Hawaii Emotional Support Animal Registration

Register Your Emotional Support Animal in Hawaii

For ESA owners in Honolulu, Hilo or Kailua: an ID card, certificate and digital ID in a few minutes.

  • ID card & certificate
  • Digital ID for your phone
  • Online lookup by ID number
Start Registration Verify a Registration

Hawaii ESA Laws at a Glance

Written by: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP)
Medically Reviewed by Evelyn Daley MSW, LCSW
Published: Last updated:

In Hawaii, keeping an emotional support animal is a housing question, decided as a reasonable-accommodation request under the federal Fair Housing Act and Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-3. Since May 22, 2026, HUD reviews requests for untrained ESAs case by case, so Hawaii's own rules below matter.

State housing lawHaw. Rev. Stat. § 515-3Hawaii Discrimination in Real Property Transactions law
ESA letter rulesNo state-specific ruleWhen the need isn't obvious, a landlord may ask for reliable documentation of the disability-related need.
ESA misrepresentation penaltyNo ESA-specific state penalty
Where to file a housing complaintHawaii Civil Rights CommissionFile within 1 year of the incident.

Start Your Hawaii ESA Registration

  1. 1Owner
  2. 2Animal
  3. 3Kit
  4. 4Add-ons
Need an ESA letter for housing? Online evaluation by a licensed mental health professional Licensed in your state · approval not guaranteed Book Appointment
Step 1. Owner’s Information

We’ll send your registration confirmation and digital materials to your email.

Hawaii ESA FAQ

Do I need to register my emotional support animal in Hawaii?

No. Neither federal nor Hawaii law requires or recognizes ESA registration.

What does Hawaii require in an ESA letter?

Hawaii has no ESA-specific letter law, so general fair housing rules apply under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-3.

Can my landlord in Hawaii refuse my ESA or charge a pet fee?

The landlord must consider it as a reasonable-accommodation request under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-3 and the federal Fair Housing Act. Since May 2026, HUD no longer treats untrained ESAs as presumptively reasonable, so the outcome depends on your facts and Hawaii law. If it's granted, ask in writing whether pet fees or deposits are waived.

Can I take my ESA into stores or restaurants in Hawaii?

No. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 347-13 and the ADA give access rights to trained service dogs only.

Can I fly with my ESA from Honolulu (HNL)?

Airlines at Honolulu (HNL) may treat an ESA as a pet under 14 CFR Part 382, so check your airline's pet rules before booking.

Where can I file a housing complaint in Hawaii?

With the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission within 1 year of the incident, or with HUD within 1 year. Private Fair Housing Act lawsuits can be filed within 2 years.

Register Your ESA in Hawaii Today

Start Registration

Official Sources

  1. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-3 — housing
  2. Hawaii Civil Rights Commission — housing complaints
  3. Report Housing Discrimination (HUD) — federal complaints
  4. 14 CFR Part 382 (U.S. DOT air travel rules) — flying with animals
  5. ADA Requirements: Service Animals (U.S. Department of Justice) — why ESAs lack public access

Need a Service Dog Registration Instead?

A task-trained dog, including a psychiatric service dog, is covered by Haw. Rev. Stat. § 347-13.

ESA Registration in Other States

See all 50 states

This summary of Hawaii law was last reviewed in October 2026 and is general information, not legal advice. United States Service Dogs is a private registration service, does not issue ESA letters, and is not a government agency.