Bringing Pets to Hawaiʻi

This article was originally published on April 21, 2022, and was updated Jan. 12, 2026.

Visitors traveling to Hawaiʻi with pets must plan ahead, factoring in vaccines, quarantine timing, costs, airlines and required paperwork. This guide explains what you need to do to ensure compliance with state law.

While Hawaiʻi has the unique distinction of being the only U.S. state free of rabies, that status makes traveling to or relocating to Hawaiʻi with pets more complex. To avoid quarantine upon arrival, the state offers a Direct Airport Release or a five-days-or-less quarantine option. To qualify, travelers must begin preparations at least four weeks in advance and submit required documents before arrival. Costs vary by airline and all documentation must be approved prior to boarding. Below is a step-by-step plan that includes fees and verified sources.

Traveling to Hawaiʻi with pets: Checklist

Because Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is the only airport with a state Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Facility on site, all animals must first arrive in Honolulu. From there, pets are either released or issued a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit before continuing to their final destination.

For pets being released in Honolulu, use this checklist. For pets continuing on to Kailua-Kona (Hawaiʻi Island), Kahului (Maui) or Lihue (Kauaʻi), use the neighbor island checklist. Note that paperwork submission timelines are longer for neighbor island travel.

*Note: Costs vary by location.

Dog & Cat Import Form

Hawaiian Airlines

Pet Type Allowed: Dogs, cats, household birds (checked only)

Cabin/Checked/Cargo: Cabin & Checked

Approximate Cost: Cabin: $100 from U.S. mainland/$35 interisland | Checked: $225 from U.S. mainland/$60 interisland

Notes: Checked: Embargo periods in effect during summer months between certain cities; not recommended for brachycephalic

Alaska Airlines

Pet Type Allowed: Dogs, cats

Cabin/Checked/Cargo: Cabin & Checked

Approximate Cost: Cabin: $100 from U.S. mainland/$35 interisland | Checked:$150 from U.S. mainland/$60 interisland

Notes: Checked: Embargo periods in effect during certain months due to headwinds

American Airlines

Pet Type Allowed: Dogs, cats

Cabin/Checked/Cargo: Cargo only

Approximate Cost: $415-440

Notes: Includes breed restrictions

BARK Air

Pet Type Allowed: Dogs

Cabin/Checked/Cargo: Cabin

Approximate Cost: $7,500 1 dog + 1 human

Notes: Flights from LAX to KOA only

Flights only allow a limited number of animals to fly per plane; don’t wait too long to book flights or they may not be able to fit. Your best bet is to call an airline representative to assist with booking your flight and adding your pets to the booking (you can’t add them online). Each airline has its own requirements regarding the carrier/crate that your pet can be in. Be sure to check on this early in the process in case you need to order the correct size. If your pet isn’t accustomed to being in a carrier, it’s also a good idea to introduce it to them ahead of time so that they’re comfortable on their flight.

Oʻahu Airport

Hawaiʻi Island Airports

Maui Airport

• Rabies vaccination schedule: All pets must have proof of two rabies vaccinations in their lifetime. The most recent vaccination must be administered more than 30 days before arrival in Hawaiʻi and there must be at least 30 days between the two vaccinations. Rabies antibody testing is required, with the blood sample received by the laboratory no fewer than 30 days before arrival. This period functions as a 30-day at-home quarantine.

• Airport inspection fees: $185 per pet for Direct Airport Release and $244 per pet for the five-days-or-less quarantine program.

• Advance document submission deadlines: All required documents must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity at least 10 days prior to arrival. Required paperwork includes one Dog and Cat Import Form per pet, two rabies vaccination certificates, a health certificate and payment of all fees. The only exception is the health certificate, which must be issued within 14 days of arrival and may not be available in time to submit with the rest of the paperwork. In that case, the original health certificate should be hand-delivered to the inspection station upon arrival.

Where Pets Can & Cannot Go

Hawai'i is not as pet-friendly as other places in the U.S. mainland. You won’t typically find dogs (other than service dogs) in bars and on restaurant patios, thanks to strict laws. They also aren’t allowed at most city, county and state parks or at state beaches. Dogs are, however, allowed on some beaches; this guide from Hawaiian Humane Society includes a great list of dog-friendly places on O‘ahu, while Lava Dogs offers resources for the other islands. No matter where you are, it’s important to follow leash laws and keep dogs leashed at all times, due to the health and safety of people and Hawai'i’s endangered species.

Of course, service animals are allowed to enter all lodging, transportation, restaurants and other establishments. Find information specific to guide and service dog entry to Hawai'i from the Department of Agriculture.

Common mistakes that cause your pet to be quarantined

• Late submission: Timelines are critical to avoiding long-term quarantine. All paperwork must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity at least 10 days before arrival.

• Arrival outside inspection hours: Daily inspection hours at the Animal Quarantine Facility run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pets should arrive by 3:30 p.m. When booking flights to HNL, travelers should plan carefully, as pets arriving outside these hours may face extended wait times.

• Missing microchip: Pets that cannot be identified by scanning a microchip do not qualify for Direct Airport Release or the five-days-or-less quarantine program.

• Failure to follow antibody testing timelines: After a successful FAVN rabies antibody test result, pets must wait at least 30 days before arriving in Hawaiʻi. Pets that arrive before the 30-day period has elapsed are subject to quarantine until the full 30 days are completed.

Timing is critical when traveling with pets to Hawaiʻi. This is not something that can be done on a whim.

Step 1: Call your veterinarian
As soon as you begin planning travel with your pet, contact your veterinarian to start the process.

Step 2: Update the microchip
Make sure your pet’s microchip information is current or have a new microchip implanted if needed.

Step 3: Complete the FAVN rabies antibody test
Begin the process to have the FAVN rabies antibody test completed and the results submitted.

Step 4: Rabies vaccinations
Complete the required rabies vaccinations. If your pet has never been vaccinated for rabies, you will need a minimum of 65 days before traveling. Even if your pet has already received two rabies vaccines, there is still a mandatory 30-day waiting period between the date the blood sample is received by the testing laboratory and the pet’s arrival in Hawaiʻi.

Step 5: Obtain a health certificate
Most veterinarians are familiar with Hawaiʻi’s requirements and can guide you through the process. Make paper copies of all documents and keep them with you during travel.

Step 6: Call the airline
While working with your veterinarian, contact your preferred airline to confirm kennel requirements, in-cabin versus checked options and whether the flight you are considering has availability for pets.

How to get help

While this may all feel pretty overwhelming, it can be done on your own. That said, there are additional resources that can make it a lot easier. I’ve worked with Island Pet Movers in the past to move two animals and five animals (different trips), and they do an excellent job. The price isn’t for everyone, but if you can include it in your budget, it’s worth it, especially if you’re going to outer islands. BARK Air also provides concierge services to assist with navigating the process for clients of their luxury air service. This spring, BARK Air is hosting a dog-first island retreat at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.

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