Are Automatic Knives Legal in Hawaii?

The Short Answer

Yes — as of May 2024, automatic knives, OTF knives, and switchblades are legal to own in Hawaii. Governor Josh Green signed HB 2342 into law as Act 21, repealing the longstanding bans on switchblades, gravity knives, and butterfly knives. But Hawaii still has strict carry restrictions: concealed carry of dirks, daggers, and "other deadly or dangerous weapons" remains a misdemeanor. Open carry of formerly banned knives is now permitted. The legal landscape remains unusually complicated due to ongoing constitutional disputes.

What Hawaii Law Actually Says

The Former Switchblade Ban (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-52)

Before the 2024 repeal, § 134-52 prohibited the knowing manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, or transport of switchblade knives. The statute defined a switchblade as:

"any knife having a blade which opens automatically (1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both."

That definition — borrowed almost word-for-word from the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act — covered switchblades, OTF knives, and gravity knives. Act 21 repealed this ban effective May 13, 2024.

The Butterfly Knife Ban (§ 134-53)

Also repealed by Act 21. Butterfly knives (balisongs) had been prohibited since 1999. The repeal came amid the Teter v. Connors litigation, a Second Amendment challenge to the butterfly knife ban that the plaintiffs won at the trial court level.

The Deadly Weapons Statute (§ 134-51) — Still Active

This is the statute that still matters. It provides:

"Any person, not authorized by law, who carries concealed upon the person's self or within any vehicle used or occupied by the person or who is found armed with any dirk, dagger... or other deadly or dangerous weapon shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be immediately arrested..."

According to the Hawaii Supreme Court in State v. Ogata (1977), the word "concealed" in this statute is essentially superfluous — carrying a dagger or dirk openly or having one in a vehicle is also unlawful. Whether concealed or openly displayed, a person is "armed" within the statute's meaning for those specific weapon types.

What That Means in Plain English

Hawaii lifted the outright bans on owning switchblades, gravity knives, and butterfly knives. You can legally own, buy, sell, and possess automatic knives including OTF knives. But the carry rules are complicated:

• Dirks and daggers: Cannot be carried at all — open or concealed — under § 134-51 per the Ogata ruling
• Switchblades and OTF knives: No longer banned for possession. Open carry appears legal. Concealed carry could be challenged under the broad "other deadly or dangerous weapon" language
• Standard folding knives: Generally unrestricted for carry

OTF Knives in Hawaii

OTF knives are now legal to own in Hawaii since Act 21 repealed § 134-52. The ownership question is settled.

The carry question is less clear. An OTF knife is functionally a switchblade, and while it's no longer banned by name, carrying one concealed could potentially be challenged under § 134-51's "other deadly or dangerous weapon" catch-all. Open carry in a visible sheath or with a pocket clip appears to be the safer approach.

For home possession and collection: clearly legal. For everyday carry: open carry is your best option. Concealed carry carries legal risk.

Switchblades vs. Automatic Knives: What Hawaii Considers Them

Before the 2024 repeal, Hawaii used the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act definition. That definition:

• Covered any knife opening automatically by button or spring mechanism
• Also covered gravity knives
• Did NOT include a bias-toward-closure exception (unlike the 2009 federal amendment)
• Separately prohibited butterfly knives under § 134-53

Post-repeal, none of these categories are specifically banned for possession. However, Hawaii has not adopted bias-toward-closure language, which means assisted-opening knives occupy an ambiguous space. AKTI recommends avoiding assisted openers in Hawaii and sticking with manual one-hand-opening knives if you want maximum legal clarity.

Carrying an Automatic Knife in Hawaii

Open Carry

Open carry of formerly banned knives — switchblades, butterfly knives, gravity knives — is now legal under Act 21. This was a significant change. Prior to May 2024, even possessing these knives was a crime. Now you can carry them openly on your person.

However, don't push it. Open carry of a dirk or dagger still falls under § 134-51 regardless of concealment.

