Animal Industry Division

It is strongly advised that the FAVN test be done well in advance so that a passing FAVN is obtained before requesting a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. Failing to do so has resulted in pet owners not obtaining a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit in time for their flight.

NOTICE: After signing release documents at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) animals in crates, including dogs and cats will be released to the owner or handler to load into their vehicle or onto their luggage cart at the AAQHF. The AAQHF will deliver and off load crated animals to only to the sidewalk area in front of the AAQHF. Owners are solely responsible for lifting the crates into vehicles or onto luggage carts.

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► ADVISORY A

(For pets flying in to Kona, Kahului and Lihue Airports)
(Updated 1/24/24)

A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit issued by the Department must be presented to the airline prior to boarding and is required to fly a cat or dog directly to an approved neighbor island airport.

Arrivals on neighbor islands require prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility (see the appropriate checklist). Please make arrangements well in advance of the flight. Neighbor Island permits WILL NOT be issued without confirmation with those facilities.

Before booking your flight, refer to the appropriate checklist based on where your pet is located, either:

All procedures must be followed or the dog or cat will be denied entry at Kona, Kahului or Lihue Airport. Pets that are denied entry will be transported to Honolulu for inspection or transported out of the state at the owner’s expense.

As of July 1, 2021, the Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) will be emailed only to the e-mail address of the primary owner listed on the AQS-279 form once documents are received and the pet qualifies.

Owners are required to print the copy of the NIIP emailed to them to present to the airlines.

No permits are issued or required to fly a dog or cat into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

1. Due to the large volume of requests for Neighbor Island Inspection Permits, owners must ensure the following documentation is received by the Animal Quarantine Station 30 days or more ahead of the planned arrival:

• Completed Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS-279).
• Original rabies vaccine certificates for the 2 most recent vaccinations.
• Payment of $165 in cashier’s check or money order made out to the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture (no personal checks).
• Flight information (i.e. Airlines, flight number, date and time of arrival).
• A letter from the owner requesting Direct Airport Release at either “Kona” or “Kahului” or “Lihue”.

1. Contact a listed veterinary hospital to see if they are able to perform the inspection at the desired airport.

Owners must contract with and make reservations for inspection with the following approved clinics:

• • Kona, Hawaii Island
    • Ali’i Veterinary Hospital, (808) 329-8999 or
    • Keauhou Veterinary Hospital (808) 322-2988
    • Direct Airport Release Kona, http://konapets.travel
    • At Home Animal Hospital & Mobile Veterinary Services (808) 873-0102,
    • Central Maui Animal Clinic (808) 893-2380, Kahului Animal Hospital (808) 871-7387,
    • Kihei Veterinary Clinic (808) 879-5777,
    • Makawao Veterinary Clinic (808) 572-9003,
    • Maui Humane Society (808) 877- 3680,
    • South Shore Veterinary Care (808) 874-3422, or
    • West Maui Animal Clinic (808) 662-0099
    • Maui Direct Release (808) 855-0125
    • Kauai Humane Society (808) 632-0610 or
    • Kauai North Shore Animal Clinic (808) 755-8728

    These contractors will send a confirmation to the Animal Quarantine Station that they have agreed to perform the inspection and release procedure. Owners are responsible for the additional fees to the contractor for this service.

    1. Check with your airline well in advance because some airlines may not be participating.

    ► ADVISORY B

    Inspection hours for dog and cats at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) are between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays. This information is particularly important for those who are qualifying their pets for direct release in Honolulu.

    Pet owners should be sure to arrange for their flights to arrive by 3:30 p.m. because it may take up to one hour for the airlines to transport a pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility and animals not arriving at the facility by 4:30 p.m. will not be released at the airport that day.

    Pets arriving in the late afternoon and evening will be held overnight until inspections are completed the following morning. Pets qualified for direct airport release that are held overnight for release in the morning at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility must be picked up by 10:00 a.m. or an additional $59 will be charged. Pet owners who are arriving in Honolulu and connecting to neighboring islands should pay particular attention to the inspection hours.

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    CONTACT INFO:

    • Email us: [email protected]
    • Animal Quarantine Station phone: (808) 483-7151
      (Due to the large volume of calls and the time zone difference, the best way to contact the Animal Quarantine Station is via the email address above.)
    • Mailing address to submit forms:
      Animal Quarantine Station
      99-951 Halawa Valley Street
      Aiea, Hawaii 96701
      • Cashier’s checks and money orders should be made payable to: Hawaii Department of Agriculture

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      ► HAWAII’S ANIMAL QUARANTINE LAW

      Hawaii is rabies-free. Hawaii’s quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age (puppies and kittens included) or purpose, must comply with Hawaii’s dog and cat import requirements.

