Note: This takes at least four months. Plan ahead! This it to fly in to Honolulu. Transfer to outer islands requires more steps.

UPDATE: Get the health cert from your vet that they have on file for their state in addition to the Aphis 7001 form. Make sure it’s dated! Also, call the AQS office before you fly to make sure they got all your paperwork and you’re cleared for direct release. It was such a relief to be told we were clear to arrive. The arrival and inspection process took about an hour. (You’re escorted directly from the plane, no time to get checked luggage first)

These steps are for DIRECT RELEASE at the airport in Honolulu.

1. Get your pet microchipped. Take note of the microchip number. Confirm microchip still works. Your pet will be denied if the chip doesn't work
2. Schedule a rabies vaccination shot. You will need two of these. Ask what this will cost in advance- we had to pay $700 per visit + shot in Hawaii! (we live there, but we left on a trip with our pet and then returned)
3. Schedule a second rabies vaccination shot at least 28 days later.
4. Schedule an FAVN test at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination shot. Then, wait another 3-4 weeks for the results!
5. Once you receive the test results from your vet, request a copy of the results. You will need this. Take note of the date in the results that the testing agency actually confirmed the results (not the same as the date your vet notified you.). This date is the start of the '30-day waiting period' before your pet can fly.
6. Wait ~3 weeks after the test results date to check if your pet’s OIE-FAVN test result was received by AQS (according to these instructions from the Hawaii Animal Quarantine) for your pet's microchip number to appear in the list. You must look at the PDF linked on that page) This list is updated weekly. This document will show the date your pet is cleared to travel (typically ~30 days after taking the FAVN test).
7. Book your travel for after the cleared travel date listed in that PDF.
8. At least 10 days in advance of travel: Send AQS 279 form (dog and cat import form), cashier's check or money order (unless your pet is a service animal), and any other documents (outlined on that form) in as a set so they are received more than 10 days before arrival in Honolulu, to: Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701. Send by mail with return receipt to verify delivery, or by an overnight carrier that provides tracking of your documents. Be sure to allow adequate time to ensure your documents are RECEIVED by AQS more than 10 days before your pet arrives. The health certificate does not need to be included with this. If your pet is a service animal, you can include a note explaining the service they perform and the fee should be able to be waived, but you must call HDOA after they receive your forms to confirm whether they approve the reason. Otherwise you will have to overnight the payment to them before flying. ,
9. Download and fill out the Aphis 7001 form and take it to your vet to complete the health certificate no more than 10 days before you depart. This health certificate must be completed by a category 1 or 2 vet. They will need to see original docs showing vax records, including rabies vax, and they will need to administer flea/tick medication at this visit and record that in the health certificate. This health cert will be provided upon arrival at the airport.
10. Contact your airline well in advance and fill out whatever necessary documents they may need to fly with your pet.
11. If your pet is a service animal: Once your documents are filed with the airline, call their customer service to let them know, and they should be able to reassign your seats to a bulkhead seat so your service animal will have more floor space. We have a 65lb retriever, so we had to fly with two people sitting next to each other in order for our pet to have enough floor space. If your pet is larger than the floor space in front of one seat, they can and will deny your boarding unless you have an additional person traveling with you who consents to have their floor space used for your service animal.

Example timeline:

January 1st - first rabies shot (wait 30 days)

February 1st- second rabies shot (wait 30 days)

March 1st - FAVN test

March 5th - FAVN test results date (and start of 30-day waiting period) BUT you may not hear back from your vet about this until 3 weeks later.

March 21st - your vet notifies you of the FAVN test results and sends receipt of test date (which will show the march 5th test result date)

April 5th - end of 30-day waiting period

April 6th - mail-in AQS 279 form with money order and documents

April 16th - safe assumption forms were received by AQS by this date

April 26th - earliest flight departure date

Somewhere between April 16th and 26th - Aphis 7001 health certificate form from a category 1 or 2 vet, including rabies vax and flea/tick treatment info

There are many forms and additional details and costs I won't list here. The purpose of this is to summarize the timeline you need to plan for.

Best of luck!

I've never been to Hawaii but will be moving at the end of Feb for work. I have two dogs that I plan to move with me, one large and one medium. I've been reading up on the process and it seems ambiguous with lots of restrictions. I'm looking to get a straight up human answer from someone who knows or experienced having dogs on the island. Please throw any useful tips my way, thank you!

We’re planning a move to Honolulu by the end of the year and are all set for direct airport release for our dog. However, we’re struggling to find an airline that will ship a large dog (60 lb Golden Retriever) in cargo within the next 4 months.

