Kim authorizes swimming pools, bars, campsites to reopen

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The Kona Community Aquatic Center remains closed. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today, file)
The Kona Community Aquatic Center reopened Oct. 22 following a lengthy closure. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)
Libations are enjoyed at Holua Bar at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay in this file photo. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today file photo)
KIM
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Public swimming pools, campsites and bars will be the next to reopen and some organized sports can resume under a new emergency rule issued Thursday by Mayor Harry Kim.

Under the rules, swimming pools can reopen on or after July 13, with modified days and hours of operation and modified rules in effect.

Camping also is permitted starting July 13, but subject to modified rules.

Campsites at Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area, Spencer Park at ‘Ohai‘ula Beach and Kohanaiki Beach Park will open for use on July 13, while campsites at Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park, Kapa‘a Beach Park, Mahukona Beach Park, Ho‘okena Beach Park, Punalu‘u Beach Park and Whittington Beach Park will open Aug. 1.

Other campsites will remain closed until further notice.

Campers will be responsible for disinfecting and sanitizing common contact surfaces such as grills, picnic tables, water faucets, restroom fixtures and showers before and immediately after each person’s use.

Campers will have to provide their own sanitizing supplies.

Tents and canopies belonging to campers from the same group must be separated by at least 10 feet, while those from separate groups must be separated by no less than 20 feet.

Meanwhile, bars can reopen today but must follow the same requirements as restaurants, with some additional safety measures.

Groups within the bar can have no more than 10 people. They must maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other groups and will be prohibited from intermingling.

Employees interacting with the public must wear face coverings. Customers must wear face coverings when entering and leaving, but can remove the masks while in the bar.

Outdoor organized team sports will resume in phases. The first phase, limited to conditioning, individual skill development and practice begins today, while the second phase, including full practices and scrimmages and competitive play, will start July 20.

All community centers and senior centers, gymnasiums and covered play court facilities, Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale, Francis F.C. Wong Stadium, Hakalau Beach Park, Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Honokaa Swimming Pool (ongoing construction), NAS Swimming Pool (Hale Hanakahi emergency shelter facility), Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens (ongoing construction), Shipman Gym, Waiakea Recreation Center and Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-purpose Stadium will remain closed, as will nightclubs, large indoor and outdoor venues and road races.