The Department of Enterprise Services announced Monday that the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association/First Tee – Hawaii will close its driving range operation and end First Tee – Hawaii programs at Ala Wai Golf Course on Jan. 31 just as planned renovations at Ala Wai Golf Course and driving range begin.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ala Wai Golf Course will remain open to the public during the renovation project while the driving range will close temporarily on Jan. 31 and reopen in late spring of 2025

  • During the closure, the city’s Golf Division will work to revitalize the driving range grounds, assess the facility and review plans to reopen operations to the public

  • In spring 2025, the city’s Department of Design and Construction will begin repair work on the vehicular and pedestrian bridges

“We appreciate the partnership we have established with HSJGA/First Tee – Hawaii as our concessionaire,” said Dita Holifield, director of the Department of Enterprise Services, in a release. “They have done a tremendous job creating programs to nurture Hawaii’s junior golfers and we also commend them for providing the public with a positive driving range experience.”

HSJGA/First Tee – Hawaii Executive Director Chris Noda said, “The HSJGA/First Tee – Hawaii 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. Additionally, we are fortunate to have created numerous new programs and opportunities for Oahu’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.”

The Ala Wai Golf Course will remain open to the public during the renovation project, while the driving range will close temporarily on Jan. 31 and reopen in late spring of 2025.

During the closure, the city’s Golf Division will work to revitalize the driving range grounds, assess the facility and review plans to reopen operations to the public.

In spring 2025, the city’s Department of Design and Construction will begin repair work on the vehicular and pedestrian bridges. They will also install a photovoltaic system at the course in summer 2025 in line with 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.