So you want to go to Hawaii but not sure how to travel there safely? I’ll tell you all the Hawaii travel requirements during Covid.

Since Hawaii reopened for tourism in October of 2020, many mainland visitors have opted to take the trip as a way to get out of town and literally be transported to paradise. I myself, hadn’t even thought of going, until my friend and fellow blogger: Zia (Hunter Collector) told me she was planning on going and that I should come along and spend New Years there. (I’m a good tag along pal…usually up for a trip and can make the time!)

Wow: was this something I needed. Not only did I need to get away from the dark and cold Bay Area (and completely shut down Bay Area I might add) but even before the scourge of Covid: I have been down in the dumps.

If you follow me, you may know I had a bad break up in early 2019 which has taken its toll on me. It can be hard to let go of feelings when you are in a cyclical routine — added with the ongoing pandemic, I really hadn’t felt good in awhile. Sure, I have travelled to Napa, Santa Barbara, and Dallas in the past year: all trips that I am so grateful for; but they still didn’t serve as proper distractions.

Hawaii helped to change that for me. I had actually forgotten what it was like to feel good.

To not be anxious. To fall asleep easily and not feel worried. To not be home sick. I woke up each morning with excitement, calmness, and hope. So it’s my opinion that if you are able to go to Hawaii now that they are open and accepting tourist: go. Don’t hesitate.

Here’s how you can travel there safely.

Each island has different Hawaii travel requirements during Covid.

Oahu (Honolulu, Waikiki Beach) AND Maui both require a negative COVID19 test within 72 hours of your plane flight.

For example: flight takes off Monday at 9:30am — so take the test the prior Friday anytime after 9:30am. Once you receive your negative test results, print them out and have with your on your flight. The result must get back to you before your board your flight — you cannot wait to receive the results once you get to Hawaii.

Big Island: You must have a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arriving and upon arrival at the airport there — they administer a test…both must be negative to enter the island.

Kauai: this island is still requiring a two week quarantine period. Regardless of a negative test.

(Some people on my flight were going there and were planning on staying for a month or so, therefore quarantining was an option for them.) If you can only got for a week or two — clearly this island isn’t the best option at the moment.

I went to Waikiki Beach in Oahu. It’s the perfect place to go, especially if you only have about week there. They have all the beautiful scenery (with the north shore offering more remote beaches and activities — anyone ever seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall — yep, filmed at Turtle Bay on the north shore!) Waikiki offers city elements with the most magical back drop — full blog post on my trip to come).

Here’s what you need to know about Hawaii travel requirements during Covid — the State of Hawaii only accepts certain testing sites, check out their website here to see which ones are approved partners.

Kaiser is an approved partner (members only) and it’s free. I got my test results back in just under 48 hours — pro tip: email your doctor and ask if you can have your test results expedited for travel. Although, most people I know are still getting their results back within 72 hours. There is no line, making an appointment is easy and the entire process is very fast and simple.

If you want to guarantee a 24 hour turnaround time there are testing sites that do this but you have to pay. Urgent Care at the Oakland Airport offers 24 results for $250. If you fly United they have their own testing company called “Color” and they are approved for Hawaii. So there are options.

The worrisome part is waiting for your test results — but its worth it!

You also have to fill out a form on the Hawaii site where you upload your results. Once you land you must pull up a QR code that is generated via the Hawaii site — have that ready to go, makes getting through the screening area faster.

The businesses in Hawaii are all following all the social distancing protocols and adhering to mask wearing (even with a negative test) — so safety is still paramount there.

Negative test, State of Hawaii form filled out, QR code check and you are literally at baggage claim and drinking a Mai Tai in Hawaii within the hour.

Aloha.

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