How to bring your dog to Hawaii

Hawaii is the only state in America that doesn't have rabies. Here's everything I did (and how much I spent) to be able to bring my dog on an extended vacation with me on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. This process will require multiple vet visits and a fair amount of money, so be prepared!

My pup with a Hibiscus, Hawaii's state flower.

The state of Hawaii understandably take their no rabies status very seriously, and wants to keep that count at zero. At one point, they required a 120 day(!) quarantine period to prevent rabies from entering Hawaii. Now with proper planning, travelers are able to apply for same-day, direct airport release with their pet dog or service animal (this is what I did). By following all of the same-day release instructions, I was able to bring my dog to our Hawaii lodging the same day we landed. 

These direct airport release steps are the same for both those visiting with a pet dog or permanently moving to Hawaii with a dog.

I highly recommend beginning this process with at least 3 months before your travel date. This is due to required waiting periods (30 days) after your dog receives their most recent rabies vaccine AND the FAVN rabies test.

Which airlines allow pets?

Keep in mind, only 2 airlines allow pets in cabin (and cargo) for Hawaii-bound flights: Alaska Airlines ($100 each way) and Hawaiian Airlines ($125 each way). Airlines do not charge the pet fee for trained service animals. 

Only a certain amount of pets are allowed on each flight, so be sure to add yours to your reservation as soon as possible. For my trip, I flew Hawaiian Airlines. Review your airline's pet carrier guidelines to ensure it will fit beneath the seat. 

Be sure your flight arrives between 8:30AM and 3:30PM HST. The hours of HNL airport's animal quarantine facility are 8:30AM-4:30PM all 7 days of the week, but you must be escorted off your flight to the quarantine office (so arriving after 3:30PM is cutting it close). If you arrive before or after office hours, your pet must stay until they open again. 

As soon as you have your travel dates booked, contact your dog's veterinarian. 

They are going to be integral to the checklist process since at minimum, you need them to conduct and submit your dog's rabies test, administer flea/tick treatment, as well as provide a health certificate. 

If you let them know you intend to bring your dog to Hawaii, they will be at least familiar with the requirements. Be sure to schedule any upcoming rabies vaccines before submitting your dog's rabies test. If your dog doesn't have one already, they'll also need a microchip implanted before testing. 

Print and Review Hawaii's Same-Day Release Checklist

After scheduling your first vet visit (for an updated rabies vaccine or for the rabies blood test), download and review the 5-day or Same-day Release Checklist from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's website. If you intend to bring your dog off airport-property the same day you arrive, you will want to follow the Same-Day Release Checklist. 

I probably read this checklist 100 times, but it paid off. Keep in mind the HDOA will need all paperwork (except the health certificate) more than 10 days in advance of your dog's arrival, and complete the 30 day waiting period after rabies testing to be considered for direct airport release, which is outlined in the checklist. 

If any requirement on the checklist is not met, you run the risk of your pet being stuck in quarantine for longer (and paying for each additional day of boarding). 

Vet Visit #1

For my dog's first vet visit, we gave her another rabies vaccine just to be safe, and we took her blood sample for the FAVN Rabies Antibody Test. We began this process in late September to have everything ready in time for an early December flight. 

The FAVN Rabies Antibody Test was a little under $100, and I paid another $50 for the vet office to overnight ship my dog's blood sample to Kansas State University.

In this visit, I also requested the signed rabies vaccine certificates for my dog's 2 most recent vaccinations to mail to Hawaii later. These certificates must be wet-signed (in ink)! 

My dog's 30 day waiting period to enter the state of Hawaii would begin from the date KSU received her blood sample. 

Waiting period

It took a little over 2 weeks for my dog's blood test to be returned from KSU (which was better than expected - the HDOA site said delays could take up to a month!) My vet office called me to confirm that my dog was in the clear, and that she was able to enter Hawaii on November 13th (the end of her 30 day waiting period). This was perfect for our early December travel date. I requested a printed copy of the rabies test results to have on hand and also to mail to Hawaii, just to be safe.

