Hawaii To Allow Vaccinated Visitors To Skip Covid Testing

[Flash]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/06/24/hawaii-covid-travel-test/5311340001/

Hawaii ending COVID test requirement for vaccinated travelers on July 8

Visiting Hawaii is about to get easier for vaccinated travelers.

Beginning July 8,the state will end its pre-travel COVID testing requirement for visitors from the U.S. mainland who are fully vaccinated, Hawaii Gov. David Ige said Thursday. Travelers will need to show their vaccine card as well as upload it to the state's Safe Travels website.

"I know that this change has been widely anticipated and it will make it easier for residents to return home and for visitors to come and enjoy our islands,'' Ige said at a news conference.

Ige has said for weeks that Hawaii would lift travel restrictions for vaccinated visitors when 60% of the state's population was fully vaccinated. The figure has been stuck at 57% and Ige said earlier this week that it wouldn't meet that level ahead of the July 4th holiday weekend. He said Thursday it expects to reach the benchmark on July 8.

 

[knockonit]

hehe, hawaii could sink and i wouldn't miss it. might be a good thing, it won't have to be subsidized , absolutely do not like the place, much nicer island paradises to go to. even if not American

 

[Flash]

I'd agree with you if we're talking about Oahu or Maui. Having said that, I do go to Oahu for a few hours each year to pay my respects to those lost on the USS Arizona. It's something I feel very strongly about.

However, The Big Island is a totally different world from those two. Primarily a deep sea fishing destination, but people like to refer to it as a drinking town with a fishing problem.

 

[XJThrottle]

Looks like my Brothers, nieces, and nephew will still have to come back to AZ to visit the family. Both my parents are anti vax too.

 

[QuangTri]

The good part for me is somewhat unfettered travel back and forth to my Oro Valley place. Last visit, had to go do a nose swab test, wait for results, upload, and wait for some stupid QR code thing. And, still stand in a line to get out of the GD airport while some ditz made sure ze paperz were in order.

Early September, Southwest Air will start non-stop service to Phoenix. Still have to figure how to get down to Tucson without $$ rental car charges.

 

[XJThrottle]

Early September, Southwest Air will start non-stop service to Phoenix. Still have to figure how to get down to Tucson without $$ rental car charges.

Did they quit during covid? I fly SW a lot for work, 3 trips this month. So, when they anounced Hawaii I started to look at prices. They were way higher than the other carriers. Using my points was crazy expensive. It was ultimately cheaper for me to fly Hawaiian, and use my SW points for domestic stuff.

Edit....
Upon another look, they have become more reasonable, and available. My chick flys free with me. I could to round trip to OGG for under $600 this time next month. They gotta change the vax rules tho.

 

[QuangTri]

Early September, Southwest Air will start non-stop service to Phoenix. Still have to figure how to get down to Tucson without $$ rental car charges.

Did they quit during covid?

Dunno what routes they flew before, but service to the Big Island is fairly new, as is the new non-stop to Phoenix from Kona. Am very leery of flight switching if I check ammo or a rifle. They were listing $139 each way for the non-stop in early Set. That is the super low end, whatever that sort of seating is.

Looks like the return flight can be somewhat open ended, good for my purposes.

 

[Dauph]

Yup because it’s not like the vaccinated people are not still testing positive. :roll:

 

[Flash]

Yup because it’s not like the vaccinated people are not still testing positive. :roll:

A very small percentage are, yes.

No vaccine ever developed is 100% effective.

 

[XJThrottle]

Early September, Southwest Air will start non-stop service to Phoenix. Still have to figure how to get down to Tucson without $$ rental car charges.

Did they quit during covid?

Dunno what routes they flew before, but service to the Big Island is fairly new, as is the new non-stop to Phoenix from Kona. Am very leery of flight switching if I check ammo or a rifle. They were listing $139 each way for the non-stop in early Set. That is the super low end, whatever that sort of seating is.

Looks like the return flight can be somewhat open ended, good for my purposes.

SW only has one kind of seating outside of business, that's general boarding. First to check in at the 24 hour mark boards first. Sit where you like. There are ways around it. PM me for details of you like.

 

[Manitu]

We shall see how the olympics work out. Pretty big crowds from around the world. Athletes all got stuck? Crowds at the games pretty geared toward buy a f-in ticket and come on down and spend. So Hawaii tourism is OK? I had 2 jabs and go about my business and never once did I have to do anything weird except for my doctors office still locked down after I dunno 15 months or so. They give me what I want on the phone so I do not want to go thru that security theatre routine. Eating in a crowded Cheeba hut no worries.

 

[Flash]

SW only has one kind of seating outside of business, that's general boarding. First to check in at the 24 hour mark boards first. Sit where you like. There are ways around it. PM me for details of you like.

Yeah, you can buy your way into boarding first, or you can be handicapped and board first.

 

[oldslurrydog1]

Yeah, you can buy your way into boarding first, or you can be handicapped and board first.

Yep. My wife had a total knee and was first on board.

 

[QuangTri]

SW only has one kind of seating outside of business, that's general boarding. First to check in at the 24 hour mark boards first. Sit where you like. There are ways around it. PM me for details of you like.

Never took SW, so no experience. What I was referring to was super low airfare was for something called "Wanna Get Away". Not looked into what sort of restrictions that has, but the cost was $139 vs. $670 for "Anytime"

Need to do more research to make sure i do not get screwed into the baggage compartment. I have a hard time as it is with a 6 hour flight.