Travel Information and Tips

Travel Information and Tips

Institution Sponsored Trips/Outbound

For those engaged in a faculty led HPU sponsored trip outbound, please ensure that your respective Dean is aware of this trip and in support of it.

All faculty-led international travel has to be approved by the Provost. Typically, this is in the form of a proposal with all travel details outlined. Please confirm that the Provost (or now-acting Provost) has approved the trip. 

Note:  Additional cabinet approvals required if there is a State Department risk identified.  Have you checked the State Department risk rating for travel to the proposed area?

Once the trip is approved, HPU employees can be covered by the University’s travel insurances, but students will need to procure health and travel insurances on their own, including emergency evacuation and the like. Please inquire with Brittany Hopkins to confirm any updates to the employee insurance coverage. She may have suggestions for student insurance coverages based upon recent trips. You will need to register the travel under the State Department STEP process, as well.

How many faculty members will be travelling?  How many students? We always recommend having more than one faculty member available to assist in the event that a student gets sick and requires special attention or otherwise.

Will you be staying on campus or off campus ?  In the event of any emergency or other unexpected needs ensure that there exists a local contact to assist with facilitating logistics and information. Do you have an additional agreement with your local contact to cover their assistance for this trip. We can assist with a short agreement, if you provide the details.

It is possible to have some participants stay longer, but you will want to set clear dates for when the official University trip starts and ends.  Any time outside of those dates will be outside of the University sponsored trip and will be at the participants sole responsibility and risk.  Are there any University funds involved for this trip?

Resource contacts:

  • Legal questions, please contact the Office of University Counsel at ouc@hpu.edu
  • Outbound trips general questions, please contact Melissa Matsubara at mmatsubara@hpu.edu
  • Immigration questions, please contact Bernard Chong at bchong@hpu.edu
  • Insurance questions, please contact Brittany Hopkins at brhopkins@hpu.edu
  • (Applicable for US Citizens Only) Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - U.S. Department of State: step.state.gov

When engaging and drafting a new MOU please ensure that the office of University Counsel at our institution is aware of this proposal along with contacting them directly. It is imperative that any and all agreements/MOUs be reviewed and approved by University Counsel prior as part of the process of signing an agreement between all parties.   

All queries and questions should be submitted to the Office of University Counsel at ouc@hpu.edu

COVID-19 Concerns

HPU continues to monitor the health risks associated with traveling abroad amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In addition, please refer to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory. Students, faculty, and staff should reconsider travel to any area where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized an ongoing community transmission of COVID-19.

The University is making a determination on any sponsored travel restrictions based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advisory. All non-essential University-sponsored travel is prohibited until further notice. Additionally, any plans to host student or other visiting groups originating from impacted regions should be reported to iss@hpu.edu for review.

Those who are planning any non-University sponsored travel should report details about their trip to HPU administration using this form. These reports allow us to monitor our community and assist with any necessary actions that may arise related to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Persons who are planning to travel should stay up to date with information related to COVID-19 by visiting the following websites:

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident: 

 
When boarding the flight to the U.S. mainland from an international location:

As of December 6, 2021, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result within 1 day of departure (or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days) prior to boarding a flight into the United States. Contact your airline to make sure your required documentation are acceptable to board a flight into the United States. Click here to find out what is required before traveling to the United States by air.

 

When boarding the flight to Hawai'i:
  • I am fully vaccinated according to WHO standards: Individuals fully vaccinated according to WHO standards may enter Hawaiʻi without pre-travel testing/quarantine starting the 14th day after the completion of their vaccination. The vaccination record document must be uploaded onto the Safe Travels account and printed out prior to departure and the traveler must have a hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawaiʻi.
  • I am not fully vaccinated according to WHO standards: Travelers are subject to a mandatory 10-day quarantine or the length of their stay, whichever is shorter. Travelers have the option to bypass quarantine through participation in the Safe Travels program, where they must provide a negative pre-travel test from a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner.

