The story of Hawaii’s reopening process is finally ending. After months of teasing its quarantine-free reopenings, delays, and disagreements between the islands on how to handle testing, it seems like the saga might finally be over. Today, Hawaii’s borders officially open to out-of-state US visitors without the need for them to quarantine. But rather than having a single unified protocol for tourism, each island is opening with its own rules in place.
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Hawaii Is Finally Open to US Tourists Without Quarantine Restrictions
Tourists from the continental US can enter Hawaii without quarantine as long as they provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Only test results from trusted partners will be accepted. An online Safe Travels form must also be filled out.
However, the Big Island opted to enact its own specific protocol. In addition to the PCR test required within 72 hours of travel, upon arrival, visitors must also take a rapid antigen test (paid for by the state) at any of the island’s three airports: Kona International Airport, Waimea-Kohala Airport, and Hilo International Airport.
The islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Maui may follow the lead of the Big Island and also implement a compulsory rapid antigen test upon arrival, but for now, you can travel to those islands with your initial negative test results in hand. 