Hawaii Pet Transport: 5-Day Bypass Program & Cost [2026]

Hawaii is the only US state officially classified as rabies-free, and requires pet quarantine on arrival. The 5-Day-Or-Less program (with the Direct Release subset) lets compliant pets bypass quarantine entirely at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Requirements: ISO microchip, 2 rabies vaccinations, FAVN rabies titer test 120+ days before arrival, Hawaii Department of Agriculture AQS-279 form, USDA-accredited vet CVI. Total cost $1,500-$3,000. Plan 5+ months from start to arrival.

3 PROGRAMS
Hawaii pet quarantine options

Direct Release (0 days): compliant pet arrives weekday 8 AM - 3:30 PM at HNL. Released same day at airport.

5-Day-Or-Less program: max 5 days quarantine; typically released within hours if compliant.

120-Day program: for pets from rabies-positive countries or non-compliant.

Plan timeline backward from move date: 120+ days for FAVN titer wait, 14 days max for CVI, 10+ days for HDOA AQS-279 submission.

Heading even further? Our pet transport to Australia guide covers another destination with strict quarantine rules.

Planning a bigger move? Our pet relocation hub covers routes, destinations, and every transport method.

You may also want our guide to Puppy's First Car Ride.

Why Hawaii has pet quarantine

Hawaii is one of only a handful of jurisdictions worldwide officially classified as rabies-free. The state actively protects this status through the strictest pet import requirements in the US. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Animal Industry Division manages all incoming pet quarantine. Until 2003, all incoming pets faced 120-day quarantine. The 5-Day-Or-Less program (introduced 2003) and Direct Release subset (effective 2008) dramatically streamlined the process for compliant pets.

Program comparison: 3 quarantine tiers

Program | Quarantine | Fee | FAVN titer required | Best for
Direct Release at HNL | 0 days | $185 | Yes, 120+ days advance | Compliant pets, weekday arrival 8 AM-3:30 PM
5-Day-Or-Less | Hours to 5 days | $224 | Yes, 120+ days advance | Compliant pets without timed arrival
120-Day Program | 120 days | $1,080 | Not required | Pets from rabies-positive countries

For nearly all US-mainland-origin pets, Direct Release or 5-Day-Or-Less is the right path. The 120-Day program is rare and used mostly for pets from rabies-positive countries.

The 8-step timeline (start 5+ months before move)

Day 0: If pet lacks ISO microchip, implant one. (Existing microchip OK if ISO 11784/11785 standard.)

Day 0-30: Ensure 2 rabies vaccinations on record. First must be on/after microchip implant date.

Day 30+: Draw blood for FAVN rabies titer at USDA-accredited vet. Sample to Kansas State or USDA NVSL lab. Results in 2-4 weeks.

Day 50-150: Wait 120+ days from FAVN blood draw date to arrival in Hawaii. This is the longest single requirement.

10+ days before arrival: Submit Hawaii Department of Agriculture AQS-279 form with payment ($185-$224 depending on program tier).

Within 14 days of travel: USDA-accredited vet exam + CVI.

Booking: Confirm airline cargo or in-cabin reservation. Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska, United, Delta, American all serve HNL.

Arrival: Direct Release requires arrival weekday 8 AM - 3:30 PM. Pet inspected at Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility, released same day if compliant.

FAVN rabies titer: the longest requirement

The FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test measures rabies antibodies in your pet's blood. Hawaii requires the result to be at least 0.5 IU/mL. Blood drawn at USDA-accredited vet; sample shipped to USDA-approved lab (Kansas State University or USDA NVSL Ames, Iowa). Cost $80-$150. Results in 2-4 weeks.

Hawaii requires 120 days minimum between the blood draw date and arrival. Results remain valid 36 months once the 120-day wait elapses. Start FAVN testing at least 5 months before move date to allow buffer.

