Bret Pawlowski
NRA & BCI Certified Instructor · Safehouse Defense, LLC
What the injunction says
On April 15, 2026, the federal district court entered a stipulated final judgment in Solinsky v. Lopez. The injunction prevents enforcement of Hawaii's residency restriction against the named plaintiff and members of the Hawaii Rifle Association, to the extent it would deny them a concealed carry license solely because they are not Hawaii residents.
Because the remedy is tied to the parties, HRA membership may be relevant to whether a particular non-resident can rely on the injunction.
What HPD's October 2026 checklist says
HPD's Application Checklist for License to Carry Firearm – Civilian (updated 10/26) does not list HRA membership as a document. HPD describes the checklist as an informational guide, and states that the statutes and rules control.
So HRA membership should not be described as a universal requirement for every applicant — but its absence from the checklist also does not establish that it is irrelevant to every non-resident's eligibility.
Open questions
Whether non-residents who are not HRA members (and not the named plaintiff) can obtain a license, and on what basis.
Whether any county will ask non-resident applicants for proof of HRA membership.
How the other three counties are applying the injunction.
Until these are settled, confirm your individual eligibility with a Hawaii-licensed attorney before investing in training or travel.