The Hilo Municipal Golf Course is closed until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county Department of Parks and Recreation announced Tuesday.
This includes the golf pro shop and driving range. The restaurant at the course was closed indefinitely March 25.
“The purpose for this closure is manifold, but primarily addresses public and personnel safety issues that have surfaced while we accommodated the continued play of golf over the first six days of Gov. (David) Ige’s stay-at-home order,” said Parks and Recreation Department Director Roxcie Waltjen.
The county was criticized on social media for keeping the facility open despite Ige’s order. The Tribune-Herald also received several emails and calls complaining that the state’s social distancing rules were not being followed at the course.
Golf course staff will continue to work throughout the closure period “to maintain and improve the golf course for when it reopens for play,” according to the county.
“We will continually assess the appropriate date for reopening of the facility along with any modified policies that must be implemented in order to do so safely and responsibly for all those impacted,” Waltjen said.
For more information, contact the Hilo Municipal Golf Course starters office at 959-7711.