Inter-Island Travel Testing at the Mobile Lab on Oahu

 Another inter-island work trip meant another COVID test.  This time, I decided to try the mobile lab at the airport https://www.oneoahu.org/covid19-testing since it promised a quick turn-around time, and the price was rather reasonable ($125).

I parked in the overseas parking lot (park on the bottom floor so you can simply walk across to the terminal - it cost me $3; may cost more if you have a longer wait), and found my way to the mobile lab.

Thankfully, there was no line.  You pre-register online (walk-ups taken; there was no way to book a specific appointment time online), and there is a specific line for those who are taking a test to travel inter-island.

After verifying my information, I was directed to a station where I did the self-swab.  I actually prefer when the medical assistant does it vs me having to do it myself (it's just instinctual to want to pull the swab out).  After completing the swab, and following further instructions, I got my results in 6 hours.

Unfortunately, the time stamped on the report was 30 minutes earlier than the time I actually took the test, which ultimately would've put me outside of the 72-hour window.

Of course I knew better to not take a test outside of the 72-hour window, and the woman at registration even asks the departure time of your flight.

Despite the time stamp of my payment and a token that was generated with my actual collection time, the results time was 30 minutes out.  

I emailed the address on the report advising of the issue and attaching my documentation, and called the number listed on the report, which was for the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.  There was no option for a "Covid Response" department, so I went through every single department and person in the directory until I reached someone.

After 30 minutes of trying, I finally got through to someone who patched me through to the lab.  The woman was very helpful and could tell I became even more distressed after saying that this was a "first" (an error in time), saying that the time is automatically generated and there was nothing they could do, but she would check with someone else.

Frustrated, I ended up changing my flight to an earlier flight, as I assumed the time would not be able to be changed.

An hour later, I got an email with an updated time.

It was too late, but I'm glad that it was corrected.

I would still go to the mobile lab for future tests.  It was easy, and the results arrived quickly.  I will just make sure to go closer within the 72 hour mark next time.

Read More

My Thoughts on the Safe Travels Program

After traveling to Hilo and back, there were obviously a lot of issues with the Safe Travels Program.  Instructions are not clear, but thankfully, all the human interaction I encountered to go on this trip proved to be super helpful.  

On my return to Oahu, I completed the questionnaire in my profile, but there were no screeners in Hilo or Oahu to check it.  

Since I've been back, there have been many changes to the procedures for those traveling transpacific, and one County even opted out on all quarantine exemptions for both transpacific and interisland.

I know there have been even more suggestions to improve the program, and I hope as things continue the process will get easier (I feel for those who are not tech-savvy).

As it stands now, at least for interisland - get tested within 72 hours of your departing flight; upload your negative results ASAP (PDF!), and have a copy in hand upon arrival in case you have any issues (from what I understand, at least for Hilo, your results can be pending for interisland arrivals, but you must remain in quarantine until a negative result is presented).

When you arrive, have your ID, QR code, and negative results in hand to expedite your quarantine exemption.

Even after getting your negative result - continue to social distance and wear a mask.  A negative result is not an excuse to become complacent.

It's anyone's guess what will happen in the coming days and weeks with a surge in cases in other states, but I hope Hawai`i can be smart so business and families won't keep hurting.

Read More

Arriving Into Hilo

Arriving into Hilo under the new Safe Travels Program was rather uneventful.

My flight was quite empty (I believe the cost of testing is a big deterrent for traveling inter-island). 

Upon arrival into Hilo International Airport, you get routed through the lobby (instead of going all the way through the terminal to baggage claim), where you end up going through your arrival screening.

This is where you need to pull up your QR code to get scanned, and have your ID and negative test results ready to show the screener.

I did not get asked for my printed results, but since my profile already showed a "Negative" test, the screener simply verified my ID, updated my exempt status in my profile, and I was on my way.  It was literally a two-minute process.  

I was fortunate to have sat up front of the plane, so I was immediately directed to a screener, but I'm guessing that for the most part, the wait wouldn't be too long.  

The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.  

Once you arrive in Hilo - have your QR code, ID, and test results handy to make the entire process go quickly.  

Read More

My Experience with the Safe Travels Program Digital Platform

The State implemented a Safe Travels Program for those traveling to or between islands.  This helps screen passengers, prevent the spread of COVID-19, and tracks relevant data to keep our state and residents safe.

I registered an account for my trip to Hilo.  The digital platform is pretty straightforward.  You enter a trip (flight numbers would automatically pre-populate old departure / arrival times, so I just made sure to not select the pre-populated options) and within 24 hours of your departure, you complete a required questionnaire.  Once you complete the questionnaire, you get a QR code emailed to you (it is also found in your trip profile), which will need to be scanned, depending on where you travel to.  

Since I was traveling to Hilo and needed to be exempt from quarantine, I also had to upload negative test results.  

After hearing about issues that travelers had uploading the incorrect type of document, I made sure I uploaded a PDF of the results from the lab.  

If the results are accepted, a NEGATIVE status will automatically be noted in your profile.

However, my status said "Verification in process."  This meant my results had to be read manually, even possibly at the arrival airport.  

My status remained the same for hours, and I thought maybe I didn't upload the file correctly, so I updated another one.  

Same result.

I had no idea what the issue could be - I did have some guesses, so I ended up calling the help desk to ask some questions, and it turns out, the help desk could also do the manual review!  I was so relieved to hear it.

Turns out, my test results could not be scanned properly because of a missing space.  A missing space!

The help desk employee was so helpful and manually processed by results to display NEGATIVE (since I uploaded two of the same results, he still had to update both to NEGATIVE).  

He said I would have been able to get manually processed at the airport by showing hard copies or a digital PDF of my result, but I'm glad I had the issue resolved right away, as I just didn't want to be at the airport any longer than I had to be.

Next I'll be writing about the actual screening process.

Read More

Getting a COVID-19 Test to Travel Inter-Island

I needed to travel to Hilo for work.  And in order to do that, I had to take a COVID-19 test.  Even though I rarely leave my house, I made sure to stay home for 2 weeks prior to having to leave, since I didn’t want to risk getting exposed.

I made an appointment with one of the Trusted Travel Partners (Urgent Care Hawaii).  I had to wait a while (in the car) before a medical personnel took a nasal sample, which made my anxiety worse because I was thinking it would hurt...

But it wasn’t bad at all.  Literally just a few seconds of swabbing in each nostril, and although it did make my eyes water, it wasn’t painful.

I know there are other places (eg CVS) that allow patients to self-swab, and are also cheaper.  However, I decided to go with Urgent Care because of the turnaround time of 48-56 hours, even though it was a bit more expensive (kama`aina discounts available).

I got my results in 31 hours.  

Next I will be blogging about the Safe Travels Program and the issues I had with the program and even uploading my negative results. 

In the meantime, with the new rules on the travel

program, I hope more partners become available that can send results quickly, and also that there becomes a cheaper option. 

Read More