Does Hawaii have constitutional carry?

No. Hawaii is may-issue in practice — a Hawaii License to Carry (License to Carry) is required, and issuance involves discretion, delays, or added requirements beyond the base statutory criteria.

How much does a Hawaii License to Carry cost?

The License to Carry application fee in Hawaii is License and processing fees are set by statute (adjusted by Act 52 of 2023) plus fingerprint/background-check costs; confirm current amounts with the county police department.

Does Hawaii honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?

Hawaii does not currently honor any other state's concealed-carry permit — a Hawaii License to Carry (or permitless carry, if eligible) is required to carry in Hawaii.

Where is a Hawaii License to Carry honored?

A Hawaii License to Carry is honored by 27 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

HawaiiConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity

Hawaii is a may-issue-in-practice state. A license to carry a pistol or revolver is granted by the chief of police of the applicant's county under HRS §134-9; the applicant must be at least 21, complete an approved handgun safety course, be fingerprinted, and pass a background and character review. A license issued by one county's chief of police is valid statewide. Hawaii is not a permitless-carry state, and it has no reciprocity with any state — out-of-state licenses are not recognized. Hawaii's Act 52 (2023) established an extensive set of 'sensitive places' where carry is prohibited and a default rule barring carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express authorization (the Ninth Circuit upheld key parts of these laws in 2024).

Hawaii Hawaii License to Carry (License to Carry)

Issuing authority: County Chief of Police
Carry regime: may issue in practice
Minimum age: 21
Fee: Varies
Training: Required
Validity: See official source

Full Hawaii permit requirements →

Carry practicalities

Permitless carry

Not allowed

Hawaii is NOT a permitless-carry state. A license to carry issued by a county chief of police (HRS §134-9) is required to carry a pistol or revolver; carrying without a license is a criminal offense. There is no constitutional/permitless carry in Hawaii.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Open carry

Permit required

Carrying a pistol or revolver — concealed or unconcealed — requires a license to carry issued by the county chief of police (HRS §134-9). There is no license-free open carry in Hawaii.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Duty to inform

Not required

Hawaii imposes no clear statutory duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying. A licensee should carry the license and present it if asked, but there is no proactive notification requirement.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Off-limits locations

schools, colleges, and universities, and child-care facilities
government buildings, courts, and correctional facilities
hospitals and health-care facilities
beaches, public parks, and adjacent parking areas
bars and restaurants that serve alcohol (and their adjacent parking areas)
public transit, stadiums, and public gatherings/events
private property open to the public unless the owner expressly authorizes carry (Act 52 default rule)
the secured (past-screening) areas of airports and other federally prohibited places

Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Hawaii's Act 52 (2023) enumerates an extensive list of sensitive places and a default no-carry rule for private property open to the public; the Ninth Circuit upheld key parts in 2024. Re-verify before relying on a specific location.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Hawaii reciprocity summary

Hawaii honors 0 states' permits · honored by 27 states

Where a Hawaii permit is honored →Whose permits Hawaii honors →

Last verified 2026-07-10 against Hawaii Attorney General — Firearms.

Verify Hawaii rules on the official page →

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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.

Hawaii FAQ

Does Hawaii have constitutional carry?: No. Hawaii is may-issue in practice — a Hawaii License to Carry (License to Carry) is required, and issuance involves discretion, delays, or added requirements beyond the base statutory criteria.
How much does a Hawaii License to Carry cost?: The License to Carry application fee in Hawaii is License and processing fees are set by statute (adjusted by Act 52 of 2023) plus fingerprint/background-check costs; confirm current amounts with the county police department.
Does Hawaii honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?: Hawaii does not currently honor any other state's concealed-carry permit — a Hawaii License to Carry (or permitless carry, if eligible) is required to carry in Hawaii.
Where is a Hawaii License to Carry honored?: A Hawaii License to Carry is honored by 27 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.

Sources

Hawaii Attorney General — Firearms (2026-07-10)