Once the shooting starts, all boaters, fishermen, surfers and beach users are prohibited from entering a restricted area of water fronting the Kekaha Rifle Range.

A one-mile area has been off limits for years during live target practice, according to Farley Watanabe with the Army Corps of Engineers in Honolulu.

But a recent proposal by the Corps would officially designate a larger, six-mile wide section of the Pacific Ocean as a “danger zone.”

Rep. Dee Morikawa, who represents Kauai’s Westside, said she has concerns with the proposal and questioned why the Corps would need such a large area when the range is restricted to short-range weapons.

“That’s kind of unreasonable,” she said, adding it would make more sense to build a higher barrier to prevent bullets from reaching the ocean. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Solar site set for Anahola

State orders cattle quarantine

Hilo Brewfest: Raise a glass for charity

DLNR announces Kauai goat hunting

Hilo Bay Cafe eyes spot … on the bay

Police, Firefighter unions wild cards in Big Isle budget

NOAA expects calmer hurricane season

Ocean Awareness Training series slated in Lahaina

Convert Alii Drive to one-way traffic in downtown area?

Photo courtesy AMagill.

—Chad Blair