What’s Reopening This Week: Outdoor Sports Fields and Courts, Retail Businesses and Drive-In Services
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell outlines the next phase of reopening the city in his Ho‘oulu i Honolulu, or “Restore Honolulu,” order, which has been extended through June 30.
Photo: KATRINA VALCOURT
Grab your pickleball paddle: As of Friday, May 15, Honolulu’s outdoor parks will allow one-on-one sports where you can maintain a 6-foot distance, announced Mayor Kirk Caldwell. When city parks reopened on April 25, they were for individual exercise only—walking, running, biking—while courts and group exercises remained off-limits. Contact sports, even minimal-contact sports including one-on-one basketball, still will not be allowed because it’s not possible to stick to the 6-foot rule, but those wishing to play singles tennis will be permitted to. Groups of 10 or fewer will also be allowed to meet for outdoor classes such as yoga or tai chi, as long as each person keeps a distance and wears a mask before and after the activity.
May 15 marks the opening of many retail businesses, which were notified last week in order to have time to prepare. Based on how well everyone complies with social distancing and proper sanitation and if the COVID-19 case count stays low after retailers open, restaurants could be next, Caldwell says. He’s proposing a June 5 opening of restaurants for dine-in service, which could include outdoor seating on sidewalks, in malls or next to parks—with restrictions—to allow for more capacity. Caldwell would also like the beaches to reopen for more than just exercise, but Gov. David Ige will have the final say. Salons could potentially open soon, too.
In addition to outdoor fields and courts (indoor courts remain closed), drive-in services will be allowed starting May 15, including spiritual and entertainment events. As always, the 6-foot rule applies.
Because Caldwell extended the order to stay at home and work from home through June 30, he emphasized that none of these activities are meant to include prolonged gathering—you buy what you need and then go home. You work out and then leave. The community will continue to reopen in measured phases that prioritize the health and safety of residents.
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