Coronavirus (COVID-19) transportation related information and resources

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission all travelers entering Hawai‘i must self-quarantine for 10-days or meet the requirements of the Safe Travels program. The requirements of Safe Travels are a negative COVID-19 test from a trusted testing and travel partner taken within 72 hours before departure to Hawai‘i and completion of the State of Hawai‘i Travel and Health form. Counties within the State of Hawai‘i may have additional requirements. Visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel for the most current information.

The interisland travel quarantine expired at 11:59 p.m. June 14, 2021. Travelers continuing to neighbor islands will be required to show their Safe Travels QR code upon arrival at their first Hawaii Airport. Once cleared, they are free to travel to other islands without further restriction. Visitors planning trips to neighbor islands are encouraged to visit the following county webpages for county specific COVID information:

Kauai County
https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19

Maui County
https://www.MauiCounty.gov/travel

Hawaii County
https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/

City & County of Honolulu
https://oneoahu.org

Enforcement
To report violations of emergency orders, please contact local law enforcement by calling 9-1-1.

Frequently asked questions can be found below.

Do all travelers have to self-quarantine?

Travelers entering the State must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival unless they meet the criteria below:

  1. Persons arriving in the State on recreational boats that have been at sea for at least 14 days do not have to self-quarantine if no one on the boat is ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  2. Persons traveling to the State to perform critical infrastructure functions (as described in the Proclamation) will be subject to self-quarantine but may break quarantine to perform their critical infrastructure functions (Note, exemptions should be sought prior to travel through https://ag.hawaii.gov/travelexemption/)
  3. Persons participating in the Safe Travels program that have a confirmed negative COVID-19 test from a trusted testing or travel partner taken within 72 hours of departure. See https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ for details and the listing of trusted testing and travel partners.
  4. Persons that were vaccinated in the US or US Territories may participate in the Safe Travels Vaccination Exception Program. This program requires uploaded proof of vaccination to Safe Travels site prior to departure and verification of physical vaccination card upon arrival.

How do I self-quarantine?

You must go directly from the airport to your self-identified quarantine location. Do not leave to get food or other supplies and do not have visitors over. Monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 daily. The full self-quarantine instructions can be found here.

Note: Vacation rentals of any kind for less than 30-days are not permitted as accepted self-quarantine accommodations.

For information on the vaccine exception program, go to: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/faqs.

What if I need medical care while on quarantine?

Call 9-1-1 for medical emergencies. Let the operator know your travel history and that you are in travel quarantine. For non-urgent medical care, contact your doctor to see if you can arrange a telehealth alternative or if you can postpone regular appointments until after your quarantine ends.

Note: Travelers may leave self-quarantine ONLY to seek emergency medical services or return to the airport to depart the state.  

How do I get food and other essentials?

Arrange for a friend or relative to drop off essentials or make use of a contactless delivery service. A list of delivery services operating in Hawaii can be found here.

Can I break traveler quarantine to pick up medication that cannot be delivered, such as a controlled substance?

No. Please consult with the prescribing physician on an alternative.

What if I need to care for someone else?

Please wait until your 10-day traveler quarantine period is over to leave your home to care for a loved one. If you are caring for someone within your home, you can do so provided you are monitoring your own health and not leaving the home for appointments and other errands. Please make other arrangements such as use of a paratransit service, taxi, or ride share to get your loved one to their appointments. If they are suffering from a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

Can I bypass quarantine if I have been vaccinated?

The transpacific vaccination travel program for those who are fully vaccinated in the US or US Territories began July 8, 2021. For instructions on how to upload your proof of vaccination if you meet the criteria, click here.

  • The vaccination travel exemption only applies to individuals who were vaccinated in the US and US territories and travelling domestically. i.e. The 50 US states, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico & the US Virgin Islands.
  • “Fully vaccinated” status is considered 15 days after your second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or 15 days after your single J&J shot. (Ex: Got second Moderna shot on July 1, 2021, considered “fully vaccinated” on July 16, 2021.)
  • Note: Children 5 years and over who are not vaccinated will need to have negative COVID test 72-hours prior to departure. Children under 5 not required to test or quarantine if traveling with an adult who has pre-travel exemption or vaccination exception.
  • Interisland travelers do not need to do anything in Safe Travels. The inter-county travel quarantine expired at 11:59 p.m. on June 14, 2021.
  • For more information on how to participate in the Vaccination Exception program: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/faqs/

How are airline passengers in Hawaii screened?

