Regal plans May reopenings for Hilo, Kona theaters

Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald People walk past the closed Regal Prince Kuhio Theater on Thursday in Hilo.
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Regal Cinemas will reopen its movie theater at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo in May.

Regal last week announced reopening dates for theaters nationwide after months of closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prince Kuhio Plaza location has been closed since October, and while some Regal locations on the mainland reopened last week, the Hilo location is scheduled to reopen May 14.

The two Regal locations in Kailua-Kona are scheduled to reopen May 21.

Prince Kuhio Plaza general manager Daniel Kea confirmed that theater management set the May 14 reopening date, but could not confirm whether all three auditoriums will reopen. Precautions listed on the Regal Cinemas website indicate that all theater patrons will be required to wear masks while in the lobby and auditorium, and can only remove them while eating or drinking when seated in the auditorium.

Two empty seats will also be maintained between groups in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.