http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0001.htm
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0003.htm
If you bring all the parts in to build a car or motorcycle, do you believe you'll be able to operated it on roads without registering it? Once the receiver meets the definition of firearm, the state's laws apply. It's not my interpretation. It's what everyone on here who has built an 80% lower into a receiver has done after talking to HPD.
Just taking the law to mean what it literally says.
"Firearm" means any
weapon, for which the operating force is an
explosive, including but not limited to pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, automatic firearms, noxious gas projectors, mortars, bombs, and cannon.
A weapon is an item designed or modified to cause injury or death. (not defined in Hawaii but this is the common definition)
A Lower receiver defined by federal law is a firearm.
BUT Hawaii does not define it as one as by itself it
can not operate with an exploding force. Nor does it have a barrel. to be a pistol or rifle it must have a barrel (16 inchs+ = rifle, all else pistol)
so by Hawaiis own laws you do not need to register a lower receiver created from an 80% lower, UNTILL you add a barrel
OR
If you wanted to go further then that You wouldn't need to register it untill you used it in a way that it is a weapon. A firearm that is manufactured (and designed by you cutting it) is not a firearm in Hawaii IF you only intend to shoot paper or hunt with it.
But that just what the law says.........