I live near Southpoint on the Big Island and there are acres and acres of empty treeless land with the ocean as a backdrop for probably 10 miles and not a person or structure for several miles.  Is there a law against setting up a inpromptu plinking range with the ocean or a large berm as a backstop like we used to do when I liven in Arizona?  It probabaly is considered public land since it is beach access and in all probability Hawaiian Homelands also. Anyone know if there is any limitations?

I think the law is a minimum of 44 acres or something like that that is private land. Doesn't matter if you're isolated or not - it has to be private land.

Is there a statute somewhere?  In AZ it was Public land OK ( No structures, or dangerous discharge at 1/4 mile) and or Permission (On private land ) ...

Well it is so isolated and desolate maybe I will go down there and crack off a few 7.62's and see if the Pigs show up.

I live near Southpoint on the Big Island and there are acres and acres of empty treeless land with the ocean as a backdrop for probably 10 miles and not a person or structure for several miles.  Is there a law against setting up a inpromptu plinking range with the ocean or a large berm as a backstop like we used to do when I liven in Arizona?  It probabaly is considered public land since it is beach access and in all probability Hawaiian Homelands also. Anyone know if there is any limitations?

Ocean as the backstop..............bad bad idea.  Even if the land is private the ocean is not and it's a no no for the bullets to leave private land.  As an example for Puuloa beach guards have to be set up to assure that no beach goers are affected. The waters out there are also not really someplace where boats go, at least not close to shore.  This is not the case at South Point.

As others are saying if it's not your private land, then bad idea.

I am perfectly capable of controling my fire and know limitations when it comes to saftey, backdrops and limitations of where and when to discharge firearms of all calibres safely. My main question is "Is it Legal" to discharge fireamrs in a safe manner on what is considered Public Property?  I cannot find any current or past legislation written in the Hawaii codes that restrict discharging or posessing loaded firearms with the exception of on a Public Highway.  If I am wrong I would like to know. Thaks Mark

I live near Southpoint on the Big Island and there are acres and acres of empty treeless land with the ocean as a backdrop for probably 10 miles and not a person or structure for several miles.  Is there a law against setting up a inpromptu plinking range with the ocean or a large berm as a backstop like we used to do when I liven in Arizona?  It probabaly is considered public land since it is beach access and in all probability Hawaiian Homelands also. Anyone know if there is any limitations?

I am perfectly capable of controling my fire and know limitations when it comes to saftey, backdrops and limitations of where and when to discharge firearms of all calibres safely. My main question is "Is it Legal" to discharge fireamrs in a safe manner on what is considered Public Property?  I cannot find any current or past legislation written in the Hawaii codes that restrict discharging or posessing loaded firearms with the exception of on a Public Highway.  If I am wrong I would like to know. Thaks Mark

Be that as it may, why risk it?  Why not just drive over to Manuka?  If you are shooting on private land, you need permission from the owner.  If you are shooting on public land you are going to spook someone and they will call the police and then you will really find out what the story is the hard way.  See the thread about the guy shooting the bb gun from cemetary to his property?  I am pretty sure the police will find some law you violated and it will be a PIA for you to go to court over it.  Just my 2 cents and by no means on one of Moses' tablets. 

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I hear you New guy, I just am so used to being able to go virtually anywhere outside city limits on public land, national forests in AZ and plinking (as long as you do so safe) and not within a 1/4 mile of a structure.  Never have had a problem there and I think it is just rare to find a location on these islands that are so remote so nobody here anticipates having these opportunities and maybe thats why I find no law against it unless sombody know something I dont.  Believe me I am an ex US Navy and small arms 1911, M14,  M60 as a collateral duty on the Submarines I was stationed on so I understand gun safety.   Thanks Mark

I am perfectly capable of controling my fire and know limitations when it comes to saftey, backdrops and limitations of where and when to discharge firearms of all calibres safely. My main question is "Is it Legal" to discharge fireamrs in a safe manner on what is considered Public Property?  I cannot find any current or past legislation written in the Hawaii codes that restrict discharging or posessing loaded firearms with the exception of on a Public Highway.  If I am wrong I would like to know. Thaks Mark

If you cannot positively confirm that there are no people downrange from you, then you are looking at extreme negligence.  As far as backdrops the fact that you are asking about discharge towards/into the ocean says no you are not aware of safe limitations.  What are you shooting, how far will the bullet carry, what chance of leaving the property.........just minimal questions that should be answered.

I'm not trying to dog you here, but it's not as simple as you would make out.  If you've ever seent the NRA resource for range setup/control/etc. it looks like two massive encylopedias, I should know because I have a copy sitting in my downstairs room.

Now discharging on public land, obviously it's legal to do so otherwise there would be no hunting on public lands.  I would first suggest you look at the HRA's to see when/where you can discharge. After this I would seriously contact either BI PD or legal counsel who is/are familiar with this type of case.  Push comes to shove none of us here will be defending you in a court of law if you get arrested & charged.

I hear you New guy, I just am so used to being able to go virtually anywhere outside city limits on public land, national forests in AZ and plinking (as long as you do so safe) and not within a 1/4 mile of a structure.  Never have had a problem there and I think it is just rare to find a location on these islands that are so remote so nobody here anticipates having these opportunities and maybe thats why I find no law against it unless sombody know something I dont.  Believe me I am an ex US Navy and small arms 1911, M14,  M60 as a collateral duty on the Submarines I was stationed on so I understand gun safety.   Thanks Mark

Ah OK I C about the gun knowledge now.

I would really talk to the PD about what you would like to do.  BI is pretty laid back as are most of the outer islands.  The LEO's might be able to help you out.

Ok I dont mean to cause a bunch of handwringing here sorry guys ... I just cannot find a statute with regard to shooting or hunting on public land. The nearesat range for me is 140 mile round trip thru mostly more desolate land than the actual range is located on.  The slopes of Mauna Loa are vast and most of us down here do not see another human being on the beach in this area for hours sans a 4 wheeler or two. In fact I would say it is a far safer area to plink here than many areas we were at in Arizona.

I live near Southpoint on the Big Island and there are acres and acres of empty treeless land with the ocean as a backdrop for probably 10 miles and not a person or structure for several miles.  Is there a law against setting up a inpromptu plinking range with the ocean or a large berm as a backstop like we used to do when I liven in Arizona?  It probabaly is considered public land since it is beach access and in all probability Hawaiian Homelands also. Anyone know if there is any limitations?

During the hunters ed class i took in kona they told us that you can set up a target range for privet use as long as you have an adequate back drop and it was the 50 (feet or yards cant rember) from Buildings and paved roads .... if you have any question or want to make sure your backdrop is adequate contact the police department or dlnr and they can check it out BTW I belive that your neighbors can complain about the noise and the police can ask you to stop if its to loud ..... that being said i know plenty people on Big Island that have no problem shooting in there yards ..... ( this advice is not for OAHU)
Good luck

On another note; I would like to offer an apologie to all LEO's out there for my use of the off color terminology used as a description of law enforcement used in the 1960s.  I am sorry.

if you live near southpoint why not just go to Manuka.. Its like 20 minutes down the road. 

I was told it was closed.

Nope. Maybe you are thinking of the pau'uilo one. I was just shooting at Manuka today.

Just bring a trash bag with you and pick up some of the trash there 

Cool. I will, Mark