Governor David Ige said on Thursday he was inclined to extend the “safer at home” order through June 30 (it currently goes through May 31), and that he was considering allowing hair salons, barber shops, and restaurants to reopen on a limited basis. He has made no announcement as of 5 p.m. Friday.
The Mayors of City and County of Honolulu, Maui County, and Kaua’i have issued new orders to begin reopening their facilities. Gov. Ige requires any mayoral proclamations to get advance concurrence from him or from Gen. Kenneth Hara of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA).
On O’ahu, Mayor Kirk Caldwell has allowed beaches and sports courts to reopen for one-on-one sports and activities that are able to be done in a socially-distanced way. Also on O’ahu, shopping malls and stores now have the ok to reopen with precautions in place. Food courts are open in O’ahu malls, but for takeout only, and all stores have physical distancing and mask requirements. Caldwell announced on Friday he’s gotten the Governor’s ok to reopen all beaches.
Kaua’i beaches reopened for 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset in a two-week pilot, for groups no larger than 10 and they must be from the same household. All others need to stay at least 6 feet away from others. Mayor Derek Kawakami also extended the mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers to Kaua’i through June 30.
On Maui, beaches open on Saturday for a two-week trial, through May 30, for sunbathing, meditation, and sunset-watching, and groups can be no longer than ten. Mayor Michael Victorino also has announced he will reopen most parks on Sunday, but not playgrounds or skate parks, among other things.
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim’s last order was his Seventh Supplemental Emergency Order issued May 6, and included allowing certain businesses to reopen, in accordance with the Governor’s statewide order. Kim’s order has a list of 74 essential business categories and mentions some specific businesses that may reopen, with social distancing, including real estate services, florists, nurseries, other retail sales, automated service providers, and private golf courses. All people in stores are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.