Permits



Log in to purchase a permit.



Log In

Check-in/Check-out



Users must log in to check-in/check-out.



Log In

Alerts/News



View all important alerts and news.



View All

New Members



All new users must register for an iSportsman account.


Register


 

Welcome to Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)

 

LOGIN

 

2023/2024 PTA Hunting Permit Information

Hunting permits for the 2023/2024 permitting season are OPEN to hunters with current validations.  Our PTA Hunting Team is completing yearly background checks for all hunters. This action is on-going, permits are for sale for hunters that have met all prerequisites stated on the "Permits and Fees" tab.

Some notable differences this year:

• Permit Prices: The permit prices for civilian Archery Mammal, Game Bird, and Combo permits will remain at $30, $30, and $50, respectively. Youth (10-15) and Seniors (65 and older) permit will remain the same at $0.  


• Proposed Grazing Expansion and Future Reduced Hunting Area in KMA – To mitigate future fire impacts to the KMA, the USAG-P is proposing to expand grazing to reduce and manage vegetation fire fuels in the KMA.  The proposed new grazing area would potentially remove 30% of the available land, parking, and access points currently utilized for hunting in the KMA.  The proposed grazing lease [still in development] would consequently reshape existing KMA hunting area footprints, reduce the number of parking and access points available, and reduce hunter capacity in updated KMA boundaries.  These future changes are anticipated to take effect around late Jan 2023, with future announcements to notify the PTA hunters. 


• New Humu’ula Safety Setback - Due to use of rifles in State Unit A, the Humu’ula hunting unit boundary abutting State Hunting Unit A has been updated to include a new 500m safety setback buffer within PTA boundary.   


• Reduced Game Bird Opportunities – Erckel’s francolin research continues at PTA with the use of GPS transmitters to determine game bird home range/space use.  The research will help inform game bird population estimation, resource use, and provide insight into the observed decline in population trend in the Humu’ula hunting unit. Currently, there are a total of 12 transmitters deployed, with 6 each in the Humu’ula and KMA 3 hunting units. Hunters are being asked to return transmitters to the Hunting program, if a tagged bird is harvested. For any questions regarding game bird research, please email pohakuloa.hunting@gmail.com.

TO DETERMINE YOUR VALIDATION STATUS: logon to iSportsman and go to MY ACCOUNT -> ACCOUNT DETAILS -> VALIDATIONS.

For more information about permits and validations, see the permit information under the "Permits and Fees" tab. 

Reminder: Firearms registration is REQUIRED for all hunters who intend to participate in any upland game bird or spring turkey hunts.  Use the form on the Registration page, and fax or mail it with a copy of your County registration for each shotgun you intend to use on PTA.  Get your paperwork in early to avoid any delay on your approval process.    


PTA Background

Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) was first used during World War II as a Marine Corps artillery live-fire training area. U.S. Marines from the 2nd Marine Division and the 5th Marine Division trained at PTA and on the western side of the Big Island in preparation for the Iwo Jima and Saipan campaigns.

During World War II, few permanent structures existed; when the Marines trained at PTA, they slept in tents. After the war, PTA fell under the control of the Hawaii Territorial Guard, and in the mid-1950s, the Army took over PTA. Marines from US Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay built the distinctive Quonset huts in 1956 and 1957, which are still in use.

Today, PTA stands as the premier military training area in the Pacific region. Units from all U.S. military services, as well as allied militaries, train at PTA, because it offers realistic training opportunities not found elsewhere. With several new construction projects underway, PTA stands ready to support military training well into the future.


The PTA command team and staff embody the IMCOM motto: “Sustain, Support, and Defend.”