I'll sign up for HRA when the board of directors unanimously strongly endorses and submits a bill for permitless (aka "constitutional") open and concealed carry.

Or is it too much to expect of them to stand up for the right to bear arms being uninfringed?

And one to abolish "registration" and "permits to acquire".

Or is it too much to expect of them to stand up for the right to keep arms being uninfringed?

(Those are rhetorical questions...).

Of course there is much more that any Second Amendment rights organization should be doing in terms of introducing legislation and clearly stating what are obvious and unacceptable infringements of Second Amendment protected rights, but I'll settle for those above to persuade me to join. I'm waiting for the announcements of action...

Heres something else that i bought up previouslt,

HRA has 16 members on its board of directos (for some reason the list is not on their website but can be found here https://web.archive.org/web/20161012062812/http://hawaiirifleassociation.org/about-hra/board-of-directors/ )

BUT they cant even get all 16 of those to give testimony.

Good point.  That would be horrible if true.  At the very least, they should have their names on the HRA testimony.

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.

They've updated their website which is a start, but I feel they need to have a lot more on it to keep people visiting it.  I was thinking about adding the following to the website or social media:

Hawaii master calendar
Hawaii directory
Short descriptions of each shooting club
Information for transferring military members and new residents.
Youtube videos explaining upcoming legislation & how to testify.
Pictures and videos of recent events
Post up pictures submitted by members
Friendly gun forum
Training flowchart

Anyone know a successful mainland local NRA affiliate organization?  Best way to succeed is to copy someone that's already succeeded.

Friendly gun forum

as opposed to other unfriendly gun forums...

Anyone know a successful mainland local NRA affiliate organization?  Best way to succeed is to copy someone that's already succeeded.

In Illinois the Illinois State Rifle Association was party to lawsuits to overturn Chicago's handgun ban (McDonald v Chicago) and the state's no issue CCW policy (Moore v Madigan, at least indirectly through their lawsuit Shepard v Madigan which was later subordinated to Moore v Madigan). That organization, along with Illinois Carry, both funded lawsuits and was active at grassroots and lobbying the legislature to get the carry law changed from no issue to shall issue (even then with many restrictions (aka "infringements"), but at least they made issue a possibility if a person had the time and money necessary to "qualify"). My understanding is that they worked on those projects for between 10 and 15 years before seeing the results in successful litigation and then legislative action. So if HRA changed their tune and became an effective organization tomorrow, that'd mean... oh, never mind.

as opposed to other unfriendly gun forums...

Duh. Don't be stupid. (Kidding)

HRA needs a more active gun community, not just non-members that expect HRA to be active.

Let me share an observation... Testimonies on 2A bills.

When gun bills come up, these things help but are not enough to change the outcome:

1. submitting written testimonies - Legislators don't read the testimonies.  They count them but unless they know the person that wrote it, they don't pay any attention to them.

2. Harvey and Kerry testifying on their own on behalf of HRA - Despite the valiant effort of the 2 active people in HRA to actually show up and give testimony in person, legislators will listen to them both but then move on. 

3. Gun clubs that personally promise you they will send their officers, but no one shows up.

What actually works:  A room filled with Pro-2A people giving testimony eloquently.  Don't be a jackass.  Instead, get to know and have a dialogue with the legislators and even the reps of state agencies (HPD, AG, etc) that testify anti-2A.  When they see there is a strong opposition from people who actually show up and give oral testimonies, they have to listen and sometimes change their minds.  I've personally seen one or two bad bills die in committee when this happens.

HRA needs a more active gun community, not just non-members that expect HRA to be active.

Let me share an observation... Testimonies on 2A bills.

When gun bills come up, these things help but are not enough to change the outcome:

1. submitting written testimonies - Legislators don't read the testimonies.  They count them but unless they know the person that wrote it, they don't pay any attention to them.

2. Harvey and Kerry testifying on their own on behalf of HRA - Despite the valiant effort of the 2 active people in HRA to actually show up and give testimony in person, legislators will listen to them both but then move on. 

3. Gun clubs that personally promise you they will send their officers, but no one shows up.

What actually works:  A room filled with Pro-2A people giving testimony eloquently.  Don't be a jackass.  Instead, get to know and have a dialogue with the legislators and even the reps of state agencies (HPD, AG, etc) that testify anti-2A.  When they see there is a strong opposition from people who actually show up and give oral testimonies, they have to listen and sometimes change their minds.  I've personally seen one or two bad bills die in committee when this happens.

