Kawaii Kon: costume, prop and weapon rules

Last checked against the con's own rules on 2026-10-21.

A guide to Kawaii Kon's prop and weapon rules for cosplayers attending the Hawaii Convention Center convention.

Kawaii Kon requires every prop to pass through the Public Safety Department's inspection desk, which sits beside the metal detectors at the main convention and parking levels. Once inspected, each item receives a visible peace bond that must remain on show at all times inside the event. Props must also match the costume you are currently wearing; bringing one in with street clothes is not allowed. No metal props of any kind are permitted, and that ban covers swords, bludgeons, knives, kunai, and anything else made of metal. All edged props are banned whether sharpened, sheathed, or unsheathed. Real guns, metal pellet or BB guns, paintball equipment, water guns, and airsoft props are all excluded — even if deactivated or de-milled. Nerf-style props may be brought in without ammunition, but Nerf Super Soakers and Gel Blasters are not allowed. Every prop firearm must keep its orange tip visible at all times, and when holstered the tip or the peace bond must remain in view. Bows and slingshots are only permitted without any tension on them. When it comes to construction, no rigid metal piping may be used inside any prop, brittle materials such as glass or acrylic sheet are not allowed, and all points must be made from soft or non-rigid materials. The policy notes that the larger a prop is, the lighter its construction material needs to be. Chains must be plastic and no longer than twelve inches, and whips must be peace-bonded so they cannot uncoil. Brandishing a prop is banned except for posed photographs taken in a clear area, and using any prop in a fight results in immediate ejection from the event. Prop and costume rules change from year to year, and the details above come entirely from Kawaii Kon's own policy page. Always check the current version at kawaiikon.com before you attend, as the con's page is the authority on what is and is not allowed.

Full details at Kawaii Kon →