Photo Credit Tori Rogers
Click Here to get the current Travel Alerts and Travel Restrictions for HAWAII.
Travel Restrictions & Requirements Hi-lighted from the article include: Hawaii 10-day Trans-Pacific Quarantine in effect until further notice Currently, there are Hawaii Travel Restrictions in effect for all the major Hawaiian Islands, including the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island), Molokai, and Lanai. This includes trans-Pacific travel restrictions required for all travelers not currently vaccinated within Hawaii; or within the U.S., beginning July 8, 2021.
Governor Ige has now announced that beginning July 8, 2021, the state will allow travelers vaccinated in the U.S. to skip quarantine without getting a COVID test prior to traveling to Hawaii. The exemption is for those vaccinated in all US states and territories. This exemption already currently exists for those vaccinated within Hawaii, as of June 15, 2021; more information is included below. Additionally, as of June 15, 2021, the inter-island restrictions have now officially ended between all islands. At this time, there is a 10-day quarantine restriction for all in-bound visitors to the Hawaiian Islands; with an exemption available to those who can provide proof of being fully vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine policies outlined on this page. Currently, for those who do not qualify for an existing vaccine exemption, there is a pre-travel testing option that will allow travelers an alternative, allowing them to bypass Hawaii's quarantine restrictions, as long as they bring along proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a state-approved trusted testing partner. All travelers must have their negative test results within 72 hours prior to the final leg of departure as an alternative to Hawaii's 10-day mandatory quarantine. If you are still trying to decide which Hawaii Island to visit, the following information should aid you in making the best choices.
For all travelers who do not get properly tested, or who have not been vaccinated in accordance with the current vaccine exemptions, Hawaii Governor David Ige mandates all visitors arriving in the Hawaiian Islands to self-quarantine for 10 days, meaning all passengers traveling to Hawaii (visitors and returning residents) must self-quarantine for 10 days following their arrival. The culture of the Hawaiian Islands promotes kuleana (responsibility) and aloha (love, peace, and compassion). Now that travelers can once again enjoy the incredible beauty and diverse cultures of the Hawaiian Islands, the state of Hawaii is asking for your kokua (help) in keeping Hawaii safe.
Quicklink Resources
Hawaii's pre-travel testing procedures (including Pre-Clear) for domestic U.S trans-Pacific, inter-island, and international travel can be found on our Hawaii COVID Testing Requirements →
A complete list of the trusted travel partners, currently approved by the state of Hawaii, for pre-travel testing can be found here: Hawaii Trusted Travel Partners & Test Costs →
Additional details on Hawaii's policy for vaccinated travelers can be found in our updated article: Hawaii COVID-19 Vaccination Policies →
Detailed information on Hawaii's planned use of Health/Vaccine passports can be found in our article: Hawaii Vaccine & Health Passport Travel →
Now that Hawaii has reopened to travelers with restrictions, we've created an article to cover everything you need to know about What is Open, Closed, or Reopening Soon →
Information on the latest with Hawaii rental cars and per-island transportation options can be found here: Rental Car Notice & Transporation Options →
Vaccinated domestic U.S. Traveler Update Beginning July 8, 2021 - travelers vaccinated anywhere in the U.S. will no longer need a pre-travel test to skip quarantine
On June 24, 2021, Governor David Ige announced that beginning July 8, 2021, the state of Hawaii will allow all domestic travelers vaccinated in the U.S. (the exemption is for those vaccinated in all U.S. states and territories) to skip quarantine without getting a pre-travel COVID test, a major step toward reopening Hawaii to all travelers.
All vaccinated trans-Pacific travelers will need to upload proof of their vaccination to the state of Hawaii's Safe Travels website in addition to bringing a physical copy of their vaccination cards with them when they travel to the Hawaiian Islands. More information, including the steps to take for travelers who have been vaccinated, can be found on our Health / Vaccine passport page here.
