Hawaii Dog Quarantine – Complete Guide

Written by Tina Haines who has made this move both directions.

Moving to Hawaii with your dog can be stressful. Hawaii is the only U.S. state that is rabies-free. That means every dog that enters the island must either qualify for Direct Airport Release or face up to 120 days of quarantine. There are no exceptions for dog quarantine in Hawaii and that includes service and emotional support animals. This guide goes deeper than our post about moving to Hawaii with pets. We’ll cover the exact forms, facility logistics, fees, and deadlines that are specific to bringing a dog into Hawaii.

Preparation for moving with your dog to Hawaii needs to start at least 4-5 months before travel. The process is sequential and you must meet every requirement. Missing even one will disqualify a dog from same-day release without the ability to appeal.

Quick Answer

In order to avoid the standard 120-day quarantine, dogs entering Hawaii must qualify for Direct Airport Release ($185/dog) or the 5-Day-or-Less program ($244/dog). The 120-day quarantine costs about $30 a day (up to $3,600 total). Qualification requires a microchip, two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart, a passing OIE-FAVN blood test, and a completed Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) submitted at least 10 business days before your arrival.

Key Takeaways

• Hawaii’s Animal Quarantine Station enforces the same rules for every dog with no exceptions
• The Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) does not need to be notarized
• Direct Airport Release costs $185 per dog; the 5-Day-or-Less program costs $244 per dog; full 120-day quarantine runs approximately $30/day, up to $3,600 total
• Certain hybrid breeds (wolf, wolf-cross, Dingo, Bengal, Savannah, and similar hybrids) are prohibited entirely under Hawaii’s Plant Quarantine law
• Inspection hours at the Honolulu Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility run 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Arriving after closing hours can mean an overnight hold and an extra $59 fee

Which Program Does Your Dog Qualify For

There are three programs for dogs entering Hawaii. They include Direct Airport Release which is same-day with no quarantine, the 5-Day-or-Less program that requires a short facility stay, or the full 120-day quarantine. Qualification will depend on if every document and deadline was met before your arrival. There is no partial credit or any way to expedite a review for a dog that’s close but not fully compliant.

Direct Airport Release Requirements

This is the program that we strived for when moving to Hawaii with our cat. A dog qualifies for Direct Airport Release after completing every step in order:

• ISO-compliant microchip is implanted first
• Two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart (both after the microchip)
• OIE-FAVN blood test result 0.5 IU/mL or higher
• Completed 30-day waiting period after the OIE-FAVN blood test

All documents (AQS-279 import form, vaccination records, and blood test results) must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 business days before arrival.

What Happens If Your Dog Doesn’t Qualify

A dog that misses any of the requirements won’t be quarantined immediately at the airport. Instead, it will be routed into the 5-Day-or-Less program if the core rabies requirements were met but the paperwork was late. If the vaccination and blood test timeline wasn’t completed properly, it will be put into the full 120-day quarantine. There is no appeals process for either outcome.

The Exact Forms You Need

The main document is the Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279). This form doesn’t require notarization but it must be completed with the co-owner or authorized handler listed. A transport company or authorized handler cannot be listed as a legal owner. Vaccination records must include the microchip number, vaccine manufacturer, and a lot number from a USDA-licensed veterinarian. The OIE-FAVN blood test results must come from a Hawaii-approved lab such as the Kansas State University’s Rabies Laboratory.

Neighbor Island Entry Requires an Additional Permit

For dogs arriving into Kona, Kahului, or Lihue need a Neighbor Island import Permit (NIIP) in addition to the standard requirements. The permit can’t be processed until a state-approved veterinarian on that island confirms they’ll perform the arrival inspection. You can find the approved veterinary facilities for each neighbor island on Checklist 2.

Airport Facility Logistics

Timing is going to be key when traveling to Hawaii with your dog. The Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) in Honolulu operates daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. In order for your dog to be inspected, you’ll need to arrive by 3:30 pm to allow for processing time.

If your dog arrives between 5:00 pm and 8:00 am, it will be held overnight and must be picked up between 8 and 10 am. Missing the window for the next inspection period will cost an additional $59 and will transfer into the 5-Day-or-Less program for a charge of $244. Your dog has to remain secured in its travel carrier at the AAQHF based on federal security regulations. Owners are not allowed to remove a dog from its carrier on airport property.

What Is the AAQHF?

The Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility is the state-run inspection point at Honolulu International Airport. Every dog and cat is processed there that is entering Hawaii. It does not matter which release program they qualify for.

Breed and Species Restrictions

Be aware that certain hybrid breeds are prohibited from entering Hawaii under the state’s Plant Quarantine law. These breeds include wolf, wolf-cross, Dingo, Bengal, and Savannah hybrids. It won’t matter if these breeds are vaccinated and no waiting period can override the restriction. There are no breed-specific restrictions or additional requirements for standard domestic dog breeds besides the standard quarantine process.

Visiting a Dog in Quarantine

One of the main concerns for pet owners whose dog is quarantined is the ability to visit their pet. Owners are allowed to visit their dog at the state quarantine facility. However, dogs that are in quarantine can’t go home until the full waiting period is complete. You’ll need to check the visiting hours that are set by the Animal Quarantine Station. Call before visiting (808-483-7151) as hours can change without notice.

Side note: Prepping for avoiding dog quarantine in Hawaii is the longest lead-time item for any Hawaii moving timeline. Read all of the requirements and follow the steps that are outlined on the checklist. Most veterinarians are familiar with the process and can help you to stay on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

We flew to Hawaii with our cat and the quarantine process is the same as for a dog. Our goal was to have our cat in the Direct Airport Release program. The process took longer than we thought and I ended up staying behind with our cat while my wife moved to Oahu for work.

I downloaded the checklist and read it almost daily to make sure that I understood the steps and what the deadlines were. If you are planning to move to Hawaii with a pet, I highly recommend that you begin the process several months before your move.

Ask your veterinarian about the process. The vet we worked with was familiar with the process and made sure we stayed on track with all of the requirements and deadlines.

When we finally landed on Oahu, we notified a flight attendant that we had our cat. Someone then took us to the animal processing area at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. They took our cat to be inspected and checked our paperwork in the process.

After an hour or so of waiting, our cat was released to us. It was worth it to us to meet the requirements for the Direct Airport Release program. It was a long process and felt overwhelming at times, but if you understand all of the steps and seek the help of a vet, it can be a somewhat smooth process.