Hawaii’s postcard perfect group of islands are ready to welcome tourists again. With a variety of islands to choose from, there's always something for everyone. Hawaii boasts a vast tropical escape, from the surfing on O'ahu to the wonders of Maui, the beauty of Honolulu, and the hidden wonders on Lana'i. Already dreaming of that Hawaiian getaway? Then, check out these travel requirements to the island paradise of the Aloha State!
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Before your trip
As the islands’ tourism business restarts, you'll need to prepare some paperwork ahead of time. To travel across the state of Hawaii, the local government requires all inbound tourists with foreign passports to secure a negative rt-PCR test result from the accredited laboratories of the Hawaiian government.
If your COVID test was conducted in a non-accredited laboratory, you will be required to be tested again or undergo a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine.
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The good thing is that Hawaii has unified its international entry policy with the federal policy for air travelers, which took effect on November 8, requiring overseas travelers to be fully vaccinated (for passengers of direct inbound flights) and have a negative Covid-19 test result.
So aside from your visa and passport, it’s also important to bring your vaccine certificate or card. As of November 2021, the approved vaccine jabs in Hawaii are Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Covishield, BIBP/Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
Since December 6, all inbound overseas passengers aged 2 and above, regardless of immunization status, have been obliged to be tested within one day of departure for Hawaii and nearby US territories.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be no domestic restrictions anymore.
Direct inbound flights to Hawaii
Airlines that operate direct international flights to and from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu International Airport):
- Hawaiian Airlines
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Air New Zealand
- Air Asia
- Air Canada
- Asiana Airlines
- Fiji Airways
- Philippine Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- JetStar
- China Airlines
- Korean Air
- Jin Air
- Qantas Airlines
Passengers of a non-stop flight from one country to Hawaii, without any stops along the way, are not required to sign-up to Safe Travels Hawai‘i.
Indirect inbound flights to Hawaii
If you are entering Hawaii via a transit stop from another US state or territory, you will no longer need to sign up to Safe Travels Hawai‘i and present other requirements like vaccination status, pre-arrival tests, and quarantine.
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Unvaccinated passengers flying in with a transit stop in a US state or territory should secure a negative rt-PCR test result from the trusted testing partners of Hawaii. Unvaccinated travelers will also be required to do a mandatory quarantine if deemed necessary by the healthcare professionals in Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu International Airport).
Final reminders
- The indoor mask mandate has been lifted
- It’s important to take note that the travel ban for travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe has been lifted since Dec. 31, 2021. Please always refer to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for an updated list of travel bans.
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With the country's restrictions and requirements easing up, it's definitely worth the effort to experience the welcoming aloha spirit of Hawaii. Once you’re there, don’t miss out on snapping epic photos while exploring the verdant valleys, golden sands, and glimmering waters of the islands!
