Pet-friendly
Good to know
Good to Know
- Hawai'i's pet-entry process is one of the strictest in the U.S. — start preparations (microchip, two rabies shots, FAVN blood test, waiting period) at least 4-6 months before travel, even for a short vacation.
- There are no exceptions for tourists: a pet arriving without complete paperwork can face quarantine costing well over $1,000, even if you're only visiting for a week.
- If flying directly into Kahului (OGG) on Maui rather than connecting through Honolulu, you need a separate Neighbor Island Inspection Permit arranged in advance — plan the vet inspection meeting at the airport ahead of time.
- South Maui (especially Kihei) is the most reliably dog-friendly part of the island, with a dedicated county dog park and many patio-dining restaurants, but expect dogs to be limited to outdoor seating almost everywhere.
- Don't try to pass a pet off as a service or emotional-support animal to skip the rules — Hawai'i explicitly penalizes this and applies full vaccination/testing requirements to service dogs too.
- Maui County requires dogs on public beaches and in most parks to be leashed; per Maui Humane Society guidance a leash no longer than 10 feet is required and a responsible person must hold it at all times.
- Off-leash freedom is limited to a handful of dedicated dog parks (Keopuolani Regional Park in Wailuku, Kilohana Park in Kihei, and Upcountry Dog Park in Makawao) — don't assume any beach or open field is off-leash by default.
- Vet pricing can vary a lot between clinics and even between visits at the same clinic — always ask for a written estimate before treatment, since a review flagged unexpectedly high add-on fees (biohazard charges, exam 'bundles') at one South Maui clinic.
- Only one facility on the island, Central Maui Animal Clinic in Kahului, operates as a true 24-hour emergency animal hospital — worth knowing this in advance if you're staying somewhere remote like Hana or Upcountry.
Entry Requirements
- Overview
- Hawai'i is the only rabies-free U.S. state and enforces the strictest pet-import rules in the country for all dogs and cats, regardless of whether the owner is a resident, a short-term visitor, or traveling with a service animal.
- Why It Matters
- Because Hawai'i is rabies free, resident pets are not required to be vaccinated for rabies once they are legally in-state, but the state requires dogs, cats and carnivores to complete either a 120-day or a shortened rabies quarantine program before or upon entry to keep rabies out entirely.
- Who It Applies To
- All dogs and cats entering Hawai'i must comply with the import requirements — this explicitly includes puppies, kittens, short-term tourists on vacation, and service/guide dogs.
- Maui Specific Note
- Because Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui is not the state's main port of entry, pets flying directly there must also obtain a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP), and owners must pre-arrange an inspection with an approved veterinary facility on Maui at arrival — there is no satellite quarantine facility on Maui itself, only approved animal hospitals where a pet could be quarantined if it doesn't qualify for release.
Fees
- Direct Airport Release
- $185
- Five Day Or Less Program
- $244
- One Hundred Twenty Day Quarantine
- $1,080
- Notes
- There are no discounts for multiple pets, and fees must be paid via cashier's check, money order, cash, or major credit card — personal checks are not accepted.
Core Steps
- Implant an ISO-compatible microchip in the pet BEFORE any rabies vaccinations or blood draws — Hawai'i may reject records if the chip was implanted afterward.
- Administer two rabies vaccinations more than 30 days apart, with the most recent given more than 30 days before arrival.
- Have a USDA-accredited vet draw blood for an OIE-FAVN rabies antibody blood test at an approved lab (Kansas State University, Auburn University, or the DOD lab in Texas); RFFIT tests are not accepted.
- Wait the mandatory period after a passing FAVN result (0.5 IU/ml or greater) — a minimum of 30 days and up to 3 years — before the pet can arrive in Hawai'i.
- Obtain a health certificate from an accredited vet within 14 days of arrival, including tick/external-parasite treatment documentation.
- Submit the completed Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS-279) plus supporting documents to Hawai'i's Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days ahead of arrival.
Exemptions
- Certified guide dogs and service dogs for the disabled are exempt from physical quarantine confinement but must still complete the rabies vaccination and passing FAVN test requirements before arrival.
- Dogs and cats coming directly from a small list of other rabies-free places (New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and the British Isles) do not need an import permit number, though the exporting country's own rules may still require one.
Legal Warnings
- It is a violation of Hawai'i state law to misrepresent a pet as a service animal.
- Hawai'i restricts or prohibits some animals that are legal pets elsewhere; importing a prohibited animal carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
Outcomes By Compliance
- Extended Quarantine
- Pets that fail to meet requirements face quarantine for up to 120 days at the state's Animal Quarantine Station on O'ahu.
