Annual Conference

*All times listed below are in local time.

**Agenda subject to change.

NOTICE: At the end of the day, March 25, 2022, the Safe Travels Hawai‘i program will conclude. Beginning March 26, 2022, there will be no COVID-related requirements for arriving domestic passengers. Travelers arriving in Hawai‘i directly from international airports must still comply with U.S. federal requirements; consult with your airline.

What Do I Need to Know About Getting to Hawai‘i?

Aloha! The State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels Hawai‘i program is a multilayered process designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community from trans-Pacific passengers arriving at airports/ports across the Islands.

For anyone planning travel to the Hawaiian Islands, it is important to be aware of new and enhanced State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels Hawai‘i program entry requirements prior to departure.

The State of Hawai‘i is in alignment with federal international requirements. There are no additional State of Hawaiʻi requirements for passengers flying directly into Hawaiʻi from an international destination. The airlines will screen passengers prior to their departure to the U.S. International passengers entering the U.S. from another state or territory will be treated as domestic travelers when entering the State of Hawai‘i.

This enhanced entry into Hawai‘i includes temperature screening at all Hawai‘i airports upon arrival, a pre-travel testing program, and a vaccination exception program for domestic, U.S. passengers. The information that follows will help make the process efficient.

NOTICE: To avoid mandatory quarantine, the Vaccination Exception Program is an option for those who have an up to date vaccination record. Details at HawaiiCOVID19.com/travel/faqs. The State of Hawai‘i will ONLY accept Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS, including any tests verified through the State’s Digital Health Pass Partners – AZOVA, CLEAR and CommonPass. For the full list of Domestic trans-Pacific, International and airline partners, go to TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS.

Safe Travels Hawai‘i Registration

Completing the State of Hawaii’s Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program application form, uploading COVID-19 test result or vaccination record document (if applicable) and obtaining your QR code PRIOR TO departure will significantly reduce your airport screening and processing time at arrival.

Prior to your departure for Hawai‘i, if you are an adult (age 18 years or older) you will need to create an online user account and register with the State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels Hawai‘i program. This applies only for domestic passengers from the U.S. and its Territories.

Once you create your Safe Travels Hawai‘i account, you will next need to enter your traveler information and trip details on the program’s application form. It is important to get the correct test and upload the correct form or vaccination record document. Visit Safe Travels Hawai‘i Help for answers to questions about the online application form.

If you need assistance with login or technical issues, call the Safe Travels Program: 1-800-GOHAWAII or (1-800-464-2924) 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time.

*Please note: On February 8, 2022, Hawai‘i Governor David Ige announced that the Safe Travels Hawai‘i program will remain unchanged at this time, and booster shots will not be required for “up-to-date” vaccination status for individuals traveling to Hawai‘i.
For more information, please browse the official news release here.

Pre-travel Testing

All travelers wishing to bypass quarantine who are ages five and older and who choose not to participate in the vaccination exception program will be required to take a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab in order to bypass the State of Hawaii’s five-day mandatory quarantine. This applies only for domestic passengers from the U.S. and its Territories.

The State of Hawaiʻi will accept test results ONLY from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS or the State’s Digital Health Pass Partners — AZOVA, CLEAR and CommonPass.

The test will need to be taken no more than 72 hours before your flight departure time. If you have a multi-city flight itinerary, the departure time is from the last city you leave before arriving at a Hawai‘i airport (e.g. if your travel is from Chicago to Seattle to Honolulu, the departure time to look at is your flight from Seattle).

Once you receive your negative pre-travel test result, you will need to upload the result to your Safe Travels Hawai‘i account. This step is crucial, as it will be the only means for airport officials to verify your Safe Travel Hawai‘i information upon your arrival in Hawai‘i. See Safe Travels Help Before You Travel.

If the correct form is not uploaded to the Safe Travels Hawai‘i account prior to departure and hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawai‘i, then the traveler must quarantine for five days upon arrival in Hawai‘i. The State of Hawai‘i will also accept vaccine records that are digitally validated by Digital Health Pass Partners.

If you receive an indeterminate result or inconclusive result prior to departure, you will be required to quarantine.

Upon completing your trip itinerary, a QR code will be emailed to you.

Travelers who receive a green QR code will be able to get through the verification and processing at the airport quicker. A green QR code means the traveler’s quarantine exception was pre-verified by Safe Travels. Those who use a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner or Health Pass Partner (AZOVA, CLEAR and CommonPass) or Hawaii SMART Health Card would be eligible for a green QR code. Travelers who did not receive a green QR code will be able to get their quarantine exception manually reviewed by airport screeners during the verification process.

Travelers who have a SMART Health Card from their State or provider can obtain the green QR code by using CommonPass to verify their vaccination SMART Health Card, then linking their CommonPass ID in Safe Travels (not for cruise line trips at this time). Check the SMART Health Card website for a list of States and providers who issue SMART Health Cards.

Prior to boarding or when you deplane in Hawai‘i, you will be asked to present your QR code and your negative test result to airport personnel either on paper or on your mobile phone, along with a legally valid photo ID.

If you receive a NEGATIVE TEST RESULT  while you are in quarantine in Hawai‘i, you will still need to remain in quarantine for five days or the length of your trip, whichever is shorter.

If you receive a POSITIVE TEST RESULT while you are in quarantine in Hawaiʻi, you will be required to go into isolation until you recover and at least five days have passed since the start of symptoms or positive test, and at least 24 hours have passed without a fever without the use of fever reducing medicine. If you are traveling with others, the Department of Health has updated the isolation and quarantine policy based on CDC recommendations.

