Nearly 150 guns turned in during Hawaii Island buyback event

News admin July 20, 2026 0 Comments

Nearly 150 guns turned in during Hawaii Island buyback event

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island residents turned in nearly 150 guns during a gun buyback event in Hilo.

On Saturday, at the Hilo Police Station, the Hawaii Police Department hosted the buyback event in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (DLE), the Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

DLE said that of the 149 guns collected, eight were assault-style rifles and nine were ghost guns.

The state said those who turned in guns did so as part of an amnesty program. No questions were asked, and identification was not required.

“Every firearm voluntarily turned in today represents one less opportunity for a tragedy to occur,” said Hawaii Police Chief Reed K. Mahuna. “Just yesterday, we remembered Officer Bronson Kaliloa, who made the ultimate sacrifice eight years ago after being shot during a traffic stop. His loss remains a powerful reminder that firearms in the wrong hands can have devastating consequences.”

The event is part of a statewide effort by Gov. Josh Green’s administration to protect residents from gun violence. DLE said since buyback events began two years ago, 2,150 guns have been turned over to the department.

Officials said those who turned in their unwanted firearms got Foodland gift cards.

DLE said the turned-in firearms will have their serial numbers checked in, and last-known registered owners will be notified by mail.

The guns will be stored in a secure location until they are destroyed according to specifications from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“These unwanted guns will never again be used. They will never again pose any type of threat to a loved one or have an opportunity to be used in a crime. Every weapon turned in counts,” said Jared Redulla, DLE director of law enforcement.