LIHU‘E — Tyler Navarro, an assistant with the Kaua‘i High School Air Rifle program, said when the project is completed, it will be the first air rifle range built to specifications for any of the Kaua‘i schools.
“It’s going to be a structure,” said Navarro, one of the volunteers helping Kaua‘i High School senior Kalen Konishi during a work day for Konishi’s combined Boys Scout Eagle, and senior Capstone Project. “This is going to be something more than the kids shooting in the condemned tennis courts, where we’re going to get booted.”
Konishi, who culled his volunteers from his family, the Boy Scout Troop 334 sponsored by the Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo, and fellow Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation, said the facility will be as close to regulation as he could afford.
The facility, which triggered Konishi’s mind more than a few months ago, will sport concrete shooting platforms, concrete slab for the target area with embedded steel target holders, and a structure covering the area to provide shelter for the shooters.
“We are going to be able to have 32 shooters on a single go,” Konishi said. “Right now, we work with eight shooters in a round. We can accommodate the entire meet in one shoot.”
Because of the immensity of the project, Konishi decided to combine the efforts to become eligible as both an Eagle project candidate, and his senior Capstone Project that highlights his pathway or passion through high school.
“I’m planning on attending the Kaua‘i Community College for their Building and Construction field,” Konishi said. “During high school, I’ve been through the carpentry class and done other building projects.”
Nathan Konishi of Pacific Blue was one of the volunteers helping shape the air riflery range that will grow in an area behind the school’s weight rooms and tennis courts, bringing his experience with CIP projects to the field because Pacific Blue is currently engaged in several projects at Kaua‘i High School.
“We’re not done, yet,” Nathan said. “We’ve got to come back at least four, or five times. This project can qualify as one of the school’s Capital Improvement Projects because it’s valued at least $60,000. Kalen has solicited about $20,000 in donations to cover this project so far. He can definitely use help — both financially, and volunteers.”
People interested in helping Konishi can call him at 651-8058.
Navarro noted that Kalen is learning a lot by embarking on this project.
“Look,” Navarro said. “He’s learning about labor management — gotta take care of the volunteers — if you volunteer, the least you can do is get them lunch.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