While I was waiting for the test results, I printed and filled out the Dog & Cat import form. I printed 2 copies of this completed form; one to mail, and one to hand carry in case it was needed in person. I stored a copy with the signed rabies vaccine certificates to mail later. 

Since my vet's office is quite busy, I also scheduled my dog's next vet appointment to obtain her health certificate & for our vet to administer a flea and tick treatment. The health certificate cannot be dated more than 14 days before arrival into Hawaii. 

Mail your pet's documents

Don't forget to mail your documents! These MUST arrive more than 10 days before you and your pet. I mailed mine as soon as I heard back on the rabies test results and sent with tracking so I could ensure everything arrived in time. 

• Dog and Cat Import Form - AQS279
• Rabies vaccine certificates (for last two vaccinations) signed by your vet
• $185 cashier's check (the direct airport release fee)
• I sent the FAVN Rabies test results just in case, but this is not required on the checklist

When I saw the documents arrived in Hawaii, I emailed them to ask if anything was missing. They let me know everything was acceptable, as long as I hand carried my dog's health certificate upon arrival. 

Vet visit #2

The purpose of this vet visit was to acquire a health certificate and for our vet to administer a flea and tick treatment on my dog. This visit took place 12 days before our flight to Hawaii, since the health certificate must be dated within 14 days of arrival. 

My dog's veterinarian did a comprehensive exam, gave the flea/tick medication, and provided 2 copies of the health certificate. The cost for all of this was about $200. 

What to expect with your pet day-of travel

Upon arriving at the airport, we head to the Hawaiian Airlines check-in counter to check a bag (Christmas gifts and pet supplies), and declare my dog. They asked to see her health certificate, so have that in an easily-accessible place. I assume this is where they visually inspect your pet carrier to ensure it will fit under the seat, but they didn't say anything about mine. 

Next, we went through security. I carried my dog through the scanner and sent her pet carrier through the x-ray. 

Pup is ready for the plane ride

We stopped in the pet relief area for a quick potty break, and head to the gate. When a gate agent arrived, I declared my dog again and showed her health certificate + my boarding pass. They provided me with a bright yellow PETC tag to hang on her carrier. 

After the conversation with the gate agent, we boarded without issue. 6 hours later, we were in Honolulu! 

Escort to Hawaii's animal quarantine center

On arrival at Honolulu airport, we heard a special announcement on the PA just for us: "If you are traveling with a dog, please make yourself known to a crew member". I flagged down a flight attendant during deplaning, and she escorted me and my dog off the plane, through the jetbridge. Another Hawaiian Airlines employee was waiting, and she escorted us to the Animal Quarantine Facility. The facility was about a 10 minute walk away, and my dog had to stay in her carrier.

We were buzzed in to the Animal Quarantine Facility, where my dog was taken to a secure area (inside her carrier). The employee at the window asked for my information and dog's name. After about 10 minutes, he requested the health certificate and my ID. During this time, I assume my dog was being examined/had her microchip scanned, but wasn't explicitly told what was happening. 

The employee reviewed my dog's health certificate and paperwork I previously mailed in, then provided a paper to prove she was compliant, a receipt for the cashier's check I had sent, and said I was good to go. Shortly after, my dog was brought back out and we were free to leave!

Ready to explore Hawaii! 

There was a ton of planning involved, but it was so worth it to bring my pup on this trip! I planned to be in Hawaii for a month to spend the holidays with family, and couldn't imagine being away from her for that long. 

In total, it cost me $785 to bring my dog to Hawaii. That's around how much it would be to board her for an entire month, so bringing her was a no brainer. We went on tons of hikes and she saw the ocean for the first time! 

If I plan another trip back to Hawaii within the next 36 months, I don't have to re-test and can pay a reduced $98 fee for re-entry. I may just have to bring her back to visit family!  

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