Hawaii’s beaches, shopping malls cautiously reopen while state report few to zero new COVID-19 cases daily

A bronze statue honoring Olympic swimming gold medalist and modern surfing pioneer Duke Kahanamoku is located along the beaches of Waikiki, which reopened with limitations on May 16, 2020. (Photo by Desiree Acenas)

By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – One day after Kauai County reopened its beaches, Honolulu and Maui Counties follow suit by allowing all their beaches to be opened on Saturday, May 16, for certain activities and conditions based on local guidelines, along with mandates by the State of Hawaii, which has been receiving only single-digit new cases of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) since April 16, with zero cases on several occasions.

On Oahu Island for example, beaches or sand bars may now be utilized for water activities, such as swimming, surfing, and snorkeling, and physical exercises, with the following restrictions:

  1. all groups are limited to members of the same household or living unit;
  2. no group can exceed ten persons;
  3. all persons using the beach, who are not part of members of the same household or living unit, shall comply with social-distancing requirements, provided that a caregiver may accompany a dependent;
  4. the beach or sand area may only be used one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, unless the person is engaged in shore fishing or permitted outdoor exercise; and
  5. all other State or county restrictions related to COVID-19 must be followed, including, but not limited to, any applicable quarantine restrictions.

Meanwhile, Ala Moana Center in Honolulu reopened on Friday, May 15, the first time in nearly two months.

The management there explained that new measures have been implemented to help ensure the health and safety for all who enter the mall, including hand-sanitizing stations, touch-free interactions, frequent and intense cleanings, and social distancing directions in every shop and in the common areas.

Shoppers at Anthropologie and Loius Vuitton, for instance, had to line up outside as retailers have reduced their capacity inside to comply with social distancing. However, anchor stores like Ross, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales remain closed, pending further guidance from their respective corporate headquarters.

Seating areas in the food courts also remain closed. Food court tenants that have chosen to reopen will be available only for takeout.

The following amenities at Ala Moana are still unavailable until further notice: valet services, play areas, stroller rentals, and mall-operated carousels.

 

(File) Dubbed as the world’s largest open-air shopping mall, Ala Moana Center in Honolulu opened its doors on August 13, 1959. Eight days later, Hawaii officially became the 50th state in the U.S. (Screenshot footage by Alfred Acenas, EBC Hawaii Bureau)

 

Pearlridge Center, Hawaii’s largest indoor mall located in Aiea, reopened on May 15 as well. According to its website, planned reopening dates for individual tenants are still being determined, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead and to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.

Management described that rigorous disinfectant and cleaning practices will continue several times per day.

“We are inspired by the resilience of our community and look forward to safely welcoming back our guests,” said David Cianelli, Pearlridge general manager. “We will continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to do all we can in order to contribute to the containment, treatment and prevention of COVID-19.”

Both Ala Moana and Pearlridge have the same modified hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; and Sunday, 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.

(Eagle News Service)