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

  • Hawaii Pet Expo Volunteer Sign-ups April 15, 2025
    The 33rd annual Hawaii Pet Expo is coming up next month from May 3-4, 2025 10am-4pm. This event will be held at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii and is free to the public. We are looking for volunteers from the veterinary community to help us make this event a success! If you’re willing … Continue reading "Hawaii Pet Expo Volunteer Sign […]
  • 2025 HVMA Scholarship April 15, 2025
    The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce that the 2025 HVMA scholarship application is now open! The application deadline is April 30th, 2025.  Interested veterinary students (1st-4th year, US citizens) currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited doctoral program of veterinary medicine who graduated from a high school in Hawaii are eligi […]
  • Letter from the President – Winter 2025 February 19, 2025
    Aloha HVMA members!  Happy New Year & Kung Hei Fat Choy! Coming into 2025, I’m very excited to lead us into the next two years! Our past president, Dr. Jenee Odani has done a wonderful job and I can only hope to carry on her excellent work and continue to build momentum for our Hawai’i … Continue reading "Letter from the President – Winter 2025

Legislative Alerts

  • Legislative Update – Spring 2025 April 15, 2025
    The 2025 Hawaii legislative session is wrapping up. Here are the bills still winding their way through the legislative process: It’s easy to stay informed and get involved in our local legislative process! The post Legislative Update – Spring 2025 first appeared on Hawaii VMA.
  • 2025 Legislative Update February 19, 2025
    The 2025 Hawaii legislative session is in full swing. Here are some bills HVMA is keeping tabs on this session: Keep an eye out as we may call on you to submit testimony on these bills as hearings arise, particularly SB874. The post 2025 Legislative Update first appeared on Hawaii VMA.
  • 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 […]

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.