Is a West Virginia Resident Permit Valid in Hawaii?

Why

• Hawaii does not recognize any out-of-state carry permit.

No provision of HRS chapter 134 recognizes any out-of-state carry permit; only a license issued by a Hawaii county chief of police authorizes carry, and county licensing pages describe no reciprocity path. Post-Bruen (Act 52, 2023) concealed licenses are issued on objective shall-issue criteria; unconcealed licenses still require showing 'urgency or need' (HRS 134-9(b)).

Carry rules in Hawaii

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Hawaii, these rules replace the ones you know from West Virginia.

• Hawaii imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. HRS 134-9.2 (enacted by Act 52, 2023) requires a person carrying a firearm who is stopped by law enforcement (including as driver or passenger) to immediately disclose that they are carrying; licensees must also keep the license card in immediate possession and produce it on request (county rules). Violation is a petty misdemeanor.
• Hawaii limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• Hawaii is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Hawaii recognizes.
• Without a Hawaii license there is no lawful loaded vehicle carry; firearms may only be transported unloaded and enclosed between narrowly permitted places, and Act 52 restricts leaving firearms in unattended vehicles even for licensees.

Off-limits places in Hawaii

Hawaii bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Schools, preschools, summer camps and child care facilities
• Government buildings and courthouses

See all 6 places you can't carry in Hawaii →

West Virginia vs Hawaii: what changes at the state line

Crossing from West Virginia into Hawaii changes 5 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → No); duty to inform police (No → Yes); magazine limit (None → 10 rounds); out-of-state permits honored (36 states → None); open carry (Yes, no permit → Restricted).

Going the other way, a Hawaii resident permit in West Virginia: permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hawaii honor a West Virginia non-resident permit?

Not recognized. The answer is the same as for the resident permit on this page.

Can a Hawaii resident permit holder carry in West Virginia?

Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on West Virginia's law, not Hawaii's.