Effective immediately, mask mandates have been made optional at Hawaiʻi airports and on most U.S. airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines.
This comes into effect due to a recent decision issued by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida that removed the CDCʻs travel-related mask mandate on Monday, April 18, 2022.
“Today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time,” a TSA spokesperson said in a statement. “Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs.”
So what does this mean for Hawaiʻi travelers?
Well, most major national airlines, such as Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines will no longer require its flyers to wear masks, and have made face covering optional.
In a statement issued by Hawaiian Airlines: “Effective immediately, face masks are optional for our guests and employees onboard Hawaiian Airlines flights. We ask for our guests’ patience and understanding as we update all our communications and announcements to reflect this change. We advise travelers to stay informed and follow mask requirements that may remain in effect at their origin or arrival airports.”
The new ruling also means that travelers will not have to wear a mask when inside airport property statewide. It is a good idea to check with you local airport and or the airline you plan on taking to figure out exactly what their mask mandate it before heading to the airport, in the event that you decide not to pack a face covering.
Hawaiʻi public transport, like TheBus, has also dropped its mask mandate, however the state Department of Transportation does recommend that riders continue to use masks on public transportation for the safety of themselves and others.
