When it comes to being a dog-friendly destination, Honolulu is on the map, but not up high. Compared with destinations like Paris, New York and San Francisco, Honolulu lags behind.

Dogs, for instance, are not allowed under state law to dine at outdoor restaurant tables here, although they have been seen in many instances to be doing just that.

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.

“;A majority of public places are not accessible to people and their pets,”; said Humane Society spokeswoman Kawehi Yim. “;What we'd like our policymakers to look at is how can we incorporate more pet-friendly places into our communities. We're not asking for a carte blanche for dogs to run off-leash. We really emphasize responsible pet ownership.”;

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, which equates to 71.4 million homes, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, which estimates $45.4 billion will be spent on pets in the U.S. this year.

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.

Honolulu was nowhere near the top and did not even get an honorable mention.

Before throwing in the bone, however, many Honolulu businesses are catching up with the trend.

Alli Kim has made her jewelry and gift boutique dog-friendly since opening at Ward Warehouse two years ago.

“;Foremost, I'm a huge dog lover,”; she said. “;Secondly, I saw an absence of dog-friendly stores on the island, and so I wanted to have one.”;

Occasionally, Kim's cairn terrier, Moki, and Norwich terrier, Darwin, can be seen at the store. Photos of customers' dogs are posted on a board behind the cash register.

“;My general rule of thumb is, if you can control your dog, any size and type of dog is welcome in the store,”; she said. “;We love dogs, small and large.”;

Kim has a regular set of customers who bring their dogs. Some even inquire about Moki and Darwin on a regular basis.

“;I would love to see Honolulu, and the whole state, really, become a little more progressive in terms of dog-friendly establishments,”; she said.

Koko Marina Center—home to a vet clinic, Bark Avenue and Pacific Paws Doggie Resort and Spa—is allows dogs and offers many events catered around canine shoppers.

Perhaps no town on Oahu is more dog-friendly than Kailua, where canines are welcome in all common areas of shopping centers, according to Kaneohe Ranch Vice President Kimo Steinwascher, though it's up to merchants whether to allow them inside.

Kainalu Plaza, next to Pier 1 Imports, offers a doggy water fountain and mosaic of a German shepherd in honor of Harold Castle, a dog lover and breeder of shepherds and Great Danes.

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.

They get treats, food and water bowls, a doggie bed and a toy to take home. A fee of $25 per night is charged for the pets, along with a refundable $100 security deposit.

The Aqua Hotel Molokai now accepts dogs, cats and birds up to 15 pounds, for a $35-per-night fee and $100 refundable deposit.

Aqua spokeswoman Sandi Yara said the changes were made in response to a growing demand, as traveling with pets becomes more commonplace, as well as requests from kamaaina.

Near the airport, both Best Western The Plaza and Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel allow up to two dogs for $10 per pet per night.

As is typical with most accommodations, these pooches 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.

Dogs weighing up to 20 pounds are allowed at Hotel Renew's guest rooms—up to two dogs per room—for an additional $25-per-day fee and refundable $50 deposit, according to spokeswoman Cecilia Brown.

Since the hotel opened, it has had the pet-friendly policy. Guests with dogs get a map of dog-walking areas and parks, and a number for Hawaii Pet Nanny in case they need dog-sitting services.

“;People who travel with their pets treat their pets like children,”; Brown said. “;We just saw a need for it, especially since the quarantine laws are more lax nowadays. It's part of that whole chic lifestyle.”;

Hotel Renew receives about one canine guest per month, Brown said, accompanying mainland travelers, military couples, relocating families and locals who are remodeling their homes.

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.

When dog owners stay in Honolulu, they, of course, want places to go and things to do with their canine pals—which includes shopping, eating and enjoying the outdoors.

WHEN IT COMES to dining out, dogs in Honolulu do not have the same privilege as dogs in Paris, New York and San Francisco.

Dogs in Paris can be seen at practically any street-side cafe, sitting alongside their owners sipping espressos, or at the local farmers markets, bakeries and boutiques.

In Manhattan, servers make it a protocol to bring out a bowl of water for the dog as well as a glass of water for the diners. In Southern California the Park Bench Cafe near Huntington Central Park offers a dog menu as well as a human menu.

In San Francisco, dogs are allowed at department stores like Nordstrom, some 300 shops and more than 250 restaurants with outdoor seating, according to Fido Factor, an online guide (and an iPhone app). Users contribute information as well as reviews.

So far, Hawaii residents have contributed only a few posts about parks and hotels in Honolulu, but no businesses or restaurants.

DESPITE STATE rules, many restaurants and cafes allow dogs to sit outside with their owners.

Ed Kenney, owner of Town in Kaimuki, says his lanai is equipped with leash hooks and water bowls. He has plenty of regulars who bring their furry friends.

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.

“;I'm absolutely in support of it,”; Runyan-Berg said. “;We have always been in favor of welcoming dogs on our patio. It should be my choice.”;

As a business owner, Runyan-Berg says allowing leashed and well-behaved dogs on the deck outside would help her to better serve customers in the neighborhood who want to bring them on a Sunday morning.

“;Some people won't go if they can't bring their dog,”; she said. “;It's like their child.”;

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.

“;It seems to me it's just one of those old laws that no one will take the time to change,”; she said. “;We need to change it. Businesses are struggling enough and need to do what they can to keep their customers happy.”;

If a dog was misbehaving, she said, “;You'd ask them to leave, just like you would with someone who's had too much to drink.”;

Dog-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

Dog-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)

Shopping Centers

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

Service animals

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, businesses that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to enter with their service animal. Businesses may ask whether the animal is a service animal and what tasks it has been trained to perform, but may not ask about the person's disability or for a special ID card for the animal.
Source: www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm