Hawaii Concealed Carry Laws: Permits, Restrictions & Rules

Hawaii operates under a shall-issue concealed carry system following significant legal reforms in 2023. The state maintains some of the nation's most restrictive firearms regulations, including a unique private property default prohibition that is currently under Supreme Court review. Understanding these laws is critical for anyone seeking to carry a concealed firearm in the state.

This guide provides accurate, research-backed information on Hawaii's concealed carry requirements, restrictions, and legal framework. Because Hawaii's laws differ substantially from most mainland states—particularly regarding private property access and residency requirements—careful attention to these distinctions is essential. All legal claims in this guide are supported by current state statutes and official sources.

This information is not legal advice. Gun laws are subject to change, and enforcement practices can vary by county. Always verify current requirements with official Hawaii state sources before carrying a concealed firearm.

Is Concealed Carry Legal in Hawaii?

Yes, concealed carry is legal in Hawaii under a shall-issue licensing system established by Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-9. Following amendments enacted in 2023 through Act 52, which took effect January 1, 2024, Hawaii transitioned from its previous highly restrictive may-issue system to a shall-issue framework where licenses must be granted to applicants who meet objective criteria.

Who May Carry: Only Hawaii residents age 21 or older may obtain a concealed carry license. Non-residents are categorically ineligible regardless of permits held in their home states. This residency requirement is absolute—no exceptions are provided for military personnel, seasonal residents, or property owners.

Permit Requirement: Hawaii law mandates a license for all concealed carry of pistols and revolvers. Unlike constitutional carry states, permitless carry is illegal throughout Hawaii. Operating without a valid license constitutes a criminal violation regardless of circumstances.

Unconcealed Carry: Open carry requires a separate license and applicants must demonstrate additional urgency or need beyond the standard concealed carry justification. The unconcealed carry licensing process imposes higher evidentiary burdens and is granted far less frequently than concealed carry licenses.

Concealed Carry Permits in Hawaii

Hawaii issues a License to Carry for concealed or unconcealed carry of pistols and revolvers under HRS § 134-9. Each county's chief of police serves as the issuing authority, resulting in some procedural variations across Hawaii's four counties (Hawaii, Honolulu, Maui, Kauai).

Training Requirements

All applicants must complete a certified firearms training course that includes:

• Firearms safety and handling instruction
• Live-fire proficiency demonstration with the specific firearm to be carried
• Legal aspects of firearm use and carry
• Mental health awareness component

The proficiency test must be administered within 90 days prior to application submission. Scores must be recorded—"pass/fail" designations alone are insufficient. Only instructors verified by the Hawaii Police Department may conduct qualifying training courses.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

• Completed License to Carry application (county-specific forms)
• Copy of firearm registration for the pistol/revolver to be carried
• Signed proficiency test results with scores
• Notarized instructor affidavit including credentials
• Two passport-sized, front-facing color photographs taken within 30 days
• HIPAA authorization forms for mental health records disclosure

Processing Time: County chiefs of police have up to 120 calendar days to approve or deny applications. The 14-day waiting period before permit issuance prevents immediate carry even after approval.

Fees: Initial license applications cost $150 for one firearm, with $10 per additional firearm added to the same license. Renewals cost $50. Only money orders or cashier's checks made payable to the County Director of Finance are accepted.

Validity and Renewal

Licenses remain valid for four years from the date of issuance. Renewal applications require continuing education but do not demand full requalification unless specified by the issuing authority. Non-resident permits are not issued under any circumstances.

Reciprocity for Hawaii Residents

Hawaii licenses are recognized by 26 states that honor out-of-state permits. However, carriers must research and comply with carry laws in destination states, as Hawaii's restrictions differ significantly from recognition states.

Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Hawaii

Hawaii maintains an extensive list of prohibited locations under HRS § 134-9.1 and related statutes. These "sensitive places" restrictions took effect January 1, 2024, as part of the 2023 Act 52 reforms.

