I'm interested in NRA Instructor classes.

Questions:

• I've taken the handgun safety training course required by the state of Hawaii. Is that sufficient prerequisite to take the NRA Instructor Pistol Shooting Course? Or should I acquire more knowledge/experience before attempting to take the class?
• I sent an email to LIFE but never heard back. It's been nearly a month. Is there a better way to contact LIFE?
• Who else offers the NRA Instructor courses?

Thanks in advance.

I'm interested in NRA Instructor classes.

Questions:

• I've taken the handgun safety training course required by the state of Hawaii. Is that sufficient prerequisite to take the NRA Instructor Pistol Shooting Course? Or should I acquire more knowledge/experience before attempting to take the class?
• I sent an email to LIFE but never heard back. It's been nearly a month. Is there a better way to contact LIFE?
• Who else offers the NRA Instructor courses?

Thanks in advance.

===============

LIFE is very  "professional" for a volunteer group and has the deepest roots in local history.
I suggest signing up for the LIFE class even if you already have your affidavit.
You just missed an instructor class held a few months ago.
There is an opportunity for you to meet some key players next Sunday Feb.28 at the LIFE/HRA fun shoot.
In order to participate in the event you have to be an HRA member.
http://lifehawaii.com/Upcoming.html

I'm interested in NRA Instructor classes.

Questions:

• I've taken the handgun safety training course required by the state of Hawaii. Is that sufficient prerequisite to take the NRA Instructor Pistol Shooting Course? Or should I acquire more knowledge/experience before attempting to take the class?
• I sent an email to LIFE but never heard back. It's been nearly a month. Is there a better way to contact LIFE?
• Who else offers the NRA Instructor courses?

Thanks in advance.

The requirements to take a NRA instructor class should be posted on the NRA website.

Regarding gaining more knowledge/experience..............yes I would strongly suggest that you do that by taking more classes and waiting longer.  Two reasons............first off is that if you yourself are not knowledgeable or proficient you will be passing on those bad habits/traits/knowledge to your students and two you should be thinking about getting your own insurance if you intend on teaching.  Although I don't know of anyone suing an instructor in Hawaii you don't want to be the first and if you are you better have your own insurance.

You can see NRA's requirements here. 

As an NRA Training Counselor, what I commonly see are people who have very limited handgun experience and can't get past the basic qualification.  Learn to operate a semi auto, double action revolver, and single action revolver.  Learn to do things the way your NRA Basic class taught you.  Being an NRA instructor is 50% experience, and 50% adhering to the NRA curriculum. 

As far as finding a class, there aren't that many Training Counselors on the island, so it's not surprising that the classes are far between.  LIFE does offer a class periodically, but we give preference to candidates who have been active with HRA/LIFE already.  As OldFart said, you just missed the last round, so it'll be a while before that boat sails again.

NRA does offer listings for upcoming classes, which you can search here.  Note that this is not a comprehensive list, it is only the people who opted to use NRA's site. 

You should be able to operate a wide variety of firearms...not just operate but be skillfull in using them.  You should be skilled at a much higher level than the students you will be teaching. When you can keep your shots on a sheet of paper at 25 yards you're probably ready.  However there are other areas you have to be knowledgeable in besides just shooting.

If you are interested in teaching, here are some suggested to get ready:
1. ask an NRA instructor to help mentor you.
2.  Volunteer to help them with their classes.
3.  Take friends out to the range and learn how to diagnose their problems.
4.  Learn how to operate a wide variety of firearms.
5. Attend the HRA, 2aHI, and other groups.
6.  Know the federal/state laws and how they apply.
7.  Keep track of 2a and self defense related news and politics.
8.  Take firearms courses here and on the mainland.
9.  There are a lot of good youtube videos on drills, diagnostics, etc
10.  Practice practice practice.

What is your firearms background?  Any military or law enforcement experience?  Experienced with long guns?  etc.

Some good feedback above. 

In addition to safe firearm handling, NRA instructor classes do very much help with skills that can be useful in other aspects beyond firearms.  Things such as public speaking, how to breakdown and teach skills, recognize and learn about different ways individuals learn, etc.  I had done some public speaking with my day job and I think that the NRA instructor class helped to improve that.  The part about teaching skills and recognizing/learning about different ways individuals learn had helped me as a supervisor at work.  That and you'll get to know some new faces that are like-minded. 

As Tom mentioned, there's what you've learned through experience and the "NRA way".  Just something to keep an open mind to as there are many who are very much stuck in their ways.  "I know what I know, don't confuse me with the facts". 

Instructor courses through LIFE are about the only ones readily available on-island that I am aware of.  I know of some people who have gone to the mainland for the course.  In that case, many also combined that trip to include other disciplines.  If you are interested in getting into a course put on by LIFE, best way is to get involved and stay involved with the organization, as mentioned above. 

Butch Helemano also offers the NRA courses and others here.

http://northshoremarksmen.vpweb.com/nra-classes