This exemption begins only for those arriving on or after July 8, 2021. Any travelers arriving before July 8, 2021, will still need to take the pre-travel test from a trusted partner within 72 hours prior to departure.
Currently, as of July 5, 2021, Hawaii had a statewide vaccination rate of 58%, according to local state data from the Hawaii Department of Health.
Once the state of Hawaii reaches a 60% vaccination rate - Hawaii will begin allowing trans-Pacific travelers vaccinated anywhere in the U.S. to travel to Hawaii via the Safe Travels program, without a pre-travel test. Proof of vaccination will be required as outlined above. This program is slated to begin July 8, 2021, in anticipation of reaching the 60% statewide vaccination rate. Even if the state does not reach the 60% mark, the July 8th timeline is now the set date for this program to begin according to Governor Ige.
Once the state of Hawaii reaches a 70% vaccination rate, the Safe Travels program may be able to conclude. We'll monitor this situation closely and continue to post updates accordingly here on this page.
Additional details on this program, including the steps to take for travelers who have been vaccinated, can be found on our Health / Vaccine passport page here.
What about children & minors who have not been vaccinated? We've received this question numerous times since the 'July 8th announcement,' and honestly, the Governor did not directly address this topic in his press release. At this time, to the best of our knowledge, children ages five (5) and older who are not vaccinated will still need to follow the current pre-travel testing procedures. This means any child not vaccinated, including children ages 5-12 who are not eligible for vaccination, or ages 13-17 who have not been vaccinated, would be subject to the 72-hour pre-travel test timeline as well. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and update this page and our mailing list accordingly if anything changes.
What if my vaccination card has my maiden name instead of my married name as seen on my ID? Several travelers have asked if your vaccine card has your maiden name, and not your married name as seen on your ID, what steps should you take? A traveler in the comments section of our vaccination page informed us they have called into the 'Hawaii Safe Travels' helpline and the official response was, "to bring your marriage license as proof," in addition to your physical vaccination card.
What about international travelers? At this time, the July 8th vaccine exemption is only for those vaccinated within the U.S. and U.S. territories. All international travelers will still need to take a pre-travel test as outlined on our testing page, from a trusted international travel partner. At this time, we do not have a set date for when international travelers may also be included in the vaccine exemptions that Hawaii has currently established for travelers. We'll continue to monitor this situation closely and update this page accordingly once we have more information to share.
Additional easing of Restrictions to also begin July 8th...
In addition to expanding the "vaccine passport" program beginning July 8, 2021, the state of Hawaii is also easing restrictions on gatherings and restaurants in anticipation of reaching a vaccination rate of 60%.
Under the new rules:
Hawaii restaurants will get the green light to move to 75% capacity. However, they’ll still need to meet 6-foot social distancing guidelines.
Social gatherings of 25 people will be allowed indoors or 75 outdoors.
Inter-Island Travel Restrictions have now ended
As of June 15, 2021 - Inter-Island Travel changes, Vaccine Exemption for those vaccinated within Hawaii
Governor David Ige has announced that as of June 15, 2021, traveling inter-island within Hawaii no longer requires a pre-travel test, and there are no quarantine requirements for inter-island travel. There are currently no restrictions flying between islands within Hawaii.
Also as of June 15, 2021, all travelers vaccinated within Hawaii are now able to travel via trans-Pacific routes without a pre-travel test. As of June 15th, travelers entering the state who have been vaccinated in Hawaii may bypass the quarantine without a pre-travel test.
Summary of Updated Travel Restrictions
All trans-Pacific travelers who board a plane on the final leg of their trip to the Hawaiian Islands without first securing a negative test will be subject to mandatory quarantine. Tests must be taken with trusted testing and travel partners with 72 hours of departure.
Travelers heading to Hawaii must upload their negative test results to the Safe Travels system prior to departure or, as an alternative to uploading, bring a hard copy of their negative test results with them when boarding their flight. The State of Hawaii highly recommends that all transpacific travelers departing for Hawaii carry a hard copy of their negative test result as a backup.
