When Must You Renew a Dog License in Hawaii? What Hawaii Law Requires
November 9, 2026
The dog license renewal deadline in Hawaii depends on your county, and on Oahu there is no license to renew at all. Honolulu dropped its dog license in 2020 and now requires a microchip instead. Hawaii County, Maui County and Kauai still license dogs on a two-year cycle.
This guide gives you the dates, fees, and steps for each county so you can renew on time and skip the penalties.
Pro Tip: Find your county first. The deadline, fee, and renewal method all change depending on whether you live on Oahu, Maui County, Hawaii Island, or Kauai.
When Is the Dog License Renewal Deadline in Hawaii?
The state sets the baseline. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 143-3, the dog license fee is due on January 2 of every second year and must be paid before March 11 of that year. Counties can modify these rules by ordinance, so your local office has the final say.
In Maui County, renewal works a little differently. Maui County Code § 6.04.020 lets you apply to renew within 60 days before the expiration date. The Maui Humane Society says it mails a renewal letter close to the end of the calendar year.
On Hawaii Island, dog owners renew their dog’s license starting Jan. 2, according to a County of Hawaii Animal Control Services notice.
| County | Renewal Cycle | Key Timing |
|---|---|---|
| City and County of Honolulu (Oahu) | No dog license; microchip required | Nothing to renew |
| Maui County | Two years | Renew within 60 days before expiration |
| County of Hawaii | Two years | Renewals open January 2 |
| Kauai County | Contact county office | Call the Motor Vehicle Registration office |
Who Has to Renew a Dog License in Hawaii?
Anyone who owns or harbors a dog in a county that still requires licensing. HRS § 143-2 makes it unlawful to own or harbor a dog unless it is licensed and microchipped, and counties may modify those requirements by ordinance. The statute exempts dogs under three months old and dogs brought in only for a dog show.
Maui County sets its own age line. Its code requires a license for any dog over four months old, and the Maui Humane Society says that includes indoor dogs and dogs that never leave your property.
Oahu is the exception. On July 1, 2020, the City and County of Honolulu implemented mandatory microchip identification for cats and dogs over the age of four months. That replaced the license tag requirement, so Oahu owners have no renewal to track.
Who Issues Dog Licenses in Hawaii? (State, County or Town Clerk)
Counties issue dog licenses, not the state. The statute directs you to pay the fee to the director of finance of the county in which the dog is owned, kept, or controlled.
In practice, the office differs by island:
- Maui County: The Maui Humane Society handles licenses, and its site says you can also get one at your local DMV.
- County of Hawaii: The Department of Finance, Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division, in Hilo.
- Kauai: The state’s eHawaii help page says to call the Motor Vehicle Registration office at 808-241-4256.
- Honolulu: No license office. Microchipping is done through vets and animal welfare groups.
The state’s eHawaii FAQ page links to each county’s licensing requirements and locations.
How to Renew a Dog License in Hawaii (Online, By Mail or In Person)
Your method depends on the county. Maui offers the most choices, while Hawaii County is mail-only.
- Maui County: Use the renewal letter mailed to you, then renew online, by mail, or in person. The Maui Humane Society accepts in-person renewals during business hours, and its renewal mailing address is PO BOX 1047 Pu’unene, HI 96784.
- County of Hawaii: The county dog registration page says renewals are accepted by mail. Send the application and a check payable to “County Director of Finance” to the Hilo office.
- Kauai: Call the county Motor Vehicle Registration office for current steps.
You might wonder whether you can renew a Honolulu license. You cannot. The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association notes that no new dog licenses are being sold and licenses can no longer be renewed in the City and County of Honolulu.
What You Need to Renew a Dog License in Hawaii
Keep a short list ready before you start. Having it together makes mail-in renewals faster.
- Your current license number, found on your renewal letter or your dog’s tag
- Your name, mailing address, and physical address
- Your dog’s name, breed, approximate age, and sex
- Your dog’s microchip number (the Hawaii County form asks for it)
- Proof of spay or neuter if you want the lower fee
- Payment by check, or by card online in Maui County
Pro Tip: Maui requires proof of spay or neuter from your veterinary clinic for a first license, so ask your vet for a copy now and keep it with your dog’s records.
