Celebrate Hawai‘i National Hunting and Fishing Day with Sporting Events

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is celebrating the 27th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day in Hawai‘i to honor local sportsmen and women while giving back to the community.

DLNR has announced that for every dollar or pound of canned food donated to Hawai‘i Food Bank, participants will receive one activity coupon to participate in National Hunting and Fishing Day activities on Sept. 16 and 17, 2017. These include archery, trap shooting, .22 rifle and handgun, high power rifles, cowboy action shooting, muzzleloading, fish casting contests and fishing demonstrations.

This year’s event will happen at Koko Head Shooting Complex in Honolulu on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and food vendors will be on-site.

DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said the island version of the national honorary day is unique.

“Hawai‘i hunters and anglers demonstrate their care for the land and the people of Hawai‘i,” said Case. “Our Hunter Education Program, sister agencies within DLNR, and more than a dozen hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs partner with the Hawai‘i Food Bank at this event to help combat hunger in the islands, especially in a time when homelessness is so prevalent.”

National Hunting and Fishing Day began in 1972 as a way for states to celebrate the ongoing contributions of sportsmen and women to wildlife and sport fish conservation and education efforts.

More than $8.1 million in federal funds were allocated to Hawai‘i in 2017 for wildlife and sport fish restoration programs, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). These funds were made available through the Pittman-Robertson (1937) and Dingell-Johnson (1950) Acts which impose a federal excise taxes on the sale of firearms, handguns, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft to benefit state wildlife agencies, wildlife and sport fish restoration projects, education and shooting range development.

“In the spirit of National Hunting and Fishing Day, this is a great family friendly event that provides safe and welcoming learning opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to experience all the different shooting and fishing activities,” said Andrew Choy, Hawai‘i Hunter Education Program manager said. “This year, the Hunter Education Program will also be introducing the First Shots program to encourage hands-on training for Hunter Education Program graduates: if you received your Hawai‘i Hunter Education certification within the last year, show us your Hawai‘i Hunter Education card, and your first shots are on us!”

Firearms will be supplied by participating shooting clubs. No personal firearms are allowed at the activities.

For more information, call the Hunter Education Program at (808) 587-0200.