Quick answer
To get an ESA letter in Hawaii, you need an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional who can practice in Hawaii. Hawaii lets housing providers verify a disability that is not apparent through a letter from a treating professional, bars questions about diagnosis, and protects untrained support animals of any species. Most evaluations finish within a few days.
Key points
- Hawaii has a state law on ESA documentation: HRS § 515-3(a)(9), (b), as amended by Act 154, SLH 2022 (SB 2002), effective Nov. 1, 2022.
- Your clinician must be licensed to practice in Hawaii.
- Hawaii law covers untrained support animals independently of HUD.
- Pet ESA Service: $89 one time, 100% back if not approved.
Hawaii ESA rules at a glance
This summary reflects Hawaii law and federal guidance as of October 8, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked sources before relying on them for a dispute.
| Topic | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| State ESA documentation law | Yes. HRS § 515-3(a)(9), (b), as amended by Act 154, SLH 2022 (SB 2002), effective Nov. 1, 2022 |
| Clinician licensing | Licensed to practice in Hawaii, where you will be during the evaluation |
| Relationship or waiting period | No state waiting period found |
| Untrained support animals under state law | Covered by state law independently of HUD (see below) |
| Pet fees for assistance animals | No state statute found; see the fees section below |
| Fair housing agency | Hawaii Civil Rights Commission |
| Pet ESA Service price | $89 one pet, $109 two pets, $79 renewal, $99 PSD |
What Hawaii law requires for an ESA letter
If the disability is not readily apparent, a housing provider may request information verifying it but may not request medical records or access to providers or ask about diagnosis, nature or severity; if the need for the animal is not apparent, verification may be a letter or other communication from the person's treating health care professional, mental health professional or social worker. Vests, tags or registration documents commonly purchased online are not valid verification, and reasonable restrictions may be placed on assistance animals.
Source: HRS § 515-3(a)(9), (b), as amended by Act 154, SLH 2022 (SB 2002), effective Nov. 1, 2022. Read the source.
How HUD's 2026 change affects Hawaii renters
On May 22, 2026, HUD's fair housing office announced it will find reasonable cause in animal accommodation complaints only when the animal is individually trained to perform disability related tasks, and it withdrew its older ESA guidance. The Fair Housing Act itself, HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 100.204 and your right to bring a private lawsuit within two years did not change.
Hawaii renters have an extra layer of protection: HRS § 515-3(b) defines assistance animals to include emotional support animals that 'may have formal training or may be untrained' and species other than dogs.
If your dog is trained to perform tasks, a psychiatric service dog evaluation may suit you better, because trained animals keep HUD's presumption of reasonableness.
How to get an ESA letter in Hawaii
Start with the free assessment. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Choose your evaluation, pay once through Stripe, and a licensed mental health professional who can practice in Hawaii reviews your answers and talks with you by phone or video when Hawaii rules or their judgment call for it.
Most clients hear from their clinician within one business day. When an ESA is clinically appropriate, the signed letter usually arrives by email within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation.
Your letter lists the clinician's license number, type, issuing state and effective date, so a landlord can check it on the state licensing board website. If your completed assessment is not approved, you receive a 100% refund.
ESA letter cost in Hawaii
Pet ESA Service charges the same one time price in Hawaii as everywhere else: $89 for one pet, $109 for two, $129 for three and $149 for four. Renewal evaluations are $79 and psychiatric service dog evaluations are $99. There is no subscription, no rush fee and no charge for landlord verification. See the pricing page for what each evaluation includes.
Be cautious of "free ESA letter" offers and instant certificates sold to Hawaii residents. A registry listing or ID card is not clinical documentation, and several states say landlords may reject them.
Pet fees and deposits for ESAs in Hawaii
Hawaii has no statute that specifically bars pet fees for assistance animals. Federally, two court decisions held that waiving a pet fee is not always required as a reasonable accommodation, and HUD cited one of them in 2026. Ask for any fee in writing and check your lease, and contact a local fair housing organization if a fee seems designed to discourage your request.
Where to get help in Hawaii
If a housing provider denies a reasonable request, you can contact the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission about filing a complaint under state law, consult a local fair housing organization, or speak with an attorney about a private Fair Housing Act claim, which generally must be filed within two years.
Keep copies of your request, your letter and every reply. Our guides on talking to your landlord and what landlords can ask walk through each step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an ESA letter online in Hawaii?
Yes. A licensed mental health professional who can practice in Hawaii can evaluate you by telehealth. The letter is issued only if the clinician finds an ESA clinically appropriate.
How long does an ESA letter take in Hawaii?
Most clients hear from their clinician within one business day, and documentation, when appropriate, usually follows within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation.
Can a Hawaii landlord charge pet rent for an ESA?
Hawaii has no statute banning pet fees for assistance animals. Federal courts have split on whether a fee must be waived, so ask for any fee in writing and seek local fair housing advice if it seems excessive.
Is there an ESA registry in Hawaii?
No. Neither Hawaii nor the federal government runs an ESA registry. Registration and certificate products do not establish a disability related need; a letter from a licensed clinician who evaluated you does.
Do ESA letters expire in Hawaii?
Hawaii sets no fixed expiration, but many landlords ask for a letter dated within the past year. A $79 renewal evaluation keeps your documentation current.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed October 8, 2026 by the Pet ESA Service editorial team. General information, not legal advice.
Get evaluated in Hawaii
A clinician who can practice in Hawaii reviews your assessment. $89 one time, 100% back if you are not approved.