Do not use CVS/Longs for PCR testing!

[lorenni]

For any Canadians needing a PCR test to fly home - do not use Longs/CVS!

Given timing for our flight we did early am testing on the 16th for our flight today on the 18th (the last appointments on the 15th were cutting it too close to the 72 hour mark). The switch tests were sold out so we were not able to bring those with us.

We still don’t have test results and can’t find anyplace to get rapid PCR testing at any cost. We’re heading to the airport early to see what the airline says (Westjet). There is same day PCR testing at the airport, but that won’t get back in time for our flight. So as of right now we are not flying home today, and trying to triage.

Needless to say, a potentially disastrous end to what was otherwise a wonderful vacation.

 

[JC1984]

Sorry to hear this let us all know how this shakes out.

 

[shaunacb]

I was wondering if the regular PCR on Farrington would not be there in time. So sorry this happened to you. You can get a rapid PCR at CVS on Ward Avenue I believe.

 

[lorenni]

I was wondering if the regular PCR on Farrington would not be there in time. So sorry this happened to you. You can get a rapid PCR at CVS on Ward Avenue I believe.

I actually looked into them yesterday and they were already booked solid through Sunday.

 

[JC1984]

Look on the bright side who doesn’t want a few extra days in paradise

 

[lorenni]

Update:

1. kiddo went for his second vaccine this AM and the pharmacist told my husband that Walgreens is running 4-7 days for test results. So that’s off the table for anyone testing for travel.

2. We found a pop up clinic in Kapolei that has rapid ID Now testing - results in 15-20 minutes. $175 per person and cash only. So we’ve just had our second round of tests and will still be at the airport by 12:15.

update to add - for anyone who needs it the pop up Covid clinic is at 890 Kamokila Blvd next to the Movie Theater.

 

[lorenni]

Update:

Three of us took PCR tests at Longs on the morning of the 16th. Current status:

Husband: received his negative test results via email around 11pm PST on the 18th
Me: never received an email. Checked via website and had negative results posted around 2am PST on the 19th (which is when we finally had our bags and made it through the Covid testing at Vancouver airport - TOTAL. NIGHTMARE. by the way - absolutely unorganized and understaffed - it’s not like international arrivals are surprises - they k ow exactly how many people are coming thru - having kids standing in hour long lines at 1am is just wrong.)
Kiddo: NEVER RECEIVED RESULTS

While not free, the pop up clinic we found in Kapolei was friendly and fast. I definitely recommend them for any Canadians needing a test to fly home.

 

[Micca]

Wow thanks for the updates!

 

[FinnFogg]

Is the Ko Olina Urgent Care testing clinic no longer in the Ko Olina shopping area? They don’t really market it well, and you can’t book ahead online, but it’s where the concierge at Aulani referred me when I was there in Oct. It is walk in only, but only serves the Ko Olina resets so I’ve never seen more than a handful of people in line. It’s hidden in the back side of the shopping centre, on the same side as the Tommy Bahama store (not the ABC store side) and they do rapid PCR tests.

 

[lorenni]

Is the Ko Olina Urgent Care testing clinic no longer in the Ko Olina shopping area? They don’t really market it well, and you can’t book ahead online, but it’s where the concierge at Aulani referred me when I was there in Oct. It is walk in only, but only serves the Ko Olina resets so I’ve never seen more than a handful of people in line. It’s hidden in the back side of the shopping centre, on the same side as the Tommy Bahama store (not the ABC store side) and they do rapid PCR tests.

I don’t know. I didn’t think to ask Aulani front desk. But I did do some shopping at Tommy Bahama (best shorts ever) and did not see anything like an urgent care clinic.

 

[To the honeypots]

Is the Ko Olina Urgent Care testing clinic no longer in the Ko Olina shopping area? They don’t really market it well, and you can’t book ahead online, but it’s where the concierge at Aulani referred me when I was there in Oct. It is walk in only, but only serves the Ko Olina resets so I’ve never seen more than a handful of people in line. It’s hidden in the back side of the shopping centre, on the same side as the Tommy Bahama store (not the ABC store side) and they do rapid PCR tests.

how much did they charge here?

 

[FinnFogg]

I don’t know. I didn’t think to ask Aulani front desk. But I did do some shopping at Tommy Bahama (best shorts ever) and did not see anything like an urgent care clinic.

It’s tucked behind the mall, facing the back fence/parking lot. Pretty much impossible to find unless you circle the whole building!

 

[FinnFogg]

how much did they charge here?

