Experiencing air travel between the Hawaiian Islands currently

Having just returned from my third trip to Hawaii during the pandemic, I wanted to share my insights on flying between the Hawaiian Islands.

I’ve previously discussed traveling to Hawaii during the resort bubble period, the testing requirements for entry, and now the experience with the exemption for fully vaccinated travelers, but I haven’t focused on interisland travel.

To summarize, with the vaccine exemption in place, interisland travel faces very few restrictions, contrary to what you might find while checking in for flights between the islands.

Rules for interisland travel

As of July 8, the restrictions on interisland travel were removed, coinciding with new regulations that exempt fully vaccinated visitors from the mainland from testing requirements.

My past journeys

Over the past few years, I have visited Hawaii multiple times.

I visited in February 2020, just before the world went into lockdown due to COVID-19. I returned in January of this year to experience the Kauai resort bubble for visitors, and then went back in March for trips to Oahu and Hawaii (the Big Island), which included two interisland flights.

My experience in Kauai in January was completely different. It was possibly the strictest island. I tried out the resort bubble, but I hardly had the chance to leave the resort, let alone travel between islands.

That has completely changed now. I flew from Kauai (LIH) to Maui (OGG) and back without any Safe Travels checks at all.

Checking in for my interisland flight and feeling a surge of panic

Although I had no issues flying between LIH and OGG, I experienced a few moments of panic during check-in for my flight.

I encountered the usual check-in screen, but as I followed the prompts, a frightening message appeared:

This seemed to indicate that I would need to fill out another Safe Travels Hawaii form, and I worried they might require a new COVID-19 test.

After several attempts to complete another Safe Travels form, I received this message:

At that moment, I realized everything would be fine. In fact, when I arrived at the airport, no one requested to see my Safe Travels or any other travel documents. Essentially, once you're in Hawaii and have cleared the initial screening at the landing airport, you're free to go.

Interestingly, the hotel I stayed at in Maui did request proof of Safe Travels documentation for my arrival. However, once I explained that I had been cleared in LIH, they were perfectly fine with it.

I don't believe everyone is yet aware that most restrictions have been lifted.

In fact, numerous signs at the airports indicate outdated rules and regulations.

Once you’re on board

There are no document checks or instructions once you’re on your interisland flights. Hawaiian Airlines even offers a limited beverage service on short 40-minute flights.

Wearing your mask is mandatory, of course. Crew members consistently reminded passengers to keep their masks on properly and also distributed disinfectant wipes. That covered the majority of the onboard safety measures.

What to keep in mind when flying to Hawaii or between the islands

If you're planning to travel to Hawaii, whether from the mainland or between the islands, there are a few things to consider. The airports are quite crowded, TSA checkpoints are understaffed, and the lines are incredibly long.

In fact, many locals advise tourists to arrive at the airport at least two hours early. Fortunately, TSA PreCheck is available at both LIH and OGG, allowing me to breeze through security in about 15 minutes thanks to the open PreCheck lines.

In the meantime, I noticed some travelers waiting for an hour or more.

There are also lengthy lines for passengers arriving on flights from the mainland. You must demonstrate that you've been pre-cleared by the state of Hawaii. Keep your QR code handy (printing it out is advisable) and ensure your phone is charged.

Just remember to bring your patience along.

If you're arriving from the mainland, there are still a few necessary steps to follow.

According to the State of Hawaii, visitors will need to complete the following steps:

• Upload one of three vaccination documents to their Safe Travels Hawaii account before traveling to Hawaii. You must upload one of the following:
• A CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card.
• A printout from the Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS).
• DOD DD Form 2766C.
• Sign the online legal attestations on Safe Travels Hawaii, confirming the accuracy of the uploaded documentation.
• Bring a hard copy of your vaccination documentation to present to screeners at the gate before boarding and/or upon arrival in Hawaii. Screeners will check the vaccination documents against your photo ID, name, and date of birth, and ensure the attestations are signed.

We've provided a comprehensive guide on what you should know before traveling to Hawaii here.

Check out TPG's Hawaii destination hub for more insights on how to reach the islands, where to stay, and activities to enjoy while you're there.