Some visitor attractions to close
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will be closed Sunday and boat tours to the USS Arizona Memorial have been canceled Saturday as Hurricane Ana gets closer to Oahu, the National Park Service said.
The storm is expected to pass south of Oahu and Kauai Saturday.
The University of Hawaii also canceled the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market and modified or canceled Saturday classes on its campuses. Athletic events at UH-Manoa will go on as scheduled.
The National Park Service said “due to preparations for the impending storm headed toward the Hawaiian Islands, the museums, theater and ticket counter and snack shop at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will be closed” on Saturday.
No boat tours will be available to the USS Arizona Memorial Saturday, but the bookstore and grounds will remain open until 2 p.m. that day, the park service said.
Reopening of the visitor center and resumption of boat tours to the memorial “will occur after a National Park Service and U.S. Navy assessment has been conducted to ensure safety for all,” the park service said.
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The summit and Kipahulu districts of Haleakala National Park closed Friday and were to remain closed until managers asses the safety of the parks roads, trails, campground and visitors centers.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources also closed state parks, small boat harbors and forest areas because of the storm.
Hanauma Bay is closed Saturday, but other city parks are open.
Some private school events are also canceled. St. Andrew’s School postponed SSAT testing and an open house Saturday. Mid-Pacific and St. Francis school also canceled weekend activities and Damien Memorial School canceled its middle school dance.
The Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on Ford Island said it will be open as usual Saturday and Sunday.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial also said it will be open for public tours Saturday, and expects to be open Sunday.
“We are tracking Ana and, as always, the safety of our employees and guests is our top priority,” said Michael Carr, President and CEO of the Battleship Missouri Memorial. “We will continue to monitor the weather conditions, but at this time are expecting to remain open through the weekend for tours.”