Airlines + booking

Hawaiian Airlines: in-cabin pets up to 25 lb on most routes; cargo for larger. Fees $35-$60 cabin; cargo varies.

Alaska Airlines: in-cabin (under 20 lb) and cargo. Alaska Pet Connect program for cargo.

United Airlines: in-cabin and cargo via PetSafe.

Delta: cabin available; cargo limited.

American: cabin and cargo.

Brachycephalic breeds: cargo bans apply. In-cabin only for pets that fit weight limits, or use a flight nanny. See our pet nanny guide.

What happens at HNL Airport Animal Quarantine

On arrival, pet goes to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for inspection. HDOA staff verifies all paperwork (microchip, FAVN titer, vaccinations, AQS-279, CVI). Direct Release: pet released same day if arrival is weekday 8 AM-3:30 PM and all paperwork is in order. 5-Day-Or-Less: pet goes to HNL holding facility, monitored, typically released within 24-48 hours after final compliance check. Facility is climate-controlled with experienced animal welfare staff.

Total cost breakdown

ISO microchip (if needed): $25-$80

Rabies vaccinations: $40-$120

FAVN titer test: $80-$150

USDA vet exam + CVI: $100-$300

HDOA program fee: $185 (Direct Release) or $224 (5-Day-Or-Less)

Airline cargo or in-cabin fee: $200-$1,500

IATA crate (if cargo): $60-$400

Optional pet transport service: $500-$1,500

Total typical: $1,500-$3,000. See our cheapest way to transport a pet for comparisons to non-Hawaii routes.

Flying directly to a neighbor island (NIIP)

Most guides assume you land in Honolulu, but you can fly a pet straight to Kona (Hawaii Island), Kahului (Maui), or Lihue (Kauai) using a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP). The catch is that the inspection happens at the neighbor-island airport with a private vet, not at the state quarantine station.

Steps that differ from a standard HNL arrival:

Arrange a private veterinary facility on the destination island first. A NIIP will not be issued without a confirmed reservation with an approved vet on that island.

Submit the completed AQS-279 import form to the Animal Quarantine Station 30 or more days before arrival.

Provide your NIIP application number to the contracted island vet who performs the airport inspection.

Print the NIIP emailed to you and present it to the airline at check-in.

Your pet still needs two rabies vaccinations and a passing FAVN titer just like any Hawaii arrival. If any procedure is missed, the pet is denied entry at Kona, Kahului, or Lihue and transported to Honolulu for inspection, or shipped out of state, at your expense. For most owners moving to a neighbor island, the NIIP saves an extra inter-island leg through HNL.

Moving a pet between Hawaiian islands

Once your pet has legally cleared into Hawaii, moving it between islands is far simpler than the mainland-to-Hawaii move. Pets already lawfully resident in the state do not repeat the FAVN titer or quarantine for inter-island hops. You mainly need a current health certificate and to follow the airline's inter-island pet rules (Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest both serve the inter-island network). Confirm the airline's cabin weight limit and carrier size, since inter-island aircraft can be smaller.

What is different for cats

Cats follow the same FAVN-and-quarantine framework as dogs, with a few practical notes.

Cats almost always meet the in-cabin weight limit, so they avoid cargo entirely on most carriers, the lowest-stress option for the long over-water flight.

The two-rabies-vaccination history still applies to cats; indoor-only cats with a single lifetime shot will not qualify until a second is on record.

Cats need the same ISO microchip and the same 120-day FAVN wait before arrival.

For a deeper comparison of routes and methods before you book, see the cheapest way to transport a pet and how to transport a pet.

Common mistakes that trigger quarantine

Mailing the AQS-279 too late. It must reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days ahead for the airport programs, and 30+ days ahead for neighbor-island NIIPs. Late paperwork pushes you to the 5-day or 120-day track.

Arriving outside Direct Release hours. Direct Release at HNL only works for compliant pets arriving on a weekday between 8 AM and 3:30 PM. A red-eye or weekend landing forfeits same-day release.

