hawaii interisland travel with pets

Flying Your Dog Inter-Island

Flying Inter-Island?

Traveling inter-island in Hawaii with your pet requires a little extra legwork to ensure your flight is a happy experience for you and your pet. Since traveling requirements vary depending on the size of your dog, take a couple minutes to review your airlines’ pet requirements.

If you are traveling inter-island with a pet, you need to reserve your flight at least 24 hours in advance as the airlines only allow a limited number of animals per flight.

Consider your pet’s safety when flying. Will your dog or cat be able to withstand long delays (a couple to several hours in length) in a non-air-conditioned area?

Aloha Air Cargo

Call 48 hours in advance to reserve a flight. Last-minute bookings can also be accommodated on a space available basis.

Honolulu, Oahu : 808-832-0566 Lihue, Kauai  :808-274-3071 Kahului, Maui : 808-873-3556 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii : 808-326-1077 Hilo, Hawaii : 808-974-4141

http://www.alohaaircargo.com/pet-shipping/

Costs vary depending on weight and size of container.  Calculation estimates are provided on the website.  For example, for a medium-large dog (i.e., Doberman, Boxer, Australian Shepherd), the cost would be $130 total one-way.

Expeditions Lahaina – Lanai Ferry

Dogs are allowed on leash; $10 each way.

Toll free:  (800) 695-2624

www.go-lanai.com 

Hawaiian Airlines

Only cats, dog, and birds are accepted. One pet as carry on per passenger with one animal per kennel.

Carry on kennel:  $35 (each way)

Maximum weight (dog and kennel):  25 pounds

Maximum height:  9.5 inches

Check in kennel fee:  $60 (each way)

Maximum weight (dog and kennel):  70 pounds

Maximum height:  26 inches

Toll free:  800-367-5320

https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our-services/special-assistance/traveling-with-animals

Additional conditions and charges’ explanation:   http://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/659

Check out the requirements on Hawaiian’s web site before traveling with your pet.

**Health certificate NOT required for dogs or cats for inter-island travel.

For pets over 70 pounds, you will need to make special arrangements with Hawaiian Airlines Cargo.

Island Pet Movers

Pet fee : (Contact Island Pet Movers for an estimate .)

Toll free : 808-783-8419

https://islandpetmovers.com/inter-island-pet-transfers

Mokulele Airlines

Pet fee:  As of June 2018, due to changes set forth by the FAA, large dogs who are unable to sit in Rows 1-4 on the seat or below the seat are now subject to a fee in order to have a seat of their own.

Toll free:  866-260-7070

Pet Policies

Mokulele Airlines considers pets to be cats and dogs for the general term of ‘Pets In Cabin,’ and will hereafter refer to them as ‘Pets.’ Mokulele Airlines accepts domesticated animals only.

• Pets must be well behaved, harnessed with a leash and/or in a soft kennel, and remain with and under the control of the traveler at all times.
• Pets must sit at the feet of the traveler or in their lap and remain there at all times once onboard the aircraft. Pets cannot be in the aisle at any time, which could impede emergency evacuation measures.
• Pets must be clean (free of fleas, ticks, or any biting insects), well groomed, and have no offensive odor(s).
• Pet and owner cannot display any disruptive, unruly, and aggressive behavior at any time prior to and during boarding, and especially while during the flight. Pet must also not pose a threat (including a perceived notion) to the safety or health of the other passengers traveling.
• Both the animal and traveler cannot be seated in row 5. The combined total weight of the animal and passenger cannot exceed 350 lbs. due to weight and balance requirements of the aircraft.
• Mokulele reserves the right to levy any fees to the traveler/owner, in the event there are damages or cleaning fees incurred to the aircraft related to the transportation of the pet.
• Mokulele accepts most breeds of domestic dogs and cats for flight; however, MW reserves the right to deny boarding to any breed we deem unsafe or not fit to fly. The Pilot in Command has the final decision.
• Mokulele will normally accept one pet per flight as a general rule. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Pilot In Command.
• Mokulele reserves the right to deny boarding of any pet if any of the above conditions are not met.

Toby the Beagle enjoys his flight on Mokulele Airlines!

Advance arrangements must be made. Contact Reservations.

