MY PERSONAL EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE TRAVELING FROM KONA TO HONOLULU AND BACK

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TRAVELING FROM KONA TO HONOLULU

For those of you that have not traveled recently, I thought I would recount my experience this past week. It’s the first time I have traveled since last March, 2020.

I had a doctor’s appointment in Aiea and looked for a flight to Honolulu and back. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices were what they used to be and, frankly, what they should be, around $95.00 round trip, with no change fees if you want to come back earlier or later, based on availability, of course. I booked my 2 flights with Hawaiian and picked my seats, going to Honolulu in the morning and returning late afternoon. Very easy.

I then had to go to the Hawaii Safe Travels website, https://travel.hawaii.gov/ and fill out some simple information about my trip. This is required for travel to/from/within Hawaii. I needed a 1 day Medical Exemption from the Covid testing or quarantine from the County of Hawaii and also filled out that form online at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c They say it can take 5 calendar days to get the exemption so be sure to fill it out in time. However, I got mine the next day. Very efficient. I printed it out so I had a paper copy to take on my trip. You do not need this to go to Honolulu, but you do need it coming back to The Big Island.

The day before your trip you will be asked to again go online and answer a few health questions pertaining to Covid and you will then get a QR code. You will need this QR code on your return to The Big Island. Be sure to save on your phone for easy access.

So, how much time do we now need to be at the airport ahead of the flight? I got there 90 minutes before my flight; no luggage and TSA Pre. There was zero people waiting in the TSA Pre line and I think I saw 2 or 3 in regular TSA line. If you haven’t been to Kona Airport in a while, TSA is now in the middle between terminals for both terminals. I went through TSA within 2 minutes, having to pull my mask down so the agent knew it was really me. There are hand sanitizers accessible in many places, some areas blocked off, and gift shops closed. There was a water machine, $3.00 per bottle. Flight on Hawaiian was right on time. They are now boarding the plane from the back rows, forward and will call when you can go to the gate and board. All Hawaiian personnel were more than nice.

Landing on Oahu was fast and getting off the plane went smooth. No quarantine check, etc, and went to Ride Sharing area and ride came fast. Vehicle was super clean and air freshner.

Yes, wore my mask from getting out of my car at Kona airport and still wearing it to, at, after doctor, and back to airport. Again, I was only one in line at TSA Pre and that went fast, within 2 minutes, and sat at gate till plane was ready. Same procedure, boarding from rear. Super fast flight and time to get off in Kona. When you get back to the gate area in Kona, you will need to go through the Covid Quarantine area. To speed things up, have your phone with QR code handy and any other documents you may need, like the Medical Exemption I had from the County. (I suggest, if you can, try to sit front in the plane coming back to Kona so the line at the quarantine check point is shorter). I sat in row 13 and there were only a few ahead of me but there was long line behind me from the plane. I think there’s 6 open positions at Kona airport for checking your status. I went to #1 position, when open, gave them my phone for them to scan the QR code, and gave them the letter from the County of my medical exemption. They asked also for my ID and gave my Hawaii Drivers License. They wrote some info down and said I was all set and left. It took less than 5 minutes. However, people coming off the plane without the QR code had to go to a special waiting area and would take much longer. Also, you are not permitted to go to the restrooms before you go through the quarantine checkpoint, without an agent accompanying you; so, I suggest taking care of that business on the plane.

I must say everything went much smoother than I thought it would. They are very well prepared. Be sure you are also prepared…with the Safe Travels Hawaii, QR code, exemptions, and anything else.

Good luck and safe travels.