Dog License Renewal Fees in Hawaii
Fees vary widely. Hawaii County is the cheapest by a large margin, and Maui County is the most expensive for unaltered dogs.
| County | Spayed or Neutered | Not Spayed or Neutered | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maui County | $11 | $76 | Two years |
| County of Hawaii | $2.10 with vet proof; $6.10 without | $6.10 | Two years |
| Honolulu | No license sold | Not applicable | |
The Maui figures come from the Maui Humane Society’s animal laws page. Maui also adds a $10 processing fee for any license that is mailed or processed online. The Hawaii County figures come from the county’s dog registration page, which also says fees are not refundable and not prorated.
If your county has not set its own fee by ordinance, the state default applies. That default is a $4 biennial fee under HRS § 143-3. For Kauai, contact the county office for the current amount.
Discounts for Spayed, Neutered, Senior and Microchipped Dogs in Hawaii
Spay and neuter status is the discount that matters. In Maui County, that status cuts the fee from $76 to $11. In Hawaii County, a sterilized dog with a vet certificate pays $2.10 instead of $6.10.
The county sources reviewed do not list senior-dog discounts or microchip discounts. Microchipping is a requirement under state law rather than a fee reduction. In Hawaii County, the license application asks for your dog’s microchip number.
Maui County’s code also says license fees may be waived by the licensing authority in some cases, and it asks applicants to note if a dog is certified as a guide, signal, or service dog. Ask the Maui Humane Society about eligibility before you pay.
Multi-Year and Lifetime Dog Licenses in Hawaii
Hawaii has no lifetime dog license. The standard license is already a two-year license in the counties that issue one. The statute sets fees on a biennial basis, and Maui licenses are valid for two calendar years.
Your options are limited to the two-year term. On Hawaii Island, the dog license is good for two years. A microchip, by contrast, is permanent and does not need renewing.
Late Fees and What Happens If You Miss the Deadline in Hawaii
Missing the deadline can cost you a fine and, in some cases, your dog’s freedom for a few days. The Maui Humane Society states that owning or harboring an unlicensed dog carries a maximum penalty of $500.
Maui’s code also says people who fail to license on time face a delinquent fee set in the county’s annual budget ordinance. Check the Maui Humane Society for the current delinquent amount.
State law adds impound risk. Under HRS § 143-8, officers can seize an unlicensed dog found running at large. The Animal Legal and Historical Center summary says an owner can redeem the dog by paying the license, the penalty, and a per-day impoundment fee. If nobody claims the dog, it can be sold or humanely destroyed.
Pro Tip: If a dog dispute or bite incident ever comes up, an expired license makes things harder. Read about what happens if a dog bites someone in Hawaii so you know your exposure.
Does a New Puppy or Newly Adopted Dog Need a License in Hawaii?
Yes, once the puppy is old enough. State law exempts dogs under three months, but Maui County requires a license for any dog over four months old. Maui’s code also gives you 30 days after getting a dog over four months old to apply.
On Oahu, the rule is a microchip for dogs over four months old. Ask your vet or the Hawaiian Humane Society about microchipping when your puppy is due for early vaccines.
Maui’s code excuses nonresidents who keep a dog in the county for no longer than 60 days. Visitors on short stays do not need a Maui license.
What to Do If You Move to or Within Hawaii
Licenses are issued by county and are not transferable between owners or dogs, according to the Maui Humane Society. If you move to a new county, expect to apply for that county’s license and follow its fee schedule.
If you move from Maui or Hawaii County to Oahu, you do not need a new license, but you do need a microchip. Update your address with the county where your current license sits so renewal notices reach you. The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association notes that owner information on existing Honolulu licenses can still be updated.
Moving here from the mainland? You can also read about the pet rules for turtles in Hawaii if you are bringing other animals along.
How to Replace a Lost Dog License Tag in Hawaii
Replacing a tag is cheap and quick. State law covers lost tags in HRS § 143-6, and counties set the price.
- Maui County: A replacement tag costs $5 and can be bought and picked up at the Maui Humane Society during regular business hours.
- County of Hawaii: A replacement dog license costs $0.10, and the county accepts replacement requests for lost or stolen tags by mail.
- Kauai: Call the county Motor Vehicle Registration office.
Your dog should wear the tag at all times. Maui’s code requires it to be attached to the collar and worn at all times, except when the dog is actively hunting. For more on Hawaii’s animal rules, see our guides to endangered animals in Hawaii and hunting license requirements in Hawaii.