Kehaha Game Management Area
Description
Located on the westside of Kaua’i, Kekaha Game Management Area (GMA) is located on a lease from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The GMA consist of Kolo, Ohaiʻula, Mana, Kahelu, Kaunalewa and Pulehu Ridges. The GMA is open year-round for various hunts: June thru August is the feral Goat hunt, September thru October is the black-tailed deer hunt, November thru January is the Game Bird hunt, and February thru May is the feral Pig hunt. DOFAW currently manages 27 water units in the GMA for game birds and range mows approximately 250 areas a year to improve habitat and hunter access. The Division also uses staff and volunteers to do a yearly ring neck pheasant release in the area. There are 4 main routes to access the GMA. The first and most popular is located about 11 miles up Highway 550, taking Papalai ridge road to the GMA. The second is in Kekaha, using the Kōkeʻe Road (HWY 552) then taking the Marine Road Hunter access. The third is taking Kaumuali’i Highway to Kiko Road then using the Mana Tunnels hunter access route. The fourth is the Polihale Beach access road, then using the water tank access route.
Activities
Hunting, hiking
Permits & Rules
All hunting on Kauaʻi and through the State of Hawaiʻi is guided by the Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting, Field Trials, and Commercial Shooting Preserves under Chapter 13-122 and the Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting under Chapter 13-123. Hunters are required to check in and out of public hunting areas either through a Hunter Check Station (HCS) or via our mobile app OuterSpatial. To apply for hunts and purchasing of tags and permits for Kauaʻi public hunting areas visit our Go Hunt website. For information on Hunter Education, hunting licenses, or other issues, visit the statewide Hunting Homepage.
Want to stay informed about hunting on Kauaʻi? Join the Kauaʻi Hunters Email List managed by the Kauaʻi Forestry & Wildlife branch.
Game Birds
For details on game bird rules for Kauaʻi’s hunting units see Exhibit 11 from Chapter 13-122, HAR. Additional info is available on the statewide Game Bird Hunting page. Kekaha GMA will be open for the entire 2021- 2022 game bird hunting season from November through January. Game bird hunting will be permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and State Holidays.
Ring-necked Pheasant
Erckel’s Francolin
Black Francolin
Grey Francolin
Melanistic Blue Pheasant
Chukar Partridge
Spotted Dove
Barred Dove
Game Mammals
For details on game mammal rules for Kauaʻi’s hunting units see Exhibit 1 from Chapter 13-123, HAR. Additional info is also available on our statewide Game Mammal Hunting page.
Plans & Projects
- Put-and-Take Game Bird Program
Additional Resources
Game mammal and Game bird hunting opportunities are offered on the six major islands in the State of Hawai‘i: (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Hawai‘i Island). Each of these islands has one or more State-designated public hunting areas (called Hunting Units), which are open for hunting at certain times during each year. Game mammal and game bird hunting opportunities are also available on private lands as well. Occasionally, the Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) may modify or cancel a hunting season in a particular area to adjust for changes in weather conditions or animal populations. For more information visit the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hunting Website.