- Direct Airport Release
- Pets that complete every requirement (microchip first, 2 vaccinations, passing FAVN test, waiting period, timely paperwork) can be released the same day at the airport with no quarantine.
- Five Day Or Less Program
- Pets that are close to but not fully compliant may qualify for a short quarantine before release.
Dog Parks
Keopuolani Regional Park
- Area
- Wailuku
- Type
- Off-leash dog park
- Notes
- Located in Wailuku, this park features separate, designated off-leash areas for large and small dogs, with space for fetch and socializing.
Kilohana Park
- Area
- Kihei
- Type
- Off-leash dog park
- Notes
- Kilohana Park boasts a spacious off-leash dog park area known for its water area, good for dogs that like to splash and cool off.
Upcountry Dog Park
- Area
- Makawao
- Type
- Off-leash dog park
- Notes
- Unlike most leash-law areas on the island, this park allows dogs to roam freely in a designated off-leash zone; separate sections for small and large dogs.
Dog Friendly Beaches
Kamaole Beach Park (I, II, III)
- Area
- Kihei
- Notes
- Leashed dogs are welcome to tour this park's 3 beaches and dip a paw in the water along an easy dune trail.
Baldwin Beach Park
- Area
- Paia, north shore
- Notes
- A long stretch of golden sand near Paia that is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and dog walking, with a designated dog area.
Sugar Beach
- Area
- Between Ma'alaea and Kihei
- Notes
- Commonly cited by local dog owners as a reliably good, less-crowded beach option for bringing dogs on Maui.
Typical Pet Care Costs
Routine Wellness Exam (General Practice)
- Routine Wellness Exam (General Practice)
- $77
24/7 Telehealth/emergency Advice Line (Non-member Pay-per-call)
- 24/7 Telehealth/Emergency Advice Line (Non Member Pay Per Call)
- $40
Trusted Vets And Animal Hospitals
Kahului Animal Hospital
- Area
- Kahului
- Notes
- Long-established general practice; providing veterinary services on Maui since 1990, founded by Drs. Terry Smith and Debbie Dorsey.
Maui Veterinary Clinic
- Area
- Kahului area
- Notes
- Full-service companion animal hospital; under Dr. Wayne Kot's ownership since 2000, offering general, surgical, dental and diagnostic care.
South Shore Veterinary Care (Vetinkihei.com)
- Area
- Kihei
- Notes
- Locally reviewed South Maui practice; patients describe trusting the practice's orthopedic exam approach and long-term follow-up care.
Kihei Veterinary Clinic
- Area
- Kihei
- Notes
- Privately owned South Maui hospital that has been providing comprehensive veterinary care for the animals in our community for over 40 years.
Maui Lani Veterinary Hospital
- Area
- Maui Lani Business District (Kahului area)
- Notes
- Opened in 2016; serves Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, Pukalani, Makawao, Lahaina, Wailea and Hana with diagnostics, dental and wellness services.
At Home Animal Hospital
- Area
- Kahului
- Notes
- Started as a mobile house-call service in 2008 by Dr. Danielle Dewey, opened a full hospital in Kahului in 2011; also offers boarding.
Central Maui Animal Clinic (Thrive Pet Care)
- Area
- Kahului
- Notes
- Central Maui Animal Clinic in Kahului is Maui's only 24-hour emergency animal clinic, useful for after-hours emergencies.
South Maui Animal Clinic (Thrive Pet Care)
- Area
- Kihei
- Notes
- Provides primary veterinary care for dogs and cats in Kihei and South Maui.
Dog Friendly Cafes And Restaurants
Kihei Caffe (Lahaina Location)
- Area
- Lahaina
- Notes
- Fido is welcome to join you on the patio at a table with an umbrella, serving breakfast and lunch.
Southshore Grindz
- Area
- Kihei
- Notes
- Leashed dogs are welcome at outside tables; open for lunch and dinner with paninis, noodles and salads.
Maui Fish'n Chips
- Area
- Kihei
- Notes
- Dogs can join owners at tables on the outdoor covered patio; a BYOB spot known for fried mahi and volcano fries.
Maui Coffee Roasters
- Area
- Kahului
- Notes
- Two dog-friendly outdoor tables are available, though dogs are not allowed inside the coffeehouse itself.
Paia Gelato
- Area
- Paia
- Notes
- You and your pup can walk in, order to-go, and find a dog-friendly spot outside to enjoy gelato or coffee.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.