Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Since the world turned upside down, planning a vacation to Hawaii has proven to be a challenge. But as guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are updated and more people get vaccinated, restrictions are slowly lifting for the Aloha State.
The original mandatory 14-day quarantine switched to a prearrival testing protocol back in October 2020. By December, the quarantine period in Hawaii for travelers who did not use the prearrival testing option was reduced to 10 days, following adjusted CDC guidance.
Then, the islands began to introduce their own policies about reopening. In May, Hawaii began allowing intercounty travelers vaccinated in Hawaii to skip quarantine and testing requirements, and Gov. David Ige announced that the mask mandate for outdoor activities would be lifted, and ocean sports competitions can resume.
Now, Hawaii is loosening restrictions even further.
You no longer need to undergo pretravel testing, vaccination or self-quarantine for any interisland travel. And fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are no longer required to test or quarantine before visiting Hawaii starting July 8. Kauai is also moving into Tier 5 and ending its resort bubble program.
But while the state is now taking additional steps toward fully reopening, there are still challenges ahead as the tourism industry struggles to keep up with rising demand.
It’s a lot of information to keep track of — and it changes often. So, here’s the latest about traveling to the Aloha State right now and what you need to prepare for a successful trip.
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In This Post
Who can travel to Hawaii
Fully vaccinated travelers no longer have to get pretravel testing or quarantine upon arrival starting Thursday, July 8.
Under these guidelines, individuals who were vaccinated anywhere in the U.S. can skip testing and quarantine, starting on the 15th day after completing their vaccination.
Out-of-state visitors who are not vaccinated can skip the mandatory 10-day quarantine that’s part of Hawaii’s travel requirements with proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a trusted facility.
Vaccinated travelers must:
- Provide a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with their name, birth date, type of vaccine, date(s) vaccine was administered and lot number(s) for each vaccine dose.
- Create an online account and register with the State of Hawaii Safe Travels Hawaii web program.
- Affirm they are fully vaccinated, and that the uploaded CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card is accurate and authentic.
- Upload a PDF file or digital image of a properly filled CDC Vaccination Record Card to the Safe Travels Hawaii web program.
- Travel with a digital image as well as the original CDC Vaccination Record Card in case it’s requested.
International travelers from CDC-prohibited countries are still banned from entering Hawaii. However, travelers from Japan have a pretravel testing option via approved testing providers that went into effect on Nov. 6, 2020. Travelers from Canada are also eligible for this program.
The state’s pretravel testing program requires all non-vaccinated visitors to take a nucleic acid amplification test, such as a PCR test, from an approved testing partner within 72 hours and obtain results before departure to Hawaii. That’s the only way to bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine if you’re not fully vaccinated.
Additionally, some transpacific travelers participating in the Safe Travels program will be randomly selected to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. The tests administered by the state will be given to approximately 25% of the passengers at all three airports at no cost to travelers.
Maui testing requirements
Maui added an additional layer of testing for unvaccinated travelers, who must take a second COVID-19 test upon arrival. The new testing policy went into effect on May 4. Travelers will not have to pay out-of-pocket costs for the additional COVID-19 testing.
If you’re headed to Maui, you will also be required to participate in mandatory contact tracing by downloading an app on your phone. Children under the age of 5 who are traveling with a parent or guardian who has tested negative for COVID-19 are exempt from quarantine and post-arrival testing.
Related: Here’s what it is like to visit a reopened Hawaii
Current restrictions in place for visitors
Starting July 8, the state is easing restrictions on gatherings and restaurants as the state is betting it will reach a 60% vaccination rate in the next few weeks. That should help with overcrowding and ease the problem some tourists have found of not getting dinner reservations or seeing some attractions.
Currently, 58% of Hawaii residents are fully vaccinated, according to state vaccine data.
“The case counts are coming down,” Gov. Ige said. “People are getting vaccinated. And there are fewer and fewer people who are at risk of becoming infected.”
As of July 8, 2021:
- Restaurants in Hawaii can go to 75% capacity.