The county of Hawaii recognizes that the Big Island is big enough that people having to travel to the alternating locations of Kona and Hilo for County Council meetings is a hardship of time, distance and expense, and therefore  spends the money and uses existing technology to have live video feeds from three separate locations (Pahoa, Waimea, Kona/Hilo) on the island where people can submit live testimony via the remote video feeds. But the State of Hawaii refuses to recognize the hardship of time, distance and expense for people on all other islands to have to go to Oahu to testify before the legislature and has decided to not provide any other means (e.g. live video feeds from the other islands) for the already disenfanchised outer island residents to get an equal chance to testify re bills that effect them (can you imagine the amount of testimony they'd have received from the outer islands re the new rail tax increase?). In the case of the Big Island the state might even be able to make "arrangements" to share the already existing video feeds (some provision for conflicting schedules between county and state meetings notwithstanding). Why doesn't the state want to hear equally from the other island residents? The technology exists, and the financial outlay would be minimal, especially compared to the money they waste on trivia and fraud and ineffective laws (e.g. 50,000 hours per year registering firearms just on Oahu and that information NEVER  being used to solve even ONE SINGLE CRIME).

I mean really, why can't people just testify live via Skype from home? We see this all day long all over the internet with people being interviewed on live internet broadcasts. They just have a "director" coordinating the order of the calls and alerting callers to when they will be coming up. It's not rocket science. But "our" government and "our" "public servants" don't want this intrusion into the public sphere by the bumpkins slaves underlings useful idiots citizens.

I think we all know the answer to this: the almost unanimous progressive Hawaii legislature has an agenda and they have very little incentive to even pretend that they listen to the citizenry on the issues. They can pretty much do whatever they want and only on the rarest of occasions be concerned about not getting re-elected.

Re. Submitting testimony.
Punaperson just wrote what I was thinking about using technology to testify in person.
Not just from outer islands either. The sad reality is that people are so busy trying to make a living or caring for their families here they don't have the time to spare to go to these hearings.
Unlike legislators whose JOB is to go to meetings.

Biggest problem is the electorate, and the "opposition party".

Those who vote, whatever the percentage is 45 or 50 on a good day, vote for the same clowns that run the show now.
Until we get rid of the entrenched crowd we got now we are going nowhere.
The opposition has NO reason for there to be an uncontested election.
The single party system we have in play now will only get worse.
I have said it before. The Democrat Party has become the Oligarchy is replaced.
It is  even more powerful than the Big 5 and the plantation, and aims to keep us all under their thumb.
We as gun owners are probably a small percentage of citizens, but we need to be over represented in the elections.

I was going to compose a thought out precise list of all the things the HRA does but it would be a waste of time on the big dick shit talking keyboard warrior retards that seem to have taken over this forum.

Step 1:  Declare what needs to be done.
Step 2:  Do nothing and talk out of your ass online.

Back to the classifieds......

I was going to compose a thought out precise list of all the things the HRA does but it would be a waste of time on the big dick shit talking keyboard warrior retards that seem to have taken over this forum.

Step 1:  Declare what needs to be done.
Step 2:  Do nothing and talk out of your ass online.

Back to the classifieds......

Same here.  I was out of town on vacation when I saw this thread and told myself to respond when I got back home.  I was going to prepare responses to the ones that I felt compelled, particularly ones stating what I felt were either opinions formed from a "sideline perspective".  Yes, there are many things that HRA can improve, but I am saying that from a perspective of someone who is involved.  I know many on here are involved as well, but just haven't spoken up. 

A couple of things that I did want to respond to are first that HRA doesn't try anything new.  I can say for a fact that they are willing to try new things and I am part of a group that has been asked to offer some new things.  If you want more information on that, come out and participate.  I've been involved with HRA since I got back into shooting and moved back to Hawaii and since then I've seen so many new people come into HRA, with many different backgrounds, interests, desires.  The second is the part about HRA leadership being stagnant.  Well, at least IMO, one reason is that there aren't many folks that step up to try leadership roles.  I for one haven't and that's on me.  Though I have expressed my concerns to those in leadership positions and I have seen changes. 

Yes, many who have responded to this thread appear to do a lot for 2A, gun rights, etc.  While everyone is entitled to their opinion, there were many things said that I disagree with, or many perceptions that I feel are either in the past or misconceptions.  Yes, like any group, it had it's dynamics, some that I don't agree with, but I do try to do what is right and help where I can because I do believe in the core mission of the group.

There are those who have been turned off by specific aspects or people in HRA.  A few people in particular have been singled out.  One of them mentioned is one that I recognize and is one that I feel is super knowledgeable about 2A issues, but one that I rarely see at HRA functions.  At least ones that I participate in. 

