Do You Need a Passport to Travel to Hawaii?

You’re wondering do you need a passport to travel to Hawaii – and we’ve got answers. Let’s check it out and get you the info you need. 

At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we get to help plan vacations for all kinds of travelers. And we’re eager to share our favorite advice about the islands. Where to eat, what to do, how to have the best trip possible. 

But we also get to provide logistical help. Straightforward info you need to get to Hawaii and have a vacation. 

One of the big questions we often get is about passports. Do you need a passport to travel to Hawaii? Let’s find out. 

The State of Hawaii 

Before we get into passport requirements for Hawaii, let’s get a full understanding of Hawaii’s status. 

Hawaii is a state, just like California or New York (or any other of America’s 50 states). 

This means it has all the same passport requirements as any other state. 

Many international travelers get confused and may think that Hawaii is a territory, but it’s a state. 

Some U.S. travelers may be thrown off since Hawaii is located over international waters. Even still, a flight between the U.S. and Hawaii is still a domestic flight, and you won’t encounter border control, customs, or immigration officials during your trip. 

Note – you will encounter agricultural control in Hawaii. We’ve got more more on that below. 

The true status of Hawaii as a state is a controversial subject, and we recommend everyone gain a better understanding of Hawaii’s sovereign history and the modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement. However, for the purpose of this article (the logistics of travel), we’re classifying Hawaii as one of America’s 50 states. 

Hawaii Passports for U.S. Citizens

Here’s a short answer for all you U.S. citizens out there: you do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii. 

Hawaii is a state, and traveling here requires the same documents you need for any other domestic trip (say, if you’ve flown from Dallas to Atlanta, or New York to California). A government-issued photo ID will suffice. 

And, you only need the photo ID if you’re 18 or over. So kids don’t have to worry about bringing an ID along. 

REAL ID

We’ve been hearing about REAL IDs for a while. Have you gotten the gold star on your license yet?

If not, you need to get that before your trip to Hawaii. As of May 2025, your driver’s license (or state ID) needs to be REAL ID-compliant to fly domestically. 

By now, most procrastinators have begun the process of getting their REAL ID. But if you still don’t have that gold star shimmering on your driver’s license, you can use your passport to get through TSA. 

So in that case, you do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii if you’re a U.S. citizen, but you could use it if you don’t have a REAL ID. 

Back when we thought the REAL ID deadline would be October of 2021 (after years and years of delays), I thought I might skip out on the gold star and simply carry my passport to the airport. One less trip to the DMV was worth it. When it was delayed again to 2025, I ended up needing a new ID anyway and made sure it was REAL ID-compliant. I’m glad I did, as now I don’t worry about needing my passport to fly between Hawaii and the mainland U.S.

Passports for International Vacationers

Are you visiting Hawaii from a foreign country? If so, you’ll need to provide the same documentation as any other state in the United States. That means you do need a passport to visit Hawaii. 

Most international visitors also need either an ​​Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or a travel Visa – likely a B-2 Visa. Here’s info on getting a U.S. Visa for your Hawaii vacation. 

Do you need a Passport to travel to Hawaii from a U.S. territory?

Anyone born in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is a U.S. citizen and doesn’t need a passport to visit Hawaii from these territories. Flights between these territories and Hawaii are considered domestic flights. 

Visiting from American Samoa? You’ll likely need a passport to travel. People born in American Samoa aren’t automatically U.S. citizens, and the territory has its own customs and immigration laws. Flights between American Samoa and Hawaii are considered international flights. 

Perks of Having a Passport in Hawaii

Ok, so you’re traveling to Hawaii from the mainland, and you don’t need a passport. Should you still bring yours along? 

There are definitely perks to flying with your Passport, even if you’re on a domestic vacation. Here are some reasons you may want to bring it along to Hawaii:

• Like we mentioned above, your passport is REAL ID compliant, so you don’t need an up-to-date, compliant driver’s license at TSA. 
• If you’re a spontaneous traveler, a passport will allow you to take a last-minute trip to certain countries, like Japan (no Visa required for a short vacation) or Australia (where you need an ESTA, which is usually quick to get). 
• Car thefts are common in Hawaii. If your purse and ID get snatched, a passport in a separate suitcase may be a big help for your travels – it can help get you home and even be a proof-of-age at bars and restaurants (Hawaii happy hour is saved!)

Other Travel Restrictions in Hawaii

Ok, so U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii. However, there is one process in Hawaii that differs from other U.S. destinations: agricultural declarations. 

Everyone entering Hawaii – whether you’re a U.S. citizen or not – needs to complete an agricultural declaration form. If you bring along any fruit, vegetable, animal, seed, or other organism, it needs to be inspected at the Hawaii airport when you arrive. 

This is a biosecurity measure enforced by the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Inspections help prevent invasive and dangerous organisms from entering the state and affecting forests and farmland. 

This means you’ll want to eat your carry-on banana before landing in Hawaii. And don’t bring along fresh flowers. Pets and other animals also must go through a quarantine when they enter Hawaii. 

If you don’t have any produce, seeds, animals, etc., you don’t need to go through an inspection when you arrive in Hawaii. You just declare you don’t have them on the form, and go on your way. 

As you leave, you will go through an X-ray machine inspection. Check-in and carry-on bags will go through an inspection for any banned items. This is done by The U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect the U.S. mainland from invasive pests and organisms from Hawaii. 

Traveling to Hawaii – With or Without a Passport

Here at Hawaii Aloha Travel, we help people from all over plan vacations to Hawaii. Traveling from a foreign country with your passport? We can help make your vacation worth the effort. Visiting from the mainland with your REAL ID? You’ll have a real good time with our itineraries and activities!

And remember this: air travel is stressful, even when it’s perfectly planned. You have to remember your passport or ID, the many comforts you need for your long flight, and everything you packed along for your Hawaii vacation. 

But also remember this: working with a local Hawaii travel agent can help take the worry out of your trip. We can help with flight bookings, hotel stays, activities, and advice. And don’t forget to check out our full Hawaii Travel Blog, with loads of info for any trip to the islands. 

U.S. Citizen? No passport needed when you come to Hawaii – but you will need a REAL ID. 

Not a U.S. Citizen? Make sure you have a passport for your trip – along with any Visa required per U.S. rules. 

And that’s the state of passports in Hawaii. We’ll see you in our next post, and we’ll see you in Hawaii!