Hawaii is ready to welcome travelers once again in November

Hawaii's governor David Ige has said that tourists are welcome to travel to the islands from November 1 as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve across the state.

Gov. Ige had previously asked in August that would-be travelers postpone their trip to Hawaii until the latest wave of Delta-driven infections had settled. It was a request, rather than an outright travel ban, to give Hawaii time to recover.

Summer in Hawaii had seen a surge in coronavirus case numbers across the state that overwhelmed the health service and strained resources. But now case numbers are steadily decreasing and Gov. Ige is confident that Hawaii can "move forward in our economic recovery and safely welcome back fully vaccinated domestic travelers".

But it's not business as usual. Earlier this month, Hawaii extended its statewide COVID-19 emergency order through November 30. The measure, which was introduced in March 2020 as part of efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus, includes continuing capacity limits on restaurants, bars and gatherings, and continuing to require people wear masks in indoor public spaces.

Hawaii, in line with the rest of the United States, is also preparing to welcome fully vaccinated international visitors from November 8. But according to Gov. Ige, some details on the process still need to be ironed out. "We’re continuing to seek information from the federal government about plans for international travel and will have an appropriate plan in place prior to November 8," he confirmed today.

It's worth noting that although things are improving in Hawaii, the situation could change suddenly. Gov. Ige has said that officials will "continue to monitor case counts and hospitalizations in the islands and adjust as needed while prioritizing the health and safety of our residents".

If you're traveling to Hawaii, you'll need to complete the Safe Travels Hawaii form before departure. Under the current rules, you can bypass quarantine if you're coming from the mainland or an approved country and can show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. You'll also need a health pass, such as an official vaccination card, to enter some venues in O'ahu and Maui. Always check the latest public health guidelines before traveling. For more information on COVID-19 measures, see the Hawaii Tourism Authority website.