      Chapter 4-29 Hawaii Administrative Rules, 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 has a provision for direct release at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) after inspection.

      Furthermore, the law requires dogs and cats that do not meet all of the specific 5 Day Or Less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival in Hawaii. Please read thoroughly the following documents containing details on the rabies quarantine programs for importing dogs and cats.

      • “Hawaii Rabies Quarantine Information Brochure”(Updated 8/2019)

      
      Why it is important that rabies be kept out of Hawaii:
      See CDC report: Rabies: A Forgotten Killer (June 2019)

      Prohibited Animals:

      The regulation of animal breeds and species that are permitted to enter Hawaii is under Plant Quarantine Branch jurisdiction and administrative rules. Non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal, Savannah, etc. are prohibited under Plant Quarantine (PQ) law. Refer to Plant Quarantine’s animal guidelines for importation.

      Puppies and Kittens:

      Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of the 5 Day Or Less program, a newborn puppy or kitten will be about 6 months of age by the time the preparations are completed. Puppies and kittens not able to meet all of the requirements for the 5 Day Or Less program will be quarantined for 120 days.

      Pets Located in Hawaii:

      Owners wishing to leave Hawaii with their pets and return without extended quarantine must meet all requirements listed on the “Checklist Only For Resident Dogs And Cats Originating From Hawaii And Returning For The 5 Day Or Less Program.” The length of the waiting period after a successful rabies blood test is modified and must be completed before leaving Hawaii. “Checklist 3 – Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawaii that are Departing and Returning for Direct Airport Release and the 5 Day Or Less Program” (Updated 6/2023)

      Re-Entry Fee Requirements:

      For pets re-entering Hawaii after completing a Hawaii rabies quarantine program, click here for requirements when a reduced “Re-entry” fee for Direct Airport Release or 5 Day Or Less quarantine applies.

      Direct Release on Neighbor Islands:

      Owners wishing to fly their pet directly to Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Kahului Airport (OGG) or Lihue Airport (LIH) must obtain a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP).

      NIIPs require prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility (see the appropriate checklist). Please make arrangements well in advance of the flight. Neighbor Island permits WILL NOT be issued without confirmation with those facilities.

      Note that one of the requirements to obtain a NIIP is that owners must contract with and make reservations for inspection at these airports with one of the veterinary hospitals listed on the checklist. These contractors will send a confirmation to the Animal Quarantine Station that they have agreed to perform the inspection and release procedure. Owners are responsible for the additional fees to the contractor for this service.

      Contact a listed veterinary hospital before booking your flight to see if they are able to perform the inspection. (See Checklist above)

      Pets from Areas Exempted from Rabies Quarantine
      (British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand)

      For pets arriving from exempt areas follow:

      • • Checklist for Pets Arriving from British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand[Rev. 5/2020]

        Note for Guam: See FORMS section below for the Affidavit for Export from Guam to Hawaii.

        ► INFORMATION AND FAQS

        • Hawaii Rabies Quarantine Information Brochure (Updated 8/2019) This brochure contains important information about pre-arrival requirements, quarantine station location and contacts, procedures, policies, rules, operations and fees.
        • Frequently Asked Questions[Rev. 08/18]
        • Frequently Asked Questions for 5 Day Or Less Quarantine Program [Rev. 8/2018]
        • Map to Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (Honolulu International Airport)
        • Direct Airport Release Security Advisory
        • IMPORTANT!
          Pet owners are responsible for transporting all pets released from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) to their vehicles or the Interisland terminal. Airport security regulations do not permit animals to be let out of the transport crate on airport property. Pets must be picked up and loaded into a vehicle or onto a baggage cart in their transport crate. Therefore, vehicles must be large enough to accommodate the intact crate with the pet inside. There are no baggage carts or porters in the immediate vicinity of the AAQHF. Due to limitations in inter-island service on the weekend, pets arriving on Thursday or Friday may not be transferred to satellite quarantine stations and approved hospitals on the neighbor islands until the following Monday.

        ► FORMS

        • Dog and Cat Import Form [AQS-279], Rev. 1/24 – One completed form per pet is required to be submitted along with all pre-arrival documents (Two rabies vaccination certificates, health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Hawaii Department of Agriculture) NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES IN HAWAII TO QUALIFY FOR 5 DAY OR LESS or AIRPORT RELEASE. If the health certificate cannot be sent 10 days before arriving with the rest of the documents, the original must be given to the inspector upon arrival in Hawaii.
          • List of Approved Veterinary Hospitals [AQS-20 updated 06/18]
          • Breed Code Listing and Color Code Listing [AQS-66]
          • Intermediate Handlers [Rev. 8/2024] List of registered private individuals or organizations that may be contracted with for fee as intermediate handlers to assist in the interstate and inter-island shipping of pets.

