You Can Now Visit Kauai Island Once Again
The Hawaiian island of Kauai is welcoming tourists once again, more than a month after it opted out of the state’s travel testing program. Hawaii Gov. David Ige has approved Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request to implement a pre- and post-travel testing program for visitors who stay in “resort bubble” hotels, effective January 5.
“This proposal will allow Kauai to move forward with limited tourism in ‘resort bubbles’ while honoring the county’s request to opt-out of the Safe Travels pre-travel testing program,” said Gov. David Ige.
“Travelers who participate in this program will be able to enjoy resort amenities and visit the pool for the first three days of their vacations, until they are eligible to take their post-travel test,” said Mayor Kawakami.
New Travel Requirements
To qualify, travelers must:
- Take a pre-travel test within 72 hours before traveling to Kaua‘i and receive a negative test result.
- Stay at an approved EMQ “resort bubble” property.
- Take a post-travel test more than 72 hours after arriving on Kaua‘i and receive a negative result.
Participation in the post-travel EMQ program is voluntary and open to all travelers, including visitors and residents. Visitors can also stay in non-EMQ 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. Residents can also fulfill their 10-day travel quarantine at home without leaving their property.
Participating Properties
The current Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) “resort bubble” hotels on Kauai are:
- The Cliffs at Princeville
- Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
- Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poʻipū
- The Club at Kukui‘ula
- Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences at Hoku‘ala
- Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club
The County of Kauai’s modified quarantine program will remain in place for critical infrastructure workers, essential medical travel, or other special circumstances. To apply for a modified quarantine, please visit www.kauai.gov/COVID-19 and click on the “modified quarantine request” button at the top of the page.
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I live on Kauai. Best way to visit is to first take a test and arrive on any other island than Kauai. Enjoy your stay quarantine free. Then take another test and as soon as you have a negative result you can fly to Kauai in the next 72 hours and avoid any quarantine at either location. Not sure if the average person can figure this out.
Mr. Krabs is probably raising the prices in the bubble restaurants as we speak
Sorry, I like to have the freedom to take a walk
No thanks. I hate Oahu, but i’d rather go there than sit in a bubble.
hard pass, thank you. I love Kauai, but Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu will take you without the resort bubble.