In Hawaii’s bustling tourist hub of Waikiki, Andrew Roberts, a resident and director of the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, has been making headlines for his recent evening strolls armed with a long-poled battle-axe. Roberts began carrying the 15th-century-style European halberd in May after Hawaii revised its weapons laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling affirming Americans’ right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.
The decision, known as the Bruen ruling, had a substantial impact on gun laws across the country, particularly in Hawaii, which previously had stringent restrictions and low rates of gun violence. Subsequent legal challenges led to a change in Hawaii’s laws, allowing for the open carry of deadly or dangerous weapons in public, a practice previously resulting in immediate arrest.
While the new law has sparked concerns about the increased presence of weapons leading to potential violence, it has also offered opportunities for individuals to reconnect with cultural traditions through the use of traditional weapons. Roberts, a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, views his walks with the halberd as a way to raise awareness about the laws and engage in discussions with law enforcement.
On a recent morning in Waikiki’s Kapiolani Park, Roberts and other coalition members gathered, some carrying samurai swords, balisong knives, and Scottish swords. The group, including officers from the Honolulu Police Department, paraded along Kalakaua Avenue, drawing curious glances from tourists but also sparking conversations about Second Amendment rights and Hawaii’s evolving laws.
Despite the new law allowing for the open carry of certain weapons, the Hawaii attorney general’s office emphasizes that there are still regulations in place governing the possession and use of weapons in public. Concealed carry remains illegal, and penalties have been increased for carrying weapons while committing crimes or using them to threaten or intimidate others.
While some residents see the law as an opportunity to explore their cultural heritage through traditional weaponry, others express concerns about the potential normalization of weapon displays in public spaces. Chris Marvin, from the gun-violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety, highlights the shift in attitudes toward weapons in Hawaii and the risk of escalating violence in a traditionally peaceful community.
For individuals like Michael Rice, the law provides an avenue to reconnect with Native Hawaiian roots through traditional weapons like the wooden spear, offering a means of cultural expression and exploration. Self-defense instructors like Soleil Roache now have the opportunity to incorporate traditional weapons like the balisong into their teachings, fostering a deeper understanding of ancestry and cultural significance.
Filipino martial arts instructor Burton Richardson sees the new law as a way to promote the practice and teaching of traditional fighting techniques using weapons like the balisong, which holds cultural significance in the Philippines. Despite the cultural and educational value of traditional weaponry, some, like Umi Kai who crafts traditional Hawaiian weapons, highlight the impracticality of these implements for modern-day self-defense.
As Hawaii navigates the complexities of its evolving weapons laws and the cultural implications of openly carrying traditional arms, residents like Roberts continue to engage in conversations and demonstrations to promote understanding and awareness surrounding these changes.