By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Due to planned renovations at the Ala Wai Golf Course and driving range, the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA)/First Tee – Hawai‘i has announced that they will be closing their driving range operation and ending First Tee – Hawai‘i programs at Ala Wai on January 31, 2025. The driving range will temporarily close beginning on that date to accommodate repairs and revitalization.
“We appreciate the partnership we have established with HSJGA/First Tee – Hawai‘i as our concessionaire,” said Dita Holifield, Director of the Department of Enterprise Services. “They have done a tremendous job creating programs to nurture Hawai‘i’s junior golfers and we also commend them for providing the public with a positive driving range experience.”
“The HSJGA/First Tee – Hawai‘i has truly enjoyed our tenure as the driving range concessionaire and we feel that we have played an important role in upgrading the range experience,” said HSJGA/First Tee – Hawai‘i Executive Director Chris Noda. “Additionally, we are fortunate to have created numerous new programs and opportunities for O‘ahu’s youth. We thank all of our loyal patrons and supporters for their understanding, and hope to continue our programs and remain involved in some capacity in the future.”
To enhance safety and accessibility for patrons and staff of the Ala Wai Golf Course and driving range, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) will commence repair work on the vehicular and pedestrian access bridges in Spring 2025. Concurrently, the City’s Golf Division will work on revitalizing the driving range grounds, assessing the facility, and reviewing plans to re-open operations to the public. In addition, DDC will be installing a photovoltaic system at the Ala Wai Golf Course in the Summer of 2025 as part of the City’s Climate Action Plan.
“As the Ala Wai Golf Course was initially built in 1931, we are also very pleased to share that the City has invested in necessary capital projects to address safety and energy efficiency improvements at our most popular municipal course,” added Holifield.
The driving range is anticipated to re-open in late Spring of 2025. The Ala Wai Golf Course will remain open and will not be impacted by the projects.