We are all familiar with the word aloha as Hawai’i’s island greeting. And, much as we associate it with a lei and a beach vacation, for Hawaiians, the word has a more profound meaning. Aloha is the force that holds together existence. 

With the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus upon us, and new “safer at home” recommendations rolling out across the country, the force of aloha could not be more relevant. Nor could its more familiar meaning be more, well…. welcome. Because of Hawai’i’s notable handling of the Covid-19 outbreak—not to mention its beauty, history and warmth—it is one of the most coveted destinations to visit. And, thanks to Hawai’i having implemented alternatives for a 14-day quarantine, it could not be easier for you to hear aloha...today. 

Travel requirements to Hawai’i are succinctly provided on the State’s Covid-19 portal. This chart maps out the steps, the most vital of which is to have proof of a negative test 72-hours prior to travel, provided by one of Hawai’i’s Trusted Testing Partners. Details, pricing and testing locations are all listed in this link.

One of the state’s trusted travel partners is United Airlines. United is offering service to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Lihue and Hilo from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Newark throughout December and in the winter months ahead.

The airline, long a pioneer in airline innovation was the first U.S. airline to offer customers a pilot COVID-19 testing program for those traveling from San Francisco to Hawai’i. Travelers can opt to take the test onsite pre-flight at the airport or at an offsite but nearby drive-through location at United's San Francisco Maintenance Center. 

To help those weighing up the perceived risk of long-haul travel with wanderlust long-seeded throughout the pandemic, the United States Department of Defense conducted a recent study onboard United aircraft to evaluate the risk of COVID-19 in-flight. The assiduous study concluded that the risk is minimal when air filtration and masks are in use. United’s CleanPlus℠ program puts safety and cleanliness at the forefront of the travel experience, as well as boosts traveler confidence in getting to Hawai’i safely and in good health. 

Proof that aloha is the force that holds us together is because in one word and in one place, we experience love, compassion, sympathy, kindness and peace. Today, more than ever, Hawai’i is where we should call home, if even for a little while.