The Akamai Arrival pilot program, which digitizes the agricultural declaration form for travelers entering Hawaii, is proving to be a success, with state officials announcing plans for expansion. The initiative, which ran from March 1 to May 31 on select domestic flights, saw a significant increase in compliance compared to the previous paper-based system. This shift has implications for both travelers and various businesses in the state.
The digital form, accessible up to five days before departure, is currently available in multiple languages, with more in development,Maui Now to increase accessibility for non-English-speaking travelers. The pilot program achieved an average 74% compliance rate, a notable improvement over the under 60% compliance previously seen with the paper forms. This increase suggests that the digital format is easier for travelers to complete and submit.
Hawaii Public Radio reported that the state Legislature passed a law in 2024 to enable the complete transition to an electronic process for the form. The successful pilot program will now be expanded to more flights throughout the year, according to The Garden Island. This expansion reflects the state's commitment to modernizing biosecurity measures and improving the traveler experience.
The digitization of the agricultural declaration forms streamlines the arrival process for travelers, modernizes the state’s biosecurity efforts, and improves completion rates, as highlighted by Spectrum News. With enhanced data collection, the digital platform can assist in protecting Hawaii from invasive species. This is critical for protecting local agriculture, the environment and the overall way of life in Hawaii, as stated by Sharon Hurd, Department of Agriculture chairperson, according to Maui Now.
