Bringing Dogs To Hawaii

Quarantine and Direct Release Services

Want to bring your pets with you to Maui?

Hawaii State law governs the importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawaii. This law states that dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for 5-day-or-less quarantine program, which also has a provision for direct release at the airport after inspection.

Maui Humane Society is an approved veterinary service to inspect animals at the airport for direct release.

We have compiled a list of questions and answers that should help you with the process. Please read our Quarantine FAQs as your first step in preparing to bring your animals to Maui.

Once you have read the above, send an email to quarantine@mauihumanesociety.org with the required information to initiate scheduling.

Feeling overwhelmed with the details of quarantine and traveling with your pets to Hawaii? No worries - AkonaPet can help! They are a wonderful pet relocation service that can help coordinate plans and paperwork between Quarantine and Maui Humane Society. Take away the stress of traveling by contacting AkonaPet today! (808) 937-6670 or AkonaPet.com

Donate Your Pet's Air Kennel! Once you have arrived on Maui with your pet, please consider donating your used Air Kennel to our Wings of Aloha program and save many lives in the process.

The Animal Quarantine Station can also be reached at:

phone:  808-483-7151
email:  rabiesfree@hawaii.gov
mail:  Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Halawa Valley St.
Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602

1. Why do you have quarantine?
Hawaii has no rabies. This is to prevent rabies from entering the state.

2. How long is quarantine?
Normal quarantine is 120 days at the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) on Oahu.

3. How do you qualify for the 5-Day or Less Quarantine?

• You must start preparation at least 4 months prior to arrival. Sometimes it is even longer.


• Your pet must have 2 rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart.


• The second rabies vaccination must be given at least 3 months prior to arrival in Hawaii.


• Your pet must pass a blood test that shows a response to the vaccine. This blood test


• must be passed at least 4 months before arrival in Hawaii.


• Your pet must be micro-chipped.


• Due to the minimum requirements, puppies and kittens would be at least 9 months of


• age before they can qualify for direct release.


• This includes direct release at the Kahului Airport, if you meet requirements.

4. What if I am a Hawaii resident and I want to take my pet out of state for a short visit?

• You need to start preparations at least 2 months prior to your travel.


• Your pet needs 2 rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart.


• The second rabies vaccine must be given more than 2 weeks prior to leaving.


• Plan your departure to be more than 14 days after the lab has received the titer sample. It is recommended that you have confirmation that your pet has passed the blood test prior to leaving.


• You will need to obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian within 10 to 14 days of your trip. Please check with your airline.

All foreign arrivals need to go through Honolulu International Airport.

5. Are the quarantine rules applied for travel between Hawaiian Islands?
No, but your pet should be current on their shots and be licensed.

6. What are the fees for MHS to do the direct release check at Kahului Airport?

• $400 for the first pet and $100 for each additional pet arriving on the same flight.


• Repeat trips (we have already done the direct release once before for this pet under this owner) are $175 for the first pet and $75 for each additional pet arriving on the same flight.


• $100 additional fee for requests outside normal hours of operation and holidays. Normal hours of operation are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. After 5pm, weekends and holidays are considered after hours.


• These fees are separate from the fees that must be paid to the state for direct release. The monies we collect from these fees will go directly back to helping the animals we receive at the shelter.


• For people with qualified service animals please contact the Maui Humane Society directly for special rates.

7. How do I arrange for MHS to do the direct release check for my animals?

• If your pet has a passing titer and you have been given a date after which your pet may enter Hawaii, you qualify for direct release. To coordinate with MHS on your direct release check, call (808) 856-9454 or (808) 877-3680 ext. 249 or email quarantine@mauihumanesociety.org.


• Complete the Kahului Airport Inspection Confirmation form. You can e-mail this to quarantine@mauihumanesociety.orgor fax to (808) 877-5033.

8. Make sure to download the form “Checklist for Requesting Direct Airport Release at Kona, Kahului and Lihue Airports” from the quarantine website. You must mail quarantine the appropriate forms and fees they require.

9. Not all airlines are participating in direct release on Maui. Carriers that have participated in Direct Release on Maui include Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines. This list is subject to change at any time.Please check with your carrier.

These are general guidelines only. Owners should check the state quarantine website for more detailed information so each step is correctly followed. If owners don’t follow the necessary steps, their pets may be denied direct release at the airport and are subject to quarantine.