Statutory Prohibited Locations

Concealed carry is banned at:

• Government facilities: All government buildings and their parking areas, including county, state, and federal facilities
• Healthcare settings: Hospitals, medical clinics, mental health treatment centers, and similar facilities
• Detention facilities: Jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers, and correctional institutions
• Alcohol-serving establishments: Bars, restaurants, and other venues that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption
• Entertainment and sports venues: Stadiums, arenas, theaters, and similar public gathering spaces
• Public libraries: All library facilities and their grounds
• Educational institutions: Schools, universities, colleges, childcare facilities, and their adjacent grounds
• Beaches and parks: Public beaches and parks (part of the blocked restrictions from 2024 appeals court ruling)

Private Property Default Prohibition

Hawaii enforces a unique default no-carry rule on private property under HRS § 134-9.5. This statute prohibits carrying on any private property open to the public—including stores, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and private businesses—unless the property owner provides express authorization through:

• Verbal permission granted directly by the owner or authorized agent
• Written permission documented and retained by the carrier
• Clear signage posted by the owner explicitly allowing firearms

This opt-in framework reverses the norm in most states where signage is required only to prohibit carry. Property owners need not post "no guns" signs for the prohibition to apply—the default is no carry unless actively permitted.

Vehicle Storage: When firearms are prohibited inside a business, carriers must store them in vehicles in a locked safe or container, out of sight. Leaving firearms visible or unsecured in vehicles violates HRS § 134-9.3.

Criminal Penalties: Carrying on private property without express authorization is a misdemeanor offense punishable by fines and potential imprisonment.

Supreme Court Challenge: Hawaii's private property rule faces constitutional scrutiny in Wolford v. Lopez, which reached oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in January 2026. Lower federal courts upheld the restriction, but a final Supreme Court ruling could reshape this requirement.

Signage Laws

Hawaii does not mandate specific signage for property owners to prohibit carry—prohibition is the default state. However, property owners who wish to allow carry may post opt-in signage indicating firearms are welcome. This inverted signage framework confuses many carriers accustomed to prohibition-only signs in other jurisdictions.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Hawaii

Does Hawaii Recognize Other States' Permits?

No. Hawaii does not recognize concealed carry permits from any other state. Visitors and non-residents cannot legally carry concealed firearms in Hawaii regardless of valid permits held elsewhere, with no exceptions.

Are Hawaii Permits Recognized Elsewhere?

Yes, partially. Hawaii licenses are recognized by 26 states, though this recognition often comes with conditions or limitations. Carriers traveling outside Hawaii must independently verify:

• Whether their destination state recognizes Hawaii permits
• Any restrictions on where Hawaii permit holders may carry
• Whether recognition is conditional on specific license types or resident status

No Reciprocity Agreements

Hawaii has not entered formal reciprocity agreements with other states. Recognition by other states reflects those states' unilateral decisions to honor Hawaii permits, not negotiated mutual recognition.

One-Way Recognition

Several states recognize Hawaii permits while Hawaii refuses reciprocal recognition. This asymmetry means Hawaii residents gain some out-of-state carry privileges that non-Hawaii residents cannot exercise when visiting Hawaii.

Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Hawaii

Hawaii concealed carry licenses do not override federal firearms laws. Federal restrictions remain in force regardless of state licensing status.

Federal Facilities and Property

Carrying firearms is prohibited in:

• Federal buildings: Courthouses, federal offices, Social Security offices, VA facilities, and other federal government buildings
• Post offices and postal facilities: All U.S. Postal Service property and facilities
• Federal parks and military installations: Unless specifically authorized by facility regulations

Gun-Free School Zones Act

The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act prohibits firearms within 1,000 feet of school grounds with limited exceptions for valid state carry license holders. Hawaii licensees benefit from this exception, but must still comply with Hawaii's separate state-level school carry prohibitions under HRS § 134-9.1.

Firearms Owner's Protection Act (FOPA)

FOPA's interstate safe passage provision theoretically protects travelers transporting firearms through Hawaii. However, Hawaii requires all firearms present in the state to be registered, effectively negating FOPA protections for travelers who cannot legally register firearms during brief stays. This creates practical complications for mainland travelers connecting through Hawaii airports with lawfully owned firearms.

Recent Legal Changes or Trends

Hawaii's concealed carry landscape has undergone substantial transformation in response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which invalidated may-issue permitting systems.

