Know someone who's husband kicked the crap out of her in front of her kids so she left with them and is currently in hiding. Who would you recommend for a firearms instruction course when things cool off a bit?

I like to teach beginners.
Guys on this forum know I used to do that.
It's time to start again.

BTW, those free shotgun wads are sitting in my garage.

OF made a good reference to shotguns.  There's no training needed for a long gun permit.  Plus, she can borrow a long gun from its owner, unlike a handgun.   

I'm guessing the PTA for a handgun still requires the handgun training documentation, and then you can take a CCW training class.  You need the registered handgun to put on your CCW application & you need to pass the CCW qualification live fire test using your registered CCW weapon.  My assumption is they won't accept CCW training for both a handgun permit and the carry license, even if you already own a handgun (out-of-state gun, etc.)?

So unless I'm wrong about all that, she needs the NRA handgun safety class first.  THEN she should consider taking the CCW training as well.  Given her situation, I think CCW would be prudent, but that's up to her and how she feels about it.

If I were her, I wouldn't worry too much about quality of training as much as who can get her trained immediately -- if not sooner.  Seems to always be a wait for a class. 

Check off that training box and get the permit application submitted right away.

JMHO

I’d recommend she make a police report ASAP, go get checked out at the hospital, start documenting everything.  One can’t just up a leave with the kids. The guy could call the cops on her and say she kidnapped the kids, file a TRO, then she wouldn’t be able to acquire any weapons for SD.

First to report has the advantage, even if the guy is a POS

I can build her a modified CO2 revolver and custom ammo that puts out 55 joules of power. You only need 17.5 J to penetrate a human skull
with a steel ball from 10 ft.  Other ammo could be used to incapacitate but not kill, like pepper or nylon balls. No permit needed, can buy
immediately for only $200.  With pepper balls she could take it with her to most places currently prohibited for firearms under “sensitive places.”

Just to help understand Joules power, a golf ball traveling at 100mph will have an impact force of 45J. 

Taser?  Stun gun?

The quickest and easiest thing to do is to obtain a can of pepper spray.
And just because today is Mother's Day, I'll even supply a free one if she wants one.
I gifted them to all my female coworkers last Christmas. 

I actually carry with me the following:
1. Pepper ball gun. Effective range 60 ft.
2. Mace pepper gun. Effective range 20 ft, but subject to wind conditions.
3. Taser X26 with 25 ft LE cartridge.   I wouldn't deploy this at a distance over 12 ft as you have to have 2 barbs stick in order for it to work.
I would say the pepper ball gun and Taser correctly deployed have a 95% chance of stopping bad behavior while the pepper spray I would rate at 90%.  Even a firearm is not 100%.  For civilians,  all we need to do is gain a few seconds to get away compared to LE who have to apprehend.

I’d recommend she make a police report ASAP, go get checked out at the hospital, start documenting everything.  One can’t just up a leave with the kids. The guy could call the cops on her and say she kidnapped the kids, file a TRO, then she wouldn’t be able to acquire any weapons for SD.

First to report has the advantage, even if the guy is a POS

She should also file for a TRO against him.  That goes a long way toward documenting the abuse and her intentions to keep him away from her and the kids.

He doesn't even have to be notified to attend the hearing.  Once granted, the TRO can be served by a third party -- Sheriff's Deputy, etc.

I can put it out on the local firearms instructors group to see who can help.  Just let me know when she's ready and also check criminal history to make sure it's clean.  https://www.courts.state.hi.us/legal_references/records/jims_system_availability

Thanks for the replies. He took out a TRO against her first. Real psychopath. When the cops showed up his demeanor changed instantly to sweet and innocent. I’m pretty sure she filed one as well by now. Family is still in a buzz but I meet with one of them tomorrow and see if they are in the mood to talk about training, non lethal, etc.

If she still has a TRO on her, then she should do OC and hand to hand.  OC is the best general self defense weapon other than a gun.

I know instructors for either if she needs references.

Thanks for the replies. He took out a TRO against her first. Real psychopath. When the cops showed up his demeanor changed instantly to sweet and innocent. I’m pretty sure she filed one as well by now. Family is still in a buzz but I meet with one of them tomorrow and see if they are in the mood to talk about training, non lethal, etc.

I knew a guy who worked in a judges chamber or something and dealt with TRO's.  Often they're used to gain leverage.  Especially for custody battles.  1 sides would advise to file one for the smallest reason cause it helps getting custody.

Then you have those who know how the game works and are first to file.