#pre-travel testing program

A small but vocal group of Hawai´i citizens on the Big Island have waved signs and sent emails over the last several months, calling for an end to mask-wearing mandates and COVID-19 restrictions in general.

Gov. David Ige has approved Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request to implement a pre- and post-travel testing program for visitors who stay in “resort bubble” hotels, effective Jan. 5.

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami’s request to place a temporary moratorium on Kaua‘i’s participation in the state’s pre-travel testing program has been approved.

Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has submitted a proposal to Gov. David Ige requesting a temporary pause to the Garden Island’s participation in the state’s Safe Travels pre-travel testing program.

Hawai‘i’s Safe Travels coronavirus testing program will remain in effect, but with an important change beginning next week. 

During the first 23 days of the Safe Travel Program, 144,896 trans-Pacific travelers have arrived in Hawai’i for an average of 6,300 per day.

The arrival of 64 travelers to Oahu from Japan Friday marked the return of international travel to Hawai‘i after several months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawaiʻi is searching for additional trusted testing partners for domestic transpacific travel as part of the state’s pre-travel testing program.

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection is the first resort to partner with a health care company in an effort to create a relatively seamless opportunity for booking a Hawai‘i vacation and obtaining a COVID-19 test through a state-trusted partner.

Hawai‘i County is currently looking at offering its post-arrival COVID-19 rapid anitgen test to trans-Pacific travelers four days after arrival on the island instead of the day they fly in.

Inter-county travelers arriving in Kaua‘i and Maui may now bypass the 14-day quarantine if they take a COVID-19 test no earlier than 72 hours prior to departure and receive a negative result.

The number of trans-Pacific travelers arriving in Hawai‘i on Thursday as part of the state’s pre-travel coronavirus testing program was more than officials anticipated.

The first trans-Pacific travelers participating in the state’s pre-travel coronavirus testing program arrived at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole Thursday afternoon.

The governor said he is also exploring a pre-travel testing program with Japan and will be speaking with Japanese authorities about the process Tuesday afternoon.  

Hawaiian Airlines will be offering drive-through COVID-19 tests in select US mainland gateways, allowing travelers to bypass Hawaii’s 14-day quarantine.

Gov. David Ige signed a 13th supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the COVID-19 emergency period through Oct. 31.

As Kaua‘i County continues its conversations in creating a “resort bubble” program, the state has confirmed it will start the pre-travel testing program on Oct. 15.

The pre-travel testing program will launch on Oct. 15, Gov. David Ige announced in a press conference this afternoon.

Out-of-state travelers will likely remain subject to quarantine restrictions beyond Oct. 1. 

Hawaiian Airlines is set to resume a reduced schedule between Hawaiʻi and most of its US mainland gateway cities after months of suspended flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic.