OLD/Closed General Discussion Thread: C-19/Hawaii. Will Hawaii re-open Oct. 15th? (+ NEW POLL)

[JanT]

Currently, we are flying from San Antonio, routing through Phoenix to Honolulu. My question is, could I go to DFW to get tested and still take my current flight schedule from San Antonio? Or do I have to either originate or route through DFW? I'm assuming that we would have to route through DFW but I'm going to check to see if that's the case.

I may be confused by your question. Are you asking if your flight originates elsewhere, but you go through DFW on your way to Hawaii can you be tested? I would assume so (and that's just my assumption), but unless you plan a long layover or overnight stay, you might not get the results in time. I notice the article also did not mention how long it will take for results.

 

[Luanne]

Currently, we are flying from San Antonio, routing through Phoenix to Honolulu. My question is, could I go to DFW to get tested and still take my current flight schedule from San Antonio? Or do I have to either originate or route through DFW? I'm assuming that we would have to route through DFW but I'm going to check to see if that's the case.

Thanks for the clarification. I don't have an answer. When I was reading the information from Hawaiian Airlines it looks like their testing will be done at locations that are close to, but not on airport grounds. Of course that doesn't help with American.

 

[JanT]

Is Hawaiian limiting testing to certain hubs? I can't see why as long as the test is administered that it can't be out of another city but who knows what American will do. I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can get some clarification. Thanks, Luanne!

Thanks for the clarification. I don't have an answer. When I was reading the information from Hawaiian Airlines it looks like their testing will be done at locations that are close to, but not on airport grounds. Of course that doesn't help with American.

 

[csodjd]

Even if they said the results would be ready in 20 minutes how would they staff? Would they require an RSVP? What if 200+ people going to Maui wanted to be tested and another 200+ going to Honolulu?

The logistics are challenging. And who really wants to pack up the family, head to the airport, and only then find out if they can go or not? Offering airport testing is a nice backstop, but I have to believe most responsible travelers will do their best to obtain a test a couple days earlier. To that end, Hawaii working with CVS, Kaiser, now Walmart and Quest, and hopefully others is really the BEST answer. Test Tuesday, results Wednesday, leave Friday morning. Most can make that work.

 

[jabberwocky]

Can we maybe keep this thread to factual news? I realize the other thread has been locked - but we’re starting to get away from the intent of the thread IMO.

 

[JanT]

We certainly want to ensure we’ll be able to go but luckily there’s only two of us. I wouldn’t take a chance on an airport test if I had a family.

I didn’t realize Walmart and Quest had been added to the list of partners. Has that been confirmed? I did not see it on the website.

The logistics are challenging. And who really wants to pack up the family, head to the airport, and only then find out if they can go or not? Offering airport testing is a nice backstop, but I have to believe most responsible travelers will do their best to obtain a test a couple days earlier. To that end, Hawaii working with CVS, Kaiser, now Walmart and Quest, and hopefully others is really the BEST answer. Test Tuesday, results Wednesday, leave Friday morning. Most can make that work.

 

[nalismom]

Here is Business Insider article....I believe this is clearer....you can also get your test 72 hours before your flight from CareNow urgent clinics. From what I’ve seen so far...CVS, Walmart , Walgreens have not yet entered information into their system’s specifying Hawaii flights.

https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/09/30/american-airlines-to-offer-covid-19-testing-on-select-routes/

I have a trip planned to Maui in December and am leaning towards visiting a clinic whether it’s a CareNow (90 miles away) or a CVS, Walmart, Walgreens 72 hours ahead of flight.

 

[csodjd]

We certainly want to ensure we’ll be able to go but luckily there’s only two of us. I wouldn’t take a chance on an airport test if I had a family.

I didn’t realize Walmart and Quest had been added to the list of partners. Has that been confirmed? I did not see it on the website.

No, I only read that they were in discussions with them and that they both expect by Oct 15 to have a process available. Quest has such a solid testing infrastructure in place across the country its an obvious connection. If they could add LabCorp they’d probably not need much else!

 

[csodjd]

A different approach: "For travelers looking for options, Oakland international airport is offering free testing to anyone with a Hawaii destination."

Councilman calls on the governor to prove Hawaii is ready to welcome back visitors

Many are questioning if the state’s pre-travel testing program is ready for launch.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

 

[ljmiii]

Here is Business Insider article....

When last I looked yesterday, the info from the Hawaiian DoT, DoH, and Gov Ige's order were all slightly different. I also saw an article stating that United's cheaper test was *not* approved (at least in the minds of some Hawaiian official) despite United's claims to the contrary. I'd let things settle before committing to any particular option.

