Hawaii’s knife laws have undergone significant changes in recent years, most notably with the passage of HB2342 in 2024. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what’s legal—and what isn’t—when it comes to owning and carrying knives in the Aloha State as of 2025.
Recent Legal Changes: HB2342
- HB2342, signed into law in 2024, repealed Hawaii’s long-standing bans on the manufacture, sale, possession, and open carry of butterfly knives (balisongs), switchblades, gravity knives, brass knuckles (including trench knives and karambits), swords, and spears. These items are now legal to own and open carry in Hawaii.
- Concealed Carry Still Restricted: Despite this liberalization, it remains illegal to carry these knives concealed on your person or in a vehicle. Concealed carry of “deadly or dangerous weapons,” including these types of knives, is still a felony offense.
What Knives Can You Own and Carry?
| Knife Type | Legal to Own | Open Carry | Concealed Carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-edged pocket knives | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Butterfly knives (balisongs) | Yes (new law) | Yes | No |
| Switchblades & gravity knives | Yes (new law) | Yes | No |
| Daggers, dirks, knuckle knives | Yes | Yes | No |
| Throwing knives/stars, large knives | Yes | Yes | No |
| Brass knuckles, swords, spears | Yes (new law) | Yes | No |
- Single-edged pocket knives: Legal to own and carry (openly or concealed), with no blade length restrictions.
- Butterfly, switchblade, and gravity knives: Now legal to own and open carry, but still illegal to carry concealed.
- Daggers, dirks, and knuckle knives: Legal to own and open carry, but concealed carry remains prohibited.
- Throwing knives, large knives, disguised knives: Legal to own and open carry.
Key Points on Carrying Knives
- Open Carry: Most knives, including those previously banned, can now be openly carried in public. There are no blade length restrictions for open carry.
- Concealed Carry: Concealed carry of “deadly or dangerous weapons” (including most knives other than single-edged pocket knives) is still a felony. Concealed carry of single-edged pocket knives is permitted.
- Intent Matters: Carrying any knife in a way that threatens or terrorizes others, or using a knife in the commission of a crime, carries severe penalties—even if the knife itself is legal to carry.
Places and Situations with Special Restrictions
- Schools, government buildings, airports, and other sensitive locations may have additional restrictions regardless of state law.
- Private property owners and businesses can set their own rules about knives on their premises.
- You may now legally own and openly carry a wide range of knives in Hawaii, including switchblades and butterfly knives, thanks to HB2342.
- Concealed carry remains tightly restricted for most knives except single-edged pocket knives.
- Always carry knives responsibly and be aware of local rules and sensitive locations.
Hawaii’s knife laws are now among the most permissive in the nation for open carry, but concealed carry of most knives is still a serious offense. Know the law, carry openly if in doubt, and never use a knife in a threatening or criminal manner.
Sources
[1] https://tkellknives.com/knife-laws-in-hawaii-understanding-the-aloha-states-regulations/
[2] https://www.tektoknives.com/blogs/news/hawaii-knife-laws-with-all-new-updates-2022
[3] https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/29360/What-knives-can-you-carry-in-Hawaii
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMk6oADRsfg
[5] https://kniferights.org/legislative-update/hawaii-legalizes-butterfly-switchblade-gravity-knives/