Hawaii Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Hawaii, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations throughout the Hawaiian Islands to help prepare for worst-case security scenarios – especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Hawaii and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events. We’ll also examine how our AI security technology can help protect Hawaii’s communities, workplaces, and visitors.
Where Does Hawaii Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Hawaii rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #49
73 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 49 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #46
4.9 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Hawaii
- Makaha
- Wahiawa
- Hilo
- Ewa Beach
- Kahului
Top 5 Safest Cities in Hawaii
- Honolulu
- Princeville
- Kahuku
- Kapolei
- Hanalei
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Hawaii’s Recent History
Even Hawaii, despite its relatively low rates of gun violence, is not immune to the reality of mass shooting events. A mass shooting event, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, describes an incident in which four or more people are injured by a firearm in one location around the same time.
Makahha Shooting (2025)
A 19-year-old man was killed and four others were wounded after a fight escalated between two groups.
Wainaie Shootings (2024)
A gunman in Waianae Valley indiscriminately shot and killed four people, including three women
Honolulu Shootings (1999)
A service technician opened fire inside a Xerox building and killed seven people before holding thirty-five school children hostage.
Hawaii’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Hawaii takes a comprehensive approach to limiting gun violence through some of the nation’s strictest firearms regulations:
- Universal firearm registration requirements
- Mandatory licensing and safety training for gun purchasers
- Strong domestic violence protections
- A minimum age of 21 for firearm and ammunition purchases
- Strict regulations on concealed carry
In 2023, Hawaii had the fifth lowest gun death rate among the states, with an average of 64 people dying from gun violence annually and in 2023 had one of the lowest gun murder rates in the nation at 1.5 per 100,000 people.
Why Hawaii Needs Help Why Hawaii’s Facilities Need Better Security Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence
Most security systems today operate with inherent limitations that make them less practical for preventing a determined active shooter. On that front, these systems are better at documenting incidents than they are at actually preventing violence.
Limitations of traditional security systems for shooter prevention:
- Surveillance cameras only help with investigations after incidents occur
- Gunshot detection waits until someone’s already shooting
- Manual monitoring fails because humans can’t watch dozens of feeds effectively
- Emergency response protocols depend on someone being available to activate them
In other words, by the time traditional systems kick in, it’s often too late.
How Omnilert Can Help Using Military-Inspired AI Technology to Detect Firearms Before Shots are Fired
When seconds matter most, AI visual gun detection can identify firearms before shots are fired. Military-grade technology like Omnilert’s can integrate with your existing cameras to protect your facility and enact an automated emergency response if a threat is detected.
By themselves, security cameras can’t prevent what they can’t predict. Omnilert brings gun detection technology to facilities across the United States to transform your existing surveillance into an active threat prevention system. Instead of documenting incidents after they happen, AI-powered visual detection spots firearms the moment they appear and triggers immediate response protocols.
Benefits of Omnilert Engaging a Full-Scale Emergency Response to Active Shooters
If an imminent, active threat is confirmed, there’s no time to waste. Facilities that use Omnilert initiate an automated response across multiple technologies to help protect as many lives as possible.
Instant Notifications
Multi-channel emergency notifications instantly alert staff, security, and law enforcement.
Automated Response
Automated response workflows that trigger lockdown procedures, activate alarms, and more.
Mobile Alerts
Mobile applications that keep staff informed and connected during emergencies.
Alarm Activation
Use audio and video systems to sound alarms and deliver clear safety instructions.
Access Control
Lock or unlock doors to contain threats, secure exits, and protect vulnerable areas.
Custom Response
Engage a fully-custom response using your existing security technology.
Law Enforcement
Notify local police of an active threat or verified security incident.
Liability Protection
Omnilert’s DHS SAFETY Act designation offers liability protection.
Protecting Spaces Everywhere What Types of Hawaii Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Hawaii. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Hawaii Gun Violence Statistics
How does Hawaii rank nationally in gun deaths?
Hawaii has the lowest gun murder rate in the United States at 1.5 per 100,000 people as of 2023, and Hawaii has one of the lowest overall rates of gun deaths in the country. Hawaii is among the states with fewer than five gun deaths per 100,000 people.
How many people die by guns in Hawaii annually?
In an average year, 64 people die by guns in Hawaii. At least 18 people were victims of gun violence in 2023, not including deaths by suicide.
What is the demographic breakdown of gun deaths in Hawaii?
Males were nine times as likely to die by gun suicide than females from 2019 to 2023. Half of all gun homicides in 2023 were young people ages 15 to 34.
What are Hawaii’s gun laws like?
Hawaii has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country. In 2023, Hawaii strengthened and updated its laws governing permits to purchase and carry firearms and passed a law to hold gun industry members accountable when their actions result in harm.
Why does Hawaii have such low gun violence rates?
Hawaii’s low rates of gun ownership almost certainly contribute to the fact that it has the third-lowest suicide rate for men, and the islands’ low unemployment and a local culture that takes living with aloha seriously contribute to the state’s low rates of gun crime.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/firearms.html
- https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/explainer
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.hawaii-guide.com/10-places-to-avoid-in-hawaii?srsltid=AfmBOoofF7xPYRF67A5dhnErcHsZYUovUY4u7J-i9R-TDV3YrfxR7Znr
https://www.safehome.org/safest-cities/hi/ - https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/hawaii/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/hawaii/
- https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/gun-deaths-per-capita-by-state
- https://www.everytown.org/state/hawaii/
- https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/01/gun-violence-remains-a-consistent-problem-in-hawaii/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/hawaii
- https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2018/07/31/hawaii-americas-lowest-rates-gun-violence/ideas/essay/