 

[controller1]

The logistics are challenging. And who really wants to pack up the family, head to the airport, and only then find out if they can go or not? Offering airport testing is a nice backstop, but I have to believe most responsible travelers will do their best to obtain a test a couple days earlier. To that end, Hawaii working with CVS, Kaiser, now Walmart and Quest, and hopefully others is really the BEST answer. Test Tuesday, results Wednesday, leave Friday morning. Most can make that work.

I hadn't heard they were also working with Walmart. I had heard they were working with Walgreen's.

 

[controller1]

Just bumping this because it is obvious in the "facts only" thread people believe discussion must be done there since they believe this thread is closed.

 

[DeniseM]

I opened it this morning, and just moved those posts over here.

 

[JanT]

Everything I've read (including the link you provided) seems to indicate that American is offering testing for flights only originating out of DFW (or routing through DFW as well I suppose). I'm not sure if that's correct or not but it's how it reads to me. Because we are not leaving out of or even routing through DFW we'll have to stick with our plan to go to Quest, CVS, or potentially CareNow and take our chances that our results come back in time. If not, we'll have to quarantine until they do. If we were routing through DFW or leaving from there I'd do the rapid test at the airport. With that said, the Hawaii DoT, etc. says that a rapid test is not approved. Personally, I don't think they know what the Hell they're doing. It's going to be a test of patience to work our way through it. I wouldn't do it for a one or two week vacation but since we're going for 5 weeks, it's worth it to us. We'll quarantine if we have to and work our way through it.

Here is Business Insider article....I believe this is clearer....you can also get your test 72 hours before your flight from CareNow urgent clinics. From what I’ve seen so far...CVS, Walmart , Walgreens have not yet entered information into their system’s specifying Hawaii flights.

https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/09/30/american-airlines-to-offer-covid-19-testing-on-select-routes/

I have a trip planned to Maui in December and am leaning towards visiting a clinic whether it’s a CareNow (90 miles away) or a CVS, Walmart, Walgreens 72 hours ahead of flight.

 

[csodjd]

Everything I've read (including the link you provided) seems to indicate that American is offering testing for flights only originating out of DFW (or routing through DFW as well I suppose). I'm not sure if that's correct or not but it's how it reads to me. Because we are not leaving out of or even routing through DFW we'll have to stick with our plan to go to Quest, CVS, or potentially CareNow and take our chances that our results come back in time. If not, we'll have to quarantine until they do. If we were routing through DFW or leaving from there I'd do the rapid test at the airport. With that said, the Hawaii DoT, etc. says that a rapid test is not approved. Personally, I don't think they know what the Hell they're doing. It's going to be a test of patience to work our way through it. I wouldn't do it for a one or two week vacation but since we're going for 5 weeks, it's worth it to us. We'll quarantine if we have to and work our way through it.

I believe there are at least two rapid tests that ARE approved. Some use the phrase "rapid test" to refer to an antigen test. Those "rapid tests" are not approved. But there are two rapid tests that use the NAAT protocols, and those are approved. So what you really want to be sure of is that the test is using an amplified RNA test and not an antigen test.

 

[JanT]

Thank you so much csodjd for the clarification! This really helps me in my quest to make sure we get the right test. You have been such a wonderful source for information on this topic. I'm truly grateful!

I believe there are at least two rapid tests that ARE approved. Some use the phrase "rapid test" to refer to an antigen test. Those "rapid tests" are not approved. But there are two rapid tests that use the NAAT protocols, and those are approved. So what you really want to be sure of is that the test is using an amplified RNA test and not an antigen test.

 

[klpca]

Looks like the mayor of Kauai is getting seriously cold feet about tourists. I didn't realize that the mayors could augment the requirements made by the governor, but I understand the reasoning.

Kawakami asks Ige to approve post-travel program - The Garden Island

LIHU‘E — Kauai County inched closer on Wednesday to a two-test system to detect COVID-19 infections once the state opens further to tourism on Oct. 15 as Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami formally asked the governor’s office to approve a program to require a second test after visitors arrive on the island.

www.thegardenisland.com

 

[PearlCity]

Looks like the mayor of Kauai is getting seriously cold feet about tourists. I didn't realize that the mayors could augment the requirements made by the governor, but I understand the reasoning.

