Roberta Aguirre
Hilo International Airport, like all airports in Hawaii, has strict rules regarding the entry of animals into the terminal building. Only service animals for people with disabilities, animals for law enforcement, and animals confined for shipment are allowed inside. Hawaii has strict animal quarantine rules, and all pets arriving at the airport must be transported to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF). Only dogs and cats can be transported to Hawaii, and they must be accompanied by a health certificate and proper documentation. Neighbour Island Inspection Permits (NIIPs) are required for animals flying into Lihue, Kahului, and Kona airports, but not for Hilo International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals allowed into Hilo Airport | Only dogs and cats can be transported into Hawaii. |
| Animal quarantine rules | Hawaii has strict animal quarantine rules. |
| Service animals | Guide/service dogs are not considered pets and may qualify for modified State of Hawaii rabies quarantine import requirements. |
| Animal Quarantine Holding Facility | The airline is required by law to bring all incoming animals directly from the plane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. |
| Animal health certificate | Animals are required to travel with a health certificate on most routes. |
| Animal health certificate inspection | The health certificate must show an inspection occurred no more than 14 days prior to your flight's arrival at the destination. |
| Animal health certificate cost | The cost per pet is currently $45 in administrative fees, plus $14.30 per day for food and kenneling. |
| Animal transport | Pet owners are responsible for transporting all pets released from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility to their vehicles or the Interisland terminal. |
| Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) | Animals on direct flights to Hilo Airport require a valid NIIP from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. |
| NIIP requirements | The NIIP must be issued for the first city of entry into Hawaii, regardless of any subsequent connecting flights to other islands. |
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What You'll Learn
- Only dogs and cats can be transported into Hawaii
- Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the US
- Guide/service dogs may qualify for modified rabies quarantine import requirements
- A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit is required to fly a cat or dog to an approved neighbour island airport
- Animals in transit must stay in quarantine for the duration of the owner's stay
Only dogs and cats can be transported into Hawaii
Hawaii has strict laws regarding the importation of animals. Some animals that may be allowed as pets in other states or countries may be restricted or prohibited in Hawaii. Only dogs and cats can be transported into Hawaii as pets, and they must comply with Hawaii's dog and cat import requirements. Guide dogs and service dogs are not considered pets and may qualify for modified quarantine requirements.
To import a dog or cat into Hawaii, they must complete either the 120-day or 5-day rabies quarantine program. Dogs and cats from New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and the British Isles are exempt from the import permit requirement, but they must still complete the quarantine program. The 5-day quarantine program costs $244 per pet, while the 120-day program costs $1,080 per pet. The direct release program costs $185 per pet.
To qualify for the 5-day or less quarantine program, dogs and cats must meet specific pre- and post-arrival requirements. This includes having a current rabies vaccination and passing an OIE-FAVN rabies blood test with a result of > 0.5 IU/ml. Owners must also submit the completed Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS-279), original rabies vaccine certificates for the two most recent vaccinations, flight information, and a letter requesting Direct Airport Release at the desired airport. These documents must be received by the Animal Quarantine Station 30 days or more ahead of the planned arrival.
Upon arrival at the airport, the airline will bring the pet from the airplane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF). After signing the release documents, the owner or handler will be responsible for loading the animal into their vehicle or onto their luggage cart. A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit is required to fly a cat or dog directly to an approved neighbor island airport, such as Hilo International Airport (ITO). This permit must be presented to the airline prior to boarding and requires prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility.
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Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the US
The program initially consisted of a 120-day quarantine, which was shortened to 30 days in 1997. In 2003, a new program was introduced, allowing pets to be directly released at the airport if the owner followed strict procedures before the pet's arrival in Hawaii. This program, known as the Five Day or Less Quarantine, is currently in effect. It requires owners to submit documentation, including completed import forms, original rabies vaccine certificates, payment, flight information, and a letter requesting direct airport release. Additionally, pets must undergo a veterinarian visit, receive the necessary vaccinations, and have blood work done to confirm the presence of antibodies.
Hawaii's strict quarantine measures are essential to maintaining its rabies-free status. The state also allows exceptions to the quarantine for animals originating from other rabies-free areas with prevention, control, and surveillance methods that are equal to or more stringent than those of Hawaii. Currently, the British Isles, Australia, Guam, and New Zealand are the only areas that meet these criteria. Animals native to or residing in these areas for six months before travel can enter Hawaii without quarantine, provided they meet the transportation requirements.
Hawaii's efforts to remain rabies-free are crucial, as rabies is a dangerous disease that can lead to serious health consequences, including brain damage and death. The disease is spread through bites from infected animals or when the virus in an infected animal's saliva enters an open wound. While human rabies is rare in the US, it is essential to take preventive measures to protect public health and maintain Hawaii's rabies-free status.
