Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement

NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY PROMOTES SAFETY 
WHILE HELPING TO FIGHT HUNGER

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to take part in Hawaii’s 23rd annual National Hunting and Fishing Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22, at the Koko Head shooting complex in East Oahu, 8102 Kalanianaole Hwy.

DLNR’s Hawaii Hunter Education Program, along with local hunting and fishing clubs, presents this annual event to provide opportunities for people to support needy families via the Hawaii Food Bank, while experiencing safety education and fun hands-on activities that highlight the shooting sports and recreational hunting and fishing. Eye and ear protection are required to participate in activities.

Participants are encouraged to bring canned goods or make donations to support the Hawaii Food Bank. For every can of food or $1 donated, you will receive an activity coupon to participate in various firearms, archery or fish casting activities. A mandatory safety briefing will be provided for each participant. The public can also enter a drawing to receive various door prizes from the Hunter Education Program.

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BOX: The Hawaii Hunter Education Program is also taking the opportunity to invite the community to support the Hawaii Bone Marrow Donor Registry drive at the event, on behalf of Matthew Inn, a graduate of Moanalua High School and former air riflery coach at Radford High School. He is a nationally ranked air riflery shooter and loves longboard skateboarding.

Matthew has been diagnosed with acute leukemia (ALL and AML) and needs to find a matching bone marrow donor between the ages of 18 and 44. Marrow donors in our community are urgently needed to save the lives of patients with diseases like leukemia, lymphoma or sickle cell anemia. With a few minutes of your time, and a simple cheek swab, you can find out if you are eligible to save not just Matthew, but anyone suffering from blood cancers or other blood-related diseases.
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“We salute the commitment of Hawaii’s sportsmen and women and everyone else who recognizes the critical need for food donations. Their generosity shows they care about both our precious natural resources, and are concerned about hunger and its effect on families,” said William J. Aila, Jr. DLNR chairperson.

“Hunters, shooters and archers pay for 80 percent of all the nation’s wildlife programs through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. This act imposes a 10.5-11 percent tax on firearms, ammunition, archery gear and accessories. More than $22 billion have been raised since the creation of the act,” said Orlando Oxiles, DLNR Hunter Education Program manager.

Children 8 and under accompanied by adults, may participate in archery with lightweight compound bows provided by the National Archery in the Schools Program; and fly, spin and surf casting, courtesy of the Hawaii Freshwater Fishing Association and Kaka’ako Kasting Club. Participants who complete every “hands-on” activity will receive a certificate of recognition. There will be a lunch wagon on site.

Educational displays will be presented by members of: the Safari Club International – Hawaii Chapter; the Hawaii Historic Arms Association; Hawaii Friends of the National Rifle Association; Wahiawa Middle School; Hawaii Freshwater Fishing Association; Kaka’ako Kasting Club; Oahu Pig Hunters Association; Pacific Islands Fisheries Group; Watson T. Yoshimoto Foundation; and the DLNR Divisions of Aquatic Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and Boating and Ocean Recreation.

Hunting and Fishing Day is supported by in-kind contributions from local organizations and by federal grants from license fees and special taxes on purchases on firearms, ammunition, archery gear, fishing equipment and boating fuel. Last year the Hunting and Fishing Day raised more than 2,400 pounds of food contributions and $2,755 in monetary donations for the Hawaii Food Bank.

Koko Head shooting range is located off Kalanianaole Highway (from Hawaii Kai heading toward Waimanalo, take the first left driveway past Hanauma Bay).

For more information about Hunting and Fishing Day, call the DLNR Hunter Education Program at 587-0200.

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For more information, news media may contact:

Deborah Ward,
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320