08/16/22 Temporary caliber limit at Koko Head Shooting Complex ahead of berm renovation project

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022

Nate Serota: (808) 768-3046

Temporary caliber limit at Koko Head Shooting Complex ahead of berm renovation project

Only .22LR caliber ammunition, firearms to be allowed beginning Aug. 24 for north-facing firearm ranges

O'AHU - Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022 a temporary caliber, firearm limit will be implemented for the three north-facing firearm ranges at the Koko Head Shooting Complex (KHSC). Only .22LR caliber ammunition and firearms will be allowed to discharge at the pistol, rifle, and silhouette ranges at KHSC. The archery range and south-facing firearm ranges (trap, skeet, and cowboy action) will not be affected by this temporary limitation.

The limitation is in response to a ricochet incident when staff and firearm experts believe a high caliber bullet contacted a dormant firearm slug within the northern berm causing the slug to ricochet and damage a parked car window. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident. Although highly unlikely to occur again, the City is implementing this limitation out of an abundance of caution. .22LR caliber ammunition is the smallest, least powerful firearm projectile, which will greatly reduce the risk of ricochet.

This temporary limitation is expected to remain in place until the completion of a berm renovation project, to reinforce the back stop behind the northern targets, is completed. This project is currently scheduled to begin in Oct. 2022, and will take up to a month for completion. During that time, the entire shooting complex (including the archery, trap, and skeet ranges) will be closed.

Specialized park maintenance staff will conduct the approximately $300,000 berm renovation project using an estimated 3,000 cubic yards of dirt and heavy machinery. To minimize the duration of this project, and the closure of the shooting complex, two crews will work consecutively to expedite the work. Additional carpentry repairs will be conducted on the ranges' overhanging roof, known as the eyebrow, to further restrict high-angle firearm shooting.

This berm renovation project is seen as a short-term solution. Thanks to $2.3 million in Capital Improvement Project funding and support from City Council Chair Tommy Waters, the City will be researching longer-term solutions for berm maintenance to ensure O'ahu's only public shooting range operates as safely as possible.

We greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of the firearms community while this caliber, firearm limitation and the renovation project impact KHSC. Please visit the complex's official website for additional information 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

-PAU-

Follow the Department of Parks and Recreation on social media:

YouTube:bit.ly/DPRyoutube Twitter:@honolulu_parks Instagram:@honolulu_parks Facebook:facebook.com/honolulu.parks Nextdoor: bit.ly/DPRnextdoor

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.