About two weeks ago, Hawaii expanded its vaccine passport program to everyone in the US. However, the initial process to set up the passport leaves a lot to be desired. However, there is an easier option now since the CLEAR Health Pass is now valid in Hawaii.
Not only is the State of Hawaii-run Safe Travels website archaic and needlessly difficult to use, but it’s a complete joke. As we know, vaccine passports issued by the state for those not vaccinated in Hawaii aren’t verified. They say there is no way to do this since there is no national database. But, apparently, private companies found a way to do so. One such company is CLEAR via its Health Pass system.
CLEAR Health Pass Now Valid in Hawaii
Most of you reading this site probably know what CLEAR is. They’re best known for their expedited airport identification kiosks. Whereas CLEAR’s identification service costs $179 annually, CLEAR also offers a free Health Pass service. It’s this free Health Pass service that you’ll use for our Hawaii vaccine passport.
In order to enroll in CLEAR Health Pass, you’ll need to select the Hawaii-specific Health Pass section. From there, it’s a simple process of following the on-screen prompts, which includes scanning your CDC card and linking your online healthcare provider account. If you don’t have an online healthcare provider account, this option obviously won’t work for you. That said, Californians can tap into their state’s vaccine database for verification too.
Now, even though creating your vaccine pass with CLEAR is simple, you still need to link your CLEAR pass with the Hawaii Safe Travels system. That, however, is far more simple than going through the whole process in Hawaii Safe Travels itself.
Final Thoughts
I think the CLEAR Health Pass is a win-win for everyone. Not only is it far easier to use, but CLEAR actually verifies your vaccination status with your healthcare provider. In fact, the system is so good, I think Hawaii officials should’ve 1) waited to implement the vaccine passport program until CLEAR Health Pass became available, and 2) mandate use of the system. The only downside, of course, is that CLEAR only works if you have a smartphone. But, a better (compared to what we have now), verifiable alternative could’ve been created, right?
I have Global Entry. Can vaccine status be added to that?
The UK is still requiring prebooking of two tests and 10 days quarantine, even for fully vaccinated travelers. Thankfully I have dual citizenship so am able to travel between USA and UK, but still have to test/isolate every time. Makes it very expensive!
Unfortunately, no. The CBP has not created a vaccine passport system. Luckily, the CLEAR system is free! CommonPass is another option as well.
I have my vaccine record already available on my medical chart of which I have mobile access. I’m uncomfortable putting that information into another app. Will the state accept my record if it’s visible in my application.
Unfortunately, no. If you don’t want to make your medical chart available vial CLEAR, you can use the state’s Safe Travels system to create a vaccine passport. Their system collects very limited information, though it’s also more difficult to use.
Question: Is the “online healthcare provider account” mentioned as needed for the CLEAR process my Medicare insurance provider (AARP UHC Medicare Advantage), my online account at the place where I got my vaccination shots ( Griffin Hospital Derby, CT), or something else?
Online healthcare provider account would refer to the account for the place where you got your shots. For example, here in Hawaii, our two major Hawaii-based hospitals use MyChart.
I can’t seem to connect Clear and Safe Travels. When I choose “Apply for Exemption/Exception from Quarantine” in travel.hawaii.gov, then choose “Clear Exception”, it prompts me to select a trip and a traveler, and then prompts me to sign in to Clear. I do that. After a moment, it shows an error message saying “Error A matching Health Pass could not be found for this trip.” Anybody know how to fix this? The Clear app has a help system where you can describe your problem. Next to useless. Two days after I submitted a request they sent me a text and didn’t seem to have any of the info I put in the help request. Described it all again, even including screen shots of what I was doing. Another day went by, and they sent me another text, asking what my problem was. Not impressed with their support.
You know, I tried this after publishing the article and got the same issue too. I eventually relented and signed up with Hawaii Safe Travels and called it quites. What a mess.
I am wondering if you ever resolved this issue and figured out how to link SafeTravels to Clear? I went through the exact same steps you describe and get the same message. My health pass exists in Clear but am unable to link the two. We leave in two days and have still not figured this out. Having anxiety!
Unfortunately, I have not. At this point, I think it best that you use the Hawaii Safe Travels system to generate your vaccine passport. It’s a bit more convoluted than the CLEAR process, but it’s doable! All you need is your CDC vaccine card or a photo of it. Good luck!
I don’t have a vaccine card. I have negative test result from a local hospital which is a partner of Clear that won’t link up. Do you suggest that I try to make that a PDF and upload it to the safe travels?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to a Safe Travels partner testing provider and submit that test result. I suggest going to Walgreens if there’s one near you, as testing there is free. CLEAR is only a Safe Travels partner for vaccine passport creation, though the system doesn’t quite work.
Hi. Do you happen to know if the CLEAR Health Pass is only good for 30 days? I applied for one and it looks like my pass is counting down to expiration from 720 hours. Wondering if I should have waited to enroll until I was closer to my departure date (Sept 6). Thanks.
Excellent question! I have no idea… That’s really strange and, if true, would’ve been great information to know ahead of time.
At least I’m not alone – I thought I was going nuts. I have a Clear health pass but it always fails when I try to connect my Safe Travels trip.
Yup, it’s so sad that they can’t get their act together… But, I’m not surprised, either!
It’s Aug 17,2021 and it’s still broken. The gov site says, “A matching Health Pass could not be found for this trip.”, while the CLEAR app has a green confirmation. You would they they might actually try to deal with this after so many complaints about the brokenness, but maybe it’s just another way to get personal information and sell it.
You’d think. But, it is the state of Hawaii… So…??