give credit to the mayor for giving us back 50 yard line on the rifle range based upon feedback at the open forum last night...

NEWS RELEASE

MAYOR RICK BLANGIARDI

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 14, 2023

Nate Serota: (808) 768-3046

 

Pistol & rifle ranges at Koko Head Shooting Complex reopening April 29

Weekend schedule, free online reservations implemented due to current staffing shortage

 

O‘AHU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are pleased to announce the pistol and rifle ranges at the Koko Head Shooting Complex (KHSC) are scheduled to reopen for public use on Saturday, April 29.

 

While shooting will resume on these public ranges, current staffing levels (due to non-medical resignations), existing conditions at KHSC, and the anticipated high demand for this popular outdoor range will result in temporary changes to operations for the firearm ranges:

Pistol and rifles ranges will operate as one firing line, due to damaged separation wall
Firearm ranges open on weekends, Saturdays & Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free online reservations required to book 1 hour 20-minute shooting slot:
Conducted online using the pros.hnl.info website
Reservations open five days in advance at 8 a.m. (HST). For instance, on opening day (April 29), reservations will be available beginning 8 a.m. Monday, April 24
One non-transferable reservation per person, per day for both ranges
Photo identification and proof of reservation required (on phone or printed)
Five timeslots available for 18 pistol and 27 rifle firing lanes:
-          8 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.

-          9:35 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.

-          11:10 a.m.  – 12:30 p.m.

-          12:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.

-          2:20 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.

Three rifle and two pistol firing lanes will be made available for walk-ins, those unable to secure a reservation, and those without computer / internet access.
Each shooting timeslot will consist of three shooting relays and two ceasefires, with 15-minutes between each of the five timeslots
No metal targets or .50 caliber BMG allowed
Pistol targets may be placed at 25 or 50 yards
Rifle targets may be placed at 50 or 100 yards
We appreciate the understanding of shooters as the above-mentioned protocols are temporarily placed on the KHSC firearm ranges. We are actively working to increase full-time and part-time staffing at KHSC, with interested applicants encouraged to contact staff at (808) 768-6715. Additional improvements are being pursued to make these firearm ranges more available for public use, including repairs to the separating wall to allow pistol and rifle ranges to operate independently.

Other permanent changes or continued KHSC operations include:

No eating, drinking or smoking allowed on the firing line
More stringent, regular cleaning protocols to remove lead particles from surfaces near the firing lines
De-lead soap provided in comfort station and at rifle-side portable sink
Protocols for testing / monitoring employees lead levels and impacts to hearing
Shooters must continue to provide their own:
Licensed firearm
Ammunition
Targets and target frame (measurements remain the same as before closure)
Ear and eye protection
All shooters must continue to sign-in with your name and firearm caliber(s)
All visitors must comply with KHSC signage, rules, and regulations
Archery range remains open on regular schedule (Wednesday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset) as staff are not required to be present to operate this facility
While these changes are significant, we hope shooters can enjoy the renovated facilities which were refurbished following the Sept. 2022 closure of the shooting complex. During that time a wide variety of improvements, repairs, and maintenance was conducted at the complex, including:

Backstop / berm renovations
Filled-in the rifle range ruts
Landscaping (mowing and weed whacking)
Carpentry to the overhanging eyebrows
Painting of structures and shooting galleries
Roofing repairs (including hurricane clips, repairs to damaged areas, and coating)
New target brackets
Improved shooting gallery amenities (such as setting areas)
Upgraded public address and ceasefire alert system
Masonry work on the range walls, pathways, and steps
Fencing along the mauka ranges
Installation of new signage
Pressure washing the firing line
During each phase of the above-mentioned work, air monitoring was conducted by an environmental consultant to measure levels of air-borne lead. All air-borne tests indicated that no lead dust was detected. This air monitoring will continue with the reopening of the firearm ranges. Testing for surfaces near the firing line did return detectable levels of lead, which is expected at a firearm range. This resulted in the implementation of more stringent, regular cleaning protocols to remove lead particles from these surfaces and the restriction of eating and drinking along the firing line.

The entire Koko Head Shooting Complex was closed on Sept. 16, 2022 after the City received notice that many of the complex employees received blood test results indicating elevated levels of lead. These test results indicated that the lead levels were well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and medically established levels of concern. Although the levels did not pose an immediate health risk to the staff, they were relocated out of an abundance of caution. All interested range staff remain under OSHA and medically established levels of concern and may return to work at Koko Head Shooting Complex. Furthermore, protocols for employee lead level and hearing impact testing / monitoring will be implemented.

