Honolulu does not rank in the top of pet-friendly cities.  Dogs, for instance, are not allowed under state law to dine at outdoor restaurant tables, although many restaurants and cafes allow dogs to sit outside with their owners.  A majority of public places are not accessible to people and their pets.  But the Hawaiian Humane Society is advocating ways to make Oahu a more dog-friendly place -- from rental housing to parks, restaurants, offices and public places.

On Oahu about 60 percent of households own a pet, with 43 percent of them owning a dog, according to a Humane Society survey.  Nationwide, 62 percent of households own a pet,  Dogfriendly.com Inc., which provides city and travel guides for dog owners, ranked San Francisco, Boston and Portland, Ore., among its top 10 U.S. cities to visit with your canine.  Not Honolulu.  In fact, not even an honorable mention.  But there is a movement to make the city more pet-friendly.

Koko Marina Center. in Hawaii Kai, home to a vet clinic, Bark Avenue and Pacific Paws Doggie Resort and Spa, allows dogs in the center, and offers many events catered around canine shoppers.

Most local pet stores, including the new mainland chain Petco, invite customers to bring their leashed pets with them to browse the aisles. 

More hotels on Oahu are also rolling out welcome mats for guests of the four-legged kind.  Aqua Hotels & Resorts now offers several dog-friendly hotels -- the Waikiki Pearl, Waikiki Wave and Continental Surf -- which accept dogs up to 20 pounds. Near the airport, both Best Western The Plaza and Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel allow up to two dogs for $10 per pet per night.  The pets get a welcome basket filled with towels, a water bowl and goodies.  The Best Western began welcoming dogs in June, while the Ohana Honolulu just opened its doors to pooches this month. The hotel even has a grassy dog park, dubbed the Doo Drop Inn, on site. The Kahala Hotel & Resort takes one dog per guest room under 40 pounds for a fee of $150.  If dogs are more than 20 pounds, they get referred to the Doubletree Alana Waikiki, which will take pooches up to 75 pounds.

Many residents would like to see restaurants become more pet-friendly.  Angie Runyan-Berg, owner of Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawaii Kai for the last 15 years, has been a longtime advocate of changing state laws so dogs can dine outdoors at local restaurants.  It would be ideal if travelers with their dogs took a trip to the Hawaii Kai Dog Park, she said, then walked over for some nachos and margaritas.

Courtesy of the StarBulletin, here is a list of Honolulu pet-friendly hotels:

"Aqua Waikiki Wave
Aqua Continental Surf
Aqua Waikiki Pearl
Aqua Hotel Molokai
Hotel Renew
Kahala Hotel & Resort
Doubletree Alana Waikiki
Best Western The Plaza at Nimitz
Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel at Nimitz

"Pet-friendly businesses

Alliway (Ward Warehouse)
Pet Spot (Ward Warehouse)
Wedding Cafe (Ward Warehouse)
Bark Avenue (Koko Marina)
55 Pawsh Place (Kapolei)
The Pet Depot (Ewa Beach)
Petco (Kapolei and Pearl City)
Pet's Discount (Kaneohe)
Hardware Hawaii (Kailua)
Marina Pet Supply (Kailua)
Town (Kaimuki)
Cha Cha Cha Salsaria (Hawaii Kai Shopping Center)

"Pet-friendly Shopping Centers

Ward Warehouse
Koko Marina Center
Kailua Shopping Center
(While the center is dog-friendly, individual merchants may have their own policies.)"

If you would like to help make Honolulu more pet-friendly, contact the Hawaiian Humane Society and see how you can volunteer.

Hawaii Kai is one of the few locations on the island with an Off-leash Dog Park.  You'll find me there almost every evening - come join us.  For more information on bringing pets into Hawaii and resources once they are here, visit the Pet Page on my web site.