🌺 Hawaii Knife Laws
Overview
Hawaii does not have statewide preemption, so local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. Both open and concealed carry face restrictions. There is no general blade length restriction. Switchblades, balisongs / butterfly knives, and disguised knives have restrictions.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Open carry of most knives is legal after the 2024 amendment (Act 21). Switchblades and butterfly knives may be carried openly in a visible sheath. However, dirks, daggers, and items classified as 'deadly or dangerous weapons' whose sole purpose is to inflict injury remain subject to restriction under § 134-51. The 2024 amendment removed the prior 'found armed' language, narrowing § 134-51(a) to concealed carry only, but dirks and daggers carried openly could still trigger § 134-51(b) if used during commission of a crime. Standard folding knives, fixed-blade knives, Bowie knives, and machetes may be carried openly without restriction.
Concealed carry of dirks, daggers, blackjacks, metal knuckles, or other 'deadly or dangerous weapons' is a misdemeanor under § 134-51(a). Concealed carry of switchblades is a misdemeanor under § 134-52(a). Concealed carry of butterfly knives is a misdemeanor under § 134-53(a). 'Knowingly' mens rea required (added by Act 21, 2024). A defense exists if the person was in their own home (§ 134-51(g), § 134-52, § 134-53). Standard folding and pocket knives may be carried concealed without restriction.
Hawaii imposes no statewide blade length limit. Legality is determined by knife type and carry method, not blade length. Schools enforce a zero-tolerance weapons policy under § 302A-1134.6.
Statute: 134-51., 302A-1134.6.
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Restricted | Legal to own and carry openly since Act 21 (May 2024), which repealed the prior total ban on manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, and transport. Concealed carry remains a misdemeanor under § 134-52(a). Defined as any knife with a blade that opens automatically by (1) hand pressure applied to a button or device in the handle, or (2) operation of inertia, gravity, or both (§ 134-52(e)). Use during commission of a crime is a class C felony (§ 134-52(b)). Statute: 134-52. |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Restricted | Legal to own and carry openly since Act 21 (May 2024), which repealed the prior total ban in effect since 1999. Concealed carry remains a misdemeanor under § 134-53(a). Defined as any knife with a blade encased in a split handle that manually unfolds with hand or wrist action with the assistance of inertia, gravity, or both (§ 134-53(e)). Hawaii is notable for having a dedicated balisong statute (§ 134-53), separate from the switchblade statute. The reform followed Teter v. Lopez, where the 9th Circuit held the total ban unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. Statute: 134-53 |
| Disguised Knives | Restricted | Not specifically addressed by a dedicated statute. Disguised knives (belt buckle knives, cane swords, lipstick knives) are legal to own. If a disguised knife qualifies as a dirk, dagger, or other 'deadly or dangerous weapon' whose sole design and purpose is to inflict injury (per State v. Muliufi, 1982), concealed carry is prohibited under § 134-51(a). Since disguised knives are inherently concealed by design, carrying them in public likely violates § 134-51(a). Statute: 134-51. |
| Assisted-Opening | Unclear | Hawaii's switchblade definition in § 134-52(e) mirrors the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act but does not include the 2009 federal amendment's 'bias toward closure' exception that protects assisted-opening knives. AKTI recommends avoiding assisted-opening knives in Hawaii due to this gap. Whether an assisted-opening knife qualifies as a switchblade under § 134-52 has not been resolved by Hawaiian courts. Statute: 134-52. |
| Ballistic Knives | Unclear | No Hawaii statute specifically mentions ballistic knives by name. Act 21 (2024) legalized switchblades, butterfly knives, and gravity knives but did not mention ballistic knives. A ballistic knife would likely qualify as an 'other deadly or dangerous weapon' under § 134-51 since its sole design purpose is to inflict injury. Federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1245) separately prohibits possession of ballistic knives. Statute: 134-51. |
Legal Disclaimer
This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional restrictions beyond state law. Always verify with official state sources before making decisions about knife carry or ownership. KnifeInformer is not a law firm — consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.