- Indoor events can have up to 25 people.
- Outdoor events can have as many as 75 attendees.
The governor cautioned that restrictions could be put back into place if there’s a spike in cases or evidence of new, more dangerous variants of COVID-19 spreading.
Current mask requirements
Now that the CDC is saying fully vaccinated people can avoid wearing a mask or face covering in most indoor environments, Hawaii is taking cautious steps toward lifting mask requirements in the state — starting with outdoor activities. The outdoor mask mandate was lifted on May 25, while the state lifted the suspension on ocean sports competitions (including surfing, canoeing, swimming and more) on June 1.
Right now, masks are still required indoors.
Kauai-specific mandates
Kauai currently has its own set of reopening plans, and those are also moving forward.
The island will move into Tier 5 starting July 8, which increases capacity limits for indoor and outdoor activities to the same levels listed above. And when 70% or more of Hawaii residents are vaccinated, all Kauai-specific mandates would be lifted so that the island would adhere to only the same rules as the rest of the state.
Additionally, Mayor Derek Kawakami is ending the resort bubble program now that vaccination exemptions are being put in place and hotels are once again near capacity.
Related: I visited a reopened Kauai in Hawaii — 5 things to know before you go
The latest on vaccine passports
The state of Hawaii said the only documentation it will accept is the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or a printout from the Vaccination Administration Management System.
And you still have options if you want to use a digital way to prove your vaccination or COVID-19 test status. The state is partnering with two companies (Clear’s Health Pass and CommonPass) on digital health passes.
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What do I need to do to qualify for prearrival testing?
If you decide to travel to Hawaii, you’ll need to register with Hawaii’s Safe Travels system. It would help if you did this at least 72 hours before arrival, as it will speed up your exit from the airport since you’ll be asked to show your registration confirmation page.
Additionally, travelers arriving in Hawaii will have their temperatures checked upon arrival and fill out a travel and health form. Unvaccinated travelers who don’t have proof of an approved negative test must quarantine for 10 days.
Unvaccinated U.S. travelers must complete the following steps before entering Hawaii’s participating islands:
- All U.S. travelers 18 and older must register through the mandatory Hawaii Safe Travels online program.
- Within 72 hours of departure time, each traveler 5 or older must undergo an approved COVID-19 test with negative results through Hawaii’s trusted testing and travel partners.
- The negative test result must be in hand when boarding your final flight leg to Hawaii.
- Complete the health questionnaire on your Safe Travels account 24 hours before departure.
- Comply with all social distancing and mask requirements during travel, including in flight.
- All incoming Hawaii travelers must pass thermal temperature checks and facial-imaging technology upon arrival.
- Produce the Safe Travels QR code for local officials upon arrival in Hawaii.
What does mandatory quarantine entail?
Hawaii’s current mandatory 10-day self-quarantine remains in effect for anyone who is not vaccinated or does not follow the pre-travel testing requirements. And this isn’t a destination where you can roam freely at your property of choice.
“Hawaii is our home,” said Jeff Helfrick, vice president of airport operations at Hawaiian Airlines. “So it’s important not only that we take care of our island home, but also that we do it right.”
Travelers not cleared via the pretravel program cannot leave their personal quarantine space, such as a hotel room, unless they seek medical care.
All public spaces, including any on-site resort pool, fitness center or restaurant, are off-limits during this period, which means delivery and room service only. Visitors are also not allowed unless this person is a health care professional specifically checking on your health.
Anyone who intentionally or knowingly breaks quarantine can be convicted of a misdemeanor — and tourists have been arrested for breaking quarantine.
Related: I spent 3 days quarantine with a tracking bracelet in Hawaii — Here’s what you need to know for Kauai
What if I want to travel between the Hawaiian islands?
Interisland travel is permitted, and travelers can now fly between the islands without any testing, vaccination or testing requirements.
Related: Why we love Hawaii
Testing facilities approved by Hawaii
Hawaii has approved the following list of testing partners for the prearrival approval program. You may have to pay out of pocket for the voluntary COVID-19 test, so be sure to check with your insurance provider before proceeding.