          OIE-FAVN Testing Forms
          All posted laboratory fees and documents are subject to change by the laboratory without notice. Make sure “HAWAII” is listed as the Destination on the FAVN lab submission form for Kansas State University, DOD Lab, Auburn University and the University of Missouri.

          OIE-FAVN testing laboratories are experiencing longer than usual processing times. Test results may be delayed between 1 to 2 months.
          Plan accordingly to avoid:

          Arriving in Hawai`i without a passing test result;
          and/or

          Requesting a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit without a passing test result.

          Neighbor Island Inspection Permits will not be issued without a confirmed passing FAVN test result.

          It is strongly advised that the FAVN test be done well in advance so that a passing FAVN is obtained before requesting a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. Failing to do so has resulted in pet owners not obtaining a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit in time for their flight.

          OIE-FAVN LABORATORIES

          Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

          KSU “Micro Screen Rabies Screen Test” also known as “Micro RFFIT” and “MRS” IS NOT ACCEPTED!

          • KSU FAVN Testing Form[Rev. 1/15]
          • KSU FAVN Testing Instruction Webpage
          • Link to KSU fee schedule

          Auburn University

          Contact Auburn University for information on tests, fees, sample submission, etc. at:
          261 Greene Hall
          Auburn University
          Auburn, AL 36849-5519
          Phone: 334-844-2659 Fax: 334-844-2652
          Email: [email protected]

          University of Missouri, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

          University of Missouri, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab
          901 E. Campus Loop
          Columbia, MO 65211
          Phone: 573-882-6811 or 1-800-862-8635
          Fax: 573-882-1411

          • University of Missouri FAVN Testing Information
          • University of Missouri FAVN Submission Form

          DOD Laboratory (Department of Defense)
          * Only DoD beneficiaries who are authorized treatment at DoD Medical Treatment Facilities are authorized this service.

          • FAVN Testing Request Form D132-A – https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2023/12/07/62a26f8a/fadl-form-d-132a-favn-6-december-2023.pdf
          • FAVN Testing Instructions – https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2023/12/07/f5b71ef5/fadl-form-d-132b-procedure-form-6-december-2023.pdf
          • For the FAVN Credit Card Authorization Form – https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2023/12/07/ae1784d8/fadl-form-d-132c-credit-card-6-december-2023.pdf

          Request for Electronic Microchip

          The State of Hawaii will only provide microchips for requests outside of the 50 States of the United States.

          For pets arriving from Guam see required affidavit for export IC-5 in the preceding “Forms” section.

          ► OIE-FAVN TEST RESULTS

          Pets owners do not need to present a hard copy of test results to the Rabies Quarantine Branch, as KSU and DOD will send results directly if “Hawaii” is listed as the destination on the lab submission form. Owners can obtain pre-arrival OIE- FAVN test results from the veterinarian that submitted the sample or on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture website (see below). Please do not call laboratories directly for test results!

          For those qualifying for the direct release or 5 Day Or Less you may check online for your pre-test results and when the 30-day waiting period will be completed:

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          Guide & Service Dogs

          For information on requirements for allowing guide dogs and service dogs to enter Hawaii without quarantine click HERE .

          NOTE: Effective January 1, 2019, it is a violation of state law to misrepresent an animal as a service animal. Under the new law, civil penalties may be assessed.

          If you have questions after reviewing our brochure and forms, please contact us at:

          • Email us: [email protected]
          • Animal Quarantine Station phone: (808) 483-7151 (Due to the large volume of calls and the time zone difference, the best way to contact us is via the email address above.)
          • or you may contact our quarantine office at this address:

          Hawaii Department of Agriculture
          Animal Quarantine Station
          99-951 Halawa Valley Street
          Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602

          To view and print the following forms you need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download a free Reader by clicking on the “Get Acrobat” icon. This will link you to the Adobe web site, where step-by-step instructions are available.

          ANIMAL QUARANTINE BRANCH

          • Re-Entry Fee Requirements
          • FAQ for Animal Quarantine
          • FAQ for Five-Day-or-Less Program
          • Animal Quarantine Microchip Search
          • Animal Quarantine Information Page
          • Animal Quarantine Information Page (Updated)