While much of the focus on APEC has centered around Waikiki, residents and businesses in Ko Olina will also feel an impact.
Security restrictions at Ko Olina begin at 11 p.m. Saturday.
One business in particular will suffer a huge loss.
The imu is ready, the stage is set and in the kitchen ono food is being prepped for tonight’s luau at Paradise Cove.
But come Sunday the popular tourist attraction is being forced to shut down because of APEC.
The forced closure represents tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
"Generally we have about maybe about five hundred guests that come in at that time, so maybe $50,000 of sales,” said Norman Kaneshige, general manager of Paradise Cove.
About eighty employees will lose a full day’s work, which means no tips.
Paradise Cove management is trying to accommodate workers as best they can.
"We’re shifting them so I guess we’re maybe over staffing on the other days so they won’t lose so much of their income,” said Kaneshige.
However some workers are taking the Sunday closure in stride.
Paradise Cove only closes one day per year.
"We kind of just think of it as just another rainout day, nothing really big. It’s just like okay have the day off, just kind of enjoy it for once we never really get that many days off altogether,” said Chelsea Kahoonei, employee.
Security around Ko Olina is already taking shape.
U.S. war ships are nearby and a Coast Guard vessel marks the offshore security zone that begins 11 p.m. Saturday until 11 p.m. Sunday.
Restricted areas will also impact Ko Olina workers, guests and residents.
"There’s a little inconvenience for them but they can get in and out through the back gate,” said Kaneshige.
"Like Friday is probably the last day and just stay away for like Saturday and Sunday just because they’re going to be prepping and everything,” said Kahoonei.
As far as Paradise Cove getting reimbursed for the shut down on Sunday, the U.S. Secret Service says such funds are not part of the agency’s budget.
"We were talking to the security people so they said they’re more concerned with security,” said Kahoonei.
As part of APEC security Kamokila Community Park, located just east of Ko Olina, will shut down Sunday and Monday.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
