Stand Your Ground in Hawaii
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Hawaii has no stand-your-ground law; you must retreat if safely possible before using force.
How Hawaii treats Stand Your Ground
Hawaii imposes a duty to retreat in public spaces when you can do so safely. You may use force only as a last resort after attempting to escape. The law applies to both deadly and non-deadly force situations. Self-defense claims fail if a reasonable safe retreat was available.
The general definition of Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Stand your ground laws permit a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves against a threat without first trying to escape or avoid the danger. These laws eliminate the traditional legal duty to retreat before using force. They apply in places where a person has a legal right to be, such as their home, workplace, or public spaces. Stand your ground laws are controversial because they expand when people can legally use deadly force, and they vary significantly by state.
Read the full Stand Your Ground entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii.