Moving Cats to Hawaii: Requirements Guide

TLDR: Cats entering Hawaii follow the same quarantine program as dogs with no exceptions. The most common mistake cat owners make is assuming the process is simpler or shorter than it is for dogs. It is not. A kitten born today will be approximately six months old before it is travel-ready for Hawaii.

Hawaii's rabies quarantine program applies to every cat entering the state regardless of age, breed, or purpose. Understanding Hawaii cat import requirements before you start is the difference between a smooth arrival and a 120-day quarantine. A cat that meets all requirements qualifies for direct airport release at Honolulu. A cat that does not will be quarantined for up to 120 days. The process takes months and every step must be completed in the correct sequence.

Requirements at a Glance

Microchip

Your cat must have an electronic microchip implanted before the OIE-FAVN rabies antibody blood test is performed. This sequence is mandatory. A FAVN test done before microchipping does not count. At inspection, staff will scan the microchip to confirm it is working and matches the number on your paperwork. A cat whose microchip cannot be read will not qualify for direct airport release or the 5 Day Or Less program and will be assigned to 120-day quarantine regardless of all other documentation.

Rabies Vaccination

Your cat must have two rabies vaccinations on record. The vaccinations must have been administered more than 30 days apart. The most recent vaccination must have been given at least 30 days before your cat's arrival in Hawaii and must not be expired according to the manufacturer's licensed booster interval. Your veterinarian will provide signed certificates for each vaccination. Both certificates must include the vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date, and lot expiration date.

If your cat arrives in Hawaii before 30 days has elapsed from the most recent vaccination, quarantine begins immediately. There are no exceptions.

OIE-FAVN Rabies Antibody Blood Test

After the second rabies vaccination is in place, a USDA-accredited veterinarian draws blood and submits it to an approved laboratory for the OIE-FAVN test. The four approved laboratories are Kansas State University, Auburn University, the University of Missouri, and the DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas.

The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater. A passing result alone does not qualify your cat for entry. A 30-day waiting period begins the day after the laboratory receives the blood sample. Your cat cannot arrive in Hawaii until that 30-day period has elapsed. If your cat arrives before the waiting period is complete, quarantine begins immediately at $14.30 per day in addition to the $244 program fee.

One important note on lab submission: if you use an intermediate laboratory such as Antech or Idexx to forward the sample, the 30-day clock does not start until the approved laboratory itself receives the blood. Intermediate lab delays have caused owners to miscalculate their eligibility date. Submit directly to an approved lab where possible and confirm the date of receipt with your veterinarian.

Make sure "HAWAII" is listed as the destination on the lab submission form. KSU and the DOD lab will send results directly to Hawaii if the destination is noted correctly. Do not contact the laboratory directly for results.

Health Certificate

A health certificate in English must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 14 days of your cat's arrival in Hawaii. The certificate must include the rabies vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date, and expiration date. It must also record the tick treatment product name and date of application.

The original certificate is required. Photocopies are not accepted. If you do not send the original to the Animal Quarantine Station with your other documents in advance, you must hand-carry it to the inspector upon arrival. Failure to present the original will prevent your cat from being released.

Tick Treatment

A veterinarian must treat your cat for ticks within 14 days of arrival using a product that is labeled to kill ticks. The product name and date of treatment must be recorded on the health certificate. If ticks or other parasites are found at the time of inspection, your cat will not qualify for direct airport release.

Accepted active ingredients include Fluralaner, Afoxolaner, Sarolaner, Lotilaner, and others on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's current accepted tick treatment list at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/. Verify the current list with your veterinarian before treatment.

Two specific notes for cat owners:

Revolution (Selemectin-only formulation) is not accepted. If your vet uses Revolution, it will not satisfy the tick treatment requirement.

Revolution Plus (Sarolaner + Selemectin) -- verify with your vet and AQS before use. Sarolaner is on the HDOA active ingredient list but HDOA does not confirm brand names. Confirm acceptability directly with AQS at [email protected] or your treating veterinarian before applying.

K-9 Advantix is not for use on cats. K-9 Advantix is listed as an accepted tick treatment product for dogs only. It must never be used on cats.

AQS-279 Import Form and Document Submission

One completed Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) is required per cat. Submit this form together with both original rabies vaccination certificates and payment as a complete package. The Animal Quarantine Station must receive all documents at least 10 days before your cat's arrival in Honolulu to qualify for the $185 direct release fee. Documents received after that threshold result in a higher fee of $244.

Applications can be submitted online through the Hawaii Pet Owner Portal at hipop.ais.hawaii.gov. Hard copy submissions by mail with return receipt are also accepted. Send to: Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701. Payment must be a cashier's check or money order made payable to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Personal checks are not accepted.

Arriving in Honolulu

Inspection hours at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Note: inspection opening hours are subject to change -- verify current hours with AQS at [email protected] or (808) 483-7151 before finalizing travel plans. For additional guidance on planning your cat's travel day, including arrival timing and what to expect at the AAQHF, see our pet travel to Hawaii guide.

It can take up to one hour for the airline to transport your cat from the aircraft to the AAQHF. Plan your flight to arrive by 3:30 PM to ensure same-day release. Cats arriving after 4:30 PM will be held overnight and released the following morning. Cats held overnight must be picked up by 10:00 AM or an additional $59 fee applies.

Your cat will be released in its transport crate. Do not remove your cat from the crate on airport property. If you are connecting to a neighbor island after release, bring a baggage cart. There are no carts or porters at the AAQHF.

Flying Directly to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island

Cats flying directly to Kahului Airport (OGG), Lihue Airport (LIH), or Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) require a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) issued by the Animal Quarantine Station before travel. The NIIP will not be issued until your cat has a confirmed passing FAVN result.

To obtain a NIIP, you must contract with and make a reservation at an approved veterinary facility on your destination island. The AQS requires confirmation from that facility before issuing the permit. Submit all documents at least 30 days before arrival, not 10. The NIIP fee is $165. Check with your airline before booking; not all carriers participate in neighbor island pet transport.

Approved inspection facilities by island (verify current list at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/nivetfac/ before booking -- this list changes):

Maui (OGG): At Home Animal Hospital and Mobile Veterinary Services (808) 873-0102, Central Maui Animal Clinic (808) 893-2380, Kahului Animal Hospital (808) 871-7387, Kihei Veterinary Clinic (808) 879-5777, Makawao Veterinary Clinic (808) 572-9003, Maui Humane Society (808) 877-3680, South Shore Veterinary Care (808) 874-3422, West Maui Animal Clinic (808) 662-0099

Kauai (LIH): Kauai Humane Society (808) 632-0610, Kauai North Shore Animal Clinic (808) 755-8728

Big Island / Kona (KOA): Alii Veterinary Hospital (808) 329-8999, Keauhou Veterinary Hospital (808) 322-2988, Kona Veterinary Service (808) 325-6637

Kittens

All cats must comply with Hawaii's import requirements regardless of age. Because of the minimum time required to complete the vaccination sequence, FAVN test, and 30-day waiting periods, a newborn kitten will be approximately six months old before it is travel-ready for Hawaii. A kitten that cannot meet all requirements will be quarantined for 120 days on arrival. Plan accordingly and do not book travel for a young kitten without confirming the timeline with your veterinarian first.

What Happens If Requirements Are Not Met

A cat that does not meet all requirements at the time of inspection will not be released at the airport. Quarantine of up to 120 days begins immediately. At the current rate of $14.30 per day plus the $244 program fee, a full 120-day quarantine costs approximately $1,960. There is no on-site resolution, no grace period, and no way to submit missing documents after your cat has landed. Either the paperwork is in order before your cat boards the plane, or it is not.

How PetRelocation Can Help

Hawaii's cat import process has more steps and tighter deadlines than most domestic moves. PetRelocation offers levels of support to help you find what fits best for your move, from full coordination through a consultation to review your cat's current documentation and confirm your timeline before you commit. Full details on Hawaii pet import requirements are available on our Hawaii country guide.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cats follow the same import rules as dogs in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii's rabies quarantine program applies equally to dogs and cats. The requirements, fees, timelines, and consequences for non-compliance are identical.

How long does it take to prepare a cat for Hawaii? If your cat is starting from scratch with no prior rabies vaccination, plan for at least 4 to 6 months from the first vaccine to travel-ready. If your cat already has two valid rabies vaccinations on record, the minimum from blood draw to travel-ready is approximately 3 to 4 months, accounting for lab processing and the 30-day waiting period.

Can I fly my cat directly to Maui or Kauai? Yes, but only with a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit obtained in advance. You must have a passing FAVN result, a confirmed reservation with an approved island veterinary facility, and all documents submitted to AQS at least 30 days before arrival. Not all airlines participate in neighbor island pet transport, so confirm with your carrier before booking.

What is the FAVN test and does my cat need it? The OIE-FAVN rabies antibody blood test measures whether your cat's immune system has responded sufficiently to the rabies vaccination. All cats entering Hawaii require a passing result of 0.5 IU/ml or greater. The test is done at an approved laboratory after your cat has been vaccinated and microchipped. A 30-day waiting period begins the day after the lab receives the blood sample.

What happens if my cat arrives in Hawaii without the correct paperwork? Your cat will not be released at the airport. Quarantine begins immediately for up to 120 days at approximately $1,960 at current rates. There are no exceptions and no on-site remedies. Documents must be in order before your cat boards.

Can I bring a kitten to Hawaii? Yes, but a newborn kitten cannot be travel-ready for Hawaii until approximately six months of age due to the vaccination sequence and waiting periods required. A kitten that does not meet all requirements will face 120-day quarantine on arrival. Do not book travel for a young kitten without confirming the timeline with your veterinarian first.