(This article with information on Hawaii’s pre-travel covid testing program – Safe Travels will be updated on a weekly basis by the Way.com editorial team to make sure that the information is current and accurate.)
The island state of Hawaii is ready to say ‘Aloha’ to tourism once again, and just in time too! Temperatures are dropping in the rest of the country, and the idea of a beach vacation can be quite enticing. Before you rush off to book your tickets to the island paradise, here’s your Hawaii travel update and info on Hawaii’s pre-travel COVID testing program, Safe Travels.
Is Hawaii open for tourists?
Hawaii governor David Ige informed that the state would reopen for tourists on October 15, 2020, with pre-travel COVID testing. It’s been reported that more than 30,000 travelers have landed in Hawaii since the launch of the traveler testing program.
What is the current situation in Hawaii? 
As of October 20, 2020, the official Hawaii Department of Health website shows a total number of 14,068 COVID-19 cases in Hawaii. Of those cases, 7% have required hospitalization, and 95% were residents.
According to Hawaii’s government official recovery navigator page, Hawaii is now in the ‘Act With Care’ impact level. This level anticipates ‘some new COVID-19 cases, which are manageable, along with improved capacity utilization for testing, hospitals, and/or contact tracing.’
Can I travel to Hawaii now?
Yes, you can. As of now, there is no travel ban in place, and Hawaii’s main airports- Hilo International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, and Kona International Airport are currently operational at a limited capacity. All arriving passengers, domestic, international, or inter-island visitors, will have to fill in travel declaration forms and undergo thermal screening.
Is there a mandatory quarantine for people arriving in Hawaii?
Travelers who comply with the state’s pre-travel testing program can forgo quarantine. The pre-travel testing program lets trans-Pacific arrivals forgo mandatory quarantine if they can present a negative COVID-19 test. Persons who cannot provide valid negative COVID-19 test results will have to quarantine themselves for the mandatory 14-day period.
What is the pre-testing program to travel to Hawaii?
Starting on October 15, 2020 (the official Hawaii reopening date), travelers who undergo pre-travel testing can get an exemption from the mandatory 14-day travel quarantine upon arrival. Travelers will need to provide confirmation from a state-approved COVID-19 testing facility that they have tested negative in a test administered within 72 hours from the final leg of departure. Other key features of the pre-testing program are:
- Travelers have to provide valid proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) done within 72 hours from the final leg of departure.
- Antigen/Antibody tests will not be accepted.
- Travelers can upload their negative test results after completing their travel, and health forms on the Safe Travels digital system – hawaii.gov.
What must I do if I’m planning to travel to Hawaii?
The state is implementing a multi-layered testing and screening process to protect travelers’ health and safety when they arrive at the islands after Hawaii reopening. This includes mandatory temperature-checking and completing a health and travel form using the Safe Travels digital system (mentioned above) before they can leave the airport. Travelers who submit their valid NAAT pre-travel tests can forgo the mandatory quarantine. However, travelers who cannot provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test must undergo quarantine. Here are the steps to travel to Hawaii with the pre-travel COVID-19 testing program:
- Book your tickets to Hawaii.
- Register with Hawaii’s Safe Travels program.
- Share details of your Hawaii travel plans on the Safe Travels app.
- Take a COVID-19 test from any one of the state’s trusted testing partners.
- Upload proof of your negative COVID-19 test result on the Safe Travels website.
- Fill up an online health questionnaire within 24 hours of your flight.
- Catch your flight to Hawaii and enjoy your holiday there!
Where can I get my pre-travel testing done?
If you’re planning to vacation in Hawaii once it reopens, you can get your test done at any of the approved testing centers run by CVS and Kaiser Permanente. American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines offer pre-travel COVID-19 testing. Here are more details –
- United Airlines is offering testing for passengers flying from San Francisco International Airport.
- American Airlines currently provides testing at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
- Hawaiian Airlines offers drive-thru testing near San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
- Southwest Airlines offers COVID-19 testing to travelers flying to Hawaii from Oakland Airport.
- Alaska Airlines is making rapid COVID-19 testing available at a pop-up clinic in downtown Seattle.
You can also check the updated list of trusted travel and testing partners published by the Hawaii State Department of Health.
Can I get my COVID-19 test done upon arrival in Hawaii?
No, the state is implementing is a pre-travel testing program. Travelers who are symptomatic on arrival may be offered a COVID-19 test. However, the arrival test will not be provided in place of the pre-travel test.
What other precautions must I take while traveling to Hawaii?
- Strictly follow CDC protocols and airline guidelines on physical distancing, mask-wearing, and sanitation processes.
- Pack a travel-sized safety kit that you can carry while traveling. This should include hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, face masks, and gloves.
- Minimize the chance of getting infected on the way to the airport by avoiding public transport and driving yourself to the airport.
- Reduce your risk even more by booking your contactless airport parking spot online, ahead of your travels.
Renee is your go-to travel guru! With 15 years of wanderlust-fueled writing, she’s your go-to guide for all things travel and driving-related. When she’s not behind the wheel or jet-setting across the country, you’ll find her binge-watching movies/series or listening to true crime podcasts.
