Hawaii Might Not Be Opening for Tourists on October 15

Some islands in the state want new measures and testing before tourism resumes

Palm trees at sunset in Hawaii
Quarantine and visitor rules for Hawaii have changed again.
Ethan Robertson / Unsplash

Seems like every day brings a new change to Hawaii’s reopening schedule.

The date has been pushed back multiple times to October 15. Now comes word that Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim is opting out of the state’s pre-travel testing program, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

The previously announced plan meant travelers could forego a 14-day quarantine if they could prove a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. But now mainland visitors will still be subject to two weeks of quarantine upon arrival.

“All of us want to open up our economy,” Kim said. “I made a decision that the risk factor in regards to doing this at this time is not an acceptable risk as far as endangering Hawaii’s people.”

With inter-island travel still restricted until the end of October (even for residents), it severely limits travel options for people coming from outside the island state.

Meanwhile, Maui hasn’t decided whether they’ll continue the plan to allow passengers to skip quarantine with a negative test. Kauai, meanwhile, wanted a requirement for another coronavirus test three days after arrival, with a mandatory quarantine period until the second set of results — that plan was shut down by the governor.

Suggestion? If you don’t want to get stuck, wait this one out.

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