Got some updates on the KHSC rennovations at the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board meeting.
Parks Director Thielen said
1. Intent is to keep the range open and to get it open as soon as possible once all the work is completed.
2. Air lead testing was conducted by the EPA showing safe levels. Lead is heavy so doesn't travel far in the wind.
3. Ground water contamination is not an issue since lead is contained on the range and is not over an aquafer.
4. The EPA allows for lead contamination on a shooting range wheras other places, like schools and other parks, must remove or mitigate lead contamination.
5. Lead poisoning was probably due to lead from the firing line (I'm guessing primers and residue coming out of the barrel.
6. They hired a lead expert locally to go over some stuff and provide range staff with 4 days of training.
7. A range consultant they previously used was hired and will do a range inspection in December and provide more guidance.
8. No range work has been done so far, they are waiting for guidance from the range consultant.
9. They are looking at other range improvements based on the prior range masterplans and recommendations.
10. They will work with us to "adopt the park" so volunteers can repair and improve the range. However it's a long process due to liability and requires certifications, licensing, insurance, and other stuff. The Kokonut Coalition took 1.5 years of work to get approval from the city to fix the Koko Head stairs.
My thoughts. Laura Theilen was anti-gun in the legislature, but seems to be working to get the range reopened. The NB seems satisfied that the range will be safe from lead and ricochets after work has been completed. Knudsen asked many questions about safety and stated "the gun community thinks I want to shutdown the range, but my intent is to keep it open while ensuring it's safe." I didn't see anything in his questions or demeanor to say otherwise.
Had about 10 of us present and some testified and talked to Thielen. I asked that the back half, Hanauma side, of the range be opened as soon as possible due to CCW testing and it doesn't seem to have problems. They will wait to see what the range consultant says. I also brought up policies could mitigate a lot of the lead poisoning issues like handwashing stations closer to the firing line, no eating near the firing line, signage, and cleanliness and she agreed.