Aloha State News

State leaders in Hawaii have announced the launch of a new pilot program called ʻAkamai Arrival,’ which aims to digitize the state's Plants and Animals Declaration Form. This initiative, set to begin on March 1, 2025, is designed to streamline the process for travelers arriving in Hawaii and enhance biosecurity efforts by improving form completion rates and strengthening protections against invasive species.

The program is authorized under Act 196 (2024) and will be implemented by the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA). It will initially roll out on select domestic flights in collaboration with major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. These airlines will integrate the digital form into their arrival processes to provide passengers with a more efficient way to submit agricultural declarations before landing.

Governor Josh Green emphasized the importance of protecting Hawaii's environment from invasive species. “Protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique environment from invasive species is critical to our way of life, our economy, and our future," he said. "The ‘Akamai Arrival’ program is a forward-thinking approach that modernizes our biosecurity efforts while making it easier for travelers to comply with our agricultural protections."

Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke highlighted the role of technology in improving state processes. “This is what government should be doing — utilizing technology to improve our state processes and better serve the public," she stated.

Airlines participating in this pilot have discretion over flight selection and implementation methods. The ʻAkamai Arrival’ website will provide access to the digital form along with flight information and an FAQ page for travelers.

Sean Williams from Airlines for America expressed support for this transition: “U.S. airlines play a critical role in connecting travelers to Hawaiʻi... We’re proud to support the ‘Akamai Arrival’ program.”

Senator Glenn Wakai noted past resistance towards digitization but praised this development: “The Department of Agriculture has been addicted to paper for nearly 60 years... Lawmakers had to pass a law last year to encourage migration from paper."

Representative Kirstin Kahaloa acknowledged stakeholder collaboration: “Enhancing our state’s biosecurity efforts requires modern solutions... I appreciate collaboration among stakeholders.”

The pilot program will run until May 31, 2025. Monthly updates will be shared with participating airlines; data collected may inform potential expansions.

For further details about ʻAkamai Arrival,’ visit https://akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov/.