LIHU‘E — Starting today, CVS Health opens up an online portal for travelers to schedule their pre-test to head into Hawai‘i.

This $139 per-person test, if negative, is a ticket to bypass the state’s two-week quarantine.

On Wednesday, Gov. David Ige said the state isn’t anticipating a flood of travelers when it reopens on Oct. 15, but the state is prepared to ensure the safety of the islands.

“The health of our community remains our primary focus, and I want the people of Hawai‘i to have confidence that the state is acting with their health and well-being in mind,” Ige said Wednesday.

“The pre-travel testing program will add an additional layer of protection for Hawai‘i when combined with our Safe Travels mandatory online health questionnaire, airport temperature screening, improved contact tracing and the many other safety protocols we have in place,” Ige said.

Adults are asked to
register for the Safe Travels program at hawaiicovid19.com after booking flights.

The state is requiring travelers aged 5 and older to use one of 12 testing partners. Specifically, these partners have worked with the state’s Department of Health, so in the case a test must be double-checked, the state has the authority to do so.

No earlier than 72 hours before departure, travelers wishing to use the pre-test program should take a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorized Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified federal Certified Laboratory Improvement Amendments lab.

CVS Health is expecting the majority of test results to be available within two to three days. Select “Travel to Hawai‘i” from the drop-down at cvs.com/selfpaytesting.

Airline partners
offering tests

Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with Worksite Labs to provide a drive-thru PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at sites near Los Angeles and San Francisco airports. Tests are $90 for results within 36 hours or $150 for day-of-travel express service.

Hawaiian has also partnered with Vault Health to offer a $150 mail-in PCR saliva test kit.

“As Hawai‘i’s hometown airline, we are pleased to offer our guests convenient testing options that will allow us to welcome more travelers, including U.S. mainland visitors and kama‘aina returning home, as we safely reopen our economy,” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing for Hawaiian Airlines, in a press release.

Southwest Airlines is offering pre-trip communication information to travelers with testing options specific to their journeys.

United Airlines travelers flying from San Francisco International Airport to Hawai‘i will have the option to take a rapid COVID-19 test at the airport administered by GoHealth Urgent Care and Dignity Health. The results will come in approximately 15 minutes.

United travelers can go online in advance. GoHealth Urgent Care’s dedicated COVID-19 testing area is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standart Time daily.

United is also working with Color on a test that meets the state’s requirements, and will also be available for the airline’s customers traveling from San Francisco to Hawaiʻi starting Oct. 15.

United will email customers with their testing options, but the on-site testing is only available for flyers with an itinerary originating in San Francisco.

Pharmacies

Kaiser Permanente members can schedule a test online at kp.org/travel, call center or nurse-advice line. Hawai‘i residents can call the Away-from-Home Travel Line at 951-268-3900.

Walgreens is also offering tests, and more information can be found at walgreens.com/Covid19Testing.

Quest Diagnostics is offering nasal-swab testing at over 500 Walmart drive-thru pharmacy locations. Information can be found at questcovid19.com/hawaii.

West Coast

In Seattle, Alaska Airlines flyers can schedule appointments beginning Monday, Oct. 12 at the Carbon Health Seattle pop-up clinic.

CityHealth Urgent Care is offering tests in the Bay Area, San Francisco, San Leandro and the Oakland Airport.

The state of Hawai‘i has also partnered with AFC Urgent Care in Portland, Oregon. Appointments can be made at 503-305-6262, ext: 1.

“AFC Urgent Care is excited to work with the state of Hawai‘i as it implements its pre-testing program. With five clinics across the Portland metro area, we look forward to providing testing services for travelers in order to keep them and Hawai‘i’s residents safe,” Managing Partner Guru Sankar said.

By mail

Vault Health is offering an FDA-authorized saliva test with virtual supervision for adults and children.

The test is shipped by UPS overnight to the individual and returned back to the lab with priority shipping. Results are expected within 72 hours.

“We will do everything possible to support Governor Ige and the government of Hawai‘i in making the health and safety of its residents and visitors their top priority,” Vault Health Founder and CEO Jason Feldman said in a press release

“By facilitating this supervised, at-home, saliva COVID-19 test, Vault Health works every day to ensure individuals can make plans and travel with confidence knowing they have the most accurate and timely results possible,” said Feldman.

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Sabrina Bodon


, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.