Credit: Hawaiian Airlines

Still plenty of time in the summer for a tropical trip.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic got going, Hawaii was one of the first states to limit nonessential travel. This has worked to their favor, as even though cases are currently surging around the continental United States, Hawaii’s actually doing a pretty good job of keep their slice of the pandemic contained. Of course, nonessential travel still isn’t permitted to the island because they’re hoping that containment will stay that way. However, there does seem to be some optimism for the islands’ floundering tourism industry.

Hawaiian Airlines announced yesterday that starting August 1, a quarantine period will no longer be required for travelers coming and going from the state. Currently, anyone who enters Hawaii is required to quarantine themselves for the customary 14-day period, which obviously puts a damper on any potential vacation plans unless you’ve planned for a very long vacation solely in a hotel room. In August, though, the quarantine will no longer be required, provided travelers can prove that they’ve tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of their arrival. Temperature checks will still be required, though.

Credit: iStock

Hawaiian Airlines will be running approximately 252 weekly flights between Hawaii and the mainland, as well as 114 daily flights within the islands. Service will resume between Hawaii and various non-west coast cities around the country, including Boston, Las Vegas, New York, and more. The mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, has expressed eagerness to get the tourism industry of the islands back into swing. “We need to return to welcoming visitors to our shores,” he said.

So while it may be later in the season than you’re typically accustomed to, you may still get to have a Hawaiian vacation this summer. Just don’t expect it to be as exciting and social as it usually would be.