Options For Visitors To Hawaii ??

[CGofMP]

I know that handgun CCW in Hawaii is about as scarce as it is in California, I rather expect for visitors it is as rare as snow on Waikiki.

That being said, what are LEGAL SD options for those who might be visiting?

Is pepper spray legal?

What about knives while hiking the backcountry? Not necesarily for SD, but I really dont like the idea of any extended hike without a small survival/first aid kit that includes a fixed blade knife. Is concealment an issue? What if you are walking through town after a hike with your knife? Any issues?

I know stun guns and the like are not legal... What ARE the legal options?

 

[migoi]

Standard preface...

of I am not a lawyer, not an LEO, free advice is worth what you paid for it....

Your self defense options are somewhat limited. Pepper spray is legal but you'll apparently have to purchase it here since you can't take it on an airplane.

There are no blade length restrictions but there are knife type restrictions. Daggers, dirks, switchblades, and butterfly knives are prohibited.

Carrying a sheath knife on your belt out on a trail is unlikely to attract any attention. You're actually likely to run into pig hunters carrying what can best best be described as short swords out on the trail (one method of pig hunting here involves 4 or 5 dogs tracking a pig, immobilizing it by hanging onto the ears, and waiting for the Master of dispatch the pig by knife). Doing the same walking down the sidewalk after you leave the trail is, as far as I can tell, legal but could attract more attention than you really want. Simple solution: tuck the sheath knife away when not on a trail.

I've lived here for pretty close to 14 years now (8 in the late 70's/early 80's and since January of 2000 this time) and I've never had any difficulty with face to face crimes. You are much more likely to have your rental car gutted while you are out on the trail or enjoying a scenic overlook. Make sure you take everything out of your car everytime you leave it and then leave the doors unlocked so you don't end up paying for repair of the door lock.

Either post or PM me if you have more questions.

migoi

 

[DeseoUnTaco]

I know that handgun CCW in Hawaii is about as scarce as it is in California,

Sorry, wrong. There are probably tens of thousands of CCW holders in CA. There are thought to be less than five in Hawaii, perhaps zero. You really can get a permit in CA if you want one and maybe you're willing to sue your sherif or move to another county. In Hawaii, you can't get one no matter what. So it's much much worse than California in that regard.

I rather expect for visitors it is as rare as snow on Waikiki.

Yes, it's about that rare.

There's one exception: I think that LEOs now have nation-wide CCW, so I assume out-of-state LEOs could now carry in Hawaii. I'm not a LEO so I don't know the specifics.

I wouldn't worry too much in Hawaii. Just don't leave anything in your car.

 

[NukemJim]

Pepper spray is legal but you'll apparently have to purchase it here since you can't take it on an airplane.

Has TSA changes the rules again ! I do not fly frequently so I am not sure but last time I checked it was okay if you lput it in checked baggage if it met their criteria.

Try this looking here

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Prohibited_English_4-1-2005_v2.pdf

on page 4.

NukemJim

 

[Candiru]

Hawaii's CCW laws are a shame. The state would be such a nice place to live if it weren't for that.

 

[neoncowboy]

I lived on Maui for 13 years. We moved to Georgia for family/career reasons last December. One of the things to note about Hawaii in general is that violent crime is on the rise. There is a methamphetamine epidemic that has sort of turned the once mellow potheads into violent tweakers. Danger is everywhere, especially where there's a) large disparity between rich/poor b) drugs c) a pathetic, undermotivated, lazy, stupid, ineffective police force.

I was the victim of violent crime twice while I lived there.

Nope, you can't legally carry a handgun. Pepper spray may or may not be legal, but you can certainly check it in your luggage. I wouldn't venture out without my can of Fox Labs and my surefire, legal or not.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Hawaii's CCW laws are a shame. The state would be such a nice place to live if it weren't for that.

Hawaii doesn't seem to want my vacation dollars.