Hawaii - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
April 2022
- As of 26 March, 2022, procedures for intake of visiting vessels from foreign countries revert to pre-Covid conditions.
- Health checks remain in place and if someone is ill with C19-like symptoms, they will have to remain on board the vessel for 14 days and provide a negative test in order to disembark.
Contacts:
- Kauai Island District Office – Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor
Phone: (808) 241-3111
E-mail: Jeremiah.G.Aguilera@hawaii.gov - Maui District Office (Including the Islands of Lanai and Molokai)
Maalaea Small Boat Harbor
Phone: (808) 243-5824
E-mail: Paul.K.Sensano@hawaii.gov - Oahu District Office – Keehi Small Boat Harbor (most popular with transients)
Phone: (808) 832-3520
E-mail: Bruce.L.Swartz@hawaii.gov - Oahu West Side – Ko Olina Marina
Contact: Leilani and Malu in the office
Phone: 808-679-1050.
E-mail: leilani.gaspar@koolina.com
Our thanks to OCC Port Officer Harvey Zeidwerg for assistance with information.
Resources:
- Hawaii’s Department of Health website.
- Hawaii’s Government website.
- Consult the DOBOR website (scroll down) for arrival updates.
- https://www.hawaii-guide.com/hawaii-covid-testing
Useful for following the COVID situation by island in Hawaii. - Arrivals by air – see https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/.
History:
- Hawaii has remained open to foreign yachts throughout the pandemic.
- In March, 2020, an emergency order was set in place and all crew had to self-quarantine for 14 days before stepping off their vessel. A stay-at-home order was issued and a number of marinas closed.
- An approval process was implemented via the Harbor Master of most ports of entry – taking between 1-3 weeks.
- In April, all state beaches closed and recreational boating was still permitted but with a maximum of 2 people on board.
- In June, 2020, temporary mooring permit fees increased making it almost the same price to anchor as it is to moor in a marina (see fees below).
- In October arrival with a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure was introduced in place of quarantine.
- Sea time has always been taken into account to determine number of quarantine days for arriving vessels.
- 26 March, 2022, all Covid related restrictions were removed.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Other Biosecurity Information:
Dept. of Agriculture
On arrival, the Dept. of Agriculture/quarantine must be notified if there are animals on board or if coming from any country outside the USA or Canada.
There are restrictions on importing plants and fresh produce. You will be asked if you have any fresh produce on board (meat and eggs) and certain food items may be confiscated and destroyed.
Officials may also ask for all rubbish on board to be given to them for disposal (anything deemed as foreign) and they will probably charge for this service.
Some cruisers have reported this to be very expensive (see fees further down).
The only rubbish guaranteed not to be deemed “foreign” and require expensive sterilization/incineration are clean beverage containers suitable for recycling that no animal or vegetable products had ever touched – i.e. soda and beer cans, water bottles, etc.
For additional information see:
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Formalities: Documents
Related to following destinations: Hawaii
Country Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Hawaii
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comFormalities
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
Effective February 14, 2023, and until further notice, the DOBOR Kauai District Office and Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor Office will have limited hours of 7:45am to 1:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It is possible to clear in at Ko’Olina Marina (Barber’s Point) on Oahu. Officers came from Honolulu to board us and clear us in within 2 hours of arrival on both of our visits (April & June 2018).
We were required to pay for a local contractor to dispose of all garbage deemed “foreign” by the Agriculture clearance agent when arriving from overseas – the cost of this was VERY expensive: $150 + $90/bag, max bag weight 20lbs.
We were advised that the only trash that could be guaranteed not to be deemed “foreign” and require expensive sterilization/incineration was clean beverage containers suitable for recycling that no animal or vegetable products had ever touched – i.e. soda and beer cans, water bottles, etc.
Even clean washed empty cans, glass jars (pickles, jam, etc) and clean plastic wrappers were required to be incinerated.
It is not possible to haul out in Ala Wai. Keehi Marine Center (Honolulu) on Oahu and Ko Olina (Barbers Point Harbour) offer haul outs, Keehi is cheaper.
If you need a slip, get one at the Yacht Club, better facilities and security patrols constantly.
Mike Fossl reports that it is no longer possible to clear in at Nawiliwili / Port Allen.