is easy with this type of document, so we then have put into place measures to ensure we can verify it and prosecute them when they are fraudulently altered.”
We must assume that in nearly all less obvious cases, however, the perpetrators are not found.
Could three Hawaii Covid vaccination apps that verify results be the answer?
The three Hawaii-approved, but thus far not mandated apps for testing and vaccination provide verification. Is it possible the state could turn to them to have better validity control using multiple databases, compared with vaccination cards? We have never heard to what degree Hawaii is able to actually cross-check vaccination card information uploaded to Hawaii Safe Travels.
Vaccine cards are clearly an easy mark for forgery. They are just a piece of paper with basic information on them. Followed by which batch of vaccine you received and where.
BOH: For now, registering and complying with the requirements of the state’s Safe Travels program remains the sole requirement for all Hawaii-bound travelers. It is needed to create your trip, link and to obtain approval of these vaccination/testing passport exemptions, and lastly complete the required health questionnaire within 24 hours of travel.
1. CommonPass ‘SMART Health Card’ uses a digital vaccine record to verify vaccination in order to waive testing requirements. Using CommonPass, results are instantly verified.
2. CLEAR Health Pass conducts digital vaccine verification or 2) negative test results to be uploaded. Users find their vaccine provider from the Clear list and link the results by logging into the patient portal via the CLEAR app. They also support the upload of a photo of the CDC Vaccine Card, although we don’t know how those are verified.
3. AZOVA requires that travelers get vaccinated through AZOVA’s vaccine network or obtain a digital vaccine record confirmed by them in order to obtain the Simple Health Pass.
How significant a problem do you think this is and what do you think the state should do about it?
From the “Orlando Sentinal”:
“Beginning on September 16 the state of Florida will start issuing a $5,000 fine to businesses, schools, and even government agencies that require people to show proof of having a coronavirus vaccine.”
Hawaii erects “Checkpoint Charlie” at the airports and has agents all over the state scrutinizing traveler’s papers.
Both have serious COVID infection problems.
Which beach and restaurant do you think the fully vaccinated and/or those with prior COVID might want to visit and spend their money?
Absolutely, Hawaii wins again!!
Aloha from Kihei !
Thank you for all you helpful updates.
I was super stressed out the day before travel from Phoenix to OGG. What if I did something wrong on the safe travels site? What if I forgot to bring all the right paperwork? Hardly slept at all!
Here is our experience.
Went to safe travels site a couple of weeks before our trip, answered questions, downloaded vaccination cards, received confirm email.
Day before went back to safe travel site. Answered health questions, got a green check. They sent me an email with QR code. I printed it. My husband used his smart phone.
Went to the airport 3 hours early. Showed the ticket agent our boarding passes and QR codes. She gave us the MAGIC WRISTBAND ! Very quick and simple. Got off plan in Honolulu. You walk through an aisle in the airport, they glance at your wristband and then we proceeded to the bar. Got on the flight to Maui, they just wanted to see our boarding pass. Got off the plane in Maui. Got the rental car and went to Costco. Went o our condo. Then, went to the beach!
Everyone, from the flight attendants to the lady at the ABC store have been super friendly and welcoming. We are so happy to be here.
Hi Janet.
Thanks very much for your trip report!
Aloha.
The ignorance of people trying to use a fake card is very evident. In all probability those people are not coming to Hawaii for vacation purposes but, have some other kind of nonsense on their minds. The actual number of people trying to use a fake card has got to be incredibly small.
Aloha Guys
Should have put some type of unique code that IDs the Covid CDC card holder. I too have clear, but for my 13 and 16 year old grand kids they are not covered by clear. Their parents do have clear but we will work through it.
I think the best way to have the vaccine cards be “legal” is to have to a sticker that is placed on cards have a black light visible strip embedded and some special wording; same as what is put onto US currency. It seems to work for our currency, maybe it will work for vaccine cards.
Just an idea to keep everyone safe. Mahalo!
Hi Reg.
Thanks for your input on this and your dozens of other comments.
Aloha.
The good news us 1.8+ million travelers moved around the USA yesterday…
Too bad Hawaii wants to keep them out. I’m sure businesses in other States are glad to have them.
1.8 million who aren’t scared
If you live in Washington, Louisiana, Maryland, Arizona or West Virginia you can sign up for MyIRMobile.com (which is free) to have proof of you vaccination records In WA there is a certificate of vaccination that you can download and print. We have our Covid vaccination cards as well—but these idiots just keep making things more difficult for us all.
It is unfortunate that the unvaccinated are so selfish and dishonest and not we have to go to such great lengths to protect others (particularly children and the immunocompromised) from this deadly virus.
Nah. There are already too many pointless, needless hoops to jump through to travel to Hawaii–the only state in the entire union requiring such nonsense–all just to make the locals “feel better”. There is no evidence that any of this currently required COVID Kabuki is doing anyone any good whatsoever in terms of actual public health benefits–though it is certainly costing an already bankrupt state a lot of money. And if the Hawaiians themselves are largely unwilling to help themselves–to get vaccinated for example–and to stop illegally gathering in large groups–then why should anyone be required to do the work for them?
Before there was a vaccine I had a modicum of concern for certain at-risk populations… but now that there IS a vaccine–that has been widely available for months–and completely FREE… I do not. If any given person, group, or population in Hawaii wants to be “safe” from COVID–to the degree that is possible–all they have to do is go down to the local drug store or vaccination site and get a quick jab in the arm. Why should it be everyone else in the world’s problem if they choose not to do that ONE simple thing?
Jared X—Because children 12 and under and those who are immunocompromised can’t. You can still spread the virus, even if you are vaccinated. Would you want to be responsible for their illness or death?
we are living in Canada and our son and his family (all US citizens) live on Maui. We would like to visit in October for 3 weeks. My wife and I have both been vaccinated (Pfizer) and have a paper certificate that shows the batch code and date of injection. in order to cross into USA via Air Canada, we would require a viral test within 3 days before flight departure into USA.
We would complete the HAWAII SAFE TRAVEL form and upload all that info.
The question remains, would the ‘Hawaii authorities’ accept our simple piece of paper (not a vaccine passport or Government endorsed APP, as Hawaii couldn’t easily confirm our vaccination status that we provide on a paper document.
Hawaii does not make it easy to visit this beautiful state!
Hi Ulrich.
Perhaps other Canadians can comment on their experience. Otherwise, we’d suggest contacting the Safe Travels help desk at 855-599-0888.
Aloha.
BOH says “Vaccine cards are clearly an easy mark for forgery. They are just a piece of paper with basic information on them. Followed by which batch of vaccine you received and where.”
Guess what each vaccination is recorded officially in state and federal records and can be looked up so people can try and fake it but eventually will and do get caught.
The Vaccine passport is 100% needed. All one has to do to verify whether its legit or not is look up the records.
IT should be made a felony with serious consequences though.