HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-02 All County, State Beach Parks Close for 2 Weeks from September 4 - September 19 to Stem Spread COVID-19 -- press release final
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
September 2, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
All County and State Beach Parks Close for 2 Weeks amid Spike in COVID-19
Cases
All County and State Beach Parks on Hawai‘i will be closed for two weeks from
September 4 through September 18, amid a spike in COVID-19 cases. The intent of
the closures is to prevent the further spread of the virus by limiting gatherings at the
beaches.
Department of Health contact tracing has shown that large gatherings are a key source
of the virus’s spread, with several clusters being linked to social gatherings.
“We are at a critical stage, and we must stop the spread of the virus,” said Mayor Harry
Kim. “Beach parks can only be used to access to the ocean, exercising, fishing and
gathering food, and using the bathrooms and shower facilities.”
“Everybody has kuleana to end the spread of COVID-19 on Hawai‘i Island, and by
rallying as a community we can beat this.”
Beach parks and coastal parks may be used for direct access to and from the ocean in
order to engage in exercise, fishing and gathering food. Park restrooms and showers
will be open during the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. daily.
The following terms and conditions will be in effect, per an Amendment to the Mayor’s
COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 11:
• Use of pavilions, barbecues, temporary canopies, pop-up tents, tarps and
similar shade devices are not allowed.
• Tables, hibachis, coolers, and other items commonly associated with
picnicking and gatherings are prohibited.
• Camping at all beach parks and shoreline parks is prohibited. All existing
camping permits are hereby cancelled.
• All commercial operations and activities are prohibited.
• Camping at all beach parks and shoreline parks is prohibited. All existing
camping permits are hereby cancelled.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
To clarify, for Kailua Park, the restrictions only apply to the area makai of the runway.
Lili‘uokalani Gardens remains open; however, the use of pavilions, barbecues,
temporary canopies, pop-up tents, tarps and similar shad devices are not allowed, and
tables, hibachis, coolers, and other items commonly associated with picnicking and
gatherings are prohibited.
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.