Luckily, the way this one went, it bypassed all the political interference the west side range encountered..  This is the MM16 site that has had shooters cited for shooting .22 as it is not a legal hunting caliber.

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/03/03/hawaii-news/ready-aim-fire-dlnr-working-on-rules-signs-for-islands-only-public-shooting-range/

Quite a drive from my house in Kona, but in reality, takes about the same time as driving to Manuka with all the slow traffic and speed limits going south.

Best parts of the article are:

“… However, the intent is to provide opportunities for the public at large and not just hunters.”

" DLNR also is looking at proposing an area in the Manuka Natural Area Reserve in South Kona as a public shooting range. "

Two ranges withing driving distance?  Unbelievable if it happens. 

Will not be surprised at some liberals trying a lawsuit to stop or slow things down.

Great news

So... nothing has changed about the physical conditions nor the rules applying to the area (hunting license required, only hunting-appropriate firearms may be legally used, and people will be cited for not following that rule, etc.)... but they are going to put up "signage" and "a kiosk" with rules. But they have "intentions" that are other than what they have actually done. Yeah, that makes sense. Am I missing something or has the totality of the change been to merely make "official" what has always been the case for that area? In other words all that has really changed has been words.

From the article, take it for what it is worth:

“… However, the intent is to provide opportunities for the public at large and not just hunters.”

If some local shooting group stepped up to lend a had with cleanup and some rudimentary facilities would be nice.

Looks promising and unlike other range projects it looks like the mile 16 range will succeed.

Looks promising and unlike other range projects it looks like the mile 16 range will succeed.

until people start abusing it and mess it up...

From the article, take it for what it is worth:

“… However, the intent is to provide opportunities for the public at large and not just hunters.”

If some local shooting group stepped up to lend a had with cleanup and some rudimentary facilities would be nice.

I was saying that their "intent" is not worth anything at all. Nothing has changed about that area except that it is now "officially" sanctioned. Nothing.

I'm not saying that it won't change in the future, only that they have changed nothing at all about that area. When they speak of their "intentions" they should tell us what item is being proposed on what agenda for what meeting when to accomplish that "intention", otherwise it seems like nothing but hot air. Maybe it's a "secret" that they can't reveal to the public yet?

I hope I'm wrong.

Its going to take a little time to get everything in place especially since this project came up fairly recently.

Going through the normal process would involve studies, environmental impact statements, at least a couple years worth of bills in the legislature, numerous public hearings, dealing with protesters, zoning issues, and all kinds of other stuff.

Regular ranges take about 5 to 15 years to plan and build.  If they're built at all.

I was up there yesterday to do test loads on various calibers. Just a few guys there all doing the same. Set up my target stand with paper targets on top and my 6" ar500 gong under it at 100yds, set up my pistol target stand with paper targets and 3 plates below, and just had at it. We were all on the same page. Every so often we would all stop and go check/adjust targets and go at it again. It felt great to not worry about having multiple firearms out and also to finally shoot a ton of 22lr I've been sitting on.  Good times for sure. Just thought I'd share my experience I had there with you guys.

... and also to finally shoot a ton of 22lr I've been sitting on.  Good times for sure. Just thought I'd share my experience I had there with you guys.

So 22LR is confirmed okay to use? Okay to practice with non-hunting specific rounds?  That's great news if so!  Really makes me happy to hear that. 

So 22LR is confirmed okay to use? Okay to practice with non-hunting specific rounds?  That's great news if so!  Really makes me happy to hear that. 

That is correct. Ok to plink, and shoot, non-hunting specific rounds. I also confirmed this with one of the folks that was involved with DOCARE to make this a legitimate shooting area. Good news indeed.

Mahalo for the awesome news! That'll make my wife happy to hear also. She really likes shooting our S&W 617 revolver because of the no recoil 22lr   

I was saying that their "intent" is not worth anything at all. Nothing has changed about that area except that it is now "officially" sanctioned. Nothing.

I'm not saying that it won't change in the future, only that they have changed nothing at all about that area. When they speak of their "intentions" they should tell us what item is being proposed on what agenda for what meeting when to accomplish that "intention", otherwise it seems like nothing but hot air. Maybe it's a "secret" that they can't reveal to the public yet?

I hope I'm wrong.

The meeting was only ten days ago.  Maybe you're not able to comprehend a bigger picture.  What do you want already, berms, benches, bathrooms and a snack bar?  You can never please everyone.

The meeting was only ten days ago.  Maybe you're not able to comprehend a bigger picture.  What do you want already, berms, benches, bathrooms and a snack bar?  You can never please everyone.

