I made it to Hawaii guys! Whew, it was super stressful (the packing alone was a huge headache but I guess knowing how to do a capsule type wardrobe came in handy). Anyway since I got a couple questions about traveling to Hawaii and traveling with a toddler, I thought I would talk about it here while it’s still fresh in my mind.
Traveling to Hawaii
So we have a somewhat unique case in that we’re from Hawaii and came here to be with family. And we’re staying with family. So I can’t really help you guys with hotel info and sightseeing tips. But I can at least give you some tips about getting here because nowadays with the pandemic, it’s not as easy as it used to be. So first you need to take a specific covid test (NAAT) 72 hours before your flight from approved partners only. As of November, these are the current approved partners:
We got it from Kaiser since that’s our insurance provider. We did it on Halloween morning to fly out Nov. 2nd. I got my test result back and was able to upload it to the site while waiting in the covid clearance line. 24 hours before you leave you have to register online at the Hawaii Safe Travels site. I signed up with my Google account so I didn’t have to remember yet another password. The site asks you questions about your trip (flights in and out, where you’re staying, etc.). You’ll also need to put in your driver’s license number, know your flu shot date, and they’ll confirm your identity through email and text. Each adult has to do this on their own and minors can be registered under one of the adults accounts. This is also where you upload your confirmed covid test result (which has to be a formal letter and not a screenshot of your test result—Kaiser sent both but make sure the testing provider you choose will provide you with a letter). Once you at least complete the health questionnaire they’ll email you a QR code. Screenshot that so you have that handy when you get to Hawaii (internet can be quite slow if there hundreds of people trying to access their codes via the website all at once).
Once you get to Hawaii there’s the covid clearance line and let me tell you as much as I love Hawaii, efficiency is not their strong suit (granted it’s a new system and there’s bound to be hiccups, but still). We ended up being the last in line and it took us over an hour to clear this line (and this was with a fairly empty, small-ish plane). Think customs/immigration but worse. We made the mistake of waiting for our stroller and then taking our time at the bathrooms. No, you want to get in the line asap (or for families with kids, have one parent wait for the stroller and have the other go straight to the line). You can also use the bathroom while the other waits in line. Once you get to the head of the line, they’re going to check your QR code, then you go to a table where they confirm your details and then check your covid test result. Even if you already uploaded that, have it handy on your phone because they want to check. And then one supervisor goes around and releases each family. So imagine every family on that plane having to talk to/check-in with one person. It’s going to require some patience. Anyway since I was able to get my test result, upload it and clear it with the supervisor I was good to go. My husband still hadn’t gotten his result so he was required to quarantine until he got it (which was the next day so it wasn’t too bad but it doesn’t take effect immediately either). Breaking quarantine and getting caught means a $5k ticket. On the bright side, since we took so long at the covid clearance line we didn’t have to crowd around baggage claim waiting for our luggage.
Also if you’re interested in taking a post flight covid test, Hawaii offers free testing through doineedacovid19test.com
Traveling with a toddler
This was our second trip with Emi and boy it was tiring. For her first flight as an infant, we purchased an extra seat and used her carseat so that she could take a nap on the plane. This time around, we decided to forgo the super bulky convertible carseat that most toddlers use and went with this Child Airplane Safety Harness. We’re so glad we did so we didn’t have to lug her carseat around. It was super simple and allowed her to be safely strapped in (it’s recommended for toddlers over 21 pounds but she’s closer to 31 and it was perfect). She didn’t mind being strapped in at the beginning but when she started getting fussy from tiredness it was a slight struggle (a small tantrum ensued). For the rest of the airplane ride I had planned several new toys and activities. The best one for us were these gel stickers (we got the farm animals because she’s currently learning all her different animals and she loves the tractor lol). We sat in the middle row so she didn’t get to stick them on the window but they work just as great on the tray table (and as a pandemic bonus she loved putting them on our face shields lol). We also bought her a sticker book and paper for her to put them on and color on. We also took some of her favorite toys and wrapped them up. Lastly (and admittedly what she spent most of her time doing), we downloaded some things for her to watch on my ipad. Right now her favorite show is Classical Babies on HBO. I also brought along a cheap Ikea fleece blanket that I threw on the floor so that she could sit and walk around the floor and I didn’t have to worry about germs. Of course have your own wipes handy and wipe down everything as you settle in (because you know they’re going to touch everything).
Anyway I hope that helps some of you guys thinking about going to Hawaii or traveling with a toddler!
{Update: My husband and I took the free post trip tests through Hawaii’s program and we both found out we were negative today. Whew! So happy to have made it without getting infected. Guess air travel to Hawaii is relatively safe after all.}