Doppy

Can't speak to Kauai, but in December it was a great time to visit Maui and the Big Island. There were a small number of closed business/restaurants, but almost everything was open, just with capacity restrictions and distancing. Tourist numbers were much lower than normal, so it's an ideal time to visit and feels very safe since most things in Hawaii are outdoors or half outdoors anyway.

There's still a lot of time for things to change between now and April, but it seems unlikely that by then the restrictions will be any more strict than they are now (though Kauai is a bit of a wildcard here; if it doesn't work out, Oahu could be a backup and doesn't require a pre-flight test for interisland arrivals.

Just make sure that they make reservations for all of their required tests in advance so they don't end up unable to get a test in time.

fMD

Thanks! My partner and myself have "verification pending" on the website under our COVID tests. Sounds like we should be good as long as we bring the paper copy. Anyone have a negative experience with a similar situation?

BlueZebra

There are many comments around this thread and others. "Verification pending" doesn't hurt you. There are a few here that never cleared "verification pending", even weeks after completing their trip.

bikenski

While this itinerary may technically be possible, I strongly suggest skipping the island hopping on this trip. What is supposed to be a relaxing honeymoon would be largely consumed by going to test appointments, fretting about getting results back, and figuring out how to keep the Safe Travels app updated.

Even during "normal" times island hopping every few days takes away from the relaxation and enjoyment of a Hawaiian vacation, due to constant packing and unpacking, getting settled into new accommodations, and travel time and hassles. Throw Covid protocols on top of that, and there is just too much potential for a trip ruining hurdle.

Especially as a Covid nurse coming out of an incredibly difficult year, I have to imagine the last thing your daughter wants is to have Covid on her mind every minute of what should be an amazing time getting to relax with her new life partner.

Pick either Maui or the Big Island depending on which island best suits their lodging and activity interests, knock out the necessary testing and app hassles prior to departure, and then settle into a truly relaxing honeymoon. The other islands can always be visited on future trips for vow renewals!

nigos

Under the current rules, you will not need a test in Kauai - you will only need a test on the big island within 72 hours of your flight to Kauai. Two weeks ago instead of quarantine on Kauai for three days, we traveled to Oahu, spend three nights in a hotel, tested after 72 hours and jumped on a flight to Kauai after the results because available (We used the Lumi Oahu City pass site to arrange for a test administered by the Kidney Foundation. Results came back within 5 hours. Only issue is we uploaded the result to the safe travels site but it did not change from red to green (negative test) until after the interview in the Kauai airport. We were near the front of the plane to Kauai and that saved a lot of time because we were one of the first to interview - others had much much longer wait.

Weatherboy

I agree. And I'd go one step further and recommend the Big Island over Maui. There aren't as many restrictions, restaurants and bars are open with capacity constraints, and (hopefully for the economy's sake) you won't ever be able to experience empty resorts, beaches, and sites like this ever again.

Doppy

Are you using one of the GoHealth urgent care centers (versus the airport location)? Is that still good, or does it have to be the airport? How much do they charge?

Weatherboy

The governor reiterated today that there will be no exemption from COVID rules for travel to Hawaii for those that are vaccinated until the CDC unveils such guidance. And with long term efficacy data still coming in, I can't imagine the CDC will have any such guidance for quite a while.

SNA_Flyer

Hopefully a sense of reason will eventually come into play regarding vaccinated persons, especially with the LT Gov's medical background. There isn't a known virus that is transmissible from a person properly vaccinated for it. COVID would have to be completely different.

Weyland Yutani Corp

I would say it’s different in terms of how contagious and deadly it is, so using typical reasoning is probably not wise.

nsx

I agree, but mRNA vaccines are brand new and could conceivably perform differently. Politicians and bureaucrats have every incentive to avoid creation of visible and voting victims of policy no matter how many invisible and non-voting victims are created by that policy. There will be a bandwagon of tourist destinations opening to vaccinated tourists. Hawaii will join that bandwagon but not lead it.

LIH Prem

Doubt anything will happen until the CDC provides updated guidelines for vaccinated people.

-David

nomad420

Yes the Strawberry Village center, I have used now three times without problem. Per comments above have the results IN HAND upon arrival (which GoHealth will hand you after test) as the State web site you must upload them to in notoriously slow in approve them. Last two times I had to show them the hard copy of the results and they approved me with a glance. I have been getting the test for free through my insurance and also the trips are business related so my work would cover it anyway but I don't know the price without insurance coverage. Good luck I test again on Friday and leave for KOA on Saturday AM. Hoping for no hiccups but anything these days is possible.

bluedemon211

Is the island of Hawaii still doing the post arrival COVID test? The latest I read was that it was scheduled to be in place through January 15, but didn't see any update. Thanks!

Doppy

Do they provide an electronic copy of the results as well? Haven't had any trouble with the system reading PDFs instantly from other providers in my experience.