Hawaii - Pets
Arriving in Hawaii with Pets On Board
Hawaii is rabies-free, so regulations regarding animals on board yachts are more strict than on the US mainland.
Honolulu is the only port of entry for all animals. Any yachts with pets on board must arrive in Honolulu for inspection and quarantine.
The rules are the same for entry by airplane or private yachts. A brief outline of the direct release and the 5 Day or Less quarantine program [5DOL program] entry requirements can be found below. These are one in the same and must be met prior to entering Hawaii to prevent being detained on arrival.
FAVN Rabies Antibody Test
A blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for the OIE-Flourescent Antibody Serum Neutralization Test (OIE-FAVN), which tests for the adequate response to the rabies vaccine.
Use the following website to verify if your foreign lab is listed: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/approved-labs.html
If listed, your veterinarian must verify the OIE-FAVN TEST is performed, (RFITT NOT ACCEPTED) and the testing lab must submit the OIE-FAVN results directly to HDOA main office.
The testing lab will time stamp the received date on the on the submission form. The 30-day waiting period starts the day after the lab receives the blood sample. Assuming your pet has an acceptable titer result of 0.5 IU/ml or greater, your cat or dog may qualify to enter Hawaii after submission of documents, program fee and the 30-days from FAVN testing.
You must not arrive in Hawaii before the waiting period has elapsed, or your pet will not qualify for the 5DOL program.
Microchip
A microchip must be implanted in the cat or dog before the blood sample can be submitted to the testing lab for FAVN testing.
Submission of Documents
For entry via Honolulu, all required documents, test results and program fees must be submitted to Animal Quarantine more than 10 days before arriving. All documents must be in English.
For neighboring island arrivals, documents and payment must be submitted more than 30 days before arriving.
Send to hdoa.aqs@hawaii.gov, or via fax, (808)-483-7161.
More Information
The checklist and submission forms for this 5-day or less program, can be obtained on the HDOA website at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/
Also see Quarantine FAQs on the HDOA website.
Email: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov
Animal Quarantine Station Tel: (808)-483-7151 or (808)-837-8092.
Note:
CDC dog import requirements effective 8/1/2024:
- https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0508-Dog-Importation-Regulation.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html
Last updated: May 2025
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Can someone direct me to the process to bring my dogs to Hawaii by boat? I am in the South Pacific and can find no guidance other than airport arrival.
Hello Carine, thanks for your enquiry. We have received confirmation from Hawaii Animal Quarantine that the rules for arriving by private yacht with pets on board are identical to those if arriving by air. Our Hawaii pet section has been updated accordingly and all the info. and links are there – https://www.noonsite.com/place/hawaii/view/pets/. They are very good at responding to queries if you have further questions, but the FAQs on their website are pretty thorough. Do let us know how you get on. I am sure other cruisers would value a report by a cruiser that’s jumped through all the hoops and managed to enter Hawaii with a pet on board. Good luck!
Effective February 14, 2023, and until further notice, the DOBOR Kauai District Office and Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor Office will have limited hours of 7:45am to 1:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It is possible to clear in at Ko’Olina Marina (Barber’s Point) on Oahu. Officers came from Honolulu to board us and clear us in within 2 hours of arrival on both of our visits (April & June 2018).
We were required to pay for a local contractor to dispose of all garbage deemed “foreign” by the Agriculture clearance agent when arriving from overseas – the cost of this was VERY expensive: $150 + $90/bag, max bag weight 20lbs.
We were advised that the only trash that could be guaranteed not to be deemed “foreign” and require expensive sterilization/incineration was clean beverage containers suitable for recycling that no animal or vegetable products had ever touched – i.e. soda and beer cans, water bottles, etc.
Even clean washed empty cans, glass jars (pickles, jam, etc) and clean plastic wrappers were required to be incinerated.
It is not possible to haul out in Ala Wai. Keehi Marine Center (Honolulu) on Oahu and Ko Olina (Barbers Point Harbour) offer haul outs, Keehi is cheaper.
If you need a slip, get one at the Yacht Club, better facilities and security patrols constantly.
Mike Fossl reports that it is no longer possible to clear in at Nawiliwili / Port Allen.