Updated January 4, 2019

On January 1, 2019, a new Hawaii law went into effect that makes it illegal to knowingly misrepresent an animal as a service animal. Violators may be subject to civil penalties.

September 7, 2018

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on the Island of Oahu is the only port of entry for all dogs and cats entering Hawaii unless a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit has been issued by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. This includes guide and service dogs.

Guide dogs and service dogs that meet the following definitions can come into Hawaii without quarantine PROVIDED THEY FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED BELOW: 

“Guide dog” means any dog individually trained by a licensed guide dog trainer for guiding a blind person by means of a harness attached to the dog and a rigid handle grasped by the person.

“Service dog” means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by a service dog must be directly related to the individual’s disability. The work or tasks include but are not limited to: assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behavior.  The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence, such as dogs with “protection training” and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

KEY POINTS FOR QUALIFYING AS A SERVICE DOG OR AN EXEMPTED GUIDE DOG

  • The dog must have current rabies vaccination. (Documentation of the vaccination must include the product name, the lot or serial number, and the expiration date of the lot.)
  • The dog must have an electronic microchip implanted for identification.
  • Prior to arrival the dog must have passed one OIE-FAVN test after 12 months of age, with a level of 0.5 I.U. rabies antibody or greater.  The laboratory will not perform the tests unless the microchip number accompanies the test request form. A passing test result is valid for three (3) years.
  • The dog must have a standard health certificate issued not more than 30 days prior to arrival in Hawaii, attesting that the dog was treated within 14 days of arrival with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks. A valid health certificate is required for each entry into Hawaii.
  • The task(s) the animal has been trained to perform should be disclosed.
  • The service dog must be traveling with the disabled user on arrival in Hawaii.
  • To prevent delays on arrival, it is strongly advised that all required documents be sent to the Rabies Quarantine Branch well ahead of your intended arrival date.  Information can be mailed to the Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, HI  96701 or faxed to (808) 483-7161.  Staff may be contacted by telephone (808) 483-7151 or (808) 837-8092 or e-mail: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov to assist you with preparations.
  • The Rabies Quarantine Branch must receive notification at least 24 hours in advance of arrival information and location where the dog will be staying. Information can be faxed to 808-483-7161.
  • On arrival in Hawaii, the dog must be brought by the airline to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for verification of compliance with the above requirements and examination of the dog for external parasites.  If all is in order, the dog will be released at that point.
  • Qualified Guide dog and Service dog users may request inspection in the terminal at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, by notifying the Rabies Quarantine Branch 7 days, or more before arriving.  To avoid  confusion and delays, the airline must be notified by HDOA so that airline representatives are aware that the inspection upon arrival in Hawaii will be at the terminal rather than the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility.  After inspection, if all is in order, the dog will be released.

If you have questions, please contact:

Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602
Telephone (808) 483-7151 (Due to the heavy volume of calls, e-mail questions to the office for faster response)
FAX (808) 483-7161
E-mail:  rabiesfree@hawaii.gov