- AFC Urgent Care at Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton and Oregon City, Oregon: $199 for the rapid RNA molecular test
- American Samoa Department of Health
- Atlas Genomics in Washington State: $99
- Carbon Health in Seattle: $135 for the Abbott ID Now rapid test
- Capstone Clinic at in Prudhoe Bay, Dillingham and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Alaska: $95
- CityHealth Urgent Care in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Livermore and Dublin, California
- Clarity Lab Solutions at Los Angeles International (LAX): $125
- Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii at several locations across Hawaii: $125
- Clear is available for select Delta Air Lines and United Airlines flights
- Color is working exclusively with United passengers flying out of San Francisco (SFO)
- Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Northern Mariana Islands: $300
- Costco/AZOVA: $118.99
- CVS Health testing is available in 30 states and the District of Columbia: $0 to $139 (Note: CVS advises travelers not to rely on its services to guarantee entry into Hawaii.)
- Diagnostic Laboratory Services in Hawaii: $125
- Discovery Health MD is available to passengers flying through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): $176
- Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
- GoHealth Urgent Care located in 10 states and San Francisco International (SFO): $261
- Hawaii Pacific Health for interisland travel, $150
- Kaiser Permanente is only available to members of this health plan
- Minit Medical in Maui
- National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii Consortium: $125
- S&G Labs Hawaii LLC: $150
- University Medical Center of Southern Nevada: $130
- University of Washington Medicine
- Urgent Care Hawaii at four locations in Honolulu: Starting at $225
- Vault Health is an FDA-authorized at-home saliva test with real-time audio-visual supervision: $119
- Walgreens provides COVID-19 tests at drive-thru locations, so you don’t need to leave your vehicle: $0 for anyone meeting the CDC criteria for testing, and tests are now available to those 3 and older
- WestPac Labs: $150
- XpresCheck: $200 for rapid molecular test; PCR and blood antibody tests are $75 each, or $90 if done at the same time
Airlines and airports offering tests
Multiple airlines, including United, Hawaiian, Alaska and American, have developed a testing system available to travelers flying to Hawaii from certain hub airports or via an at-home kit.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines partners with various providers, including Carbon Health and Costco (home saliva-based test). At Carbon, Alaska passengers can be tested from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST. Test results will be ready by the next business day (some results within two hours) at a discounted cost of $135 to $170.
More information, including how to schedule an appointment, is available at alaskaair.com/hawaii-bound.
Alaska Airlines passengers bound for Hawaii will no longer have to be checked upon arrival in Hawaii. Instead, those formalities will be done at departure. The gate agent will verify that your Safe Travel profile is updated and give you a wristband that will entitle you to skip airport arrival screening in Hawaii.
Note that your lodging and car rental company may still need to verify the QR code from your Safe Travels profile.
More information about the Hawaii Pre-Clear program can be found here.
American Airlines
If you’re flying on American Airlines from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Honolulu (HNL) or Maui (OGG), you’re eligible to take a $129 at-home nasal PCR test administered by LetsGetChecked; an in-person test at a CareNow urgent care location; or a preflight rapid test at DFW administered by CareNow.
More information about testing with American can be found here.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines partners with Worksite Labs to provide drive-through COVID-19 PCR testing in select cities, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco.
Worksite Labs will offer the Droplet Digital PCR shallow nasal swab test for $90, with results within 36 hours. Passengers on Hawaiian can also order a mail-in PCR saliva test online through Vault Health for $119.
More information about testing with Hawaiian Airlines can be found here.
United Airlines
Travelers flying on United Airlines to Hawaii can arrange for a mail-in PCR COVID-19 test. Travelers will receive results 24 to 48 hours before travel, and the cost is $119.
United offers Hawaii-bound passengers rapid testing at San Francisco International with results in 15 to 30 minutes for $250. Another option for San Francisco is drive-up testing administered by Color at a testing facility located at the United technical operations facility parking lot. Results are provided within 48 hours for $105.
