Hawaii is open! Now is a great time to visit while crowds are low and it is prime whale-watching season, but things are operating a little differently now. So let's breakdown exactly what is going on in Hawaii right now.
You may have heard about the 72 hour testing procedure. At first it sounds a little complicated, but it really is not that bad. The first thing you want to do is create an account at https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/travel-overview/ - this is your source for EVERYTHING: accepted tests, acceptable trusted testing partners, the health questionnaire you must submit 24 hours prior to travel, where you will upload your test results, etc. It only takes a couple of minutes to setup and there is a good quick tutorial that explains the whole process.
As of now, you will need a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) 72 hours before the last leg of your trip (departure from mainland to Hawaii). I have particular airlines that I recommend to clients who will send you a home test kit, but otherwise you can look into the trusted testing partners and find a lot of convenient options local to you.
So what happens if you do not receive your negative test results back before you board the last leg of your trip? You will not be allowed to board a flight to Hawaii. There is no on-site testing at any of the airports in Hawaii. So it is crucial that you have that negative test result uploaded to your account prior to boarding. I have a particular flight schedule I suggest to all of my Hawaii clients that ensures they have access to a rapid testing facility that Hawaii will accept as our safety net. Usually it isn't an issue, but it has been for a couple clients and that was a very valuable contingency plan to have in place. They were able to take a test and obtain their results during their brief layover for less than the cost of an overnight hotel stay and were on their way to sunny Honolulu while their first test results were trapped in a snowstorm back home.
Once you arrive you will go through a brief screening process that includes a temperature check and test results confirmation. You will then receive a slip of paper confirming you have been cleared. It is crucial that you keep that slip of paper on you at all times! You will not be able to pick up your rental car, check into your hotel, eat a restaurant or participate in any organized activities or excursions without it.
HERE is the silver lining to all of this though: with the state's guidelines reducing capacity at hotels, pools, restaurants and for organized activities or excursions there are no crowds! And Hawaii has an incredibly low infection rate due to their diligent management. I have had clients on excursions where they had the tour, boat, table to themselves and were able to have a much more personal, intimate experience. Everyone has said they have felt completely safe during their trip to Hawaii.
In my experience sending clients to Hawaii since it reopened, the most important part of planning their trip is knowing exactly what we will be getting from each resort, dining experience and excursion. I have spent countless hours on the phone with resort guest relations, restaurant hosts and tour operators confirming precisely what to expect. Frankly, a lot of what is listed on their websites is outdated due to the fluid nature of the situation. No matter what the website says, it is HIGHLY unlikely that anywhere is actually serving a buffet anymore. The list of considerations goes on for miles. And you cannot simply inquire once along the planning process. Continuing conversations with my industry colleagues on the islands keeps me abreast of all the changes, published and not. No amount of internet research can compensate for having a counterpart on the ground contacting me in advance of any changes.
One of the biggest considerations right now is to island hop or not. Island hopping used to be a standard part of every Hawaii trip as the islands are all so close together and flights between them are inexpensive and convenient. However, each island is has the independence to handle testing and quarantining a little differently and some, such as Kauai, have. The short answer (with some stipulations) is that you will be required to test again at every island.
So, is it worth to go to Hawaii right now? I think that is a yes for MOST clients. Maybe not for everyone though. If this is the once in a lifetime trip and you will never be going back, then maybe not. Although I'd insert here that Hawaii has a much higher than average traveler satisfaction and return trip rate than most destinations - people just fall in love with the land and the people and end up returning again and again.
Traveling to Hawaii is COMPLETELY feasible and even ideal in most cases right now. Your ultimate enjoyment of the trip will come down to the planning which is far more complicated now. More than ever you really do want a Hawaii expert in your corner helping you navigate the constant changes and new procedures. The right knowledge, connections and insight will make or break your trip.