Hawaii Airport: Covid Testing Availability And Requirements

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, has a COVID-19 testing facility near Terminal 2. The testing lab was initially only available to first responders and their families, as well as airport workers and other city employees. However, the plan is to eventually open testing to the public, offering both pre-and post-arrival testing. COVID-19 testing has increased during the past few days, with about 50 people lined up on a Saturday afternoon, compared to about 500 tests administered on a typical day before the Omicron variant was detected.

Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has a COVID-19 testing facility

On November 6, 2020, a new COVID-19 testing facility was opened at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The facility was inaugurated with a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony, officiated by Kahu Kordell Kekoa, who performed an oli, a Hawaiian chant.

Hawaii Governor David Ige emphasised the importance of "protecting public health" and how the new facility would help achieve this. Initially, the testing lab was only available to first responders and their families, as well as Department of Transportation Airport Division workers and other city employees. However, the plan was to eventually extend testing to the public, offering both pre-and post-arrival testing.

The COVID-19 testing facility at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has seen a surge in demand, especially during the holiday season and with the emergence of new variants. Wait times at the airport site tend to be longer towards the end of the day, and pre-registration is recommended to streamline the process.

The availability of COVID-19 testing facilities at airports is significant in encouraging air travel and making it more accessible. It allows travellers to bypass mandatory quarantine periods if they test negative, which is particularly beneficial for those taking shorter vacations.

Testing is available for first responders, airport workers, and the public

On November 6, 2020, a new COVID-19 testing facility was opened at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. The testing lab was initially made available only to first responders and their families, as well as Department of Transportation Airport Division workers and other city employees. However, the plan was to eventually open the facility to the public, offering both pre-and post-arrival testing.

The introduction of the testing facility was accompanied by a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony, officiated by Kahu Kordell Kekoa, who has appeared on "Hawaii Five-0" and "Magnum P.I." on CBS. During the ceremony, Kekoa performed an oli, a Hawaiian chant. Hawaii Governor David Ige emphasized the importance of protecting public health and highlighted how the new facility aligns with this priority.

The availability of COVID-19 testing at the airport is part of a broader trend of airports and airlines implementing testing facilities and programs to facilitate safe travel and encourage travelers to return. Some airlines, such as Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, have introduced testing services for passengers traveling to Hawaii, allowing those who test negative to bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

As of December 2021, the demand for COVID-19 testing at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport had surged, with the site administering up to 1,192 tests in a day, compared to about 500 tests on a typical day before the detection of the Omicron variant. The increased demand was attributed to factors such as a spike in case counts, the arrival of the Omicron variant, loosening of restrictions, increased travel, larger gatherings, and the upcoming holidays. Wait times at the airport testing site tended to be longer towards the end of the day, and pre-registration was recommended to streamline the process.

Wait times are longer at the end of the day

On November 6, 2020, a new COVID-19 testing facility was opened at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. The facility was inaugurated with a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony, led by Kahu Kordell Kekoa, who performed an oli, a Hawaiian chant. The testing lab was initially made available only to first responders and their families, along with Department of Transportation Airport Division workers and other city employees. However, the plan was to eventually extend testing to the public, offering both pre-arrival and post-arrival testing.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, the airport's testing site experienced surges in demand, particularly during the holiday season in December 2021. The testing volume increased significantly, with the site administering 1,192 tests in a single day, compared to about 500 tests on a typical day before the detection of the Omicron variant. This surge in testing was attributed to several factors, including a spike in case counts, the arrival of the Omicron variant, relaxed restrictions, increased travel, larger gatherings, and the upcoming holidays.

During this period of heightened testing activity, it was observed that wait times at the airport testing site tended to be longer towards the end of the day. Bermudez, a spokesperson, recommended that individuals pre-register online to streamline the testing process and avoid potential inconveniences. The longer wait times at the end of the day could result in individuals being turned away if they arrive too late.

To manage the increased demand for testing, Hawaiian Airlines, and other airlines, introduced their own testing programs. These programs offered drive-thru PCR tests and rapid testing options at various airports, providing convenience and reassurance to travellers. Additionally, certain airports, such as LaGuardia Airport in New York and Heathrow Airport in London, established testing facilities to facilitate travel and reduce mandatory quarantine periods.

Hawaiian Airlines offers testing for passengers travelling from California

Hawaiian Airlines has taken steps to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff by offering COVID-19 testing for passengers travelling from California. The airline has partnered with Long Beach Airport to open a COVID-19 testing site for passengers travelling to Hawaii. The testing site, which opened on January 12, 2021, offers polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from Worksite Labs for $90, with results available within 36 hours for Hawaiian Airlines passengers.

The site is strategically located at 4100 Donald Douglass Dr. and is operational daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to this site, Hawaiian Airlines also planned to open a second testing lab for all airline passengers on January 16, 2021, adjacent to the initial testing location. This second lab would offer rapid PCR tests with results available within two hours, as well as a range of antigen and antibody tests.

The availability of on-site testing at Long Beach Airport provides convenience and peace of mind for travellers, ensuring they can obtain the required negative test results within the specified timeframe before their departure to Hawaii. It is recommended that travellers pre-register online to streamline the testing process and reduce potential wait times at the airport testing site, especially towards the end of the day when wait times tend to be longer.

Hawaiian Airlines' initiative to provide COVID-19 testing for passengers travelling from California is a proactive measure to enhance the safety of air travel during the pandemic. By facilitating convenient access to testing, the airline helps protect the health and well-being of its passengers, staff, and the wider community in Hawaii.

Testing is available at other airports, including in San Francisco and Oakland

Testing is available at airports other than in Hawaii, including in San Francisco and Oakland.

San Francisco Airport (SFO)

San Francisco International Airport offers three on-site COVID-19 testing services: Worksite Labs, GoHealth-Dignity Health Urgent Care, and XpresCheck. Worksite Labs offers drive-thru testing next to the Long-Term Parking Lot and the Cell Phone Waiting Lot, as well as in-terminal testing in the International Terminal Departures Hall. GoHealth-Dignity Health Urgent Care also offers testing in the International Terminal Departures Hall, and XpresCheck is located on Terminal 3’s Arrivals Level. Testing is generally available Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm, and appointments are strongly recommended. Testing is not free, and costs $261 in total.

Oakland Airport

Although I could not find specific information about testing at Oakland Airport, there are several COVID testing options in the nearby Oak Creek area, including urgent care centers, retail clinics, primary care offices, and health departments. Same-day and next-day appointments for COVID testing in Oak Creek are bookable directly through Solv. Testing is available for free under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes testing for those without health insurance.

Honolulu Airport, Hawaii

For reference, a COVID-19 testing facility was unveiled at Honolulu Airport in November 2020. Initially, the lab was only available to first responders and their families, as well as Department of Transportation Airport Division workers and other city employees. The plan was to eventually open testing at the lab to the public and offer both pre- and post-arrival testing.

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