They were discussing a range last year
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=26209.0

And they are still in the "discussing a range" stage over a year later

In Oregon we went from this mess with people shooting a hillside:


To this in less than a year working with the state (same location)

The meeting was only ten days ago.  Maybe you're not able to comprehend a bigger picture.  What do you want already, berms, benches, bathrooms and a snack bar?  You can never please everyone.

No. I was only referring to the regulations regarding what calibers and what firearms are legal to fire there and whether or not a hunting license is still required. Some people here claim those regulations, at least the hunting caliber/firearms only regulation, have/has been rescinded. I attempted to contact Tom Lodge to confirm that but was unable to find a new working phone number for him and the contact person at the county Game Management Advisory Commission has not gotten back to me. I personally don't care if they ever make any "improvements", only that it be a range where all firearms and calibers are allowed without having to have any permission slip from the government.

From the BLNR submission at the 2/23 meeting: "...authorize the use of all legally possessed and used firearms... and ammunition...".

file:///C:/Users/User/Documents/Gun%20Stuff%20New%20HP/big%20island%20shooting%20range%20mm16%20blnr%20official%20statement%2002%2023%2018.pdf

Still not sure about hunting license requirement. Will call tomorrow.

They were discussing a range last year
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=26209.0

They have been discussing a range for a hell of a lot longer than last year.  Like it or not, this is not Oregon.   

No. I was only referring to the regulations regarding what calibers and what firearms are legal to fire there and whether or not a hunting license is still required. Some people here claim those regulations, at least the hunting caliber/firearms only regulation, have/has been rescinded. I attempted to contact Tom Lodge to confirm that but was unable to find a new working phone number for him and the contact person at the county Game Management Advisory Commission has not gotten back to me. I personally don't care if they ever make any "improvements", only that it be a range where all firearms and calibers are allowed without having to have any permission slip from the government.

From the BLNR submission at the 2/23 meeting: "...authorize the use of all legally possessed and used firearms... and ammunition...".

file:///C:/Users/User/Documents/Gun%20Stuff%20New%20HP/big%20island%20shooting%20range%20mm16%20blnr%20official%20statement%2002%2023%2018.pdf

Still not sure about hunting license requirement. Will call tomorrow.

I simply stated that the hearing with the DLNR board was 10 days ago, I was there for the hearing and provided testimony.  I listened to what was said, stipulations that were discussed in the hearing.  There were details that needed to be discussed post-hearing.  I met with every key person there, from the Chief and #2 DLNR guy and those from On Target and from the public side.  Yes the conversations afterward were a bit more detailed, but there is still a process and drafting of the overall plan.  If the Big Island wants a range, this is about the best way to expedite that process.  People need to be patient, but I can say those involved in the process at the DOCARE and DLNR board level are sympathetic. 

As mentioned it would just take a few idiots to blow it.   

This is good to hear!  Steps forward at last.  Can't expect the moon overnight, but any small step in the right direction is welcome!  Thanks for all the people that made it happen!

I will remain cautiously optimistic. I would like to see both proposed locations come to fruition. My home is close to the range area in the Manuka National Forest.

If this happens sooner rather than later I would consider early retirement. It would be great if some of us try to reinstate the Big Island Gun Club and maybe become an arm of the HRA. Loosely organize all the splinter groups and clubs around the island under one organization for representation and activism purposes. I would like to see as many people as possible support the range(s) and have friends of the range clean up days and group ammo buys like we used to have when I first lived there. If we could have group ammo buys then we can also do group powder and primer buys as well.

Am I living in a utopian world? Probably so.

I will remain cautiously optimistic. I would like to see both proposed locations come to fruition. My home is close to the range area in the Manuka National Forest.

If this happens sooner rather than later I would consider early retirement. It would be great if some of us try to reinstate the Big Island Gun Club and maybe become an arm of the HRA. Loosely organize all the splinter groups and clubs around the island under one organization for representation and activism purposes. I would like to see as many people as possible support the range(s) and have friends of the range clean up days and group ammo buys like we used to have when I first lived there. If we could have group ammo buys then we can also do group powder and primer buys as well.

Am I living in a utopian world? Probably so.

Aloha Dave.  The Manuka site is still a possibility, however, it was pretty clear and accepted by all in attendance that the best path forward is to concentrate on MM16 first.  There was no real opposition to the possibility of Manuka following suit, however focusing on one site has a greater chance of success and the success of MM16 will directly impact the opportunity for Manuka.  It is a way to prove viability, or there are those who could completely eff it up for everyone.