Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Hawaii

Tips on how to prepare before your trip, including where to get tested and what to expect once you arrive

The beautiful beaches of Hawaii are now open to visitors Image by Pascal Debrunner/Unsplash

In case you missed the news, Hawaii is saying aloha and welcoming guests! In addition, all Hilton Grand Vacations resorts in Hawaii have re-opened. With winter closing in, why not spend a tropical, winter wonderland on one of Hawaii’s beautiful beaches? To help with your travel efforts, we have compiled a list of our top Hawaii planning tips.

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For more details visit the Hilton Grand Vacations’ COVID-19 Travel to Hawaii webpage.

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Hawaii

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*In light of COVID-19, please check each location’s hours of operations before finalizing your travel plans. Don’t forget to visit our Travel Updates webpage for the latest government alerts and news from HGV.

Registering With Hawaii’s Safe Travels System

Hawaii is the ideal destination for a warm winter getaway, thanks to temperate climates and beautiful beaches Image by Elena Graham/Shutterstock

Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations is open and welcoming Club Members and guests

Booking Tip: Hilton Grand Vacations has re-opened most of its properties across Hawaii and many will be opening soon. Book now and you could be spending a tropical, winter wonderland on one of Hawaii’s beautiful beaches.

As mentioned above, you’ll need to register with Hawaii’s Safe Travels program. This must be done at least 72 hours before arriving to the state. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be asked to present confirmation of your registration, so ensure it’s in an easy-to-reach place.

Below are our top 3 tips for having a great time during your vacation:

The state of Hawaii passed a law that requires residents and travelers to wear face coverings in all public spaces, including beaches. Be sure to pack a few in your carry on. You will also need to wear a covering at your HGV resort when in a public space, both indoors and outdoors.

1. Wear a Face Covering and Practice Social Distancing

Visits to beaches, parks, trails and botanical gardens in groups are permitted. Why not visit Waikoloa Beach, with its perfect, palm-fringed golden sands, or try snorkeling along the Kohala Coast? The state’s bountiful national parks are mostly re-opened (for the latest information see here), as are the national historic trails, such as the 175-mile Ala Kahakai trail, located on The Big Island. This trail traces the path of ancient Hawaiians along the sea, from the island’s most northerly point to South Point, then north up into the Puna District.

2. Spend Time Outdoors

Once You’re in Hawaii

Currently, many businesses, such as restaurants, galleries and golf courses, are open with varying degrees of precautions, including social distancing. Be sure to call ahead to check each venue’s policy.

3. Research Restaurants and Indoor Attractions in Advance

Club Member Hiro Y. traveled to Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations last month, a few days after Hawaii introduced its pre-travel test program. “I travel to Hawaii three to four times a year and, when possible, I stay at Hokulani Waikiki,” he says. “The new practices and protocols around the property were fantastic. Everybody wore face coverings, and there were plexiglass partitions at the front desk. In addition, there were signs everywhere about how much everything is sanitized throughout the day, with hand sanitizers available every place you looked. “In my room there was a sticker that covered the door jam, and it showed how the room had been sanitized. That was really comforting. I didn't worry for a second,” Hiro continues. But the thing he likes most about Hokulani is the staff. “I’ve been going to the property for 8 years, and it seems like the staff never change. It’s comforting to see familiar faces. They know me by name, and I really appreciate their kindness every time I see them,” he ends.

A Member’s Recent Hawaii Experience

To learn more about how to prepare for your Hawaiian getaway, click the image below.

Tips to Expedite Your Travel Arrival Experience

Have your test in hand when you land in Hawaii. Your test must be uploaded to the Safe Travels website before arrival in Hawaii. Only upload tests from Hawaii’s trusted testing partners; all other tests will be rejected. See the State of Hawaii COVID-19 Portal for a list of the state’s testing partners. Make sure your first and last names, testing date and test results match the first and last names in the Safe Travels Travel Health Questionnaire. Upload a good-quality Adobe PDF file with only the first page of your test result in an 8.5 by 11-inch format. Don’t upload screenshots of your phone, mobile device or computer, or photos of your test; they will fail. Tests are verified by labs; submitting a falsified test is a crime and will be prosecuted

Pre-Travel and Arrival Testing Programs

Before You’re in Hawaii

The most important thing to remember about travel to Hawaii is the pre-test. To avoid the mandatory 10-day quarantine, travelers to Hawaii must upload a valid, negative COVID-19 test from a trusted travel and testing partner to the Safe Travels website before arrival. Testing must be done within 72 hours from the final leg of departure to the state. In addition, test results must be uploaded to the Safe Travels website before arrival at the airport. Visitors arriving without an uploaded pre-test will have to quarantine for 10 days or for the duration of their visit to Hawaii, whichever is shorter. Negative test results received after arrival in Hawaii will not be accepted. If you are traveling to one of our Waikoloa properties more testing is required. Club Members traveling to The Big Island who are 5 years or older must show proof of a valid pre-test taken no more than 72 hours before arriving to the county, as well as take a second rapid test at a county-designated facility near the airport after disembarking their flight. To help travelers, the state of Hawaii has identified several retailers, pharmacies and laboratories that are administering the required COVID-19 pre-arrival test, some of which provide mail-in test kits or have onsite-rapid testing capabilities. In addition, several airlines are assisting travelers with their testing requirements and options. For the most up-to-date list of testing partners, visit the State of Hawaii COVID-19 Portal. This list is updated on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check the site regularly! As of the publication of this article, the state of Hawaii has identified testing partners for trans-Pacific travelers arriving from the continental United States, for inter-island Hawaii travelers, and for guests arriving from Canada and Japan.

We understand that our Club Members may feel uncertainty about booking future travel to Hawaii during this time. We also understand that plans change with COVID-19 testing involved. To allow for travel flexibility and peace of mind, we are now waiving our Reservation Cancellation policy through February 28, 2021, so you can cancel any time prior to check-in. Members will receive a full refund of Points and Open Season fees for any reservation cancellations made through the end of February.

Extended Travel Flexibility