Neighbors protest archery dojo plans at Maumai Nature Park, developers say design and safety measures are planned

Dozens of residents pressed the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board for more information and broader outreach after learning about a proposed Kyoto Japanese archery facility planned for Maumai Nature Park.

Several residents said they first heard about the project through a mayoral TV announcement rather than a broad community outreach campaign. Speakers said the park is heavily used for dog walking and passive recreation and raised safety concerns about stray arrows near pedestrians and pets, citing anecdotal cases of dog injuries from archery bolts. Donna Shimabuku and others said many neighbors received no notice and that limited survey responses (the presenter said 7 responses from 63 households contacted) do not reflect the larger user community.

Tom Collins and other commenters asked whether the project is a commercial operation; a board member clarified the organizer described it as a nonprofit (Hawaii Kudo Foundation). Grama O’Neil and others raised environmental and flooding concerns tied to site development and the potential loss of tree cover used to absorb runoff.

Bob DeWitts, representing the Hawaii Kudo Foundation, said the group followed city guidance: the applicant approached the neighborhood board, distributed a survey to roughly 60 adjacent households, and prepared the draft environmental assessment. DeWitts apologized for the limited outreach and said the design incorporates safety barriers intended to prevent arrows from clearing the site, includes stormwater catchment basins to address flooding, proposes native-planting and invasive-species removal, and would be donated to the city when complete. He said construction could begin as early as mid‑March if permits are obtained and estimated a five‑month prefab construction period.

Board members and staff urged the public to submit formal comments through the environmental-assessment link posted with the board materials and suggested continued dialogue between neighborhood residents, the project team and city permitting staff. The chair advised concerned residents to speak directly with the presenter after the meeting and noted the draft EA and comment instructions are available online.