Concealed Carry

Concealed carry of dirks, daggers, or "other deadly or dangerous weapons" remains a misdemeanor under § 134-51. There is no concealed carry license for knives in Hawaii. This is a meaningful limitation for OTF knives and switchblades carried in pockets, bags, or vehicle compartments.

The Constitutional Wrinkle

Hawaii's legal landscape is uniquely complicated. The Hawaii Supreme Court in State v. Wilson issued a ruling that effectively rejected the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen framework as applied under the state constitution. Justice Todd Eddins' opinion confronted and rejected many of the Roberts Court's recent holdings. This means Second Amendment knife-carry arguments that might work in other states have limited traction in Hawaii.

AKTI (updated October 2025) notes this is "without precedent in modern law" and that how the Second Amendment is interpreted in Hawaii regarding knife laws "is unclear."

Where You Can't Carry (Restricted Locations)

• Schools: § 302A-1134.6 establishes a zero-tolerance policy for weapons on school grounds. No exceptions.
• Government buildings and courthouses: Standard restrictions apply.
• Private property: Any private business can prohibit weapons on their premises.

No statewide preemption: Hawaii does not preempt local knife regulations. Individual counties — Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii — could have additional restrictions.

Blade Length Restrictions

No specific blade length limit exists in Hawaii statute. Restrictions focus on weapon type and manner of carry rather than blade dimensions.

What About Assisted Openers?

Uncertain — and worth being cautious about. Hawaii's former switchblade definition did not include a bias-toward-closure exception, and the state has not addressed assisted-opening knives in its updated laws. AKTI specifically recommends that "knives with assisted opening mechanisms be avoided" in Hawaii. Manual one-hand-opening knives are not restricted.

Buying Automatic Knives in Hawaii

Legal for purchase since Act 21 took effect in May 2024. However, many mainland retailers may not have updated their shipping policies — the old ban was in place for over 60 years. If ordering online, confirm the retailer ships to Hawaii.

Also worth noting: Hawaii has no law enforcement or military exemptions specifically applicable to the knife statutes. The rules apply the same to everyone.

Recent Law Changes

• May 13, 2024: Governor Josh Green signed HB 2342 into law as Act 21, repealing bans on switchblades (§ 134-52), butterfly knives (§ 134-53), and gravity knives. Also legalized brass knuckles, swords, and spears. Open carry of formerly banned weapons now permitted.
• 2024-2025: Teter v. Connors — the Ninth Circuit case challenging Hawaii's butterfly knife ban. After the legislature repealed the law, Hawaii moved to have the case declared moot. In January 2025, the Ninth Circuit issued an en banc decision revisiting the case.
• Ongoing: State v. Wilson continues to shape how Second Amendment claims are evaluated in Hawaii courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carry an OTF knife in Hawaii?

Ownership is legal since May 2024. Open carry appears permitted. Concealed carry (in a pocket, bag, or vehicle) is legally risky under the broad "deadly or dangerous weapon" language of § 134-51.

Are switchblades illegal in Hawaii?

No — not since May 2024. The switchblade ban was repealed by Act 21. Ownership and open carry are legal. Concealed carry restrictions still apply.

Are butterfly knives legal in Hawaii?

Yes. The butterfly knife ban (§ 134-53) was repealed by Act 21 in May 2024. Open carry is permitted; concealed carry of butterfly knives may be restricted since they're typically pocket-carried without a clip.

Is there a blade length limit for knives in Hawaii?

No specific blade length limit exists in Hawaii statute. Restrictions focus on weapon type and carry method.

Can I carry a knife for self-defense in Hawaii?

Carrying any weapon for self-defense purposes could be challenged under § 134-51. Hawaii's legal framework is restrictive regarding weapons carry, and the Wilson decision makes Second Amendment carry arguments unreliable in Hawaii courts.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws change — sometimes faster than websites update. Federal, state, and local laws may all apply to your situation, and local ordinances can be more restrictive than state law.

Before purchasing, carrying, or traveling with any automatic knife, OTF knife, or switchblade, verify current laws with official state and local sources. We are not attorneys, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on this information.

When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.