Your pet’s safe trip

Planning a move to Hawaii with your pet? With its breathtaking beaches, lush landscapes, and aloha spirit, Hawaii is paradise—for both humans and animals. But because Hawaii is the only U.S. state free of rabies, the import process for dogs and cats is more complex than domestic travel. Fortunately, with proper planning, your pet can skip quarantine entirely through the Direct Airport Release (DAR) program.

Here’s everything you need to know to move your pet to the Aloha State.

Hawaii enforces strict entry requirements for pets to protect its unique ecosystem and rabies-free status. Pets that meet all requirements can often qualify for Direct Airport Release, allowing them to go home with you immediately after landing.

✅ Eligibility for Direct Airport Release (DAR)

To avoid quarantine, your pet must meet all of the following conditions:

🐾 Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped before the rabies vaccine. This chip will be scanned upon arrival.

💉 Rabies Vaccinations

Your pet must have:

• Two rabies vaccinations in their lifetime

• The second vaccine administered more than 30 days before arrival

• Both vaccines documented and current (not expired)

🧪 FAVN Rabies Antibody Titer Test

• A FAVN blood test must be performed by an approved lab (e.g., Kansas State or DOD Lab).

• The result must show a level of ≥0.5 IU/mL

• The test must be completed at least 30 days before arrival

• After passing the FAVN, a 120-day waiting period must pass before your pet can enter Hawaii under DAR

📄 Documentation

All required documents must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) in Honolulu at least 10 days before arrival:

• Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-279

• Original rabies certificates (2)

• FAVN test results

• Microchip verification

• Payment for DAR ($185)

If your pet does not meet all DAR requirements, they may be subject to:

• 5-Day-Or-Less Program: $244 fee; pet must remain at the quarantine facility in Honolulu

• Full 120-Day Quarantine: $1,080 fee; for pets that do not meet FAVN or vaccination timelines

Starwood can help avoid this outcome by ensuring all deadlines and forms are submitted correctly.

Pets eligible for Direct Airport Release must arrive at one of these airports:

• Honolulu (HNL)

• Kahului, Maui (OGG)

• Kona, Hawai‘i Island (KOA)

• Lihue, Kauai (LIH)

Important: Not all airlines offer DAR services at every airport. Contact your airline or Starwood to ensure your pet’s flight is DAR-eligible.

Our Hawaii pet shipping services include:

• Door-to-door transport
• Assistance with health certificates, import certificates, and other travel documents needed
• Airline-approved flight kennels provided with personalized labels, identification, and emergency notification instructions
• Import clearance and delivery to your home
• Travel consultation and flight reservations

We will inform you of your pet's full itinerary before the trip and we will update you as your pet travels to Hawaii.