E Komo Mai: Welcome

Your resource for veterinary medicine in Hawaii

Whether you are a seasoned Kama’aina (long term resident), new to our beautiful islands, a veterinarian, veterinary support staff or a pet owner, we can connect you with the information you need. Learn more about who we are.

Veterinarians Moving to Hawaii

Find out what you need to do to get your license and start practicing.

Moving Pets to Hawaii?

It is possible to avoid having your pets spend time in quarantine with proper planning and preparation. Get started now.

HVMA Members, Hawaii Veterinarians, and Visitors

Latest News from HVMA

  • 2024 Annual Conference Nearing October 10, 2024
    Join us for continuing education and camaraderie with your fellow local veterinarians and vet techs! November 6-10, 2024Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii Labs & Workshops 11/6-11/7Lectures & Exhibit Hall 11/8-11/10HVMA Hui Annual Business Meeting 11/9Lucky Strike Social 11/9 Lecture topics include behavior, cardiology, anesthesia, soft tissu […]
  • Letter from the President – Summer 2024 August 5, 2024
    Aloha, everyone! I hope this message finds you well in these final days of summer! Like many of you, I have had the pleasure of seeing students who I’ve mentored apply to veterinary school and start their journey toward becoming veterinarians. I always take a moment to relive certain moments of my path, like the … Continue reading "Letter from the Presi […]
  • HVMA Mentorship Program August 5, 2024
    The HVMA Mentorship Program offers opportunities for recent graduate (c/o 2020-2024) veterinarians to connect with other veterinarians in the state, as well as resources and guidance to pursue career and professional development. To receive these opportunities, join HVMA and fill out this form here. HVMA offers FREE New Grad Membership to all 2024 graduates! […]

Legislative Alerts

  • Hawaii State Board of Veterinary Medicine Updates August 5, 2024
    New temporary permits are now in effect! The Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine has recently increased its bank of test questions, and has reduce the waiting period to retest following a failed attempt to pass the Hawaii state veterinary examination from 90 days to 60 days. While the HVMA had petitioned for a shorter (30 … Continue reading "Hawaii Stat […]
  • 2024 Hawaii Legislative Update January 31, 2024
    The 2024 legislative session is up and running! Several introduced bills may have direct impacts on veterinary practice in Hawaii. Here are the bills we are watching: Please keep an eye out for calls to submit testimony on these bills in the near future. We will send out an alert once any of the bills … Continue reading "2024 Hawaii Legislative Update […]
  • Combat illegal xylazine while protecting veterinary access May 13, 2023
    Xylazine is an important animal sedative used to facilitate the safe handling and treatment of many species. Recently, illicit xylazine is increasingly showing up in street drugs as traffickers have begun mixing xylazine with fentanyl and other narcotics. Collaborative efforts among congressional offices, the AVMA, stakeholders, and federal agencies to addre […]

From Hawaii State Legislature: Measures of Interest to Veterinary Professionals

HB1580 RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY. Amends the criminal penalties for various animal cruelty offenses by increasing the category of offense

SB2114 RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS. Prohibits the feeding of feral animals within a certain distance from Department of Education public school campuses; establishes fines. Hearing scheduled for 2/5.

HB1527 / SB2562 RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE. Prohibits animal owners and their employees from performing any surgical procedures on the owner’s animal or animals. Prohibits the elastration, or castration via banding, of a pet animal. Provides that a violation of the prohibitions is a class C felony. Clarifies that the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree does not apply to accepted veterinary practices and cropping or docking as customarily practiced when the procedures are performed by a licensed veterinarian.

HB2086 / SB2749 RELATING TO HEALTH. Requires the administrator of the narcotics enforcement administration to make an emergency scheduling by placing xylazine into schedule III on an emergency basis. [HVMA working to include exemption for veterinary use]

SB2564 RELATING TO PET ANIMALS. Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue, refusing to renew, canceling, or establishing higher rates for a homeowners insurance policy or dwelling fire insurance policy based on the breed of any dog that is kept on the premises. Requires any pet animal found on the premises during an eviction to be given to the owner or taken in by an animal control agency. Limits the monetary amount of pet deposits and pet rent. Clarifies that a provision allowing a lien on an animal to secure payment for caring for or feeding the animal does not apply to pet animals.

SB2692 RELATING TO DANGEROUS DOGS. Establishes requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs. Allows for impounding of dangerous dogs under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2025.