This change means that test results will not be accepted once a traveler arrives in Hawaii. Travelers who did not have a negative test result prior to departing for Hawaii must self-quarantine for 10 days, without exception. Post-arrival testing and results will also not be accepted once a traveler has arrived in Hawaii.
This policy change applies to domestic trans-pacific flights and additionally includes all flights from international locations in which pre-travel testing programs are in place. It does not apply to inter-county travelers.
As noted above, there are now vaccination exemptions available for those vaccinated within Hawaii (as of June 15, 2021) and for those vaccinated domestically in the U.S. beginning July 8, 2021. See above for additional details or refer to our Vaccine Passport page for more information.
Overview of steps to bypass Hawaii's 10-day quarantine
For domestic Hawaii travel, for travelers ages, five (5) and over, take a pre-travel NAAT test from one of the state's Trusted Testing Partners, no more than 72-hours prior to departure from the final city on the mainland before arriving in Hawaii. You will need the negative test results prior to departure.
As of June 15, 2021, if you have been vaccinated within Hawaii, you may now show proof of vaccination, following these steps, and skip the pre-travel test for trans-Pacific travel.
Beginning July 8, 2021, if you have been vaccinated within the U.S., you may show proof of vaccination, following these steps, and skip the pre-travel test for trans-Pacific travel.
Create a Safe Travels account for visiting Hawaii. Completing the application and obtaining your QR code(s) ahead of time will significantly reduce your arrival airport processing time. After creating your account, enter your traveler information and trip details, and then upload your negative COVID-19 test result (remember, it has to be from a Trusted Partner) to the correct form.
Fill out and complete the mandatory Hawaii Travel & Health form through your Safe Travels account. All adult travelers will receive a notice 24 hours prior to their departure time to the Hawaiian Islands to complete the Mandatory State of Hawaii Travel and Health Form via the Safe Travels Hawaii program set up in Step 2.
Travelers should be prepared to enter the names of each child traveling with an adult, as they also need to be registered.
Upon completing the Health form, a QR code will be emailed to each traveler for each leg of their trip, which will need to be presented to airport personnel upon deplaning in Hawaii.
The QR code can be either on paper or on your mobile phone, and must also be presented with a legally valid photo ID.
Arrive in Hawaii; be prepared to wear your mask indoors (removal of face coverings is allowed for both young children and those with health conditions preventing them from wearing a mask), practice social distancing, and take proper sanitation precautions. All incoming trans-Pacific Hawaii travelers will likely receive temperature checks upon arrival. Temperature scans will be taken via thermal temperature screening. All incoming trans-Pacific Hawaii travelers who have a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, or for any traveler who is displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, will be required to complete a secondary screening at the airport performed by trained health care staff.
I received my COVID-19 vaccination, am I exempt from quarantine?
Presently, proof of vaccination is not a recognized exemption to the Hawaii travel quarantine for most trans-Pacific travelers. However, those vaccinated within Hawaii can now travel to Hawaii, from the U.S. mainland, without a pre-travel test as of June 15, 2021. Beginning July 8, 2021, those vaccinated anywhere in the U.S. will be able to travel to Hawaii without a pre-travel test.
The state continues to evaluate the latest science and will inform travelers of any new exemptions as those decisions are made.
Hawaii's "vaccination passport" travel to begin for mainland visitors on July 8, 2021
The latest news suggests that vaccine/health passport travel will begin in multiple phases; the details which we've outlined on our Hawaii Vaccine and Health Passport Travel page.
Governor Ige has announced that beginning July 8, 2021, the state will allow travelers vaccinated in the U.S. to skip quarantine without getting a COVID test prior to traveling to Hawaii. The exemption is for those vaccinated in all US states and territories. This exemption already currently exists for those vaccinated within Hawaii, as of June 15, 2021; more information is included on the page linked directly above.
Maui County has set up a call center to help answer questions related to COVID-19. The call center will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HST each Monday through Friday and is reachable at (808) 270-7855.