MOKULELE AIRLINES – PETS IN CABIN (Contract of Carriage)

Revision 2.7/ 05 june 2018.

• Animals must remain with and under the control of the traveler, must be well behaved, harnessed with a leash and/or placed in a soft kennel or carrier.
• Animals must be harmless, inoffensive, clean (free of fleas, ticks, or any biting insects), well groomed, and without any offensive odor(s), and require no attention during transit.
• Animals must not pose a threat to the health and safety of the other passengers travelling. If the animal is deemed unsafe or aggressive by nature, MW reserves the right as determined by the Pilot/Co-Pilot and/or Customer Service Agent to deny boarding to any animal that is deemed unsafe; no other passengers will be involved in this decision.
• Animal and owner cannot display any disruptive, unruly, and aggressive behavior at any time prior to and during boarding, and especially while during the flight. Also, animal must also not pose a threat (including a perceived notion) to the safety or health of the other passengers traveling. In the event, the animal (and/or owner) becomes offensive or causes a disturbance during transit; they may be removed, at the Captain’s discretion, at the first stop.
• Neither animal’s owner or animal may occupy row 5, or in anyway block access to emergency egress doors of the aircraft.
• MW reserves the right to levy any fees to the traveler/owner, in the event there are damages or cleaning fees incurred to the aircraft related to the transportation of the pet.
• Due to limitations of size and manufacture of the aircraft, there are limits to the size of any animal transported on MW. Animals must be able to fit on the floor or on the passenger’s lap without being in the aisle. The animal cannot interfere with the operation of the passenger’s seat belt. They can in no way impede egress from the aircraft in the event of emergency.
• MW will not accept any snakes, reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders as Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, or Pets.
• MW will not be liable for loss or expense due to the Passenger’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Rule, including, without limitation, if any animal is refused passage into or through any state or country.
• The liability ceiling for MW shall not exceed $2,000 USD in the event of a death of a pet.
• The passenger assumes full responsibility for the safety, well-being, and conduct of its animal, including the interaction of the animal with other passengers who may come in contact with the animal while onboard the aircraft, and for compliance with all governmental requirements, regulations, or restrictions, including entry permits and required health certificates of the country, state, or territory from/or to which the animal is being transported.
• MW reserves the right to deny boarding of any pet if any conditions outlining the restrictions or rules are not met.
• MW welcomes, without charge, trained Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. Service Animals are allowed when accompanying an individual that requires assistance with a disability. These specially trained animals perform a function or service to assist and help a passenger in the management of their disability.
• The U.S. Dept. of Transportation advises that, under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a service animal is any animal that is individually trained or able to provide assistance to a person with a disability; or any animal that assists persons with disabilities by providing emotional support. Documentation may be required of passengers needing to travel with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal. Notwithstanding the goals of the ADA and Mokulele’s desire to accommodate everyone possible, safety is still the number one concern. It may not be possible to accommodate all animals even with proper service animal documentation due the limitations of the design of the aircraft.
• MW will not be liable for illness or injury to an animal or death of an animal when the animal has been handled by MW with ordinary standards of safety and care or when MW has acted in the interests of the entire flight such as in an emergency or a force Majeure event.
• MW considers pets to be cats and dogs for the general term of ‘Pets in Cabin,’ and will hereafter refer to them as ‘Pets.’ MW accepts domesticated animals only.
• As a general rule, MW will normally accept one pet per flight. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Pilot In Command. A Service Animal will take precedence under all circumstances. Pets are booked on a space available basis; advance notice is highly suggested by contracting our Call Center at (808) 495-4188 to include your pet on the flight you are traveling on.
• MW accepts most breeds of domestic dogs and cats for flight; however, MW reserves the right to deny boarding to any breed we deem unsafe or not fit to fly. The Pilot In Command has the final decision.
• Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned.
• Muzzled, pregnant, injured, or ill pets will not be accepted.
• Unless required by the HDOA (Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture), no veterinarian health certification is required for animals traveling on MW flights.
• MW will not transport an animal if the animal is in the custody of an Unaccompanied Minor.

Can a pup be sent to Maui in a small kennel with no companion!

