Hawaii Announces New Entry Requirements For International Visitors

Last Updated 1 year ago

Officials in Hawaii released updates on the state’s entry requirements for international visitors that will go into effect from next week. The easing of restrictions for some indoor and outdoor activities was also announced.

A motorcycle rider rides down a quiet polynesian road on a sunny day

On November 8, the U.S. will reopen non-essential travel to fully vaccinated international visitors. This means that international arrivals will have to show proof of vaccination before travel, among other requirements.

To clarify these new entry requirements in the context of Hawaii, the state’s Governor David Ige released further details in a press conference earlier this week, as reported in the Honolulu Star Adviser.

You can use this as your guide if you plan to travel to Hawaii directly from an international destination.

Beautiful Na Pali coast sunset from the Kalalau Trail on Kauai's north shore

Guidance For International Arrivals To Hawaii

Non-U.S. citizens traveling directly to Hawaii: People traveling directly to the islands from another country will be required to show proof of full vaccination from an approved vaccine as well as a negative Covid test result (antigen or NAAT) from no later than three days prior to travel.

U.S. citizens traveling from an international destination directly to Hawaii: Travelers will have the option to show proof of full vaccination or show a negative Covid test result taken from only one day prior to travel.

Young woman resting on her surfboard waiting for a wave

Safe Travels Hawaii Requirements For Domestic Travelers

International passengers traveling to the U.S. from another state or territory will be treated as domestic travelers when entering Hawaii. Because the state currently has a Safe Travels Hawaii program in place, this will apply to all of those domestic travelers.

Starting November 8, all domestic travelers arriving to Hawaii from another U.S. state or territory will have to open a Safe Travels Hawaii account online. Before your trip to Hawaii, you should:

Go to the Safe Travels Hawaii website and enter the details of your Hawaii trip.
Fill out health form.
Confirm that all information provided is accurate.

To avoid Hawaii’s mandatory 10-day quarantine for arrivals, travelers can upload a vaccination document or upload their negative NAAT test result. The test must be taken from a state of Hawaii Trusted Testing and Travel Partner within three days of departure for Hawaii.

You can see the full details on the GoHawaii official website.

traveler on a swing on a beach in Hawaii at sunset

Outdoor Restrictions And Some Indoor Restrictions Will Be Eased

Along with the details announced this week, the Governor announced an easing of some restrictions for outdoor activities starting November 12. However, indoor capacity for gyms, restaurants and bars will remain at 50% unless a county has a vaccination or testing requiremment put in place from November 12.

In his annoucement, the Governor stated that, “As a reminder, indoor activities at restaurants, bars and social establishments must continue to require patrons remain seated with their party, maintain six feet of distancing between groups, do not mingle and wear masks at all times except when actively eating or drinking.”

He continued, “Effective November 12, outdoor activity at restaurants, bars and social establishments will no longer be subject to these restrcitions.”

Hawaiian Airlines are ramping up flight service

Non-Essential Travel For Fully Vaccinated Allowed Throughout The State of Hawaii

This week’s news in Hawaii comes after the state lifted its warning against non-essential travel for fully vaccinated tourists beginning November 1st. Travel restrictions on the ground in various parts of Hawaii from Oahu to Maui were tightened in early September and into October, with the Honolulu mayor restricting public gatherings and allowing limited access to non-essential services like restaurants and bars.