I am not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident:

 
When boarding the flight to the U.S. mainland from an international location:

As of December 6, 2021, noncitizens and nonimmigrants must show proof of completed vaccination and negative viral COVID-19 test result within 1 day of departure (or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days) prior to boarding a flight into the United States. Contact your airline to make sure your vaccine and proof of vaccination status are acceptable to board a flight into the United States. Click here to find out what is required before traveling to the United States by air.

 
When boarding the flight to Hawai'i:
  • I am visiting another U.S. location first, or have a layover in the U.S. mainland prior to my arrival in Hawai'i: International passengers entering the U.S. from another state or territory will be treated as domestic travelers when entering the State of Hawai‘i. You must prepare to show proof of completed vaccination according to WHO standards or a negative COVID-19 administered by a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner in order to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine. Travelers must create a Safe Travels account and upload either proof of vaccination status or an approved negative COVID-19 test.
  • Hawai'i is my first point of entry into the U.S.: Beginning December 6, 2021, the State of Hawai‘i will align with federal international requirements. Any traveler who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident will not be permitted to board a flight to the United States without providing proof of completed vaccination status and a negative viral COVID-19 test result within 1 day prior to departure (or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days). There will be no additional State of Hawaiʻi requirements for passengers flying directly into Hawaiʻi from an international destination (e.g. flights from Tokyo directly into Honolulu). The airlines will screen passengers prior to their departure to the United States.

You can find current restrictions on the official Hawaii State travel website: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel

Your vaccine may be accepted. Click here to review the COVID-19 vaccines accepted for travel into the U.S. and Hawai'i.

No, the Hawaii State government has no way to keep track of testing upon arrival. They won’t accept tests taken upon arrival in Hawaii as a way to bypass the 10 day quarantine.

Students cannot complete a 10 day quarantine from an on-campus housing location, so any quarantine must be completed off-campus at your own expense. You are responsible for informing professors of any classes you may miss.

HPU does have COVID-19 procedures in place. We also are working to maintain safety for our students coming in from all over the world. Please continuously check your HPU student email account, the HPU COVID-19 homepage, and your OISS newsletter (international students and scholars) to stay up to date on how COVID-19 may impact you as an HPU student.

Tips: Traveling Outside the U.S.

For questions regarding travel restrictions into the United States, we recommend that international students connect with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to them for the most up-to-date information since travel restrictions will differ depending on your visa type, country of citizenship, and/or where you are currently located. If you've already booked a flight into the U.S., make sure you are aware of any airline policies concerning your need to delay a flight or cancel due to visa related office closures or travel restrictions.

Travel restrictions into the U.S. are set by the President of the United States after assessment of the pandemic situation in the subsequent country. Travel restrictions into Hawai'i are set by the Hawai'i Department of State. Please make sure you are informed of how any travel restrictions may affect you.

For re-entry details please refer to this website. 

  • Ensure your health insurance covers medical care and expenses within the travel locale

  • In addition to health insurance, travel insurance is strongly recommended and includes coverage for unexpected travel expenses, cancellations, or delays and can be selected to assist with costs for emergency relocation or evacuation or return to the United States. This is separate from your health insurance and should be researched and purchased directly by you. Some recommendations for ease of reference and without endorsement include: AIG Travel Guard and Allianz Global Assistance. www.travelguard.com or www.allianztravelinsurance.com/

Prevention of Coronavirus (2019-nCOV; COVID-19), pursuant to World Health Organization (WHO) materials

 Standard recommendations to be followed for prevention of the spread of infection include:

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
  • Cover mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and follow with hand hygiene.
  • Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory illnesses.
  • Avoid crowded places especially within a closed and confined space, when possible.
  • Thoroughly cook meats and eggs and avoid eating raw meat, fish and eggs.
  • Avoid unnecessary exposure to animals and avoid petting animals.
  • Stay home when you are having symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.
  • Drink plenty of water and keep well hydrated.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect objects and surfaces touched by an infected person.

 The above measures are effective against all infectious agents, including Influenza A and B (“the flu”). WHO advised that if any traveler has symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness during their travel period or after returning, they should seek medical attention and highlight their recent travel to the medical personnel.