The bad antigen tests, rapid PCR (ID now) and regular PCR (48 hours). I think the rapid test was US$135

 

[FinnFogg]

The bad antigen tests, rapid PCR (ID now) and regular PCR (48 hours). I think the rapid test was US$135

My mistake - Went back and checked and it was $175. Pricing is below for all testing options (obviously rapid antigen doesn’t work for return to Canada):

Prices:
Rapid ID NOW is $150+Tax for kama’aina, $175+Tax for General Public.
Real Time PCR to DLS is $175+Tax for kama’aina, $225+Tax for General Public.
Rapid Antigen test is $85+Tax.

 

[lorenni]

My mistake - Went back and checked and it was $175. Pricing is below for all testing options (obviously rapid antigen doesn’t work for return to Canada):

Prices:
Rapid ID NOW is $150+Tax for kama’aina, $175+Tax for General Public.
Real Time PCR to DLS is $175+Tax for kama’aina, $225+Tax for General Public.
Rapid Antigen test is $85+Tax.

Same exact prices we paid so maybe the same company.

 

[StarSeven7]

Update:

Three of us took PCR tests at Longs on the morning of the 16th. Current status:

Husband: received his negative test results via email around 11pm PST on the 18th
Me: never received an email. Checked via website and had negative results posted around 2am PST on the 19th (which is when we finally had our bags and made it through the Covid testing at Vancouver airport - TOTAL. NIGHTMARE. by the way - absolutely unorganized and understaffed - it’s not like international arrivals are surprises - they k ow exactly how many people are coming thru - having kids standing in hour long lines at 1am is just wrong.)
Kiddo: NEVER RECEIVED RESULTS

While not free, the pop up clinic we found in Kapolei was friendly and fast. I definitely recommend them for any Canadians needing a test to fly home.

Oh man what a mess! When we went through Vancouver airport a few weeks ago on our way back from Hawaii, they directed us straight out of the terminal, even though we had kids who were supposed to get tested! So we walked back and told them that we needed to get our kids tested because I didn't want to deal with any hassles down the road for not doing things properly. Since we had to talk with someone, they ended up bringing us straight to an agent to register our kids for testing, therefore bypassing the line, so we got kind of lucky in the end! I think the entire system in Canada is super disorganized because when they called us to make sure our kids were following proper quarantine rules, they didn't even have my husband and I listed as vaccinated (which we are), and asked us if we had filled out ArriveCan (of course!), and done the PCR test prior to arrival (again, of course!). What's the point in doing all of this if they don't even have a record of it??

 

[FinnFogg]

Update:

1. kiddo went for his second vaccine this AM and the pharmacist told my husband that Walgreens is running 4-7 days for test results. So that’s off the table for anyone testing for travel.

2. We found a pop up clinic in Kapolei that has rapid ID Now testing - results in 15-20 minutes. $175 per person and cash only. So we’ve just had our second round of tests and will still be at the airport by 12:15.

update to add - for anyone who needs it the pop up Covid clinic is at 890 Kamokila Blvd next to the Movie Theater.

Lorenni - Any issue getting dose 2’for the kiddo is at Ewa Beach Walgreens? Are we are booked in for Monday. I got my first shot in Hawaii way back, and that was fine. Just wondering if there are any kinks when you book it as a second dose (having received first in Canada).

 

[lorenni]

Lorenni - Any issue getting dose 2’for the kiddo is at Ewa Beach Walgreens? Are we are booked in for Monday. I got my first shot in Hawaii way back, and that was fine. Just wondering if there are any kinks when you book it as a second dose (having received first in Canada).

None at all. We brought the paper vaccine receipt for his first dose along with his passport (for photo ID). They gave us a paper dose receipt for the second dose which I now need to upload to the provincial system so they can register it.

Now I’m wishing we’d both gotten our boosters at the same time, as that looks to be a Hunger Games level endeavor here in Toronto!

 

[FinnFogg]

None at all. We brought the paper vaccine receipt for his first dose along with his passport (for photo ID). They gave us a paper dose receipt for the second dose which I now need to upload to the provincial system so they can register it.

Now I’m wishing we’d both gotten our boosters at the same time, as that looks to be a Hunger Games level endeavor here in Toronto!

Awesome! When I got my shot (I went to CVS) I received a detailed email afterwards with the vaccine details (date, lot number, as well as location, prescribing pharmacist etc) in addition to the CDC card. Did you get detailed records by email as well from Walgreens, or just the CDC card?

 

[To the honeypots]

My mistake - Went back and checked and it was $175. Pricing is below for all testing options (obviously rapid antigen doesn’t work for return to Canada):

Prices:
Rapid ID NOW is $150+Tax for kama’aina, $175+Tax for General Public.
Real Time PCR to DLS is $175+Tax for kama’aina, $225+Tax for General Public.
Rapid Antigen test is $85+Tax.

Thanks!!