Hawaii transitioned from a "May Issue" to a "Shall Issue" state after the Supreme Court's ruling in NYSRPA v. Bruen on June 23, 2022. Now that Hawaii is a shall-issue state, permits are now issued at the county level through the the chief of police.
This is a huge change for the state. In 2000, mandatory county reporting began, and back then only 4 permits had been given. 2 were issued in Maui in 2001 and two on Kauai, 1 to a local judge and another in 2013 to an active military member for 12 days.
Hawaii Gun Laws Quick Facts
Constitutional Carry? | ❌ No - Hawaii does not recognize constitutional carry. |
Open Carry Permitted? | ✅ Yes - You're allowed to open carry in Hawaii if you have the license to carry. |
Carry In Vehicle? | ✅ Yes - You're allowed to carry your firearm in your vehicle if you have the appropriate license. |
Carry In State Park? | ❌ No - Hawaii does not allow for weapons in state or national parks. |
Carry In Restaurants? | ❌ No, On March 31, 2023 Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangardi signed Bill 57 which restricts firearms in any business selling liquor for consumption. |
No Weapon Sign Enforced? | ✅ Yes - No weapons signs have strict enforcement on the islands of Hawaii. |
Must Notify Officer? | ✅ Yes - Hawaii is a "duty to inform" state which requires individuals to reveal if you're carrying a firearm on you. |
Hawaii CCW Reciprocity List
States Honoring CCW
* Restricted reciprocity with Hawaii
States NOT Honoring CCW
Honors These States CCW Permits
Hawaii does not honor any states concealed carry weapons permits.
How Reciprocity Works In Hawaii
Reciprocity Agreements In Hawaii
Hawaii: Where Is CCW Allowed?
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangardi signed Bill 57 into law on March 31, 2023 that effected where a person can conceal carry.
Places Allowed
- Restaurants that do not serve alcohol
- Road side rest areas
- All areas of the state not listed as Off-Limits
Places Not Allowed
- State Parks and State Forests
- National Parks and National Forests
- Wildlife Management Areas
- Public parks (excluding Koko Head Shooting Complex)
- Public school grounds which are composed of K-12 grades
- School bus used for K-12 grades
- Colleges and Universities
- Demonstrations at public places
- Airports, airplanes, rail stations, cruise terminals as well as vehicles used for public transportation by air, sea or land
- Theaters, stadiums, museums and amusement parks
- Building of a highway patrol station, sheriff, or police
- Inside any area hosting a professional athletic event not related to firearms which is sponsored by a private or public elementary or secondary school or any private or public institution of post secondary education.
- Inside a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders.
- Inside a courthouse or courthouse annex
Prison, jail, halfway house, community corrections facility, or other detention facility for those who have been charged with or convicted of a criminal or juvenile offense. - Building in which a District Attorney’s office is located
- Building in which a county commission or city council is currently having a meeting
- All areas within or on city-owned or city-controlled buildings or offices
- All areas within or on United States-owned or United States-controlled buildings or offices
- Shelters and residential facilities operated by a government entity or a charitable establishment
- The buildings, grounds and appurtenant parking lots of the following: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, Honolulu Zoo, and Waikiki Aquarium
- A voter service center, place of deposit, and its appurtenances, and an area of 200 feet from the perimeter
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.
Hawaii: Conceal Carry Laws
Open Carry
Yes, Hawaii is technically an open carry state. They make mention in their code that if a resident has the appropriate Hawaii concealed carry license then they're allowed to openly carry within the islands. This was mainly written for law enforcement from what we can tell as Hawaii doesn't actually allow residents to receive permits for firearms.
Carry In Vehicle
Yes, just like open carrying above, Hawaii does allow for individuals to carry their firearms (concealed or openly) within their vehicle if they have the appropriate permits. However, it should be noted that the legislators have made it known they do not want firearms on the road.
Carry In State Parks
No, Hawaii is very strict on this. They do not allow firearms into their state parks, national parks, or wildlife areas.
Carry In Restaurants
No, On March 31, 2023 Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangardi signed Bill 57 which restricts firearms in any business selling liquor for consumption.
Constitutional Carry
No, Hawaii is one of the strictest states when it comes to firearm laws and they don't recognize constitutional carry.
No Weapon Signs Enforced
Yes, Hawaii recognizes no weapon signs as having the force of law. It's a criminal trespass of the "second degree" misdemeanor by violating this law.
Must Notify Officer
Yes, Hawaii is recognized as a "duty to inform" state which requires individuals to reveal they're carrying a firearm when interacting with a law enforcement officer.
Additional Resources
Hawaii Concealed Carry Laws
Hawaii Open Carry Laws
Hawaii Gun Permit Laws