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Guide/service dogs may qualify for modified rabies quarantine import requirements
Hilo International Airport, like other airports in Hawaii, has strict rules regarding animals entering the airport terminal building. Only service animals being used by persons with disabilities are allowed inside. However, Hawaii also has strict animal quarantine rules, and all pets must be transported to and from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF).
Guide/service dogs are not considered pets and may qualify for modified rabies quarantine import requirements. To avoid a quarantine requirement, service dogs must have a valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory before arrival in the United States. If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, it must be quarantined for 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility, and additional costs may be incurred for examination and revaccination.
For dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past six months, valid (unexpired) veterinary documentation of a U.S.-issued rabies vaccination is required for entry. If the veterinary documentation is not valid, the dog must follow the requirements for importing a foreign-vaccinated dog, which may include a 28-day quarantine period.
To enter Hawaii with a pet, specific documentation is required, including a completed Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS-279), original rabies vaccine certificates for the two most recent vaccinations, and flight information. A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit is also required to fly a cat or dog directly to an approved neighbor island airport like Hilo International Airport. This permit will not be issued without confirmation from an approved private veterinary facility.
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A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit is required to fly a cat or dog to an approved neighbour island airport
Hawaii has strict animal quarantine rules. No person may enter any airport terminal building with any animal or reptile, except:
- A service animal being used by a person with a disability
- An animal or reptile properly confined for shipment with or by an air carrier, provided the animal or reptile is authorised by law to be in the state
- Any animals, accompanied by properly authorised law enforcement personnel, are specially trained for emergencies such as aircraft, vehicle, or vessel disasters or for use in law enforcement such as the discovery of drugs and other contraband
Guide/service dogs are not considered "pets". Guide/service dogs may qualify for a modified State of Hawaii rabies quarantine import requirement.
A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) is required to fly a cat or dog directly to an approved neighbour island airport. The NIIP will be emailed to the primary owner's email address listed on the AQS-279 form once the documents are received and the pet qualifies. The permit must be presented to the airline before boarding. Owners are required to print the copy of the NIIP emailed to them.
Owners wishing to fly their pets directly to Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Kahului Airport (OGG), or Lihue Airport (LIH) must obtain an NIIP. NIIPs require prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility. These contractors will send confirmation to the Animal Quarantine Station that they have agreed to perform the inspection and release procedure. The veterinary hospital must be contacted before booking a flight to see if they can perform the inspection.
The following documentation must be 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 two most recent vaccinations
- Payment of $165 in cashier's check or money order made out to the Hawai'i 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", "Kahului", or "Līhu'e"
The cost for a pet staying between 0 and 5 days is $244. Fees for any additional days are charged at $17.80 per day.
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Animals in transit must stay in quarantine for the duration of the owner's stay
Hilo International Airport, like other airports in Hawaii, has strict animal quarantine rules. No person may enter any airport terminal building with any animal or reptile, except under certain conditions. These include:
- A service animal being used by a person with a disability.
- An animal or reptile properly confined for shipment with or by an air carrier, provided the animal or reptile is authorised by law to be in the state.
- Any animals, accompanied by properly authorised law enforcement personnel, that are specially trained for emergencies such as aircraft, vehicle or vessel disasters, or for use in law enforcement such as the discovery of drugs and other contraband.
If you are flying into Hilo Airport with an animal, there are several procedures to follow. Firstly, you must obtain a health certificate for your pet issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days prior to your arrival. This is a requirement on most routes. Secondly, you must make prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility, as Hilo Airport does not have an on-site Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Facility. You will need a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The NIIP must be issued for the first city of entry into Hawaii, regardless of any subsequent connecting flights to other islands.
Upon arrival at Hilo Airport, your pet will be brought from the plane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) by the airline. You will then need to sign release documents at the AAQHF and your animal will be released to you to load into your vehicle or onto your luggage cart. It is important to note that animals in transit must stay in quarantine for the duration of your stay. This means that if you are only stopping in Hawaii briefly before continuing your journey to another destination, your pet will still need to be quarantined at the airport during your entire time in Hawaii.
If you are transiting through Hawaii and will only be in the state for a short period, there are additional steps to follow. You must use the services of a private veterinarian, as the Animal Quarantine Station is a state agency without jurisdiction over international pet travel. You should also be aware of the inspection hours for dogs and cats, which are between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM daily. If your pet arrives after 3:30 PM, it will be held overnight at the airport facility and you will need to pick it up by 10:00 AM the next morning to avoid additional fees.
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Frequently asked questions
No person may enter any airport terminal building with any animal or reptile, except: 1) a service animal being used by a person with a disability; 2) an animal or reptile properly confined for shipment with or by an air carrier, provided the animal or reptile is authorized by law to be in the state; 3) any animals, accompanied by properly authorized law enforcement personnel specially trained for emergencies.
Only dogs and cats can be transported into Hawaii.
Your pet will require a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days prior to arrival. Your pet will also require a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
The airline is required by law to bring all incoming animals directly from the plane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility.
