We just moved to Honolulu, HI from Nashville with our Belgium Malinois and Staffordshire Terrier, so here's a few tips to make it as smooth as possible.
*Please note, this is applicable for entry into Honolulu airport ONLY. Additional paperwork for traveling to any other Hawaiian island is mandatory.
Make sure to DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Have ALL of your paperwork and then COPIES of your paperwork. (See paperwork section below.) I brought everything in a folder and made sure to CARRY it on.
Get to the airport 2-3 hours before flight (check with airline) in order to check dogs in with the front desk and give yourself plenty of time.
Make sure the crate is not too big or too small. We also made sure to have wheels on the crate in order to move easily through airport. (We did have to take them off at check in.)
Have food with your dog if needed. Check it in with your dog at the front desk. Also, have bowls in your dog's crate so the airline crew is able to give them water and food as needed. (We had large portable water bottles for them in their crates.)
If there is a delay over 4 hours you can visit your pet to take them potty, but you will have to check them back in. (Check policy with airline.)
Make sure to pick up your pet BEFORE 4:30PM at animal quarantine in Honolulu or else they will have to stay the night and it will cost more.
Paperwork:
Microchip information.
Rabies certificate - you will need at least 2-3 Rabies vaccination dates and tags. You will need to show proof of actual copy with veterinarian signature, but have copies as well. Make sure too check protocol for dogs/puppies who have never had a Rabies yet.
FAVN Rabies test - since Hawaii is a rabies free state. Check with the lab on whether they send it to Hawaii agricultural center or if you do. It can take weeks to come back. A passing result is greater than or equal to 0.5IU/ml and is only valid for 36 months. You must wait 4 months before going to Hawaii once test was received.
Proof of appropriate flea/tick meds given 14 days before arriving. - should be written on health cert.
Health certificate from veterinarian - this is only valid for 14 days upon getting it.
Dog and Cat Import Form. (Make sure it does not have to be notarized.)
*You can either mail in these forms, other than the Health cert - bring that with you to airport with your copies, or you can just bring all of the paperwork with you to animal quarantine. It will be $244 instead of $185 if you do not mail everything in before arriving.
We flew with Alaska Airlines and they were wonderful the entire time - they also came up to us before the aircraft took off to inform us that our dogs were on board for both flights.
They have a temperature controlled cargo area as well.
I called 3 weeks before our flight date to confirm with airline personnel that we would have two dogs going in cargo. Make sure to call airline ahead of time to reserve your dog's spot. You will either pay for their flight online or at check in. (I checked them in and paid for them when booking bags online.)
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