I know Mr Gerwig personally, and the fact that he has not gone running off into the sunset screaming "screw all you people" is a testament to his dedication.
He means well and with the help, not snarky indifference, of the local shooting community is trying to do what is workable for us.
Yes the group could be promoted better, but you guys gotta get off ur butts and join. Yes the NRA could represent us better, but why?
Just read this forum. Everyone here should be a member of both organizations... or GOA or SAF or (D) all of the above.
If you don't participate, Quit grumbling.
Hvybarrels you are right. Professional lobbying is expensive, but worth it.
Aloha... I think

If Zippz nuummber of 0.06% of the population of Hawaii being a member is correct/accurate that puts their income (@$25 per year) at around $200k.

That would pay for 1/5 of a Wayne LaPierre, or 1/4 of a Chris Cox... though I suspect the HRA paid positions don't even remotely compare to the NRA salaries.

Also, if they have 84,000 members and get 8 testimony submissions in response to their email alerts... well, that's beyond sad...

If Zippz nuummber of 0.06% of the population of Hawaii being a member is correct/accurate that puts their income (@$25 per year) at around $200k.

Their e-mail alrets look like spam e-mails so chances are they are ignored,  They ahve 2 facebook pages the most likled one with a little over 1k likes, They have no social media presence that is worthwhile and everything they share is just copy past stuff.

That would pay for 1/5 of a Wayne LaPierre, or 1/4 of a Chris Cox... though I suspect the HRA paid positions don't even remotely compare to the NRA salaries.

Would it be unfair or mean or trollish or something else bad of me to ask, "Step WHAT up?"? Maybe there's been something going on here in Puna all along and I just didn't/don't know about it.

2) does HRA do this type of shooting? Sports fair, you have to pay to rent. So more for non-owners, not current gun owners.
They do shooting sessions with LIFE.  They appeal to new shooters, instructor development, and event projects along with socials.  Other groups fill in the gaps.  HDF fills in with intermediate training.  The USPSA and Chinese Gun clubs appeal to the high end competitive shooters.  So you can go from first time shooter, intermediate training, competitive shooters, and instructor at Koko Head if you know how to navigate your way around the different clubs.

3) seems like they dropped the ball on the rapback. Someone in HRA should have been aware of the proposal b4 it was to late. London raised funds alone, if 1 man can do this, why cant an organization?
HRA did announce it when it was proposed.  Lack of communication and participation played a big part.  Not sure how they fund raise for things like this.

4) were they around when hawaii made registration manditory? If they were, what did they do to help prevent this and other 2a infrinents (mag limits, ccw denials, barrel length, etc...)
I dunno, hope some of the old timers can answer this.  I was one of those clueless peeple when this happened.  I assume the same reasons that RAPBACK was passed.

5) i know the above cost money, but i find it hard to believe that there isnt at least 1 attorney out there that could volunteer to help or trade services (if legal, firearm training for friends and family of atty, gun smithing, etc...). Or did HRA even contact the NRA for help because what happens in 1 state, others may follow.
NRA and other gun organizations refused to take the case.  Attorney's aren't going to take it for free unless they think they can win.

6) i wrote to my rep and he proposed a ccw bill HB36. Did HRA do anything like this?
They're sitting down with the representatives for things like this, though a lot of them go nowhere.

Not 6%, it's 0.06% which is 1,000 members and about $25,000 a year.  Probably less due to people having lifetime memberships and some new members get free intro memberships.  Assume over half of that goes towards expenses, equipment, insurance, etc, then they would have $5,000 to $10,000 a year to work with.

That's what you get when old guys are trying to figure out how to run the social media campaign.

I don't think there are any paid positions.

I went with 1.3 million as the population, 1% would be 13000, 1/2 percent would be 6500

I am a member, but one thing that sticks out to me is first impressions and by that I mean the first impression I get when I first visited their website to learn more and the website, like many organizations in Hawaii, is seldom updated and is very “sterile”. I understand the HRA is made up of volunteers with full time jobs/careers, but when looking to donate or join to help a cause, the presentation of online materials is important IMHO, especially when it comes to attracting “younger” potential members.

Sometimes, as shallow as it may seem, the presentation can draw people. Perhaps the HRA would benefit from utilizing social media more. The more it’s out there, the better and it can’t “hurt”.

I’m relatively new to the 2A community as a whole, but again this is just what I first see. Still trying to "navigate" the scene so to speak.

Sometimes, as shallow as it may seem, the presentation can draw people. Perhaps the HRA would benefit from utilizing social media more.

This kind of soured me to the HRA

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=6791.20

Them submitting Legislative testimony opposing a stronger Castle Doctrine when almost all us supported it. (At least supported with amendment)

To me, Hawaii's Castle Doctrine is so thin and sucks as written.
legislation was presented to strengthen it and HRA (and LIFE) both submitted testimony opposing the new legislation, basically putting the issue to bed as it stands.

Personally, for me, a strong Castle Doctrine is as important, if not more important, as CCW.
And HRA basically testified AGAINST the testifying firearm community.