2023 Act 52 (Effective January 1, 2024)

This comprehensive reform legislation:

• Converted to shall-issue: Replaced subjective "proper reason" requirements with objective eligibility criteria
• Established training mandates: Codified proficiency testing and safety course requirements
• Created sensitive places list: Enumerated specific prohibited locations under HRS § 134-9.1
• Instituted private property default prohibition: Made HRS § 134-9.5's opt-in requirement the statewide standard

These changes represent the most significant overhaul of Hawaii's concealed carry framework in decades and were explicitly designed to comply with Bruen while maintaining restrictive elements the state viewed as constitutionally permissible.

Wolford v. Lopez (Supreme Court Review, 2026)

Hawaii's private property default prohibition under HRS § 134-9.5 is under U.S. Supreme Court review following oral arguments in January 2026. Lower federal courts upheld the restriction, finding it consistent with historical firearms regulations. The Supreme Court's upcoming decision could:

• Affirm the opt-in framework as constitutional
• Strike down the default prohibition as overly restrictive
• Remand for further analysis under Bruen's historical test

The case's outcome will significantly impact Hawaii's carry landscape and potentially influence similar restrictions in other states.

Pending Legislation

As of early 2026, bills such as SB 3041 propose additional restrictions on carry locations and licensing requirements. These legislative proposals remain in committee and have not been enacted as of February 2026.

No Recent Expansions

Unlike trends in many states toward permitless carry or expanded recognition agreements, Hawaii has not loosened restrictions since the 2023 shall-issue conversion. All changes since Bruen have maintained or strengthened carry limitations rather than expanding licensee privileges.

Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Hawaii

• "Hawaii allows permitless carry now": False. Hawaii remains a shall-issue state requiring licenses for all concealed carry. Permitless carry is illegal throughout the state under HRS § 134-9.
• "Non-residents can carry with their home state permit": False. Hawaii does not recognize out-of-state permits under any circumstances. Only Hawaii residents who obtain Hawaii-issued licenses may legally carry concealed firearms in the state.
• "Property owners must post signs to prohibit carry": False, and this represents the most critical misunderstanding. Under HRS § 134-9.5, the default rule is no carry on private property unless the owner provides express permission. Signage indicating prohibition is unnecessary—absence of permission constitutes prohibition.
• "Hawaii licenses work everywhere that has reciprocity": Misleading. While 26 states recognize Hawaii licenses, this recognition often includes limitations. Carriers must independently verify destination state laws and cannot assume Hawaii license privileges transfer unchanged.
• "FOPA protects travelers flying through Hawaii with firearms": Complicated. FOPA's safe passage provision theoretically applies, but Hawaii's firearm registration requirement creates practical barriers that can expose travelers to legal risk during layovers or missed connections.

Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Hawaii

County-Level Variations

While state law establishes baseline requirements, the four county police chiefs maintain discretion over certain administrative procedures. Application forms, appointment scheduling, and specific documentation requirements vary by county. Applicants should contact their county police department directly for county-specific instructions.

Private Property Considerations

The default prohibition creates unique challenges. Many businesses—particularly those serving tourists unfamiliar with American gun culture—decline to post opt-in signage even if owners might permit carry. Carriers face a practical choice: assume prohibition unless clearly authorized, or inquire directly with property owners (which may be socially awkward or commercially undesirable for businesses).

Vehicle Storage Requirements

HRS § 134-9.3's mandatory locked storage requirement applies whenever firearms cannot be carried into a location. Inadequate vehicle security creates criminal liability separate from the underlying carry violation. Carriers should invest in proper vehicle safes that comply with Hawaii's standards.

Registration Requirements

All firearms in Hawaii must be registered regardless of how they were acquired. Carriers relocating to Hawaii must register all firearms within five days of arrival. Failure to register creates criminal liability independent of licensing status.

Tourism and Visitor Impact

Hawaii's tourism-dependent economy creates practical enforcement considerations. While visitors cannot legally carry, Hawaii residents carrying in tourist-heavy areas should anticipate that businesses catering to international visitors may be particularly unlikely to post opt-in signage or welcome visible carry due to customer discomfort.

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Legal Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Hawaii's concealed carry laws and is not legal advice. Gun laws change frequently through legislation and court decisions. The information presented here reflects statutes and regulations in effect as of February 2026 but may not account for the most recent developments. Before carrying a concealed firearm in Hawaii, verify all requirements with official Hawaii state sources including county police departments, the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, and current versions of Hawaii Revised Statutes. Consult a Hawaii-licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.