PERMIT TO ACQUIRE

Please Note: Before acquiring any firearm in the State of Hawaii, an individual must first obtain a State of Hawaii Permit to Acquire.

Basic application prerequisites:

Applicants must:

• be a United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, or COFA migrant;

• be at least 21 years of age;

• have no disqualifying crime-of-violence or drug-sale conviction in any state;

• not be restrained by a Temporary Restraining Order or Protective Order issued in any state;

• have no current arrest (prosecution pending) for a criminal offense related to firearms;

• have no current arrest (prosecution pending) for the illegal sale or distribution of any drug;

• Although possession of a valid medical cannabis registration, by itself, is not an automatic disqualifier, applicants remain subject to all applicable federal and state firearm prohibitions, including 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) and HRS chapter 134. Applications will be evaluated under applicable law based on individualized facts - including evidence of addiction, present intoxication while possessing or carrying a firearm, unsafe firearm use, or dangerousness - consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Hemani (2026).

• have previously completed a DLNR Hunter Education course for long guns; or, for handguns, have completed

• within the last four years one of the courses specified in HRS § 134-2.

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Maui County Qualified Firearm Instructors as of 08/07/26

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HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO ACQUIRE

The application may be completed using MPD's On-Line Firearms Transaction Service, in person at the Records Section of the Maui Police Department in Wailuku, or at the Lana'i and Moloka'i police stations.

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Please review the following information carefully before applying. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

For all first-time and renewal Permit to Acquire applications submitted on or after December 4, 2016, be prepared

to upload, process, or bring the following:

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• A valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification.

• A Hawaii Hunter Education certificate issued pursuant to HRS § 183D-28; or, if acquiring a handgun, a handgun safety course completed within the last four years as described in HRS § 134-2. The training must be evidenced by an affidavit compliant with HRS § 134-2(g)(4). The firearms trainer, who must be pre-approved by the Maui Chief of Police, will be familiar with the affidavit requirements.

• A $42.00 fingerprinting fee. (On October 1st 2026, the fee will be increased $45.00) Debit/credit cards are accepted online. For in-person applications, bring a cashier's check or money order payable to County of Maui, Department of Finance. If you have already paid a firearms fingerprinting fee in Maui County on or after December 4, 2016, you will not be charged an additional fee.

• Proof of United States citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or COFA migrant citizenship status.

In-person applications: Complete and print the MPD Firearms Information Sheet and bring it to the station when applying. For long-gun applications, firearm descriptions do not need to be completed.

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MPD Firearms Information Sheet

Applicable Laws

 - Hawaii Revised Statutes - §134-2, Permits to Acquire