***HISTORICAL***
As mentioned a few weeks ago, Maui’s mayor is instituting a (hopefully temporary) post-arrival test on May 5, 2021.
The current process is that up to 72 hours prior to the last leg of your flight to Maui, you need a negative Covid test which is then uploaded into the Safe Travels App. Only NAAT tests done by the State’s ‘trusted partners’ are valid (please see the official website for the most accurate details).
As Maui’s new Covid infection numbers had not been going down in recent months, the mayor is instituting a second test. The second test is a rapid test which will be done at Kahului airport, free of charge for travelers.
Here’s what you need to know:
- if you have proof of being fully vaccinated (both doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of J&J) you are exempt (you DO STILL NEED TO DO THE PRE-ARRIVAL TEST). Proof of vaccination means presenting your original CDC vaccination card or certificate of vaccination downloaded from the CDC’s Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS).
- the rapid antigen test administered at the airport is free. Results are expected to take 15-20 minutes.
- if you test positive, you will be asked to return to the airport for a second test, a PCR test this time. You will be notified right away if the confirming test is negative. If you refuse the second test or it comes back positive, you will need to quarantine for 10 days at your own expense. NOTE: by law you cannot quarantine in a vacation rental but would need to stay somewhere on the County’s ‘approved list‘.
- kids aged five and under are exempt from the post-arrival test
- see the County of Maui’s website for more details
Where is the State of Hawaii at with their vaccination passport
The State will be phasing in a vaccination passport program. This vaccination passport program will eliminate the need for the pre-travel testing when showing proof of being fully vaccinated.
Phase 1: testing exemption for inter-island travel for those who have been vaccinated within the State of Hawaii
The State is just starting the program, so as of May 11
- if you have been fully vaccinated at a facility within the State of Hawaii
- and it’s been more than 2 weeks since you were fully vaccinated
- upload a copy of your vaccination certificate to the Safe Travel App (starting May 7)
- these will be manually verified with the State health records
The State is starting the program small – in-State vaccinations are easiest for them to verify.