From Councilman Tom Berg,

Our Parks Committee agenda link- we will discuss the Kokohead gun/public shooting range- there is a proposal to charge end users a fee, there are maintenance issues, shortened hours of operations etc....I am against charging a fee and this is the first step where folks who shoot also need to voice their opinion against the fee concept.

http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-120467/011012%20AGENDA%20PCA%20(3).htm

Thanks for the heads up.

Shortened hours of operation? That's gotta go.

Writing up my email right now.

Anywho from the link.
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
COMMITTEE MEETING ROOM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
10:30 A.M.
 
SPEAKER REGISTRATION:
 
Persons wishing to testify are requested to register by 10:30 a.m. as follows:
 
a.                  On-Line at http://www1.honolulu.gov/council/attnspkpca.htm (Edited URL so that it worked without removing ;  -- Funtimes)
b.                  By faxing to 768-3827 your name, phone number and the agenda item;
c.                  By filling out a registration form in person; or
d.                  By calling 768-3816.
 
Persons who have not registered to testify will be given an opportunity to speak on an item following oral testimonies of the registered speakers.
 
Each speaker is limited to a one-minute presentation.

WRITTEN TESTIMONY:
 
Written testimony may be faxed to 768-3827 or emailed at http://www1.honolulu.gov/council/emailpca.htm for distribution at the meeting.
 
If submitted, written testimonies, including the testifier’s address, e-mail address and phone number, may be posted by the City Clerk and available to the public on the City’s DocuShare Website.
 
FOR DISCUSSION
 
13.       STATUS OF KOKOHEAD SHOOTING RANGE; MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS,         AND FEE USAGE.

http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-120467/011012%20AGENDA%20PCA%20(3).htm
(info sent by Tom Berg )

Like the title says...I'd recommend submitting testimony or going to the meeting if possible.

I took a trip down there today(rifle side). I arrived at 6am. There was one, yes one, open bench left!
By the time the sun rose the place was packed, the entire line, sitting, standing, and prone.  This is getting rediculous.

Cool, I didn't see you had posted this up already. Thanks!

Testimony submitted.

A video by Tom Berg

I just sent my testimony. We all should do what we can.

Sent my testimony in as well.

Sent.

Discussion before City Council Parks Committee today had a lot of questions posed to parks director Cabata by the Chair, Councilman Tom Berg. Some suggested user fees for everyone but that fees be put back into the range and not go into the General Fund. My question is the city subsidizes the numerous municipal golf courses which has user fees and still requires millions more annually in city funds to keep operating and designated soccer parks that charge none and they too require millions annually in public funds to operate. Unfortunate for the shooting sports community none are actual politicians that would understand and sympathize with the plight of the shooting community. But if you were into golf and soccer, no problem, what ever you need.

Only Councilman Berg has raised these questions as to user fees and diminishing hours for range users and has proposed a second range on the west side of Oahu.



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I became privy to operating figures for the Koko Head Range. My question is where is that $3 to $4 MILLION dollars going towards at the range? I guess you need to be logged in to see the attached PDF or pics.

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I am really not buying some of those fees man.  I run central AC, a 1000w computer (two laptops) printers, house hold appliances etc, tv all the time.  I think my computer alone would take up more than most of what Kokohead has lol. Water? Not really buying that one either, do they water the grass or something? That one bathroom shouldn't cost that much -- not for  the 27 hours the park is open a day.

I agree. Speaking to a clubs main person I was told they only don't get charged for electricity. So a laptop for scoring? Target stands, targets, ammo, things add up plus gas and lunch etc for range users already. As was stated in the file 2009 Lead Remediating which was noted in 6 years that was never done. Also brush fires being set is another problem? Seems as I speak to people there are several running inside jokes as to the range. Also brought up by Councilman Cachola as to any incidents requiring the city to settle lawsuits to range users. Has this ever happened? An ND or someone going postal at the range? Parks Director Cabata stated they have a $1 Million dollar policy. Amazing as when I promoted the drift racing events at the stadium I had a $3 Million dollar per occurrence policy. That was a $6800 per day policy I had to acquire and indemnify numerous parties in the policy as well.

You're also right on the water portion. I mean if they did water the place maybe there would be less problems with self-inflicted brush fires right 

Welcome to the forums SSH. Great to have you here. Any word on how the discussions went? Was anything decided or proposed?

I look forward to seeing the video in the next few days.
http://www1.honolulu.gov/cameras/council/index.htm

Shooting policies are not that expensive. We were looking at an indoor range, complete store, 400k in arms and stuff... that was only like 6k IIRC. It was rather insignificant imo. 

I agree. Speaking to a clubs main person I was told they only don't get charged for electricity. So a laptop for scoring? Target stands, targets, ammo, things add up plus gas and lunch etc for range users already. As was stated in the file 2009 Lead Remediating which was noted in 6 years that was never done. Also brush fires being set is another problem? Seems as I speak to people there are several running inside jokes as to the range. Also brought up by Councilman Cachola as to any incidents requiring the city to settle lawsuits to range users. Has this ever happened? An ND or someone going postal at the range? Parks Director Cabata stated they have a $1 Million dollar policy. Amazing as when I promoted the drift racing events at the stadium I had a $3 Million dollar per occurrence policy. That was a $6800 per day policy I had to acquire and indemnify numerous parties in the policy as well.

When I was an active silhouette club member we were involved in a senseless lawsuit.  A shooter was injured from a ricochet. All the shooter wanted was reimbursement for his doctor bills. The injury was not life threatening nor disabling. Rather than settle it, the city took our organization to court. We got no support from the parks dept. We had to hire our own attorney.

On the first day of court, it was revealed that our organization warned the city that something had to be done about the large blue rock boulders in front of the firing line, LONG before the shooter was injured. These rocks caused the ricochet that injured the shooter. More's the pity that it was also revealed that on the date of the injury, we were sharing the range with the bulleye shooters and that a city employee was in charge of the range. The judge dimissed the case. The boulders were also immediately taken care of.

There was also a suicide at the pistol range some years ago. I have no idea if this also resulted in a law suit.
   

I became privy to operating figures for the Koko Head Range. My question is where is that $3 to $4 MILLION dollars going towards at the range? I guess you need to be logged in to see the attached PDF or pics.

This expense summary for 2009, is it confirmed?  This lead abatement was performed?  Does anyone know how often the abatement is done?  For all we know the City is pulling this because they do the abatement every 20 years.  Also it's been brought up before, but why the hell is the Kokohead District Park water bill being shoved in with Kokohead's bill?


For those unable to download/view the 2009 budget as posted, here it is;

I would like to know what the 173,000 in recreation is; you know, I would like to see what all of this stuff is -- sounds like I have another project coming.