Governor Ige Approves Mayor Kawakami’s rules on Inter-Island Travel and ‘Resort Bubbles’
Lihue – Gov. David Ige on Wednesday approved two changes to Kauai's travel quarantine rules requested by Mayor Derek Kawakami, effective January 5, 2021. Gov. Ige signed Mayor Kawakami’s Amended Emergency Rule 23, allowing inter-island travelers who have been in the State of Hawaii for more than three days to participate in the Safe Travels PreTravel Testing Program for quarantine exemptions.
The Governor also signed Mayor Kawakami’s Emergency Rule 24, which authorizes a pre- and post-travel testing program at Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) “resort bubble” properties. Travelers who take a pre-travel test, quarantine for three days on the “resort bubble” property, then take a post-travel test, will be released from quarantine with negative test results.
The County of Kauai is announcing the following new travel protocols for both inter-island and mainland travelers effective Tuesday, Jan. 5:
Inter-Island Travel
Travelers flying to Kauai from Oahu, Maui County, or the Big Island of Hawaii, who have been in the State of Hawaii for more than 72 hours before departing for Kauai, can avoid quarantine by taking the following steps:
• Create a Safe Travels account and complete the mandatory State of Hawaii Travel and Health Form at: https://travel.hawaii.gov/
• Take a pre-travel test from one of the State of Hawaii’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners after you have been in Hawaii for more than three days, but within 72 hours of departing to Kauai: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
• Upload negative test results to your Safe Travels account. The Safe Travels program is currently being updated to accommodate Kauai travelers. For now, travelers should plan to present a hard copy of their negative test result for review at Lihue Airport.
• Safe Travels records will be used to verify that you have not traveled out of state in the past three days.
Transpacific Travel “Resort Bubbles”
Travelers from out of state now have the option of a shortened three-day quarantine by participating in the resort bubble post-travel testing program. To qualify, travelers must do the following:
• Create a Safe Travels account and complete the mandatory State of Hawaii Travel and Health Form at: https://travel.hawaii.gov/
• Take a pre-travel test within 72 hours before arriving on Kauai and receive a negative test result.
This test can be any COVID-19 diagnostic test (antigen or PCR test) with emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The lab does not need to be on the state’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners list for use in Kauai’s resort bubble program.
• Make a reservation at an approved Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) “resort bubble” hotel on Kauai:
o The Cliffs at Princeville
o Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
o Koa Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu
o The Club at Kukuiula
o Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences at Hokuala
o Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club
o Hanalei Bay Resort
o The Point at Poipu
• Complete the County of Kauai arrival form by visiting https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on the “Kauai Arrival Form” button at the top of the page.
• Guests should consult their resort for transportation options as travelers will not be allowed to rent a car until released from quarantine.
• Provide proof of your negative pre-travel test result to resort staff upon check-in.
• After three days on Kauai, take a post-travel test. Guests should consult resort on post-travel testing options.
• Resort staff will verify your negative post-travel test result and will update the system to release you from quarantine.
Properties interested in learning more about becoming an EMQ may email the Kauai Emergency Management Agency at kema@kauai.gov.
Quarantine for 10 Days
Participation in either the inter-island Safe Travels program or the “resort bubble” post-travel testing program is voluntary.
Travelers may also stay in non-“resort bubble” hotels and motels, but they will be subject to the full 10-day traveler quarantine without a post-travel testing opportunity, and cannot leave their rooms until after the 10th day. Returning residents may quarantine at their residence without leaving their property for 10 days.
All travelers subject to quarantine must complete a Kauai Arrival Form upon arrival. Forms can be submitted online prior to arrival by visiting https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on the “Kauai Arrival Form” button at the top of the page.
Critical Workers and Medical Appointments
The County of Kauai continues its modified quarantine program for critical infrastructure employees and those who must travel for medical needs. To apply for a modified quarantine, or for more information about travel to Kauai and the Emergency Rules, please visit https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.
Travelers approved for a modified quarantine must complete a Kauai Arrival Form upon arrival. Forms can be completed ahead of time by visiting https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on the “Kauai Arrival Form” button at the top of the page.
For more information on Kauai’s new travel protocols, please visit https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.