Hawaii
Bikinis, surfboards and battle-axes? Hawaii loosens long-strict weapons laws after court ruling
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s tourist hotspot of Waikiki is known for bikinis, shopping and surfboards. But resident Andrew Roberts has recently introduced a different item on evening walks through his neighborhood: a long-poled battle-axe.
Roberts, director of the nonprofit Hawaii Firearms Coalition, has been taking the 15th-century-style European halberd on strolls since May. That’s when Hawaii loosened its weapons laws in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.
The so-called Bruen decision upended gun laws nationwide, but especially in Hawaii, which long had some of the country’s toughest restrictions — and some of the lowest rates of gun violence.
A subsequent federal appeals court ruling applied Bruen to the state’s ban on butterfly knives and found it unconstitutional. While that case and others related to Hawaii’s weapons laws continue to be litigated, lawmakers responded this year by passing a measure that generally allows deadly or dangerous weapons to be openly carried in public. Previously, anyone found armed with them was subject to immediate arrest.
The new law is providing opportunities for some to connect with Native Hawaiian and other cultures through traditional weapons. It’s also generating concern that as the display of weapons becomes more common, people will be more likely to use them.
Roberts called himself a “true believer in the Second Amendment.” He said his walks with the halberd or a shorter battle-axe help promote awareness of the laws and ensure police don’t give him a hard time about being armed with unusual weapons.
“I get stopped probably two or three times on an average evening walk and just have a conversation about what gun laws are in Hawaii and what the weapons laws are,” he said.
On a recent Saturday morning, a halberd-toting Roberts gathered with other coalition members in Waikiki’s sprawling Kapiolani Park. A few carried samurai swords. One had a butterfly knife — also known as a balisong, prominent in martial arts in the Philippines, where many Hawaii residents have roots. A wooden, Scottish sword dangled from the waist of a man in a red kilt.
Honolulu police officers, who got wind of their plans to march through Waikiki in celebration of the law, chatted with them. Roberts told one he got his halberd blade on Amazon for $56.
With officers escorting them, they strolled along Waikiki’s main oceanfront drag, Kalakaua Avenue. Some tourists did double takes, but many seemed unfazed by the armed men bearing a large U.S. flag.
“Nobody’s been overly shocked,” Roberts said. “It’s just an opportunity to talk to people about what’s going on in Hawaii, talking about Second Amendment rights.”
In a statement, the Hawaii attorney general’s office stressed that the new law didn’t create a free-for-all when it comes to carrying weapons in public.
“The notion that you can just carry weapons however and wherever you want is simply not correct,” it said. “There are numerous existing laws and regulations that govern the use and possession of weapons in many respects. All of these laws will continue to be enforced.”
It remains a misdemeanor to carry the weapons in a concealed fashion, and the law increased the penalties for carrying them while committing a crime. It’s also illegal to carry a weapon in a way that threatens harm or terrorizes other people.
While bladed weapons and clubs are not as dangerous as firearms, they don’t belong on the street, said Chris Marvin, a Hawaii resident with the gun-violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety.
“I totally can understand the self-defense argument that people make and I would rather they choose to use a knife or a blunt instrument over a firearm, but the cultural attitude that we’re starting to adopt is not the norm for Hawaii,” he said. “In making these laws, we’re becoming more and more like the mainland, which is full of aggressive, argumentative people who resort to violence too quickly.”
Michael Rice carried a wooden spear on his hourlong bus ride to the Waikiki gathering. Studying traditional weaponry like the spear, which his uncle made from koa wood, has helped him connect to his Native Hawaiian roots: “I don’t get to express my culture that often.”
Soleil Roache, a self-defense instructor who did not attend the walk, said the law now allows her to incorporate the balisong into her lessons and to learn about its importance in the Philippines, where her grandfather was from. The law gives her the “opportunity to dive into that part of my ancestry,” she said.
Filipino martial arts instructor Burton Richardson said he can now teach and practice in public parks using weapons, including balisong. “In the Philippines, the tradition of knife, stick and sword fighting … has been important to the culture,” he said.
The weapon has two pivoting handles that open and close, like butterfly wings, and aficionados make deft work of flashing the blade.
