The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last month in Wolford v. Lopez, clarified prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the proper interpretation of the Second Amendment. Some courts continue to defy the supreme law of the land on this issue
Hawaii Insurance Division Reclassifies Pet Insurance as Property Insurance
On July 17, 2026, the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division issued Memorandum 2026-5PC (the Memorandum) titled “Hawaii Pet Insurance” to “All Insurers Issuing Pet Insurance Products.” The Memorandum states that effective January 1, 2026, under
The End of Hawaii’s ‘Vampire Rule’ — And What It Means for NJ Concealed Carry Law
What Is Hawaii’s ‘Vampire Rule’? The Supreme Court has made yet another major court decision on gun law. Wolford v. Lopez was a 6-3 ruling on June 25, 2026, in which Hawaii lost its “Vampire Rule” — a law that
Under pressure: Hawaiʻi’s budget troubles demand action
The 2026 legislative session is now in the rearview mirror. Some progress was made toward a fair tax system that collects more revenue from those at the top to fund our collective needs, but it won’t be enough to fill
Decision Alert: Supreme Court Strikes Down Concealed Carry Firearm Ban
In Wolford v. Lopez (24-1046), the Supreme Court addressed whether a state may prohibit carrying firearms on others’ private property open to the public without the owners’ permission. In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that Hawaii violated the Second
Progress on the plate: Food access wins from this session—and the work still ahead
As affordability and Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living becomes an increasingly urgent point of discussion for residents across the islands, legislators are increasingly recognizing that food security is central to the well-being of our communities.During the 2026 legislative session, the
Supreme Court Invalidates Hawaii Firearm "Owner Consent" Restriction
In a 6-3 opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a Hawaii law that prohibited firearms on private property open to
the public without the express and affirmative consent of the property owner. Wolford v.
Lopez.
Following
Hawaii Expands Family Leave Protections for Military Families
Hawaii has enacted a new law expanding the state’s family leave law to better support military families. Hawaii’s family leave statute will allow eligible employees to take unpaid family leave for qualifying military exigencies connected to a family member’s active-duty
Remembering Victor Geminiani
Victor Geminiani—the leading co-founder of the organization that became the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice—spent more than 50 years using the law on behalf of those too often overlooked in Hawaiʻi and on the continent. A relentless