2aHawaii
General Topics => Legal and Activism => Topic started by: Heavies on September 28, 2010, 12:54:55 PM
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>:(
This just in from an email from khscinfo.kawamaekreations.com
skawamae@hawaiiantel.net
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Aloha all,
Due to budget constraints, please be advised of the reduced hours of operation
Mon - Tue Still Closed
Wed - Fri 12 noon - 3pm was 12 noon to 4pm (non furlough Fridays)
Furlough Fridays CLOSED
Sat - Sun 9am - 3pm was 8am - 4pm
Holidays CLOSED
Mahalo,
sk
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you have received this message as a service from the KHSC.info web site.
To me, it looks like the city is slowly killing Kokohead shooting complex! The range has been busier than ever, and now they cut hours? The hours should be extended to 8 hours a day, Wed.-Sun.! When I shoot there on Sundays, I leave my house at 5:30 in the morning get there at 6:30 and wait till 8, just to get a bench. The last time I went, I got there late, 7:30 one Sunday, and had to wait till about 10am to shoot!
Maybe we should all start writing our legislators and inform them that cutting the hours of the only public shooting venue in the state is a very bad idea. >:(
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Damn this is terrible, especially the cutting of the weekend hours. I go shooting during the weekday specifically because the benches are always filled on weekends.
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That really sucks.
The weekday hours are killer too. If you only get out every couple months and can only go on weekdays, you could spend all four hours there. Now only three :(
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Damn this is terrible, especially the cutting of the weekend hours. I go shooting during the weekday specifically because the benches are always filled on weekends.
It does. I too would love to go on the weekdays, but the hours (noon to 3) makes it impossible for me to shoot, go all the way home, drop off the guns, and go to work at night!
With the amount of people shooting at Kokohead, how the heck can the funding of this public service be so drastically cut?
It's not like the have real good budget. Look at the condition of all the shooting bays! If it wasnt for the donations and volunteerism to upkeep the areas, just think of how bad it would be!
2a,
Would it be possible to setup some sort of online petition that shooters could sign, compile, and be sent to these anti politicians?
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With the elections coming up it would be a great time to write your legislators....and ask that they comment on the wisdom of shutting down the only public shooting venue in light of the huge increase in gun sales. After all, isn't it better to make sure all those new gun owners have a means to practice in an effort to remain both proficient and safe? After all, if there is reduced opportunity to shoot, couldn't that possibly adversely affect that goal of keeping gun owners, and the public, safe?
Try to get their responses in writing. That way you can use it against them if they are just blowing hot air to get your vote....oh, and ask them how many golf courses are having their hours of operations reduced......
2A - We had a real chance to improve the range under Caldwell, who was pushing for renovations and community partnerships with gun groups. But under Carlisle those hopes to improve the range are pretty much dead......
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Um, have you guys not noticed the state budget cuts everywhere? Remember furlough Fridays? Remember UH discontinuing 2 entire programs and laying off all those professors? Remember reduced manpower at the firearms registration unit in HPD? Necessary services have been cut drastically statewide. Kokohead hardly qualifies as necessary. It's not like the shooting community is being singled out here. When you decide to vent to your representatives, keep that in mind.
And, honestly, what do you propose they do? Money has to come from somewhere. Should we raid the hurricane fund or take retirement funds from state workers? Offering a solution might help.
How about instituting a usage fee? I'd be happy to pay $5 for a visit if it meant restored hours and better-maintained facilities.
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How about instituting a usage fee? I'd be happy to pay $5 for a visit if it meant restored hours and better-maintained facilities.
I totally agree. Better to do it this way than losing it all at once. However, the money they'll collect should only strictly be use on the range and not for other facilities. Sad, this is what happens when the govt. keep on spending and politicians think that the problem is taxation. Govt. is broke they just don't want to admit it.
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How about instituting a usage fee? I'd be happy to pay $5 for a visit if it meant restored hours and better-maintained facilities.
I'd support this as well, assuming the fees are used solely for the gun range and not distributed to other projects.
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A usage fee would be great. But... we all know that the monies will not be used strictly for the complex. Besides we allready pay a usage fee(taxes). Same as the usage fees we pay for public parks and beaches.
I would be all for a nominal fee, provided that somehow the monies would be used for upkeep, renovation, and RSO pay.
Some places on the mainland, pubic shooting ranges are not even manned. In a way it is a good thing, but in a way, it is good to have a good RSO watching everyones back. I know some folks are just plain dangerous.
Furlogh fridays were all around, but now there is an additional 5 hour cut per week of range service. That is why I felt that this is kind of unfair to the shooting public.
Hicarry,
You were right about Caldwell and Carlisle. My wishful thinking was not to be during the election. Guess Hawaii will still stay in the dark ages of plantation mentality. I was kind of hoping that enough people were fed up with the status quo, I was wrong.