Umi Kai, who makes traditional Hawaiian weapons such as spears, daggers and clubs, was not part of the walk. He mostly uses the implements for ceremony or education; they’re impractical for self-defense in modern Hawaii, he said.
“For self-defense I wouldn’t be carrying around a shark-tooth-laden club every day,” he said.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Various celebrations — beyond the usual fireworks and barbecues — marked the U.S.’s 250th anniversary on Independence Day.
From regatta to an annual Japanese tradition on Oʻahu, here’s four other events that took place on this July 4.
84th Regatta
To start off the morning, the 84th Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Canoe Regatta was held at Waikiki Beach.
“Today there’s a swell. It’s not huge, but it’s not flat, so I mean it’s like a perfect requirement day, there’s excitement, there’s enough activity to keep it, first the variable, and keep everybody on their toes, and it makes for close races,” said Jim Foti with the Lanikai Canoe Club.
Canoe paddlers of all ages hit the water for a full day of racing.
“We have had some really fun races this morning,” said Siana Austin Hunt, president of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. “Our kids did really well. We also had some great finishes with a lot of crews finishing on the same wave.”
The regatta is a tradition that is recognized as the longest-running outrigger canoe races in the world.
America250
Kapiolani Park served as the backdrop for America’s once-in-a-lifetime celebration commemorating 250 years. The free event brought families together for food, music, performances and special recognition for our military and veterans.
“There’s a lot of people that’s been going around the different booths and the different venues and enjoying themselves, listening to the music every hour on the hour, and at the same time they’re looking at some of the auditory, tasting the various different types of food, and just enjoying yourself and relaxing,” said Lynn Mariano, commissioner of Hawaii America250 Commission.
La Hoʻihoʻi Ea
While many celebrated Independence Day, others gathered at Iolani Palace to reflect on a different perspective of Hawaiʻi’s history into statehood.
The event highlighted La Hoʻihoʻi Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day, which commemorates the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and encouraged a discussion about Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination.
“We’re here to reclaim our place to retell our stories and to resound the message of Hawaiian sovereignty restoration,” said Imai Winchester, lead organizer for La Hoʻihoʻi Ea.
The free event included cultural performances, music, educational exhibits, speakers and family activities. It was the first of a month-long series of events that will lead up to a celebration on July 26 at Thomas Square.
Organizers said it’s an opportunity to learn, reflect and celebrate Hawaiian identity.
Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest
An annual Japanese tradition fell on the 4th of July this year. The popular Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest drew in thousands to the Old Varsity Theater parking lot on University Avenue.
Now in its 13th year, the event prides itself on having one of Honolulu’s largest bon dances — and no obon festival is complete without taiko drums and andagi.
One of the booths was prepared to sell thousands of the deep-fried treat, with proceeds supporting Hawaii’s young athletes.
The festival is held every first Saturday of July.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Partly to Mostly Sunny skies with windward and mauka showers drifting leeward at times. Most of the rainfall will be light and in the overnight to early morning hours with an increasing trend on Tuesday and stronger trends on Thursday and Friday; which is good because we need to beneficial rainfall.
View the latest weather conditions here.
Trade winds will continue blowing from the east all week while a high-pressure system sits north of Hawaii, keeping conditions mostly stable. On Tuesday, a weak weather system moving in from the east will bring some extra showers across the islands, but nothing major. A more significant system arrives Thursday through Friday—it’s actually the leftover remains of a tropical cyclone—and will bring noticeably heavier rain, especially on the windward sides of the islands (the sides facing the trade winds) and on mountain slopes, with humidity increasing as well. The highest rainfall will happen Thursday through Friday, though overall rainfall amounts will stay limited due to large-scale stability in the atmosphere.
A Small Craft Advisory now in effect for all Hawaiian waters (a warning for smaller boats to be cautious). A new long-period swell from the south-southwest is already moving in and will boost south shore surf heights to near-High Surf Advisory levels through Monday before gradually fading. East-facing shores will remain rough and choppy throughout the week from the strong winds, while north-facing shores will stay relatively flat. These windy conditions and Small Craft Advisories will continue through the entire week.
Download the HNN Weather app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for the latest updates from your First Alert Weather Team: chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins, meteorologist Drew Davis, and weather anchors Guy Hagi, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.
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