Hawaii is rabies-free and guards it fiercely. Miss one date on the checklist and your pet sits in quarantine in Honolulu at your expense. Hit every date and your pet is released at the airport the day you land.
The 120-day clock
Direct airport release requires an ISO microchip, two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart, and a FAVN rabies blood titer processed by an approved lab with a result at least 30 days before arrival.
Start at least four months out. The titer result, not the flight, is what sets your earliest possible travel date.
Paperwork Honolulu must have before you fly
The Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-279, the original rabies certificates, the FAVN result, and payment must reach the Animal Quarantine Station ahead of arrival.
A health certificate from your veterinarian is issued within 14 days of travel, and the pet must be treated for ticks before departure.
Flights, crates and island transfers
Pets travel as manifest cargo on carriers that serve Honolulu directly. Neighbour-island moves to Maui, Kauai or Hawaii Island add an inter-island leg after release.
Your crate must be IATA-compliant with the pet standing fully upright. We size it from your pet's measurements before booking, never at the counter.
What it costs
Airline cargo runs roughly $850 for a small pet to $2,450 for a giant crate, plus the crate itself, document and quarantine coordination, and the health certificate.
Door pickup and delivery are optional flat legs. Military PCS families receive the standard discount.
Frequently asked questions
Can my pet skip quarantine entirely?
Yes — that is the point of the 5-Day-Or-Less program with direct airport release. Meet every requirement and your pet never enters the quarantine facility.
What happens if the titer is late?
Your pet goes into quarantine at the owner's cost until the 30-day waiting period is satisfied. This is the single most common and most expensive mistake.
Do cats need the same process?
Yes. Hawaii's requirements apply to both dogs and cats.