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I'd be happy to support such a fee, as long as it didn't go into the general fund. That being said, I realize that there have been cuts everywhere but would posit that the range is indeed a "necessary" government expenditure. Especially when the government effectively curtails the exercise of a civil right in doing so. The government requires range time in order to get the necessary affidavit to purchase a handgun and then starts cutting the time the range is available for those activities. It is similar to the Chicago case where after McDonald the "new" requirements for owning a gun in the city included requiring range time for the permit but prohibitting a range in the city limits. It's not a poll tax, and I hate to throw out so quickly the "slippery slope argument" but it doesn't take much to see such an eventuality.
As for offering solutions, how about we get rid of one (or more) or the RSOs? The savings realized would go toward keeping the range open longer. I don't see how that would be too difficult since in reality there are only two ranges that use RSOs. The rest of the venues are run by private organizations. In addition, I've heard that a portion of State funds are mandated to be spent on art. That, IMHO, should be discontinued. Art is not necessary, at least in terms of the government buying it with my tax dollars.
And, for that part, neither is golf. So what say we shut down and sell all those muni courses so we can reallocate those funds.....
I don't know how many RSOs there are, but if it's more than 3, it's too many.
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In addition, I've heard that a portion of State funds are mandated to be spent on art. That, IMHO, should be discontinued. Art is not necessary, at least in terms of the government buying it with my tax dollars.
And, for that part, neither is golf. So what say we shut down and sell all those muni courses so we can reallocate those funds.....
+1 one on that!
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Heavies: There is always the next time.....
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
ALBERT EINSTEIN
If one wants to be active, one must not be afraid of going wrong, one must not be afraid of making mistakes now and then. Many people think that they will become good just by doing no harm -- but that's a lie.... That way lies stagnation, mediocrity.
VINCENT VAN GOGH, letter to Theo van Gogh, Oct. 1884
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This range needs to go private already. Open it seven days a week, 10 hours a day, sell food, ammo, supplies, etc.
Have they tried this? Or has anyone made an offer?
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Man....this is discouraging! If they are closed so early will this effect the clubs that shoot at night in Kokohead?
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I just checked with my "friend" in the Mayor's Complaint Office.
So far, No One has Complained about the shorter hours at KokoHead.
He "suggested" that we flood the Complaints office with E mails that Require an answer.
Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Remember, some one has to personally answer All the complaints. Ask for the answer to be Emailed back to you instead of phone.
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Man....this is discouraging! If they are closed so early will this effect the clubs that shoot at night in Kokohead?
Are you referencing the USPSA clubs? As far as I can tell, they won't be affected by this change.
I just checked with my "friend" in the Mayor's Complaint Office.
So far, No One has Complained about the shorter hours at KokoHead.
He "suggested" that we flood the Complaints office with E mails that Require an answer.
Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Remember, some one has to personally answer All the complaints. Ask for the answer to be Emailed back to you instead of phone.
Done!
- Alex
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Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Done!
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Man it's so easy to get around all these rules at koko head, it really only takes a insurance policy, a 501.3c and a single trained instructor. Then you can have your own club! =p. If club's can shoot outside of normal hours that would be very interesting fix!
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I just checked with my "friend" in the Mayor's Complaint Office.
So far, No One has Complained about the shorter hours at KokoHead.
He "suggested" that we flood the Complaints office with E mails that Require an answer.
Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Remember, some one has to personally answer All the complaints. Ask for the answer to be Emailed back to you instead of phone.
Who's going to the range in the near future? Whoever is should print out a flyer and post it at every bulletin board at Kokohead asking them to make their complaint to the Mayor's office....I'm not sure the majority of users have found this site yet, so it might be a good way to get more folks to send in an e-mail or letter.
Oh, I just e-mailed my "complaint"
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Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Done!
Also done!
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So far, No One has Complained about the shorter hours at KokoHead.
He "suggested" that we flood the Complaints office with E mails that Require an answer.
Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Done! Thanks for the tip Oldguy!
Who's going to the range in the near future? Whoever is should print out a flyer and post it at every bulletin board at Kokohead asking them to make their complaint to the Mayor's office....I'm not sure the majority of users have found this site yet, so it might be a good way to get more folks to send in an e-mail or letter.
Hicarry, great idea.
I go to the range almost every weekend, but this month I have been required to work 12hr shifts 7 days a week. I don't know when I'll get to the range next, but if someone doesn't post up a flyer I will be happy to do so. Let me know.
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Who's going to the range in the near future? Whoever is should print out a flyer and post it at every bulletin board at Kokohead asking them to make their complaint to the Mayor's office....I'm not sure the majority of users have found this site yet, so it might be a good way to get more folks to send in an e-mail or letter.
Hicarry, great idea.
I go to the range almost every weekend, but this month I have been required to work 12hr shifts 7 days a week. I don't know when I'll get to the range next, but if someone doesn't post up a flyer I will be happy to do so. Let me know.
I won't be able to get to the range at all this week or next, so if someone else can post the flyer or let Heavies know if something hasn't been posted by the time he next visits the range, that would be great.
See you at the gun show......
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Send to: complaints@honolulu.gov
Done :)
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Hi Folks,
Just had another thought(yeah I know, the Wife says I think too much.....)
Just wondering what the stats are for the range.
