Hawaii's Animal Quarantine Law
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. Please review the update checklists on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture site and speak to your veterinarian.
Car Rental
Car rental is NOT a government reimbursed expense and is the responsibility of the individual. Many rental companies in Hawaii will not rent to anyone under 21 years of age or will impose high fees to those under 21, requiring extensive out of pocket costs. Please talk to your sponsor or unit rep about free or cheap transportation options before arrival.
Shipping a Privately Owned Vehicle to Hawaii
Only one (1) POV shipmentper PCS Orders to Hawaii is allowed. Any additional POV shipment is the responsibility of the individual. Car rental is not a reimbursed expense and is the responsibility of the individual.
Opportune Lift (OpLift)
For a second (2nd) vehicle shipment option from CONUS to Hawaii, there's Opportune Lift (OpLift).This is a Navy program similar to the Space Available (Space A) passenger flight program in which a personal property, like a car, may be shipped on a Navy vessel traveling to Hawaii from ConUS for a small fee or no cost.The program is only for active duty service members on PCS orders to Hawaii or retiree's with a retiree ID card. The program only ships from San Diego to Hawaii. Be aware that because this is a space available program that it can take up to a year for a vehicle to arrive using this program.
For more information about OpLift to Hawaii from ConUS, please contact the information below:
- Opportune Lift (OpLift)
- San Diego, CA (ComNavSurFor)
- commercial: 619-437-2991
- DSN: 315-437-2991
- Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST
Pet Travel
Operation Military Pets - The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helps keep military families together by providing financial assistance for pet relocation costs with their "Operation Military Pets" grant. All branches of the military can qualify for grants. The link for application is open the 1st through the 7th of each month for those going to and from OCONUS locations. Please review the spcai.org site for more information on the application process.
Passport
It's highly recommended to have a passport since travel toHawaii is primarily done by air.Please review the information about passports on the State Department Website.
Firearms
The Honolulu Police Departmentwebsite offers specifics to this topic.
Per website - Registration, mandatory, exemptions
Reference: HRS 134-3
(a) Every resident or other person arriving in the State who brings or by any other manner causes to be brought into the State a firearm of any description, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, shall register the firearm within five days after arrival of the person or of the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business or, if there is no place of business, the person's residence or, if there is neither a place of business nor residence, the person's place of sojourn. A nonresident alien may bring firearms not otherwise prohibited by law into the State for a continuous period not to exceed ninety days; provided that the person meets the registration requirement of this section and the person possesses:
Registration shall not be required for:
- Any device that is designed to fire loose black powder or that is a firearm manufactured before 1899;
- Any device not designed to fire or made incapable of being readily restored to a firing condition; or
- All unserviceable firearms and destructive devices registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms of the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations.
Registration Process
After purchase or acquisition of the firearm return to the HPD Firearms Section no later than 5 calendar days with the following.
- Valid photo identification.
- Your original firearms permit.
- The firearm for inspection.
Complete the firearms registration form and sign the firearms registration card.
Out-of-State Registration
There is no 14-day waiting period for Out-of-State Registration. Once the firearm arrives in the state you have 3 calendar days, (72 Hours), to bring it in to the Honolulu Police Department Firearms Section.
Please have a valid photo identification and proof of citizenship, if born outside the United States, bring proof of citizenship such as an Original US Passport, Original Naturalization Certificate, Original Born Abroad Certificate, or if you are in the military your Enlisted or Officer Record Brief will suffice only if the document states you are a United States Citizen.
Joint Registration
Married couples who would like to have their firearms jointly registered in both names need to also bring the Original Marriage Certificate.
Arriving familiesfind it difficult to find a home whether rental or on base, large enough to accommodate their shipment of household goods. We suggest service members consider using non-temporary storage prior to their departure from CONUS locations. Non-temporary storage at their CONUS location is authorized and should be used for excess furnishings and cold weather clothing. Call your installation DMO office for more information.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