Aloha Ed, I’m assuming you’re asking if a pup can be sent ‘inter-island’ to Maui in a small kennel with no companion, and the answer is “Yes.” There’s Aloha Air Cargo: http://www.alohaaircargo.com/pet-shipping/ or Island Pet Movers: https://islandpetmovers.com/inter-island-pet-transfers/ I hope this helps! Mahalo for your email. ~Rhonda

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Everything you need to know about inter-island travel in Hawaii

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

With just eight miles separating some of the closest major Hawaiian Islands (such as Lanai and Maui), this Pacific archipelago is a tempting destination for island hopping. And it can be quick and easy to explore multiple Hawaiian islands — but you have to be strategic. Furthermore, to really enjoy Hawaii you don't want to constantly be on the move, so you need to stay on each island long enough to soak it all in before continuing onto the next.

To get around the islands of Hawaii, you can fly by helicopter, travel by ferry or hop on a boat. But while there are options, in most cases, you are probably boarding a flight before saying aloha to your next Hawaiian island destination.

To help you plan a seamless Hawaiian vacation , we're breaking down all the ways you can get around the islands that make up the Aloha State.

Oahu is the hub

Oahu is the hub of Hawaii and its inter-island travel. This is where international flights into Hawaii will likely land, as well as where the majority of the U.S. mainland flights operate. You can catch a flight from Honolulu International (HNL) to almost all of the major neighboring islands. If you're not sure which islands you might want to hop to on your Hawaiian vacation, it's still a pretty safe bet to book your main flights in and out of HNL. That said, don't get too comfortable and only stay on Waikiki the whole time as Hawaii gets much, much better the more you explore.

From HNL, it should only take about 30 to 45 minutes of flight time to get to the other major Hawaiian island on a nonstop flight. If you can lock your main flights into or out of Honolulu, you can trust that the rest of the logistics can be worked out later.

Related: Best ways to get to Hawaii using miles and points

Flying between the islands

Traditionally, Hawaiian Airlines has been the dominant airline operating inter-island travel, and it still is a very common choice with multiple daily flights between the islands. However, Southwest Airlines is now a very formidable competitor in Hawaii, which is great for travelers looking for the best deal to fly to the Big Island , Maui or Kauai .

Southwest operates flights from HNL to Kauai (LIH), Maui (OGG), Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA). However, know that you will be going through Honolulu on those flights, so if you wanted to fly nonstop from Kona to Kauai, your best bet is probably Hawaiian Airlines for that type of route.

There's also Mokulele Airlines which has 120 daily flights with some unique Hawaiian destinations including Lanai and Hana.

Another option is Makani Kai Air, which is a charter company with a small fleet of small planes that will fly travelers between the islands to places like Princeville on Kauai, Molokai or the Kalaupapa Peninsula , a national historic park that requires a permit for entry.

Lanai Air is a turbo-prop option for those heading from Honolulu right to the small island of Lanai to stay at the Four Seasons or similar.

Take the Ferry to Lanai

Prefer to spend some time at sea to heading back to the airport? It is possible to take a ferry between Maui and Lanai with the Expeditions Lanai Passenger Ferry . The hour-long journey will cost you about $30 one-way (kids $20), but there are only five departures and returns each day, so you have to plan day trips carefully.

Fly to Molokai 

The island of Molokai is not accessible directly from the U.S. mainland. In order to get to this island, you'll need to take a connecting flight from HNL, OGG or JHM. You can book flights via Hawaiian Airlines, Makani Kai Air or Mokulele Airlines to Molokai from these three airports, and the flights only take about 25 minutes.

Book a cruise between the islands

If you really want to get the most out of your Hawaiian vacation and have the time and budget to do so, consider taking a cruise. Cruise lines such as Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries that take you to the four major islands — some even include overnight stays. You'll see Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island without worrying about how to get around other than getting on and off the ship. With Norwegian, you can also combine a cruise around Hawaii with a trip to French Polynesia , which sounds most excellent to us.

In the case of Disney, the cruises around Hawaii are actually 10-night cruises that start or ends in Vancouver with stops on multiple Hawaiian Islands.

Related: How we used points and miles for a family Hawaiian vacation

(Photo by Isabel Thottam)

Helicopter to remote areas

If you want to get dropped into a really remote Hawaiian area, the only way to do so is by helicopter. Blue Hawaiian is a charter company and will take hikers and travelers to less-touristed areas and far-flung trailheads.

