From 2014 to 2023 Gun Violence in Hawaiʻi Increased 84%, The Highest Increase of Any State in the United States
HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement following days of gun violence across the islands. This wave of gun violence comes off-the-heels of the Fourth of July holiday weekend and a turbulent legislative session around gun safety, where lawmakers advanced various life-saving measures but only one major bill, strengthening firearm secure storage practices, reached Governor Josh Green’s desk.
“It’s clear there’s more work to be done in order to protect our communities from gun violence,” said Rachel Logan, a volunteer with the Hawaiʻi chapter of Moms Demand Action. “During the last week, we have seen a holiday tarnished by gun violence and fueled by anguish and fear across our islands. We must come together, especially lawmakers, to condemn this violence and continue finding comprehensive solutions that put our keiki first and guns last.”
What to know about Hawai’i’s gun violence rate:
- Though Hawaiʻi has a low rate of gun violence, the rate of gun deaths has increased 84% from 2014 to 2023 in Hawai’i, compared to a 33% increase nationwide. No other state has had a sharper rise.
- In Hawaii, the rate of gun suicide increased 48% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 20% change nationwide.
- Gun violence costs Hawaii $901.4 million each year, of which $19.0 million is paid by taxpayers.
- 28% of all gun deaths in Hawai’i are homicides, while 65% of all gun deaths are suicides.
Here’s a snapshot on the recent gun violence seen across Hawai’i:
- Māʻili Beach Park: On July 3, A 22-year-old man was shot while camping with family and friends. He was shot while walking near the beach parking lot. According to reports, a 16-year-old was arrested in connection with the murder.
- Ewa Beach: On July 4, an 18-year-old woman was shot in the buttocks while sitting in a car with her boyfriend’s gun. She was taken to an emergency room in serious condition.
- Waianae: On July 4, Police responded to reports of three men firing a gun toward the ocean at a beach park.
- Honolulu: On July 5, A 25-year-old man was shot in the chest on Dillingham Boulevard and transported to a hospital in serious condition.
- Kalihi: On July 5, in a drive-by shooting, four men were shot and wounded in the parking lot of an adult video store. The victims initially thought they heard fireworks before realizing they had been shot. The gunfire originated from a vehicle, and the culprits remain unidentified.
During the last legislative session, Governor Josh Green signed HB 125 into law to require gun owners keep all firearms securely stored when not in use. Meanwhile, despite widespread support, lawmakers failed to create a statewide office to support the state’s gun violence prevention goals at multiple stages – from gun violence data collection that can inform policy making, to evaluating the implementation of existing laws and administering grants for community violence intervention. The legislation passed both chambers but failed to make it out of conference committee. Lawmakers also failed to pass legislation banning the weapon of choice for mass shooters (SB 401) during the final hours of session.
In an average year, 64 people die by guns in Hawai’i. Though gun violence is low overall, it’s increasing faster than the national average. More information on gun violence in Hawai’i is available here.