How many people use it on weekdays vs weekends. And when? What times?
How long each person stays? How long is the waiting time for a bench? On a week day vs week end?
What are the maintenance Costs? How much repairs are done?
Since the range has lots of down time, Why not do repairs and upgrades?
If you're going to Complain, Why Not Ask for better facilities at the same time?
Since the Gun Show is this weekend, Maybe someone should start a petition or something to take to the new Mayor
about cut backs even Before he's officially in his office. Does he know? Does he Approve?
Wonder what he'll handle a small crisis even before he officially takes office.
I'd be wondering Where or Who originated this cutback even Before the new Mayor is in Office. Did it originate at
the Director level or else where?
I find the timing of the announcement to be kinda strange, does anyone else? Especially since it's at Election time.
The Wife wants more shade trees, Women's room on the shotgun area and maybe even a small air conditioned cafe.
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So it's been almost a week since my complaint email was sent in. NO response yet.. hmm... Anywho, I made some "Defend Koko Head" shirts on spreadshirt.
http://31602.spreadshirt.com/ (http://31602.spreadshirt.com/)
There is no markup so i'm not making any money on these at all.
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Finally got a response back from the City's Director of Parks.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a362/driftahxs/kokoheadletter.jpg)
Anyone else get anything back yet?
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I got the exact same form letter. It looks like everyone is getting it.
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Yep, same thing too! >:(
Guess it is SOP to come up with a standard response and send it out to all complainants.
Most times this is true. There are only a few that will give a thoughtful and detailed response to your concerns.
I also sent letters to my Sen., Rep., and the Governor. See what kind of response I get.
Try using this tool from the NRA. It is very helpful.
http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/ (http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/)
Search for your address, it finds all your legislators, then it has an email tool that helps you write your letter, and then sends it out.
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a little off topic but....
anyone know why the far right side of the rifle range is chained off and closed? Is there some kind of rule about how "X" number of staff have to be there to utilize "X" many stations? It just seems like the rifle range is VERY crowded nowdays @ 12pm on weekdays and there are benches not being used. Today, there was a waiting list.
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anyone know why the far right side of the rifle range is chained off and closed? Is there some kind of rule about how "X" number of staff have to be there to utilize "X" many stations? It just seems like the rifle range is VERY crowded nowdays @ 12pm on weekdays and there are benches not being used. Today, there was a waiting list.
They do that on weekdays. I don't know if it's because of reduced available staff to watch the line, or because those spaces are reserved for HPD. I mention HPD because I've been shooting out there on weekdays and seen HPD in the chained-off area. That was the day I embarrassed the poor SWAT sniper.
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oh OK, I saw someone training inside the sillhouette range yesterday.
It was all good though, most people cleared out of the range by 2pm... everyone waiting got a bench.
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:shaka:
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Heavies - Should we still continue to send complaints if the state is just going to send a "canned" letter? Please let me know. I am not the political type, but I am always willing to help in any way.
Yep, even though they send out the same response to everyone, the point is they know people are taking notice, and are concerned. I had also sent letters to my local Senator, Rep and Governor's office, just to get the word out. I feel this issue will also help us on the issue of CCW and other 2A rights. :thumbsup:
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:shaka:
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The KK range is Not a State facility
It is a City & County Department of Parks & Recreation facility.
Sooo, besides complaining to the Mayor's Office, a complaint to your council person wouldn't hurt either.
Get them involved, tell them the Mayor's Office is sending out meaningless form letters that are blowing you off.
Ask the Council Person to get a Detailed breakdown on use of the range. Have them make use of the Sign In books.
Main City site: http://honolulu.gov/agencies.htm (http://honolulu.gov/agencies.htm)
City Council members: http://honolulu.gov/council/ccl.htm (http://honolulu.gov/council/ccl.htm)
ASK Pointed Questions. Politely Demand specific answers. Give the range guys meaningful work.......
Ask them why the range is not open at night when Other Parks facilities are.
Ask them to have Transportation "donate" 2nd hand street lights that can't be used on roadways.
Have Facilities Maintenance install timers like at tennis courts.
Demand More, Why be satisfied with going back to the status quo?
The vaious shooting clubs/organiztions should get a "Dream List" together and hit the City for it.
Get a Tsunami of firearms people "squeeking the wheels"
Got nothing to loose, Everything to gain.
More reasons to Join NRA/HRA, organizations can add fuel to the fire.
But first, a fire has to be started......
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OG - all ready an NRA member and my spam box is always full thanks to them. lol I'll sign up for the HRA at the next Fun Shoot!
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I have had some good resposes from my Sen and Rep so far, and even the Gov's office has taken note.
At first the Gov's office sent me a response of 'it's the city's responsablility, but I just replied back that "I wanted the Gov and Gov elected to know about the problem and what the city was doing. They favoably replied that they would make sure everyone was informed of the situation.
Similar responses from my Sen. and Rep.
Might just be election year smoke being blown, but I figure 'Just keep at it" to keep it freash in thier minds. If they get enough 'concerned voters' emailing, then they will give the matter more serious thought.