The State of Hawaii online Safe Travels system that is mandatory for all travelers. This new digital system, which collects the required health and travel information, is critical to protecting the health of our residents and visitors alike. Safe Travels is one part of a multi-layered screening process which includes arrival temperature checks and secondary screening for those with symptoms or temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Travelers are encouraged to enter their information and trip details well in advance of their flight. Once their health information is entered within 24 hours of departure, travelers will receive a QR code via email. The QR code on their mobile device or printed on paper gets scanned by the airport screener upon arrival. More information on the process can be found by clicking here. A direct link to the program can be found by visiting https://travel.hawaii.gov   Passengers completing the process acknowledge they understand the traveler quarantine measures as stated in the Order of Self Quarantine.

View the Arrival Questions section of the HawaiiCovid19.com FAQs page for more information on what to expect upon reaching Hawaii.

What happens if I refuse to provide the information or do not comply with the process?

Passengers who refuse any part of the airport verification process will be directed to law enforcement officers. Passengers will have the option of returning on the next flight back to the airport from which they came or they will be directed to law enforcement.

What if I do not have a confirmed reservation?

Passengers without a verifiable reservation will be allowed the opportunity to make a hotel reservation. If they are not able to confirm a reservation they will be able to book a ticket on the next flight back to the airport from which they came or they will be directed to law enforcement.

What is the penalty for violating the traveler quarantine order?

Failure to follow the order is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.

For COVID-19 updates and information from the Hawaii Tourism Authority visit https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/covid-19-updates/ 

County-specific COVID guidance and information

Thermal temperature screening equipment is now is use at Hawaii’s airports to help keep the community safe by detecting people with an elevated temperature of 100.4 degrees and higher.

Highlighted Airports COVID-19 News Releases

COVID-19 Emergency Proclamations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding temporary, interim procedures of the following:

Vehicle Safety Checks

Driver’s Licenses and State ID cards

Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Ignition Interlock

Travel Advisories and Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources
State of Hawaii Resources
HDOT Harbors Information and Updates
  • All HDOT harbors and airports in Hawaii continue to be open and operational. Any reports of their closing due to COVID-19 are inaccurate. Please remember to receive your information from official sources and do not spread inaccurate information.
  • Cruise ship guidance by the CDC and additional information regarding cruise ships.
  • Cruise lines have extended the time they are suspending operations. For a list of cruise cancelations and anticipated sail dates click here.
  • Cruise ships have temporarily suspended operations in Hawaii including Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Cruises and Disney Cruise Line. Please click on the hyperlink associated with each company for additional details.
  • If any crew, passenger or other person aboard a vessel arriving to a port or place within the navigable waters of the United States has been in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) in the previous 14 days, that vessel will also be denied entry via issuance of a Captain of the Port (COTP) order. Typically cargo ships take more than 14 days to travel from China to Honolulu. For additional details please click here.
General Airport Information
  • Additional verification measures have been implemented to confirm incoming passenger information before they leave the airport to help ensure people abide by the mandatory traveler quarantine order. 
  • Thermal screening of incoming passengers as well as airline crews at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Kahului Airport (OGG), Lihue Airport (LIH), Hilo International Airport (ITO) and the Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keahole (KOA) continues. Those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and higher will have an additional screening with AMR paramedics stationed at the airport. 
  • If an ill passenger requires ambulance transport to a hospital there are protocols in place to notify the facility before the patient arrives so the hospital personnel can make appropriate preparations. HNL has an isolation pod that can be deployed if needed.
  • Janitors in the airports are diligently working to clean and sanitize the facilities, especially restrooms and common touch points like handrails, doorknobs and elevator buttons. Additional hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in lobbies and high passenger volume areas.
  • Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) units stationed at HNL and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) have received COVID-19 training.
Highways Information and Updates
  • Weekly traffic volumes for major state routes are available here.
  • Guidance on driver’s licenses, State IDs, safety checks, and vehicle registration can be found under Highways FAQs at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/faqs/

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