By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii-Pacific Bureau

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Starting on Friday, September 10, individuals will have the option of presenting their vaccination status through the digital Hawaii SMART Health Card, instead of a hard-copy CDC-issued vaccination card, whenever businesses or venues require verification.

“Participation in the SMART Health Card program is purely voluntary, but it aims to make it easier and more convenient for patrons to present proof of vaccination at restaurants, gyms, other businesses, and establishments that require it,” said Governor David Ige. “The digital Health Card supports counties that require proof of vaccination at certain businesses and venues. It’s another step toward protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors, while also balancing the need to support local businesses and Hawaii’s economy.”

“SMART Health Cards are growing as a standard to show proof of vaccination across the nation. Hawaii joins states such as New York, California, and Louisiana, in implementing an application that allows people to share their vaccine status to businesses and venues in a safe and secure way,” said Doug Murdock, chief information officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

Those who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson and Johnson, followed by a 14-day waiting period, will become eligible for the digital card.

Individual counties may also enforce additional verification measures.

Below are the steps in obtaining the Hawaii SMART Health Card:

1. Go to the Hawaii Safe Travels Digital Platform, https://travel.hawaii.gov.
2. Create an account or use your existing account.
3. Click on the SMART Health Card logo.
4. Take a picture of your vaccination card and upload it.
5. Enter your vaccination information.
6. Parents or guardians who have COVID-19 vaccination records for minors can upload each digital vaccine record request separately.
7. Once validated by the system, you will receive a QR code that you may present to businesses and establishments that require proof of vaccination status.
8. Your QR Code will be available for display in the Hawaii SMART Health Card section of the Safe Travels platform.
9. Businesses and establishments may use a SMART Health Card verifier app to verify status.

At present, the Hawaii SMART Health Card program has some limitations to include the following:

1. The digital card allows for the upload of vaccination cards issued in Hawaii only. Individuals not vaccinated in Hawaii will still need to present a hard copy of a vaccination document as proof.
2. The health card QR code cannot be used for traveling to Hawaii.
3. The state is looking into developing a system to allow the upload of negative COVID-19 test results. For now, patrons may present a physical copy of their negative COVID-19 test result where required.
4. The state government database does not have the capacity to electronically verify vaccination records at the federal level. Entities not submitting vaccination data to the state’s database include the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, selected federal-level agencies (that have received the federal vaccine), and some pharmacies under the long-term care facility program such as nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities.
5. If the state’s database is unable to verify vaccination data, individuals will need to present a physical document such as a CDC vaccination card or COVID-19 PCR test result, depending on what the establishment will accept.

(Eagle News Service)