Kawakami asks Ige to approve post-travel program - The Garden Island

LIHU‘E — Kauai County inched closer on Wednesday to a two-test system to detect COVID-19 infections once the state opens further to tourism on Oct. 15 as Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami formally asked the governor’s office to approve a program to require a second test after visitors arrive on the island.

www.thegardenisland.com

The Mayor of Kauai has always been strictest of all the islands. He imposed curfews and their police was most proactive about quarantine enforcement. As a result hes gas almost no cases on island. As a result though they didnt have to shutdown again like oahu. They also have extremely limited hospital capacity there. He worked really hard for this. Its clear he sees holes in the governors plan.

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[bnoble]

I'm a bit confused on the current inter-island quarantine rule: is it imposed for Oahu->non-Oahu trips, or any flight originating on any island but landing at a non-Oahu destination?

We are contemplating a trip that starts in Kauai and moves to the Big Island. If I understand the rule correctly, the Big Island portion would be subject to quarantine even if we'd had a negative test before arriving on Kauai, but want to be sure.

 

[ljmiii]

I'm a bit confused on the current inter-island quarantine rule: is it imposed for Oahu->non-Oahu trips, or any flight originating on any island but landing at a non-Oahu destination?

We are contemplating a trip that starts in Kauai and moves to the Big Island. If I understand the rule correctly, the Big Island portion would be subject to quarantine even if we'd had a negative test before arriving on Kauai...

As things currently stand, yes you are correct. Quarantine is required for any inter-island trip that doesn't have O'ahu as its destination and there is no provision for avoiding that quarantine through a negative COVID-19 test.

 

[Foggy1]

Looks like the mayor of Kauai is getting seriously cold feet about tourists. I didn't realize that the mayors could augment the requirements made by the governor, but I understand the reasoning.

Kawakami asks Ige to approve post-travel program - The Garden Island

LIHU‘E — Kauai County inched closer on Wednesday to a two-test system to detect COVID-19 infections once the state opens further to tourism on Oct. 15 as Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami formally asked the governor’s office to approve a program to require a second test after visitors arrive on the island.

www.thegardenisland.com

In a similar article yesterday in Hawaii News Now, the Maui Mayor echoed the idea of the second test 72 hours after arrival and a quarantine until the second test results were in.

 

[jabberwocky]

In a similar article yesterday in Hawaii News Now, the Maui Mayor echoed the idea of the second test 72 hours after arrival and a quarantine until the second test results were in.

They are really trying to kill their economy - aren't they? The whole point of a pre-test is to avoid quarantine. If you have to do a pre-test, plus then quarantine for 3 days (possibly longer if the results are not rapid) - I just can't see why you would want to go to Hawaii under those conditions.

 

[klpca]

I'm a bit confused on the current inter-island quarantine rule: is it imposed for Oahu->non-Oahu trips, or any flight originating on any island but landing at a non-Oahu destination?

We are contemplating a trip that starts in Kauai and moves to the Big Island. If I understand the rule correctly, the Big Island portion would be subject to quarantine even if we'd had a negative test before arriving on Kauai, but want to be sure.

Here's a link (I think) to my post on the other thread. I agree that the interisland info has been confusing. I hope that this helps to clarify.

Interisland travel is off the table through at least Oct 31 because of limited testing supplies.

Hawaii Travel Advisories & Restrictions

Beginning March 26, 2022, domestic travelers to Hawaii will no longer need to fill out online forms via Safe Travels, no longer have to worry about QR codes, no longer have to provide proof of vaccination, and ultimately, there won't be any additional requirements or restrictions to fly to…

www.hawaii-guide.com

Interisland Travel Won’t Return Any Time Soon | Big Island Now

If events unfold according to current plans, trans-Pacific travelers will return to the Hawaiian Islands with quarantine exemptions before the interisland quarantine is lifted.

bigislandnow.com

 

[klpca]

They are really trying to kill their economy - aren't they? The whole point of a pre-test is to avoid quarantine. If you have to do a pre-test, plus then quarantine for 3 days (possibly longer if the results are not rapid) - I just can't see why you would want to go to Hawaii under those conditions.

While I understand their concerns I think that this is going to have long term ramifications for their economy. I feel really bad for people trying to survive economically on the island. And if a new relief package is passed I think that they will shut things down again. It's their sandbox, their rules, but I am having trouble seeing how this is going to work out in the long run.

 

[lynne]

Trans-Pacific travel: Ready for prime time? Kim says no - West Hawaii Today

With just two weeks remaining to get it all together, Hawaii’s pretest trans-Pacific travel plan is not ready for prime time, Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday, a sentiment echoed by two recent travelers to the Big Island.

www.westhawaiitoday.com