Question: We had to pay a fortune to bring our pets into Hawaii through quarantine, so I was quite shocked that President Barack Obama brought his dog, Bo, into Hawaii without going through quarantine. I didn’t see any animal control officers at Hickam when he came in and am wondering, can he ignore the law just because he’s the president?
Answer: Bo, like any of the 10,000-plus cats and dogs brought into the state each year, had to meet strict state animal quarantine regulations.
However, the quarantine requirements have changed significantly over the years, and most dogs and cats now are able to bypass a quarantine period and be released after arrival.
The original law, established in 1912 and designed to keep the islands free of rabies, required a state quarantine of four months. In 1997 the quarantine was cut to 30 days for animals who had the required shots administered between three months and a year before arrival. They also had to have a microchip ID and other documentation.
In 2003 the requirement was further relaxed, allowing animals to be released within five days if they got all the required shots and tests before arrival. If their owners sent in the paperwork at least 10 days prior to arrival, they could be released directly from the airport.
Animals that don’t meet the requirements for early release are subject to a 120-day quarantine.
During Bo’s first visit in 2010, the Star-Advertiser reported that before he could spend Christmas in Hawaii, he had to have two rabies vaccinations, an implanted electronic microchip and a blood test showing he is rabies-free. He also was treated for ticks within two weeks of his flight.
"The president’s dog must complete all the qualification for airport release, just as any other dog arriving in Hawaii," said Janelle Saneishi, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture, which administers the quarantine program.
The only "special treatment" is that the department authorized a military veterinarian to do the arrival inspection for ticks on the presidential dog for both visits.
"This way, state veterinarians don’t have to spend state time to go out to meet the dog," Saneishi said.
About 86 percent of all dogs and cats qualify for direct release at the airport, she said, with another 10 percent spending various periods in quarantine because of early arrival.
Only about 4 percent spend the full 120 days in quarantine.
The fee for direct release is $165; five days or less, $224; 120 days, $1,080.
For more information on Hawaii’s animal quarantine laws, go to hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info.
Question: I am curious to know how recycled items in the blue bin are separated after being thrown into the rubbish truck and hauled off by the city. I’m sure there’s a need to separate the paper, plastics and containers. I just can’t imagine the process used to segregate a whole truckload of different items. Could you please ease my mind?
Answer: "Simply put, the recycler uses an assembly line of employees sorting through the items" after they’re placed on a conveyor belt, said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services.
After they’re sorted, the different materials are packed and shipped to different markets to be manufactured into new products.
The curbside recycling program netted the city $1.5 million in the 2011 fiscal year.
MAHALO
To Richard, an employee of Foodland Farms Aina Haina, who found my husband’s wallet and turned it in with everything intact. We were so grateful for his honesty. That’s not it. We celebrated my mom’s birthday at Tony Roma’s last month, and a stranger paid for our meal. Thank you to that secret Santa. We are truly blessed. — Corinne Ling
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
