Traveling to Hawaii is not easy these days. And for those of us who aren’t traveling for that classic vacation at a resort, it’s a bit complicated. We have friends, family and business to attend to — do we wait? Or proceed with caution? The problem is, if you haven’t heard, the governor doesn’t want any visitors. So, if you do need to get to Hawaii before Covid restrictions ease up, and you are fully vaccinated — or have a solid reason not to be — here are a few things to keep in mind.
Feature photo: Justin Lam
Covid test protocol
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need a Covid test.
If you are vaccinated and don’t have a digital record via Common Pass, Clear or a digital passport, stop what you’re doing and take the time to upload it right now.
If you aren’t vaccinated because of a medical reason or age, you can get a test up to 72 hours before you land in the islands. Most airports have Covid tests, but as you can see from this photo below, it’s a sh* show. Save yourself the stress and money — since they are over $200 — and get the test ahead of time. Here is the approved travel partner list for the state of Hawaii.
If you aren’t vaccinated because you still think it is a conspiracy, please stop reading now — we’re done.
Collect the following data
✔ Your date of birth
✔ Flight info: carrier + flight number
✔ Hotel/Condo/Home address of where you will be staying
✔ Digital Passport (see above)
✔If you don’t have a return flight booked, the advice we got from Travel Safe Hawaii customer service, is to select “returning resident” to get your QR Code.
The customer service center is very helpful, the number, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST: 1 855.599.0888.
Once you have collected your information go to Travel Safe Hawaii website, and follow the instructions until you get a QR code. Having trouble, see step above.
Play it safe: Book a hotel instead of a condo
Because of a surge in Covid cases this summer, as I mentioned above, Governor David Ige called upon Hawaii residents and visitors to delay all non-essential travel through the end of October 2021. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean you get your money back if you booked an Airbnb or home rental and want to cancel. Most hotels have a decent refund policy, but it has nothing to do with the Governor asking people not to travel.
Covid rules per island
Masks are required for all indoor activities. Wear them outdoors when possible as well.
Oahu: Covid-19 Information website. No inter-island quarantine nor pre/post travel testing required.
Proof of vaccination required: indoor and outdoor restaurants, bars, entertainment, museums. You can present the actual card, a photo, or a digital passport or proof of a negative Covid test within 48 hours. Children under 12 are exempt.
Maui: County of Maui website. No inter-island quarantine nor pre/post travel testing required.
Proof of vaccination required: indoor restaurants, bars, entertainment, museums. You can present the actual card, a photo, or a digital passport or proof of a negative Covid test within 48 hours. Children under 12 are exempt.
Hawaii Island (Big Island): County of Hawaii website. No inter-island quarantine nor pre/post travel testing required.
Kauai: County of Kauai website. No inter-island quarantine nor pre/post travel testing required.
What people are doing
Ready to go?
Head to our Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Big Island pages to read all things Hawaii.
It’s time!