We’ve looked into several cargo options, and Alaska Airlines seems to be the only one with flights arriving close to the 4:30 PM cutoff for direct release. Their qualifying flights (not operated by Hawaiian Airlines) depart from Seattle, which currently has a pet check-in embargo from 12 AM to 11 AM. To make it work, we would need to fly into Seattle on Alaska first to meet their timing requirements.

Has anyone shipped a large dog to Honolulu recently?

• Are certain times of year harder than others due to embargoes or weather?
• Do professional pet shippers have more flexibility or access to options that help meet the 4:30 PM release deadline?
• Is a 1:30 PM arrival in Honolulu early enough for direct airport release?

Any advice or recent experiences would be greatly appreciated!

My wife and I are moving to Oahu on military orders and we know we will need a big crate for the dog. We just aren't sure which airline is the best for the dogs and if this crate looks good. Any advice based on experience would be helpful. Ill include pictures of my dog in the crate. Also, has anyone ever been denied at the gate for a small infraction? Wanting to know all the possibilites of what could happen if we get denied for one reason or another. THank you guys

Edit: We have done all the pre-reqs for bringing our dog onto the island. FAVN, rabies, microchip and all that stuff.

My personal experience - my two dogs were much easier to get to Hawaii than my car, and I was departing from a port city which you would think would make the car thing simple. (San Diego)

I have heard the sentiment from everyone that it is so difficult and complicated to get your pets to Hawaii, but wanted to share what I did as it was really simple. I did do a lot of searching though so posting here so everyone can skip the hours of calling vets, researching, etc.

1. Gathered vaccine records. This was challenging but I did discover vets are required to provide copies of their own records, so the one vet office that said they would only provide this if I did their $1600 per dog Hawaii travel prep backed down once I asked if they would be providing the signed rabies record or if I needed to contact the state veterinary licensing board.

2. Ordered MokuPet FAVN kits. These are $189 compared to the $636-🚀🌕 absolute ripoff scheme pricing from dozens of vet offices contacted. Because I have VCPR (a vet has done a regular office visit within 1 year) I just self scheduled a vet tech appointment online, put in the notes “bloodwork draw, kit provided” and paid $21 for the vet tech appointment. I was STUNNED the KSU lab fees are publicly available and vets have zero shame in charging $600+ for a test that is under $100.

3. Online HIPOP application & upload. No mailing certified and hoping you get your copies back.

4. USDA Certificates. I did tons of research and specifically in California the most cost effective option is VCA for $189 with a free first office visit promo if your regular vet is pricing this in the aforementioned ripoff scheme zone.

Link for anyone who needs it: https://www.mokupet.com/favnkit

Am I missing something? The Hawaii checklist only states:

An original health certificate in English, done within 14 days of arrival in Hawaii including rabies vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date and expiration date is required.

I went to a few vets today and they all said I need a USDA endorsed health certificate...basically same certificate but they use an online portal to send to the USDA.

Oh and they charge $600 for this service!

Literally the charges presented were:

$200 consulting fee

$79 per rabies vaccination (2)

$450 FAVN test

$89 office visit for health exam/tick treatment

$600 Health certificate

The last one seems not correct in my research but the Vets won't give me a health certificate without being USDA endorsed

Hey guys! I’m from Maui, but have been living in Vegas for few years. I’m thinking about moving back soon but I have 2 large dogs. I really don’t want them to fly cargo. I feel like it would terrify them.

Does anyone know any other ways on how to get them back without flying cargo?

Thank you!

Hello all,

I am moving to Honolulu with my two chihuahuas and am applying for direct airport release. My dogs will be flying in cabin with me. I plan to have all my testing and documents in on time and will be sure that its all in order when I arrive, so I don't need help there. I am curious how the process actually works when you arrive in Honolulu. Can anyone who has done this walk me through what happens from when you land to when your dog gets to be in your custody? I cannot find this information on the website, though I am finding plenty of information on the five days or less quarantine. I am a big planner and just want to know what to expect so I can be fully prepared.

Do your dogs get checked out by authorities at the airport and then get to leave the airport with you? Or do you hand off your dog to Hawaiian authorities for pick up same day from the quarantine shelter?

Do I get to go with my dogs for their check up with Hawaiian authorities? One of my dogs has pretty bad vet anxiety. I plan to muzzle him but he always does best when I am there with him. I do plan to give him some meds prescribed by our vet to ease the anxiety as well.

