During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii had one of the strictest travel policies in the US.

In my experience living on Oahu during that time, traveling to and from Hawaii wasn't too difficult as long as you were prepared. My parents flew in from their home in California to visit me at certain points over the last three years, and things ran smoothly. I left the state about three times over the pandemic, and never had any issues as long as I did my research to stay updated on the current restrictions.

Now, policies are much more relaxed. In March of this year, Governor David Ige lifted travel restrictions for domestic flyers. Domestic travelers no longer need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test or upload any trip information online. However, international travelers still must follow federal US travel requirements to enter the country. 

Tips for traveling between the US mainland and Hawaii:

  • Always pack a pen. Each group of passengers must fill out an agricultural form, which is given to you on your flight. Airlines don't always have enough pens, so to make it easy, just toss one in your carry-on.
  • The ecosystem in Hawaii is fragile and many native species are already under stress. As a result, there are certain items you can't bring into the state from the US mainland, particularly plants and produce (unless you bought it at the airport after TSA check-in). Read more about restricted items here.  
  • Bringing a pet on your Hawaiian vacation is tricky, as the state has strict laws regarding animals. If you don't have the necessary vaccinations for your pet, they'll be held in quarantine at the airport. In my opinion, it's not worth it to try, but you can learn more here.

When's the best time to visit Oahu?

The weather on Oahu rarely dips below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, summer is warmer and often sunnier than the winter, which can be rainy. There's also a hurricane season that runs from June through November.

Overall, I wouldn't worry much about the weather as you'll likely have enjoyable conditions and temperatures no matter when you visit. 

One thing to keep in mind about the seasons is how they affect the surf. During summer, the south shore gets a nice swell, but many beaches, like those in Waikiki, are still swimmable, and the North Shore is mellow. During winter, the North Shore fires with big waves, sometimes topping 30 feet. This is when surf competitions take place and pro surfers visit the island, which is always fun to watch, but also means the North Shore will be crowded and the beaches won't be swimmable if you're not an advanced surfer. 

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Oahu.

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