Wailea Blue closing indefinitely due to ‘devastating economic conditions’

Citing the “devastating economic conditions” caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Wailea Blue Course will be closed on July 6 until further notice.

“This was an extraordinarily painful decision for us — we explored every option we could think of — but there’s just no way we can sustain our current level of operations under present conditions,” Anne Takabuki, president of Wailea Golf, said on Monday. “We are very grateful to our loyal customers and hard-working employees, and are planning to reopen the Blue as soon as we are able.”

Wailea Golf Club — which operates three courses in the tourism-reliant area — says it will maintain the Blue Course in anticipation of reopening once the economy improves. The Gold and Emerald courses remain open, with kamaaina rates available.

Golf courses around the state were shut down in late March by emergency public health orders, but the county allowed courses to reopen — with safety precautions — on May 1.

The state’s 14-day mandatory quarantine for out-of-state arrivals has been extended through at least July 31.

“The sustained shutdown of Hawaii’s travel industry has been terrible, for us and for many others on Maui,” said Wailea Blue Course general manager Barry Helle. “I know it’s a very complex and difficult situation, but we are imploring Governor Ige and our elected leaders to please do everything in their power to enable visitors to return to our islands sooner rather than later.”

Wailea Golf Club is owned and operated by GolfBC Group.