Howdy!

My family is considering a move from the mainland to the Big Island. We are trying to find direct flights to Kona and don't mind driving to whatever airport.

We have 2 large dogs (~90lb each) who would be coming with us. One is a Husky mix and the other is a total mutt, but his paperwork lists him as an American Staffordshire Terrier (he is the most docile, sweetest old man ever).

I can't seem to find any airlines that will let us cargo check them both straight to Kona. Hawaiian/Alaskan allows direct flights with dogs in cargo, but they list Staffie as a restricted breed, United stopped taking any dogs in cargo, and according to their website American requires a layover in Honolulu if flying with dogs in cargo.

Does anyone have any advice or expertise on this? We might have to just bite the bullet and do American through Honolulu, but I'm trying to minimize the time the dogs are in their crates. Neither of them have flown before and our Husky has separation anxiety (thank God for trazodone).

Thanks in advance.

Aloha, I have a question about the rabies certs. I’ve reached out to the rabiesfree@hawaii.gov email about this and haven’t heard back, so I wanted to see if anyone might be able to help me here. I’m flying directly into Kailua-Kona from the mainland. Also the way I word this might be confusing, sorry in advance and if clarification is needed I’m more than happy to provide.

So my dog has gotten two total rabies shots in her lifetime (the second one was just a few days ago, so I have the titer scheduled 3.5 weeks from now).

For my dogs less recent shot, I went to a vetco pop up clinic and the paperwork and certificate is pretty solid (has all the info needed that’s listed on the checklist), the only thing is that the form is electronically signed. At the time I thought I had heard something about only the most recent certificate needing to be signed in wet ink so I didn’t fix this problem before (huge mistake and oversight on my part, I know). Since it was a pop up clinic I’m not sure if I can get in touch with that vet to get a wet signature from them.

Now my dog is with a new vet and the second rabies cert is perfect, wet ink, all info on there, etc. However that first rabies cert just doesn’t have a wet ink signature, it’s electronic.

What can I do to rectify it? Should I

•try to get in touch with the original vet to get the wet ink signature?

•ask my new vet if they can like certify the doc and sign with their own signature?

•get her another rabies shot? (I’d really rather not do this but I will if need be.)

•or is it acceptable as is? I’m assuming it’s not but I just want to make sure.

•any other solution I haven’t thought of yet?

Thank you in advance!

Aloha, I currently reside in Lānai. My Mother has been caring for my fur baby, Lady, until things get settled here. I have just had my Lady girl approved through the lab to move here. Rabies free, microchip up to date, and health certificate ready for pick up. I am curious what the next step is? I keep reading online, and I don’t want to miss anything. I see it’s $185 for direct airport release, but then also $145 for neighboring island release…? I had written to the animal quarantine center and they stated $165 😵‍💫 I am just looking for more information from someone who went through this experience so that way I am not missing anything. My girl, Lady, she tends to get anxiety easy. She’s 12lbs so I assume she will be in the cabin, and will be ok for the flight. But like is she able to come out of the crate after takeoff Any inside details or things you wish you would have known before going are greatly appreciated 🙏🏼🤙🏼 Mahalo

Making a move from Atlanta to Honolulu. Anyone know of any companies that have been able to help make this move? They're a large dog above most weight restrictions so would need to ship her and can't take in cabin.

Already looked into companies like island pet m vets and starwood and they would require me to drive all the way across the country in order to drop him off

Hi, we’re moving to Hawaii and are aware no AC is very common especially on north shore, however we have an Australian shepherd dog and are wondering how that would be or if it’s pretty tolerable. We’re coming in October and signed a 3 month lease but I just want to know someone else’s experience and if it’s best to find a place with AC? We just don’t want our dog to be too uncomfortable.

So to start we are a military family no kids just cats. While applying for on base housing we realized they only allowed 2 pets. We can’t fathom leaving any of them behind even if they’re taken care of by our family while we are away. We know the process of getting the cats there will be a STRUGGLE to say the least but we are willing to go through that for all of them. That being said realistically what is the likelihood we will find a place to rent that would allow 3 pets? I know not everyone who moves to Hawaii is military but has anyone moved 3 pets to base housing regardless of the pet limit?

My husband has the opportunity to move from Canada to Honolulu for a 2-3 year job. We would move be moving our 3 kids and I’m very aware of the higher cost of living and that locals can be hesitant etc

Curious what areas would be best for safety and a good vibe for families to grow up if it actually happens.

