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

  • 2026 Legislative Update February 3, 2026
    The 2026 legislative session has begun! Here are a few pieces of legislation we are tracking as we advocate on behalf of veterinarians in Hawaii: Want to track bills of interest? Sign up for hearing notifications so you can submit testimony. Make your voice heard by your legislators! 2/2/2026 Update: SB 2158 has a scheduled hearing … Continue reading "2 […]
  • 72nd Annual Conference Recap February 3, 2026
    Thank you for joining us at the 72nd Annual Conference at the Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani Hotel. This was a new venue for the HVMA, but we enjoyed being back in the heart of Waikiki and seeing friends old and new. We had a packed exhibit hall with 34 exhibitors, 2 day of labs and workshops … Continue reading "72nd Annual Conference Recap" The post […]
  • 2026 HVMA Membership Renewal February 3, 2026
    The new year means it’s time to renew your membership for 2026! Why be a member of the HVMA? Your participation in local organized veterinary medicine makes our voice stronger. We actively advocate to promote Hawaii’s veterinary profession in the eyes of the public and the legislature. We support you and your staff by keeping … Continue reading "2026 HV […]

Legislative Alerts

  • 2026 Legislative Update February 3, 2026
    The 2026 legislative session has begun! Here are a few pieces of legislation we are tracking as we advocate on behalf of veterinarians in Hawaii: Want to track bills of interest? Sign up for hearing notifications so you can submit testimony. Make your voice heard by your legislators! 2/2/2026 Update: SB 2158 has a scheduled hearing … Continue reading "2 […]
  • AVMA News – January 2026 February 3, 2026
    Greetings from your AVMA delegates! We recently returned from the January House of Delegates meeting in Chicago, where we reviewed and approved several small updates to the AVMA Bylaws. We also spent time discussing two resolutions. The first focused on the importance of early socialization and training in animals. While there was broad support for … Continu […]
  • 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.

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.