Unless you are invited by the owners, a helicopter tour is the only way you'll land on the pristine so-called Forbidden Island of Niihau. This lightly inhabited island is 70-square miles in size and can (sometimes) be seen from Kauai's Waimea Canyon. Half-day excursions to Niihau start at $465 per person.

Unfortunately, helicopter tours don't allow you to bring your suitcase and simply get dropped off to start a new island life — you'll have to return with the pilot to the island you departed from.

Use airline miles for intra-Hawaii travel

You can use a variety of airline miles to island-hop around Hawaii, but most of them bring you right back to the same Hawaiian Airlines operated flights. However, not every airline charges the same number of miles for inter-islands flights on Hawaiian, so it pays to shop around with the miles you have available. And, of course, if you are flying on an inter-island route operated by Southwest, then you have yet another set of choices. Here's a rundown of some popular options, prices listed as one-way except where noted.

(Here's what it is like to island-hop on Hawaiian Airlines and what it is like on Southwest Airlines .)

American miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,500 miles in economy, 15,000 in first

Delta miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,500 miles in economy

Hawaiian Airlines: 7,500 miles in economy, 15,000 in first

JetBlue points to fly Hawaiian: 6,000 miles in economy, 12,000 in first

You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio if you have cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Citi ThankYou has a 1:1 transfer ratio to JetBlue . Those with the JetBlue Plus Card get 10% of their redeemed points back .

Note that JetBlue awards on Hawaiian Airlines must be booked over the phone with JetBlue, but in our test call, availability lined up roughly with what United displayed as available.

United miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,000 miles in economy (10.5k miles if travel is within next 30 days)

Virgin Atlantic miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,500 miles in economy, 15,000 in first (infants 2,000 miles in economy/10,000 in first)

A benefit of using Virgin Atlantic miles is that they are easy to earn , as you can transfer from Amex Membership Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards and even Marriott Rewards. We've also seen periodic transfer bonuses from both Amex and Citi in the past, so your award rates could be discounted even further by transferring during these promotions.

Southwest Airlines: Many inter-island fights on Southwest are currently available for 2,000 to 4,000 Rapid Rewards points each direction. You can earn Rapid Rewards points from Southwest credit cards , such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card . You can also transfer your points in on a 1:1 ratio from Chase Ultimate Rewards and cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. On Southwest, you'll get two free checked bags and access to in-flight streaming entertainment at no charge (on your own device). You can also put that Southwest Companion Pass to good use to score a 2-for-1 deal!

Free island-hop via the United Excursionist Perk

If you want to get a Hawaii island-hop in your larger booking "for free," book your trip to Hawaii using United miles. For example, you could fly Houston – Honolulu (stop) – Lihue (stop) – Houston for the same number of miles as just Houston to Honolulu and back (45,000 in saver economy). Since Hawaii is in a different award chart region than the Lower 48, it works for a free stopover using the United Excursionist Perk on a round-trip booked with United miles.

Here are the best credit cards for flying with United miles . If you do book your island hop with United, you'll need to get your Hawaiian Airlines confirmation code to select your seat directly with Hawaiian.

Bottom line

Most of your Hawaiian island-hopping is likely to be done via commercial aircraft, though there are some exceptions to that general rule. You may not need to use airline miles for an inter-island trip in Hawaii if cash prices are low enough. We always recommend doing the math to make sure you are getting a decent value for your points. But if you are flying Southwest (fixed-value points), or when prices cross that $100 threshold, using miles become a deal worth considering.

To help you on your Hawaii-planning journey:

• Best Ways to Redeem Miles on Hawaiian Airlines
• Best Ways to Get to Hawaii Using Points and Miles
• Best Time to Take Your Dream Hawaii Vacation
• How to Fly to Hawaii With Kids
• Thing to Do on the Big Island With Kids
• Review of Disney's Aulani Resort
• Reasons to Fly Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii
• How to Fly Lie-Flat Seats to Hawaii for 40,000 Miles

Additional reporting by Isabel Thottam

Traveling With a Pet to Hawaii

Traveling with a pet to Hawaii may seem like a fun thought, but chances are you have no idea of what you're getting into. If you're talking about a cat or dog, it's possible, but not at all easy. If you're talking about some other type of animal, it's close to impossible.