Those departing Denver (DEN) and Newark (EWR) to Hawaii on United can also do testing at those airports for $200 per person.
More information about testing with United can be found here.
Air Canada and WestJet
As part of the governor’s latest announcement about travelers from Canada being eligible to avoid quarantine if test results are provided before departure, two Canadian airlines have agreed to help facilitate:
“Air Canada and WestJet will be identifying testing entities in Canada, with the Hawaii State Department of Health’s approval, for purposes of the pre-testing program. Canadian residents should look to these Canadian-based carriers for the testing options in their country.”
What is the airport testing process like?
Some U.S. airports are also offering COVID-19 testing.
Tampa International (TPA); Bradley International (BDL) near Hartford, Connecticut; New York-Newark (EWR), New York-JFK and others offer on-site testing. Oakland Airport (OAK) in California also provides preflight testing that, unlike most programs, comes with no out-of-pocket cost for travelers heading to Hawaii.
Related: You can now take a COVID-19 test at the Tampa Airport
SFO offers United’s Hawaii-bound passengers the option to take an approved rapid test at the airport before heading to Hawaii. You should make an appointment and register ahead of time.
Your trip will need to originate from SFO, and the testing site is in the International Terminal in Courtyard A. Allow extra time before your flight as you’ll need to wait for your turn, then 15 minutes or so for results, and ultimately head back through security and to your departure gate.
Once registered and checked in:
- You’ll be given a packaged swab for your test and escorted to a screened-off area for a short virtual visit with a doctor.
- You’ll be asked whether you have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms.
- A health care worker will then administer the test while on the other side of a plexiglass divider.
Then you’ll wait outside for your results. If you test negative, you’ll be good to head back upstairs for your flight. If the test comes back positive, you’ll sit down to talk with the doctor via a virtual visit as they explain the results and answer any questions you may have. Then you’ll need to self-isolate per doctor and CDC recommendations.
Should I book a trip to Hawaii?
There’s no question that Hawaii is a beautiful destination perfect for outdoor exploration. But, as we have already seen, things can change quickly for an island in the middle of the ocean with finite hospital capacity.
The state has a limited number of pretravel testing providers, and some of the providers will not test children under 12, so do your research if you are traveling with children 5 or older who are required to test to avoid quarantine.
Also, keep in mind that Hawaii needs time to readjust to the influx of travelers to the islands. Hawaii is a top destination for travelers this summer looking for a beachside escape, and more travelers will likely look to book a trip now that fully vaccinated individuals can skip quarantine requirements.
But while travelers returning is great for the tourism and hospitality industries, it’s also put a strain on resources.
Rental cars are extremely difficult (and expensive) to find, top sightseeing locations are crowded, restaurants are maxing out reservations, and more. Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino has even requested that airlines help curb the number of visitors to the island.
A trip to Hawaii right now could mean massive crowds, understaffed hotels and fewer options on what you can see and do. And more importantly, over-tourism can negatively impact the local communities in the state.
Related: Getting a coronavirus test for travel is not always possible
Bottom line
Hundreds of thousands of would-be visitors have delayed or canceled trips to Hawaii during the pandemic.
Now, travelers can enter Hawaii without testing or quarantine as of July 8 if they are fully vaccinated. And other restrictions are starting to loosen as vaccination rates rise.
If your family plans to join the thousands of visitors again entering Hawaii each day without quarantine, be sure to triple-check all documents, deadlines, test requirements and timelines leading up to your trip. It also won’t hurt to familiarize yourself with airline, hotel and other travel cancellation policies if something doesn’t go as planned.
Related:
- Airline COVID-19 cancellation policies, a comprehensive list
- Hotel cancellation policies during the coronavirus pandemic
- Will travel insurance cover coronavirus-related changes?
Additional reporting by Chris Dong, Victoria M. Walker, Katherine Fan, Madison Blancaflor, Clint Henderson, Nick Ellis and Andrea M. Rotondo.
Featured photo of Honolulu by Timur Alexandrov/EyeEm/Getty Images.
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