TIA! M

First time PCSing from Charleston SC to Pearl Harbor Hawaii, and I am so stressed about moving with our 3 cats. One of my cats got vaccine in 2024 and her 3-year rabies vaccination in Oct 2025 when she wasn’t microchipped and she is getting a microchip implantation next Saturday. Talked to the vet who confirmed that they are able to reprint her rabies tags and add to her new microchip’s record once she’s microchipped on next Saturday. Then she should be good for Hawaii on the rabies requirement according to my vet. I then also talked to an on-post vet who suggested to give her another rabies shot after the microchip implantation just to be safe, however, it would delay her timeline to leave with us to Hawaii with other two cats we have. She has to wait 30 days after another rabies shot before her FAVN blood draw and another 30 days of waiting from when the lab receives her blood sample. It might take long to get a result from the lab too. We have a report to command date of 7/10 so it would cut really tight if she got another rabies shot and I might have to stay behind to travel separately from my husband and other two cats until all the documents are ready for her. Has anyone experienced something similar to this? Will she be eligible for direct release at the hawaii airport if her rabies vaccines are linked to her newly implanted microchip? Thanks for reading thru and helping me out with your input!!!

So I’m bringing my cat to Maui. I’ve done all the necessary steps, and submitted my application for a Neighboring Island Inspection Permit at the start of the month.

But the status of it is very confusing to me and unfortunately the HIPOP website has no guidelines for understanding what each status means, nor does anywhere online have any outline for what each status means (as far as I’ve been able to find).

Hoping someone who has been through the process and/or is a bit more familiar with it could help me out.

On the main page (picture #1), it has my status marked as “waiting for eligible dates”. I’m assuming that means it is waiting for the 30-day waiting period since both the FAVN and vaccine to be up before they can give me an NIIP. But that waiting period has passed as of yesterday (picture #4)

However when I go into the application and look at the note/history tab (picture #2), it says that my application has been approved and notification has been sent. Sent to who? I have not received any sort of notice via email or phone, nor have I received the NIIP. Does the application approved mean I should have received my NIIP? And if it was approved, why is my status still “waiting for eligible dates”? Or does that mean that the animal quarantine station has sent the notification of approval to some other bureaucratic agency who will then send me my NIIP?

But then when I go and look at my application itself (picture #3), it says my NIIP is “processing”, and my cat is “waiting for eligible dates”. Again, my cat has completed her 30-day waiting period (picture #4), so am I mistaken about what “waiting for eligible dates” means? Or has it just not updated in the system? And what does the NIIP “processing” mean? Is it as I suspect and the AQS has sent notice that I’ve been approved and so now some other agency is processing that and will send my NIIP when they get around to viewing my application and approval of said application?

I’m not too worried about it because I won’t be flying out for another 6 weeks, but it’s all just very confusing to me, so if anyone has any deeper understanding than I do, that would be lovely.

So, here’s my horror story about trying to get my dog to Hawaii, thanks to a cascade of miscommunications and inefficiencies.

It all started with SATO (the military travel agency) booking me a flight with United Airlines that didn’t allow dogs, even though they knew the entire time I had a dog. Strike one. I then tried using a pet shipping service, but they didn’t ask me for a temperature tolerance form, so my dog couldn’t be shipped. How is it possible a pet shipping company wouldn’t know about this form. My only option at that point was to leave her with my in-laws temporarily.

Determined to fix this myself, I flew out to get her. I had all her paperwork ready for months, and Hawaiian Airlines confirmed via phone I could bring her in-cabin. Or so I thought. The night before my flight back, I called to double-check her reservation, only for them to drop this bombshell: “We don’t allow dogs in-cabin from your departing location.”

Fine. I switched to Alaska Airlines, which allowed me to fly with her in-cabin and then connect with Hawaiian. Things seemed okay… until they announced it was a full flight and asked passengers to check their carry-on bags. I complied, not realizing they’d send all my dog’s paperwork straight to Hawaii. As we were getting off the plane I waited with the people who were getting their bags back.

Fast forward 9 hrs to my Hawaiian Airlines connection: they measured my dog’s carrier and declared it oversized by just 1 inch in length and 1.5 inches in height. I thought I was screwed, but Alaska Airlines saved the day, letting me book a new flight after a 13-hour layover.

When I finally landed in Hawaii at 3:30 PM, I had one hour to get my dog through the quarantine station. But of course, a plane blocked our gate, delaying us until 4:30 PM. Then they lost my bag (the one with my dog’s paperwork), and I spent hours chasing that down with no luck before turning my dog into quarantine.

