Coronavirus COVID-19 update for Hawaii travelers: What attractions are closing?

So much is changing regarding the Coronavirus COVID-19 in recent days! We want to keep you updated so that you can make informed decisions regarding your Hawaii travel plans.

What are the most recent updates regarding the Coronavirus and Hawaii travel?

Here’s a brief recap since our last Coronavirus in Hawaii travel update from Thursday:

• During a press conference on March 17, 2020, Hawaii’s Governor Ige advised that visitors should postpone their trip for at least 30 days.
• More positive cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 have been confirmed in Hawaii. Most of the cases are residents who traveled outside of Hawaii. Some are visitors to Hawaii. The first case of community spread, not tied to travel, was announced yesterday. (The first community spread case is a female tour guide from Kualoa Ranch on Oahu.) COVID-19 has been confirmed on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii (Big) Island. We are updating our original Coronavirus in Hawaii page with details of each new case.
• Cruises in the US are on a pause. Norwegian, MSC, Carnival and Royal Caribbean are all on a 30-day pause from March 14, 2020. Princess Cruises is on a 60-day pause through May 10, 2020. Note that this temporary stoppage of cruise operations includes the popular NCL Pride of America cruise around the Hawaiian Islands.
• The suspension of entry into the US of most foreign nationals who have been to certain European countries and the UK.

Are Hawaii attractions remaining open during the Coronavirus pandemic? 

In response to COVID-19 and the CDC’s guidance to limit public gatherings of ten or more people, many major Hawaii attractions are temporarily closed, including:

• Pearl Harbor National Memorial, including popular USS Arizona Memorial. Read their notice of temporary closure.
• Polynesian Cultural Center is closed through the end of April.
• Hanauma Bay, a popular Oahu snorkeling site is closed.
• Kualoa Ranch – closed for one week. See their notice of temporary closure.
• Haleakala National Park is open, however sunrise viewing from the summit and all visitor centers are closed. See their notice of temporary closings.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park fully closed starting March 22, 2020.
• Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Molokai is closed.
• Sea Life Park on Oahu is closed.
• Waikiki Aquarium is closed.
• Many State Parks across Hawaii. See the full list here. Notables:
  • All state parks on Kauai
  • All state parks on Oahu – this includes popular hike at Diamond Head State Park.
  • Akaka Falls State Park
  • Hapuna Beach SRA
  • Iao Valley State Monument
  • Wai’anapanapana State Park
  • Kaumahina State Wayside
  • Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside
  • Makena State Park
  • Pala’au State Park
• Non-essential shops are closing
• Hotels are closing.

For updates on any of the above closures, check their websites and social media pages.

If you plan to go to a Hawaii attraction that’s not in the above list, check the attraction’s website and social media pages. Do not assume that it is open.

Are festivals and events continuing in Hawaii during the Coronavirus pandemic? 

Many festivals, concerts and sporting events that were scheduled for March, April and May, and possibly even beyond, have been cancelled or postponed. Even Hawaii’s premiere cultural event, the 57th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, is cancelled.

Are Hawaii restaurants and luaus open during the Coronavirus pandemic?

In a press conference on March 17, 2020, Hawaii Governor Ige advised that restaurants should begin offering take-out only – no dine-in. Luaus are either temporally closed or closing.

Grocery stores are open, though there have been some reports of empty shelves. Regular replenishment of supplies is expected to continue as normal.

When will it be safe to vacation in Hawaii after the Coronavirus?

When will Hawaii be back to normal? Will it be safe to travel to Hawaii in June? Or July? Or….. We wish we knew the answer, but no one does.  We can only hope and pray it ends soon.

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These are unusual times to say the least. Advice, policies, services are changing by the day. We are closely monitoring the situation and updating our pages every day – usually multiple times per day. To limit duplication, see these pages for updates:

• Advice for traveling to Hawaii during the Coronavirus outbreak.
• List of Coronavirus cases in Hawaii and additional resources.

Hawaii network news site to follow are:

• Hawaii News Now – www.hawaiinewsnow.com
• KHON 2 News – www.khon2.com
• KITV 4 News – www.kitv.com

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If you are making plans to go to a Hawaii attraction, restaurant or store, chances are it’s closed or has reduced hours or modifications. Check directly with the business to determine if they are open or not.