While I participate in HRA when I can, I also participate in HDF where I can, USPSA/IPSC where I can, etc.  All activities that I enjoy.  Sometimes I think people forget that's why they got into shooting in the first place, which is the enjoyment of the activity. 

new 2ah member, so not sure what my .02 cents are worth.

i recently put in for a cmp garand, and did research on various hawaii organizations that would qualify.  I believe the HDF qualified, HRA may or may not have.   That's basically what I made my decision on.  If HRA qualifies, might be worthwhile to put a blurb on the front page that states it does, perhaps one that links to the CMP website area that says it's a qualified gun club, and right next to it, a signup for the minimum level membership.  EASY membership gains.

Pricing between the two is similar.
HRA website isn't the best, and doesn't really define what benefits a member gets from joining.  Just look at this calendar.  http://hawaiirifleassociation.org/calendar/
It basically tells me nothing, no info on signing up for events, what the events entail, time, whos eligible, etc.
Photo gallery of past events? Say the Gun show or the LIFE classes, show people having fun and gaining value from their membership.
It says nothing regarding political action, what they're trying to do to improve gun laws in hawaii, updates on discussions with lawmakers, pushing for better facilities at Kokohead with better hours, perhaps a new range on the westside,  and how members can support the action. 
If you want more members to join, make it clear on your website what you do, and what members have to be proud of.  Make it clear on what benefits members get by joining.  Make it clear on what you do in the shooting community.
As everyone knows word of mouth is KING in hawaii.  If the benefits of joining are evident, people will come in droves.
My viewpoint as an outsider is that HRA needs people in leadership positions that have strong business and IT skills (to develop the website, looks like developed by someone in ICS101 at UH). 
etc etc etc

new 2ah member, so not sure what my .02 cents are worth.

i recently put in for a cmp garand, and did research on various hawaii organizations that would qualify.  I believe the HDF qualified, HRA may or may not have.   That's basically what I made my decision on.  If HRA qualifies, might be worthwhile to put a blurb on the front page that states it does, perhaps one that links to the CMP website area that says it's a qualified gun club, and right next to it, a signup for the minimum level membership.  EASY membership gains.

Pricing between the two is similar.
HRA website isn't the best, and doesn't really define what benefits a member gets from joining.  Just look at this calendar.  http://hawaiirifleassociation.org/calendar/
It basically tells me nothing, no info on signing up for events, what the events entail, time, whos eligible, etc.
Photo gallery of past events? Say the Gun show or the LIFE classes, show people having fun and gaining value from their membership.
It says nothing regarding political action, what they're trying to do to improve gun laws in hawaii, updates on discussions with lawmakers, pushing for better facilities at Kokohead with better hours, perhaps a new range on the westside,  and how members can support the action. 
If you want more members to join, make it clear on your website what you do, and what members have to be proud of.  Make it clear on what benefits members get by joining.  Make it clear on what you do in the shooting community.
As everyone knows word of mouth is KING in hawaii.  If the benefits of joining are evident, people will come in droves.
My viewpoint as an outsider is that HRA needs people in leadership positions that have strong business and IT skills (to develop the website, looks like developed by someone in ICS101 at UH). 
etc etc etc

Thanks for the input.  I'll compile everyones issues and suggestions and post it up here and go over it with HRA.  It seems their website and social media needs a lot of improvement con communicating why people should join their group.

I have been going back and forth trying to decide what group to join. The NRA, HRA, and HDF. I know, why not join all 3 but I am going to start with 1. I gotta say that HRA isn't looking like first choice right now.

I wonder if the HDF could sort of take over as a lead Hawaii gun rights group? If they were able to take the lead and get associated with the NRA then that might be great.

Maybe a poll to see how many are members in one, the other, both, or neither? If we have a lot of one or the other then consolidation might be most advantageous.

The difference between HRA and HDF is HRA is very broad while HDF is focused.

HRA handles a lot of stuff for gun rights that HDF doesn't do.   Hunting and conservation, range development, community events, fundraising for local charities, instructor development, networking with legislators, etc.  HDF is focused more on the legislative, training, and self-defense aspects.  HRA is also several times larger than HDF.  HRA is looking at the long term community development while I see HDF is effective in the short term.

I think they are supplementary, both organizations are needed.  It would be more effective if both of them could coordinate better.

Got the tshirt. 

Got the tshirt.

and the need to post on every thread on 2aHI...



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and the need to post on every thread on 2aHI...

No I don't...