Bikinis, surfboards and battle-axes? Hawaii loosens long-strict weapons laws after court ruling

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s tourist hotspot of Waikiki is known for bikinis, shopping and surfboards. Members of Hawaii Firearms Coalition walk around Waikiki with their non-firearm weapons on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. “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. Andrew Roberts, director of the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, poses for a portrait with his halberd while talking to a Honolulu police officer at Kapiolani Park on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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.” Michael Rice holds a Hawaiian war spear, Ihe, which his uncle made with koa wood 20 years ago, at Kapiolani Park on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii.