Hawaii considers itself to be rabies free, so the state has instituted special requirements for bringing in pets. These requirements apply to all dogs and cats regardless of age. Pet importation procedures are governed by Chapter 4-29 of Hawaii's Administrative Rules, which establishes criteria for pet quarantine and the direct release of pets at Honolulu International Airport after inspection. Direct Airport Release is done only at the Honolulu International Airport during business hours. Your pet will be placed in quarantine if you arrive during non-working hours.
In order to qualify for direct release at Honolulu's International Airport, your pet must have been vaccinated at least twice in its lifetime for rabies, and the vaccinations must have been administered more than 30 days apart. Certain rabies vaccination manufacturers recommend a minimum time between vaccinations that is longer than 30 days. If this is the case, the time between vaccinations cannot be less than the manufacturer's recommendation. Also, the vaccine must be administered more than 90 days before your pet's arrival in Hawaii. The most recent rabies vaccination cannot be expired at the time your pet arrives in Hawaii; the date and type of vaccine must be listed on the vaccination and health certificates.
Your pet must have a microchip implanted prior to completing the OIE-FAVN rabies blood test. A veterinarian must scan the microchip prior to arrival in Hawaii, and certify that the microchip is working properly. A signed letter stating that the microchip has been tested and is functioning properly as of the date of the testing is sufficient.
A rabies blood test (OIE-FAVN) must be analyzed by the laboratory at either Kansas State University or the DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas. This test measures the amount of rabies antibodies in your pet's blood. The amount must be greater than, or equal to, .5 IU/ml for your pet to pass the blood test. The lab must receive the blood sample at least 120 days prior to your arrival in Hawaii. Results of the tests are valid for 36 months.
You need the original ink signature or a carbon copy of the rabies vaccination certificates for the two most recent rabies vaccinations. These certificates must list the vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, the vaccine date, and the vaccine lot expiration date. You also need an original health certificate written in English completed within 14 days of your pets arrival in Hawaii. The most recent rabies vaccination information must be listed on the health certificate as well as on the rabies vaccination certificate. In addition, a certification from a veterinarian must state that your pet has been treated for ticks with a product containing Fipronil within 14 days of your pets arrival. You also need to complete and notarize Import Form AQS-278. These documents must be sent to the following address with a cashier's check or money order for $165 (as of April 2010) more than 10 days prior to your pets arrival into Hawaii:
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Halawa Valley St.
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Your pet will be visually inspected upon arrival, and will not qualify for direct release if ticks or other parasites are found at the time of inspection.
