Notice of Firearms Related Public Hearing in August 2025

News Release from Hawaii County Police Department, July, 2025

Hawai‘i Police Department (HPD) will hold two public hearings in August 2025, one in Hilo and one in Kona, regarding its proposal to repeal “Rules and Regulations of the Hawai’i Police Department Governing the Issuance of Licenses to Carry Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons” adopted October 29, 1997, and to adopt Rule 1 relating to Firearms Permits and Licenses, in its entirety, as well as adopt Rule 2 relating to Contested Cases.

The public hearings are solely for the purpose of taking public testimony on this proposed rule change and adoption. Public hearings will be held on:

Kona                                                                                                                      

Date:     Monday, August 11, 2025                                                    

Time:     5:00 PM                                                                               

Place:    West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona                          

Hilo

Date:     Thursday, August 14, 2025                                                    

Time:     5:00 PM                                                                               

Place:   Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale, 799 Pi‘ilani Street, Hilo

The purpose of the public hearings is to afford all persons the opportunity to submit data, views, or arguments, orally or in writing, to the Hawai‘i Police Department for its consideration prior to the proposed rule repeal and adoption of Rules 1 and 2.  All public testifiers will be afforded three (3) minutes to testify.  All written comments should be filed with the Hawai‘i Police Department Records Sectionat 349 Kapi‘olani Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.  The written testimony will be included in the record of the hearing; testimony submitted after the conclusion of the public hearing may not be considered if untimely.

The following is a summary of the changes proposed by the Hawai‘i Police Department:

Proposed repeal of the “Rules and Regulations of the Hawai’i Police Department Governing the Issuance of Licenses to Carry Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons”, adopted October 29, 1997.  Proposed adoption of the Hawai‘i Police Department Rule 1, Relating to Firearms Permits and Licenses, includes but is not limited to, updated Hawaiʻi Revised Statute language, changes to fees, creation of forms, process for contested cases, and to conform with the requirements of SB 1230.  Proposed adoption of Rule 2 Contested Cases for applicants that are denied a permit, license, or otherwise, as allowed by law.

Click on the link to read: Proposed Repeal (old Rule) and Proposed Rule 1

Click on the link to read: Proposed Rule 2 Contested-Cases.pdf (proposed final with certifications)

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