Letting the FAVN 120-day clock run short. The result is valid for 36 months once the 120-day wait elapses, but arriving even one day early restarts the math.

Assuming one rabies shot is enough. Hawaii wants at least two rabies vaccinations in the pet's lifetime, the first on or after the microchip date.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my pet to Hawaii from the mainland?

Yes. Via the 5-Day-Or-Less program (with Direct Release subset) or 120-Day program. Required: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccinations (at least 2 in lifetime), FAVN rabies titer done 120+ days before arrival, HDOA AQS-279 form, USDA-accredited vet CVI within 14 days of travel.

How much does it cost to bring a pet to Hawaii?

Total typically $1,500-$3,000. Breakdown: FAVN test $80-$150, microchip $25-$80, vaccinations $40-$120, vet exam + CVI $100-$300, HDOA program fee $185-$224, airline pet fee $200-$1,500, optional transport service $500-$1,500.

How long does Hawaii pet quarantine last?

3 options. Direct Release at HNL: 0 days if arrived weekday 8 AM-3:30 PM and compliant. 5-Day-Or-Less: max 5 days (typically released same day if compliant). 120-Day program: 120 days for pets from rabies-positive countries or non-compliant.

What is the FAVN rabies titer test?

Blood test measuring rabies antibodies. Hawaii requires result of at least 0.5 IU/mL. Blood drawn at USDA-accredited vet, sent to Kansas State or USDA NVSL lab. Cost $80-$150. Results in 2-4 weeks. Must be done 120+ days before arrival.

Which airlines fly pets to Hawaii?

Hawaiian Airlines (in-cabin up to 25 lb, cargo), Alaska Airlines (in-cabin, cargo via Pet Connect), United (in-cabin, cargo via PetSafe), Delta (cabin, limited cargo), American (cabin, cargo). For brachy breeds: in-cabin if under 20 lb is only option since cargo bans apply.

Can I take my pet to Hawaii in-cabin?

Yes for small pets (under 20 lb on most airlines; Hawaiian allows up to 25 lb on certain routes). In-cabin fees $100-$200. Best for cats and small dogs.

What happens at the Honolulu pet quarantine on arrival?

Pet goes to HNL Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for inspection. HDOA staff verifies paperwork. Direct Release if compliant and arrival is weekday 8 AM-3:30 PM = same-day release. 5-Day-Or-Less = typically released within 24-48 hours after final compliance check.

Can I bring my pet to Hawaii without going through quarantine?

Yes, via the Direct Release Airport Release program. Requires: 2 rabies vaccinations 30+ days apart, FAVN titer 120+ days before arrival above 0.5 IU/mL, HDOA AQS-279 submitted 10+ days before, USDA CVI within 14 days, arrival HNL weekday 8 AM-3:30 PM. All criteria met = pet released at HNL same day.

Can I fly my pet directly to Maui, Kona, or Kauai instead of Honolulu?

Yes, using a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP). You must first book an approved private vet on the destination island, submit the AQS-279 at least 30 days ahead, and present the printed NIIP at check-in. The pet still needs two rabies vaccinations and a passing FAVN titer, or it is denied entry.

Does my pet need to quarantine again to travel between Hawaiian islands?

No. A pet that has already cleared legally into Hawaii does not repeat the FAVN titer or quarantine for inter-island travel. You typically just need a current health certificate and to meet the airline's inter-island carrier and weight rules.

Is the Hawaii process different for cats?

The framework is the same: ISO microchip, two rabies vaccinations, a FAVN titer 120+ days before arrival, AQS-279, and a vet CVI. The main practical difference is cats almost always fit the in-cabin weight limit, letting them skip cargo for the over-water flight.

METHODOLOGY
Requirements sourced from Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division, USDA APHIS Hawaii pet travel, and airline pet program pages (Hawaiian, Alaska, United, Delta, American). May 2026. We refresh quarterly.