Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Outdoor Recreation

Description

Mauna Kea Forest Reserve is (FR) & Game Management Area (GMA) is located on the island of Hawaiʻi in the districts of Hamakua and North Hilo. The reserve was first designated on June 5, 1909, by Governorʻs Proclamation, and currently consists of approximately 72,491 acres, making it the largest forest reserve in the state.

Downloadable Map

Activities

Hunting, hiking, wildlife watching.

Permits & Rules

All hunting on Hawaiʻi Island and in 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 Hawaiʻi Island public hunting areas visit our Go Hunt website. For information on Hunter Education, hunting licenses, or other issues, visit the statewide Hunting Homepage.  The following additional conditions and restrictions shall apply to game hunting on Mauna Kea GMA:

• For game bird hunting, hunters will be required to check in and out at the hunter check stations located at Kilohana, Old Saddle Road Junction (across Daniel K. Iynoue Highway from Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area), Puʻu Huluhulu and Puʻu Mali (from Mana Road), or electronically via the OuterSpatial mobile application. Access to the Puʻu Mali area of Mauna Kea Forest Reserve through Mana Road (16.9 miles from Māmalahoa Highway to gate) will have a combination lock. The code to this combination will be available by calling the DOFAW offices in Kamuela (808) 887-6063 or Hilo (808) 974-4221. Maps of available access points will also be available at the above listed offices.
• For game mammal hunting, hunters in the Mauna Kea GMA shall check out at the Kilohana or Puʻu Huluhulu checking station no later than 7:30 p.m.

Game Birds

For details on game bird rules for Hawaiʻi Island’s hunting units see Exhibit 1 from Chapter 13-122, HAR. Additional info is available on the statewide Game Bird Hunting page. For 2021-2022 game bird season, Mauna Kea GMA (Unit A) will be open for game bird hunting Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays for the entire game bird season. Feral pig hunting will be closed in Unit A below tree line during the game bird hunting season from November 6, 2021, through January 30, 2022. Hunters will be required to check in and out at the hunter check stations located at Kilohana, Old Saddle Road Junction (across Daniel K. Iynoue Highway from Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area), Puʻu Huluhulu and Puʻu Mali (from Mana Road), or electronically via the OuterSpatial mobile application. Access to the Puʻu Mali area of Mauna Kea Forest Reserve through Mana Road (16.9 miles from Māmalahoa Highway to gate) will have a combination lock. The code to this combination will be available by calling the DOFAW offices in Kamuela (808) 887-6063 or Hilo (808)974-4221. Maps of available access points will also be available at the above listed offices.

Game Mammals

For details on game mammal rules for Hawaiʻi Island’s hunting units see Exhibit 11 from Chapter 13-123, HAR. Additional info is also available on our statewide Game Mammal Hunting page.

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, Lana‘i and the big island of Hawai‘i). 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.

Photos

PC: Keri Rouse

People checking in for hunting in the designated Kilohana Hunter Check Station. PC: Keri Rouse.

Kilohana Hunter Check Station. PC: Keri Rouse.