"Hawai'i's sportsmen and women care about our families and our natural resources. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to support the Hawai'i Food Bank and experience activities (with safety instruction) that include (for adults) shooting firearms, shotguns, handguns, archery and casting fishing lines," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman.

Activities for children include archery and flycasting. There will be lots of demonstrations and food. At 1 p.m. Sunday there will be a "Wild West" style target shootout challenge between the Hawai'i Metallic Silhouette Shooters Association and the Single Action Shooters of Hawai'i.

For every can of food or $1 donated, an activity coupon is provided. Participants who complete every "hands on" activity will receive a certificate of recognition.

"Hunters and anglers were among the first to recognize, nearly a century ago, that the privileges of hunting and fishing carry the additional responsibility of conserving our state's natural and wildlife resources," said Thielen.

Since 1995, the Department of Land and Natural Resource's Hunter Education Program and hunting and fishing clubs have donated many tons of food and thousands of dollars in contributions to the Hawai'i Food Bank. Last year the Hunting and Fishing Day raised 2,500 pounds of food contributions and $1,443 in monetary donations for the Hawai'i Food Bank.

The Hunter Education Program offers free classes year-round to educate outdoorsmen and women about firearms and archery safety, survival and first aid, wildlife identification and conservation, rules and regulations, game care and outdoor responsibility. Completion of the hunter education class is a prerequisite to obtain a Hawai'i hunting license. For more information about free hunter education classes go to http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dcre/home.htm

Hawai'i Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes the continuing contributions of sportsmen and women in the conservation of our wildlife and aquatic resources.

"Through license fees and special taxes, they have contributed more than $23 billion nationally for conservation programs. In our islands, these conservation efforts have helped to protect wildlife species such as nene, 'alala and palila," Thielen said. "Hunters are our first line of defense in perpetuating Hawai'i's native species and in controlling non-native introductions."

In addition, hunting and fishing activities have a significant economic impact. According to the 1996 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey, 50 percent of Hawai'i's population participated in wildlife-related and fishing activities and spent almost $450 million on recreation

Koko Head shooting range is located off Kalaniana'ole Highway, from Hawai'i Kai going towards Waimanalo, take the first left driveway past Hanauma Bay.