Most will advise you to not bring your pet on your trip to Hawaii . There are also regulations applying to service animals that may surprise you.

Why Not Bring Your Pet?

Hawaii has a special quarantine law that is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. Hawaii is unique in that it has always been free of rabies, and is the only state in the United States to be rabies-free. It wants to remain that way.

There have been scares and in 1991 a bat found in a shipping container from California was determined to be rabid, but it was captured and destroyed without incident.

Should You Bring Your Pet?

The requirements of the quarantine law are very complex and potentially expensive. But forgetting the quarantine issue, most people would subject their pet to at least a five-hour flight in the cold luggage compartment of a plane. If you're coming from the east coast, you're talking 10-12 hours. Add to that there are very, very few pet-friendly hotels in Hawaii and common advice, once again, is to leave your pet at home with a pet sitter.

What If You Are Moving to Hawaii?

If you are going for an extended stay or are moving to Hawaii, as do many military families, then you'll need to comply with the quarantine procedure and to do so you'll need to start well before your move—at least four months. While that seems excessive, keep in mind Hawaii's quarantine law is not for your convenience. It's for the safety of Hawaii's people and animal population.

Revised Quarantine Regulations

There are new rules for the Rabies Quarantine Program in effect as of August 31, 2018. The changes include:

• Minimum waiting period after a successful FAVN rabies antibody test before arriving in Hawaii was 120 days and now it has been reduced to 30 days.
• Minimum waiting period after most recent rabies vaccination before arriving in Hawaii was 90 days and now it is 30 days
• The fee for a Direct Airport Release was $165 and is now $185. A fee of $244 for each dog or cat released at the airport will apply when documents are not received 10 days or more before arrival. 
• Quarantine fee for 5 days or less was $224 and now is $244.
• The Dog and Cat Import Form, AQS-278 has been revised and now is AQS-279 with a date of August 2018.
• Fortunately, because this is complex, the checklists have been revised. There are four new Checklists dated August 2018.

The Quarantine Law and Forms

It's rather complex, and so it will be necessary to carefully review the State of Hawaii's Department of Agriculture's website where you can get all of the details and necessary forms.

Basically, depending on when or if you complete the required steps of the 5-Day-Or-Less quarantine requirements prior to your arrival in Hawaii, your pet may be directly released to you at the airport or held for up to 30 days at your expense.

If you seek a direct release of the pet at the airport , you must submit the required original documents so that the State receives the paperwork at least 10 days prior to your pet's arrival. Even if you complete all of the paperwork, but it is not received at least 10 days prior to your pet's arrival, your pet will be quarantined for up to 5 days.

Pets that are not directly released under the 5-day-or-Less quarantine will be taken to the main Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa Valley on Oahu. If a pet stays between 0 and 5 days, the cost will be $244. There is an additional per-day charge for longer stays.

Types of things to Do at Home to Prepare

Your pet will have needed at least two rabies vaccinations and be current on them. The second vaccination must be done at least 90 days before arrival in Hawaii.

Your cat or dog must have an electronic microchip implanted.

Your pet will need to have had an OIE-FAVN Rabies Blood Test not more than 36 months and not less than 120 days before the date of arrival in Hawaii.

Numerous documents must be completed by you and your veterinarian and submitted to the State.

The Requirements Can Get Harder Still

All this assumes you're flying into Honolulu and staying on Oahu. If you're flying to the Kona on the Big Island , Lihue on Kauai or Kahului on Maui, things are a bit more complicated because the Port of Entry is Honolulu.

There are also special rules for guide dogs and service animals .

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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Take a Pet From One U.S. State or Territory to Another (Interstate)

When you travel with a pet, your destination State or Territory may have animal health requirements, such as obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, or administering treatments. As soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to help with the pet travel process.

Find U.S. State and Territory Requirements

APHIS doesn't regulate the interstate movement of pets. Domestic movement requirements are set by the receiving State or Territory.

Contact the  State animal health official  in your destination State or Territory if you have questions or need clarification on any of the requirements.