Vacationers hoping to take advantage of cheap Hawaii travel this summer should plan to shell out some extra dough for COVID-19 tests and plan to schedule them well in advance if they expect to visit multiple islands in compliance with the state’s ever-changing requirements.
For movement between most islands, if visitors wish to avoid a mandatory 10-day quarantine under Hawaii’s Safe Travels initiative, they must show proof of a negative PCR test result returned no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.
We receive a lot of tips here at TPG, but an email from a particular reader caught our eye yesterday, telling us a harrowing tale of test shortages, lack of appointment availability and delayed results that prompted expensive flight changes during his trip from Maui to Kauai.
“Appointments to be PCR tested on Maui are very hard to come by and should be made weeks in advance if possible,” said Jared Levy, who ran into trouble finding an appointment. “Nearly all such options … cost in excess of $100 per person out of pocket, and insurance cannot be used. Some options cost in excess of $200. Walgreens might have a free option, but we couldn’t get an appointment, so we can’t be sure.”
