Army opens 23,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area to hunters

U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa will open the 23,000-acre Keamuku Maneuver Area to bow hunting of goats and pigs on Saturday and Sunday.

The opening follows close coordination between PTA and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations. The Army and state also engaged community members in this initiative.

“Our primary mission at Pohakuloa is to support training,” said Lt. Col. Eric P. Shwedo, the USAG-Pohakuloa commanding officer. “However, we know that there is huge community interest in hunting here, so it only makes sense that we open training areas for hunting when we can.”

Initially, the Keamuku Maneuver Area will be open only for bow hunting of goats and pigs; however, Shwedo said he plans to open the area for bird hunting. At present, the sheep population in the area is too small for sustainable hunting.

Check-in time for hunting in the Keamuku area is 5 a.m., and hunters must check out by 7:30 p.m. No early access to hunting areas is permitted.

All hunters must check in and out at either the Kilohana hunters’ check-in station between mile markers 43 and 44 on Saddle Road, the Huluhulu check-in station at the intersection of Mauna Kea Access and Saddle roads, or the Puuanahulu station located near mile marker 14 on Mamalahoa Highway.

Hunting passes will be available at the stations today after 5 p.m. Hunters should place the pass on their vehicle’s dashboard. Hunting passes are only valid for Saturday and Sunday.

Hunters should enter and exit the Keamuku area through gates 2, 7 and 10 on Saddle Road or gates 11 and 12 on Mamalahoa Highway.

The Army bought the Keamuku parcel from Parker Ranch in October 2006.

For more information, call the hunters’ hot line at 969-3474 or the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs Office at 656-3160 or 226-2706.