DPR is continuing to work with the various agencies who operate the other KHSC ranges regarding necessary improvements to those facilities. They remain closed to the public at this time.

Please visit the KHSC official website for additional information and updates about the complex and its operations: bit.ly/kokoheadrange

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov

I’m forwarding the press release about the partial re-opening of the Koko Head Shooting Complex.  The press release includes the management steps we’re taking to ensure a smooth re-start of the activities, given the physical changes we had to make to the berm between the pistol and rifle ranges.  I’m happy to report that the concern raised last night about the rifle range has been addressed.  We will continue to offer both 50-yard and 100-yard targets at the rifle range.  Our outdoor shooting range expert, Kramer One, has advised us to create either an intermediary backstop behind the 50-yard target or to re-grade the area – but his final report states that this work can be done when we move forward with the larger Capital Improvement Project (CIP).  We will continue to prohibit .50 caliber per his recommendation.

The press release also details the improvements that have been completed at the two ranges.  We hope you find the area comfortable.  We have put a request for a $2.4 million CIP for the Range in our budget that is currently before the City Council.  If that is approved, we will move forward with the design to replace the side berm between the pistol and rifle ranges, install permanent hand washing stations, address the backstop for the 50-yeard rifle targets, among other items.

I heard your concerns that the rules for obtaining a conceal carry permit require training at the pistol action bays.  That area is managed by HPD.  DPR had planned and budgeted for the backstop remediation work at the pistol and rifle ranges.  But when the blood lead level tests came back, we hired an outdoor range expert consultant, and ended up with a list of “must do” items for each range that we hadn’t budgeted for.  Accordingly, DPR met with the various groups managing/utilizing the different ranges, and each group is taking the lead on the improvements for those ranges.  DPR took the lead on the two ranges open to and utilized by the general public – the pistol and rifle ranges.  HPD is handling the work on the action range, and is diligently taking care of the improvements necessary for that reopening.

"One non-transferable reservation per person, per day for both ranges"

Not sure what this means, if you can make one appointment for each range, or one total.  I guess if you're there with another person, both can make reservations and shoot in two time slots.

The reservations appear to be temporary since they're only opening up half the lanes and are short staffed.    Combined with the 8 month closure plus the bays and silhouette range are still closed, there would be a very long line and wait.

Perhaps the reservation system is a good thing under these circumstances.

"One non-transferable reservation per person, per day for both ranges"

Not sure what this means, if you can make one appointment for each range, or one total.  I guess if you're there with another person, both can make reservations and shoot in two time slots.

The reservations appear to be temporary since they're only opening up half the lanes and are short staffed.    Combined with the 8 month closure plus the bays and silhouette range are still closed, there would be a very long line and wait.

Perhaps the reservation system is a good thing under these circumstances.

Glad I'm not the only one who found this ambiguous.

I would have said "One non-transferable reservation per range (rifle & pistol) for a combined total of two reservations per person, per day,"  assuming that's what they meant.

 

I made my appointment for Saturday.  Slots are filling fast already and it's just been 15 minutes.

I got saturday

still get appts pistol and rifle
not filling up as fast as i thought

still get appts pistol and rifle
not filling up as fast as i thought

not everyone knows this is even going on...

Saturday is almost sold out.  Sunday appointment window starts tomorrow 8am

not everyone knows this is even going on...

you snooze, you lose, bruh!   

finally get to shoot my airweight 22WMR bc indoor range didn't have any 22WMR ammo
and get to shoot my 44mag reloads.  at indoor range 44mag ammo was just too expensive
it will be flame on time! 

 

I got Sunday. rifle side
still get appts for both rifle and pistol
I usually don't go 2 days in a row but when you got the itch, the best thing to do is scratch it 

Hey gents, first time replying on here. Like many of you, I look forward to heading out to the Koko Head range, I'll be a newbie there too, but how did you guys schedule a time slot online? I must be dazed, because I went on the KHSC site, but I didn't see anything about scheduling a time slot.

Got it! Thank you!

Is George LaRosa Mike's replacement?

Is George LaRosa Mike's replacement?

George is the overall Koko head parks manager.  Probably taking care of the range till they get a replacement.

I just received an email from him (George) stating:

"Target Height: We are requesting that center of lowest target be 5’ from the ground."

That is very high . . .

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