Garden Isle residents will be able to pick up additional free COVID-19 home test kits at various neighborhood locations from March 28 to April 1.

What You Need To Know

  • A second round of free COVID-19 home test kits will be limited to five tests per individual or household, on a first-come, first-served basis

  • Free rapid PCR COVID-19 testing with same-day results within six hours continues to be available at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall and via the mobile testing van; both sites are open to everyone and out-of-state and international IDs are accepted

  • The DOH advises if you have COVID-19 symptoms or been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, self-isolate for at least five days; day #1 is the first full day after symptoms have developed or your test specimen was collected

  • Lihue Pharmacy Inc. provides free drive-up testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and appointments are required; open to U.S. residents only, photo ID is required

The second round of free kits is being provided by the County of Kauai in partnership with the Department of Health Kauai District Health Office using federal funding. Approximately 15,000 kits will be handed out, with a limit of five tests per individual or household, on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a news release.

“As our case numbers continue to drop, we thank our entire community for working together to avoid the spread of this disease,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami in the release. “We know that testing remains an important tool in this effort, and we are grateful to all our partners for their help in keeping Kauai healthy and safe.”

Test kits will be distributed at the following sites on the days indicated:

Monday, March 28:

• Kekaha Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m.-noon

• Waimea Neighborhood Center, 1-4 p.m.

Tuesday, March 29:

• Hanalei Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m.-noon

• Kilauea Neighborhood Center, 1-4 p.m.

Wednesday, March 30:

• Hanapepe Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m.-noon

• Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, 1-4 p.m.

Thursday, March 31:

• Anahola Clubhouse, 9 a.m.-noon

• Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapaa, 1-4 p.m.

Friday, April 1:

• Koloa Neighborhood Center, 9 a.m.-noon

• Lihue Neighborhood Center, 1-4 p.m.

The public is also reminded that free test kits from the federal government can be ordered through http://covidtest.gov and will be delivered by mail.

“Home test kits are a convenient way to reduce the risk of spreading COVID to others,” said Dr. Janet Berreman, Kauai District health officer. “If you have symptoms of COVID, use a home test immediately; if your self-test is negative, remain in isolation and repeat the test one to two days later. If you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID, use the test three to four days after exposure, and test again on the fifth day. You can also use them before planning to gather indoors with others, especially people who are unvaccinated, older or immunocompromised.”

Information on isolation and quarantine can be found here.

PCR Testing

Free rapid PCR COVID-19 testing with same-day results within six hours continues to be provided by the County of Kauai and Kauai District Health Office for anyone without symptoms. There is no need to arrive early at the site. The Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall and mobile testing van are open to everyone; out-of-state and international IDs are accepted.

Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Lihue, is open from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed weekends and holidays. It will be closed on March 25 in observance of Prince Kūhiō Day.

The mobile testing van is open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and rotates within different communities each day of the week. Wednesdays: Kekaha Neighborhood Center; Thursdays: Kilauea Neighborhood Center; Fridays: Kalaheo Neighborhood Center (will be closed on March 25); Saturdays: Hanalei Neighborhood Center (will be open on March 26); and Sundays: Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapaa. The van is

Lihue Pharmacy Inc., located at 4491 Kolopa St. in Lihue, provides free drive-up testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Appointments are required by registering online. Call 808-635-4968 if you have questions. Open to U.S. residents only; a photo ID is required.

A full list of testing sites is available here.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, tourism and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.