Trusted Testing and Travel Partners

The State of Hawai‘i will ONLY accept Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from trusted testing and travel partners. These are listed by region: US Domestic, Airlines & Airports, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and French Polynesia at HawaiiCOVID19.com/travel-partners.

Airlines and Airport Protocols

While you are in-flight or deplaning, you must follow the guidance of your air carrier and CDC with regard to physical distancing, mask wearing and sanitation processes.

Remember to pack your mask and/or facial coverings in your carry-on luggage. All travelers are required to wear a mask at all Hawai‘i airports. If travelers are subject to Hawaii’s five-day mandatory self-quarantine, they must continue wearing a mask until in the room of their confirmed place of lodging. Removal of face coverings is allowed for young children and individuals with health conditions preventing them from wearing one.

All incoming domestic trans-Pacific Hawai‘i travelers from the U.S. will receive temperature checks upon arrival. Temperature scans will be taken via thermal temperature screening. Photos will be temporarily retained only for persons with elevated temperatures of 100.4 degrees F and above for identification and additional assessments by airport representatives.

All incoming domestic trans-Pacific travelers from the U.S. arriving with a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher and/or displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be required to complete a secondary screening at the airport performed by trained health care staff.

Quarantine Guidelines

If you arrive in Hawai‘i without valid proof of a negative COVID-19 NAAT or up to date vaccination, you will be subject to the State of Hawaii’s strict five-day mandatory self-quarantine requirement and will need to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Under self-quarantine, you will not be allowed to leave the room at your place of lodging under any circumstances, except for a medical emergency or to depart the state.
• If you are planning on staying in a short-term rental or vacation rental, be aware that individuals subject to Hawaii’s five-day mandatory self-quarantine are not allowed to stay in short-term rentals and vacation rentals on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and the island of Hawai‘i.
• Quarantined travelers are not allowed to rent a car in Hawai‘i for the duration of their self-quarantine.
• Travelers who violate the terms of the five-day mandatory self-quarantine will be prosecuted and may face fines of up to $5,000 and one year in prison.

While in Hawai‘i

What Do I Need To Know Once I’m in Hawai‘i?

By following the simple and sensible tips and advice in this section, you will be keeping yourself, your family and friends, and communities across the Hawaiian Islands healthy and safe. Hawaii’s indoor mask mandate will be enforced in each county through March 25, 2022. Wearing a mask lowers the risk of transmission. It is wise to wear a mask while indoors with people whose vaccination status is unknown and when you are unable to maintain physical distancing.

We thank you in advance for being mindful of putting public health first and following local guidelines.

Interacting With Others

Wearing a Mask or Face Covering

Hawaii’s indoor mask mandate will be enforced in each county through March 25, 2022. Masks are still strongly recommended for people over age 65, with compromised immune systems, who care for people at risk of severe illness and those unvaccinated for COVID-19.

Hotels and Accommodations

Please visit the website of your Hawai‘i accommodations for information about their property-specific safety protocols.

Parks and Beaches

Parks, beaches and trails are open with some restrictions. Please practice physical distancing and always wear a face covering when this is not possible. County parks and beaches are open on all islands with some restrictions. Please refer to the following island county websites for the most current information.

County of Kaua‘i | City and County of Honolulu | County of Maui | County of Hawai‘i

Select state parks and monuments statewide are open, though emphasizing social distancing. You will find a detailed listing of open and closed state parks at the Division of State Parks website.

National Park Service-managed parks, historic sites and memorials in Hawai‘i are gradually increasing access and services to their sites and facilities utilizing a phased approach. You will find a detailed listing of open and closed sites at the National Park Service’s Hawai‘i webpage.

Dining and Activities

Most county restrictions have been lifted. Refer to county websites for additional information:

County of Kaua‘i | City and County of Honolulu | County of Maui | County of Hawai‘i

Best Practices Information to Keep Everyone in Hawaiʻi Safe

Wear a mask in public indoor spaces when you are around people whose vaccination status is unknown, practice good hygiene and when possible, maintain physical distancing.

When you leave your lodging accommodations, please take all necessary precautions prioritizing public health to ensure Hawai‘i remains a safe place for residents and visitors. Be sure your mask covers your nose and mouth.

What to Do if You Get Sick

If you become ill with a fever or cough while in Hawai‘i, have recently departed an area with widespread community transmission of COVID-19, and/or have had prolonged close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19, please follow these recommendations:

• Wear a mask to reduce transmission.
• Consider taking a COVID-19 test if symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.
• Remain at home or in your lodging accommodations and avoid contact with others.
• Before seeking medical care, call ahead to a health care provider or hospital emergency room first to inform them of your symptoms, as well as your travel and contact history, before going to their facilities.
• Call 9-1-1 if you need immediate medical care.

AlohaSafe Alert App

AlohaSafe Alert is a free, voluntary new service that helps slow the spread of COVID-19. It is the State of Hawaii’s official exposure notification app and has been developed in partnership with the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. The app does not track your location. It anonymously keeps track of devices you’ve been in close contact with for the past 14 days.

Download the AlohaSafe Alert app to get COVID-19 exposure notifications and help keep Hawai‘i safe and healthy – all while maintaining your privacy.

Contact Tracing Procedures in Hawai‘i

Contact tracers at the Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s help protect the community from the spread of COVID-19 by locating everyone who comes in close contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus. Tracers notify and interview individuals who may have been exposed without revealing the COVID-positive person’s identity. Successful contact tracing relies on a partnership between tracers and individuals who are interviewed. Contact tracers also offer education and resources to individuals required to isolate or quarantine. Here’s more information on the work of contact tracers in Hawai‘i.

Travel FAQ’s

Please visit this page for all Travel FAQ’s.