Hawaiian Dream Vacation—With Your Dog!

Pristine shores, azure waters, awe-inspiring vistas, and balmy climate… Oahu, the third largest and most populous of the Hawaiian islands, is a dream come true. The only thing that could make it better, of course, is the company of your dog. The problem? Hawaii is rabies free and has strict regulations in place to keep it that way. If you’re unprepared, long quarantines are required for animals entering the state, however, with some advance planning and a clean bill of health, the quarantine can be avoided and you and your four-legged buddy can be frolicking in the sun in this little piece of heaven on the Pacific Ocean!

Read on for highlights from our recent trip to Honolulu, Oahu, including what you need to do to bring your dog to Hawaii, no quarantine required…

Stay:

The Modern
Step into the breezy foyer of the Modern and you’ve arrived. Upon check in we were presented with a refreshing beverage and a cool towel. Perfectly appointed bright and airy rooms, many with views, beautiful design throughout the entire property, attentive staff and a great quiet location slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the Waikiki core. You will not want to leave this hotel. In a word: gorgeous. The poolside scene with its teak deck is perfection. themodernhonolulu.com

Aqua Waikiki Wave
Located right in the heart of things, the Aqua Waikiki Wave puts you steps away from shops, restaurants, nightlife, and, of course, the beach. Spacious rooms with private balconies provide a nice respite from a day of exploring the city surrounds. Both convenient and comfortable. aquawaikikiwave.com

Hotel Renew
This little gem of a hotel is located at the east end of Waikiki beach. The rooms are pretty and bright and the hotel offers free wifi and complimentary breakfast. It’s situated within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and the beach, yet far enough from the bar district to allow a quiet night’s rest. hotelrenew.com

Do:

Feel the burn on Kuliouou Ridge Trail. This 2.5 mile trail near Honolulu leads you through varied plant life while affording incredible views. Dogs permitted on leash.

Hit the beach! You don’t have to venture far to experience what made Waikiki famous. Located a short walk from most hotels, Waikiki beach is an unbelievable stretch of white sand beach perfect for sun bathing, beach combing or wave jumping (check out the locals surfing or out-rigging their pups).Note: some areas of Waikiki Beach are not dog friendly. Check out the Hawaiian Humane Society’s website for more info here.

Don’t miss:

Try the Hawaiian specialty known as Poke (pronounced po-kay), slices of raw tuna marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, seaweed, and other ingredients depending on the chef. It is absolutely delicious—and affordable! We frequented Ruffage Natural Foods for the poke on brown rice with avocado. 2443 Kuhio Ave, Waikiki

Another option for your poke fix is the supermarket chain Foodland, which is rumoured to have the best poke on the island. Ask your hotel concierge for the closest location.

A trip to Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without sipping on a Mai Tai while watching the sun slip away. Hands down the best Mai Tais we sampled were at RumFire at Sheraton Waikiki (think fresh pineapple and Ron Zacapa 23 year.) Simply perfect.

If you can find a dog sitter for the day, take of tour of Doris Duke’s house. This incredible property on Diamond Head is a treasure trove of Islamic art paired with mind-blowingly beautiful architecture. Advance bookings are essential; make them through the Honolulu Museum of Art.

So now that you’ve decided on your next vacation destination, how to make your Hawaiian dream a reality? To bring your dog along without a quarantine period required, more than a little planning is certainly in order, but it’s definitely doable! The basics for your dog’s direct release are as follows:

Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 rabies vaccinations administered more than 30 days apart with the second vaccination administered not less than 90 days before arrival in Hawaii
• A working electronic microchip (scanned and documented to be working by veterinarian)
• Rabies blood test received by authorized lab (visit link below for authorized labs) not less than 120 days before arrival
• Veterinarian issued health certificate completed within 14 days of arrival in Hawaii
• Tick treatment done with product containing Fipronil or equivalent within 14 days of arrival and recorded on aforementioned health certificate. 
• Original documents and payment ($165 for direct release) delivered to Animal Quarantine a minimum of 10 days before your pet’s arrival.
• For direct release your flight must arrive at Honolulu International Airport no later than 3:30 pm or processing won’t be started until the following day.

For more details on Hawaii’s Rabies Quarantine and the requirements for entry visit gohawaii.about.com

Failure to meet any of the requirements and you run the risk of a 120-day quarantine so make sure you are aware of all procedures and plan ahead! Aloha!