If you've started thinking about relocating yourself, your family and your pets to Hawaii, you've probably created a long list of questions that you want to have answered before you get too far along on this new adventure. Since we've done this a couple of times, with pets, this page should help answer many of your questions and concerns.

Through out this process, keep in mind that a move can be a stressful process for everyone, including your pet. Try to surround your pet with familiar places, faces, and objects, for as long as possible.  Be sure to review all travel details carefully, ask lots of questions, and allow extra time for everything when moving to paradise with your pet.  

Which island should I move to?

This is the first question everyone must ask themselves, but how do you decide? First, if you can afford it, make an extended trip to Hawaii before you move here. Once you've explored the islands, and spent some time in the neighborhoods you're considering, you'll have a much better idea where you and your pet are going to enjoy living. Each of the islands, and neighborhoods is unique and the pace and style of life on the islands vary.  You should be sure to factor in variables such as the cost of living, salaries and job opportunities as these will also vary by island. Whichever island you choose,  I recommended you find a pet friendly place before you arrive.  The rental market changes daily and nice, pet friendly, rentals may not always be available at the price or in the neighborhood you want.

If you decide to live on Oahu, Pets OK can help you find a pet friendly rental home or apartment. Oahu has the most employment opportunities and in many ways is the cross roads of the Pacific. This also makes Oahu the busiest island.  Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are less populated and living on one of them may feel more like paradise to those of you who want to be away from civilization and the busy cities.  The best time to move or visit is between January and May and between September and November. During these times, fewer tourists come to the islands; therefore, flights, car rentals and short-term pet friendly accommodations are easier to find.

Moving your Pet

Since there's no bridge to Hawaii, the fastest and most economical option for bringing your pet to paradise is to fly. Each airline has different rules and regulations regarding the transportation of pets and animals.  Policies can vary from "no pets allowed" to "only on certain days when the outside temperature is forecasted to be cool enough at the departure city, arrival city and all connection cities."  

Be sure to review each airlines specific policies carefully and ask lots of questions before buying any airline tickets for travel with your pet. The links below will take you directly to the pet policy for each of the major airlines listed below.

            

          

Pet Transport Companies

If for some reason you can't be on the same flight as your pet, these companies will work with the airlines, and other agencies, on your behalf to ensure a safe and stress free move for you and your pet. 

• www.airborneanimals.com
• www.animalsaway.com
• www.happytailstravel.com
• www.pacpet.com

Hawaiian Animal Quarantine

Hawaii is a rabies-free state. Hawaii's quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age (puppies and kittens included) or purpose, must comply with Hawaii’s dog and cat import requirements. Be sure to allow up to 4 months in order to comply with all of the requirements for the immediate release process.

The best information comes straight from the source, so check the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Animal Quarantine Information website. It covers all of the current quarantine laws, and provides all necessary information and brochures you will need.

The Animal Quarantine Station Rabies Information Brochure contains important information about pre-arrival requirements, quarantine station procedures, policies, rules, operations and fees.

The Dog and Cat Import Form is required to be submitted along with all pre-arrival documents (two vaccination certificates, health certificate and pre-payments). This must be done no less than 10 days before your pet arrives in Hawaii, to qualify for the 5-day-or-less quarantine or for airport release. If the health certificate cannot be sent 10 days before arriving with the rest of the documents, the original must be given to the inspector upon arrival in Hawaii.

To find out more about the quarantine requirements for your animal(s), contact the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture directly:

Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602
Phone: (808) 483-7151
Website: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm

What to Bring?

Personal Belongings: Unless you've lived in Hawaii before, I'd recommend you bring as little as possible. Pets OK can help you find a furnished place with all the basic necessities, and equipment for living, for you and your pet. Therefore, it's not necessary to bring your pots & pans, silverware, furniture, etc. I  would also consider storing your belongings in your current town for 6 to 12 months.  If you're still happy after after "trying out" Hawaii for at least six months then take the plunge and ship your stuff over. If after 6 months, or less, you find that paradise isn't everything you thought it would be, you've saved yourself a lot of time, trouble, and $$$$s.   

Be sure you bring all your important documents with you, including ID, personal papers, medical records, prescriptions, etc. Keep these documents in a safe place in your carry-on luggage.

If you have more than you can carry/check as luggage, you want to ask a friend or relative ship some of your belongings via US mail. USPS is an affordable, reliable and fast shipping method. It usually takes between three to four weeks for the belongings to be delivered from the continental U.S. to Hawaii.

Shipping a car: Shipping a car from the mainland to the Hawaiian Islands can be arranged by Matson Navigation. The cost of shipment is around $1,000 per standard vehicle. This rate does not apply to any vehicle exceeding 21'8" L x 8' W x 7' H, or vehicles which have built-in accommodations for cooking or sleeping.

Please note: Shipping rates and conditions may change. In order to obtain the latest information on how you can ship a vehicle from the mainland, visit Matson Navigation’s website at http://www.matson.com.

Plants: Plants can enter Hawaii only after inspection. If you have plants you want to carry over to Hawaii, contact the U.S Department of Agriculture for more information. Here is their address: Animal and Plant Health Insurance Service, Terminal Box 57, Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819.

Estimated Housing Costs

To rent anything in Hawaii is significantly more expensive than on the mainland. As of 2008, a studio on Oahu costs anywhere from $800-$1,200 per month, depending on the location. A two-bedroom apartment or a house starts from $1,200 per month and up. The most expensive area on Oahu is in Waikiki, where a one-bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,400 per month. You should know that the cost of housing typically goes up every year, even during a recession.

Cost of Food

Although about 90 percent of the food in Hawaii is imported, you can buy food at more affordable prices by shopping at chains like Costco, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Local supermarkets also have special sales but plan for everything to be more expensive than you're used to paying on the mainland.  If you like dining out, the average cost for a breakfast is from about $4 to $7, a low budget lunch runs from about $5 to $10 and an economical dinner about $12 to $30 or more. Drinks and dinner on a patio overlooking the ocean....priceless. 

Living in Waikiki

Waikiki is well-known among the tourists and many of the buildings here are actually hotels. If you choose to live in Waikiki, you'll always be close to the beach and surrounded by the high energy nightlife, but a single family home for rent that allows pets is almost non-existent. If you have cats, or small dogs you can typically find an apartment or condo that will meet your needs. A disadvantage of living in Waikiki is that there is only one grocery store, which is also very expensive. The only other place you can buy food at are the local shops or ABC Stores, which are also expensive when it comes to groceries.

Getting around