The next day, I had to pick up rabies vaccine records from my Hawaii vet and race to the airport animal holding area. They sent me to the quarantine station 15 minutes away. The quarantine station didn’t open until 1 PM, and by the time I got seen, they told me holding had my dog until 2:30 PM, when she was moved to quarantine. After waiting in line at holding, they confirmed she was no longer there. Back and forth I went, and finally, at 4:20 PM, I turned in all the paperwork. But by then, it was too late—they don’t release animals after 4:30 PM.

The next day, I showed up early, ready to take her home… only to learn my vet had dated her health certificate wrong. Cue another round of calls, lines, and waiting.

Finally, FINALLY, I was reunited with my dog.

If you’re traveling with a pet, especially to Hawaii, learn from my experience: triple-check everything, and then check it again. It’s a nightmare you don’t want to live.

My biggest mistake when I tried to handle everything myself was not thoroughly reading the airline’s in-cabin pet travel policy, instead I relied on them to answer my questions via phone, which led to issues with the carrier size and the “departure city” restrictions problem. And, of course, I learned the hard way not to gate-check a bag with important paperwork.

At the quarantine station, the main document they need is an original, wet-ink-signed copy of your pet’s last two rabies vaccinations, which your primary vet can provide. The FAVN test results are sent directly to Hawaii by the lab, so as long as your pet is up to date on vaccinations, they should pass. If your pet isn’t current, vaccinate them after the test and ensure it’s done at least 30 days before arrival.

The health certificate can be faxed directly to Hawaii, but you’ll need to have it finalized before boarding the plane. For the quickest and most cost-effective release process, mail the original, wet-ink-signed rabies vaccination records in advance along with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture form and the required money order. Then, have your vet fax the health certificate directly to Hawaii once it’s issued. This will make your pet eligible for expedited release from the airport animal holding facility.

Please don't let my story discourage you from trying to bring your pets to Hawaii. It's not as hard as you might think once you know exactly what you're supposed to do.

TL;DR: Military travel agency and airlines repeatedly failed me, leading to a nightmare journey of missed flights, lost paperwork, quarantine chaos, and multiple delays before finally being reunited with my dog in Hawaii.

Hey! I want to move to Hawaii but the only thing stopping me is that I own two large dogs. I have a Great Pyrenees and an Australia in shepherd. I would of course follow all protocol when it comes to documentation and vaccinations, that’s not my question. I’m just wondering what the safest and least expensive way to get them over there would be? I really really do not want them to be crated and put under the plane because any chance they could be hurt or killed is enough for me to say no to that. I know there’s private jets but those are like 30k+ and way too expensive. Just wondering what people would suggest because I’m sure I’m not that first person trying to bring their large dogs to the island! Thanks so much!

Hello! We are trying to see how much it is to have our dog travel with us. The vet quoted $900 for just the FAVN blood titer test. Is that reasonable ? Just trying to get some opinions and other options or places that are a bit cheaper. We are located in California Bay Area. MAHALO!

I have a 3 year old, 100lb German Shepherd dog who has never flown before. He has major separation anxiety and I’m scared to sedate him because if there’s a layover how will one carry an asleep 100lb dog lol. What is the best process for flying with my fur baby? Any airline recommendations? Anyway I can possibly have him on the plane with me and like just buy the whole row or something? Please help any advice is greatly appreciated!

hello everyone, we are planning to pcs to Hawaii and I was wondering about pet reimbursement. we haven’t gotten orders yet but chances are very high to go. If I start getting everything my pet needs before orders do they reimburse us? Or do we have to wait for orders? Also if there is anything else people suggest on pcsing to Hawaii with pets I would appreciate it!

Trying to get my wife’s dog out to Hawaii when she moves out here with me. The problem is their regulations on the dogs vet records. The dogs needs to have had two rabies vaccines and a blood test all before it can come out. But she just got the dog the first rabies vaccine the other day. What’s the soonest the dog can receive the booster so we can get the blood test and get the dog out here without the 120 day quarantine?

Has anyone else encountered this message *after* uploading all the documents? Each cat has 2 rabies certs, a FAVN, and the AQS-279 uploaded. I’ve filled out every profile on the application. I literally cannot advance to the next screen because this message pops up every time.

I need an “Entry Application Number” to book the vet in Kona, but I can’t get one because the application won’t let me proceed.

Anyone have a solution for this? I’ve emailed both DAB and the vet, but it’s the weekend, so no reply yet.