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Hawaii ending all restrictions on inter-island travel

July 07, 2021
3 min read
Big Island Hawaii Things To Do
Hawaii ending all restrictions on inter-island travel
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Hawaii is ending all restrictions on inter-island travel July 8, 2021, Hawaiian Airlines confirmed.

Those traveling within the Hawaiian Islands will be exempt from travel requirements, including pre-travel COVID-19 testing, vaccination and quarantine.

The lift of inter-island restrictions aligns with Gov. David Ige's announcement on June 24 that the state would be eliminating all pre-travel testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated domestic travelers due to an anticipated 60 percent vaccination rate.

Screenshot of email from Hawaiian Airlines saying inter-island travel restrictions have lifted.
(Screenshot courtesy Hawaiian Airlines)

For those coming from the continental U.S. to Hawaii, travel restrictions will continue to be enforced. Vaccinated travelers must upload their CDC-issued vaccination card to the state’s Safe Travels Program and also bring the paper card with them for review upon arrival, in addition to completing a mandatory health questionnaire via Safe Travels. Vaccinated travelers can bypass an otherwise mandatory 10-day quarantine on day 15 of being fully vaccinated.

For those unvaccinated who do not wish to quarantine upon arrival, you may do so by taking a pre-travel COVID-19 test from a state-approved testing provider and uploading negative test results to Safe Travels prior to your flight to Hawaii. Otherwise, you will be subjected to a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine.

Related: Testing requirements ending July 8 for the fully vaccinated

Capacity for social activities will also be increased on July to 25 people and 75 people indoors and outdoors respectively, along with will restaurants who will be able to serve up to 75 percent of patrons.

Related: Maui mayor asks airlines to send fewer visitors to the Hawaiian island

“We anticipate that on or about July 8, Hawai‘i will have achieved a 60% vaccination rate. Our residents have sacrificed and worked hard to get to this point, but we still have more to do," Ige said in a statement. "Please get vaccinated to protect yourselves and your loved ones. We are close to achieving a 70% vaccination rate, at which point all restrictions will end and we can return to the lives we remember."

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Face masks are still required at airports and on flights.

(Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Our complete guide to visiting Hawaii right now can be found here.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.