The Ironman World Championship is a celebration of human accomplishment and the competitive spirit. It’s also a time for road closures, gridlock, and — without the proper measure of aloha — driver frustration.
Drivers should plan ahead, allowing extra time to get to their destination — and the akamai generally do. Many West Hawaii residents who aren’t spectators of the championship lay low for the day, allowing the swirl of activity to pass by. Those who need or want to be in town on race day are urged to keep a sharp eye out for pedestrians and go with the flow.
Spectators and support staff for the racers may be very engaged in the race and paying less attention to cars.
“Be wary of people stepping off of curbs, especially along Kuakini Highway and Alii Drive,” said Hawaii Police Capt. Chad Basque. “If you need to get somewhere in the area, plan accordingly.”
The event has been fortunate in the past as far as avoiding major accidents, Basque said. Because of the congestion, people are generally forced to slow down, he said.
“We certainly want everyone’s kokua and understanding that we have a tenfold increase in cyclists and pedestrians,” said John Bertsch, the event’s director of public safety and emergency management.
Police have held planning meetings monthly with Ironman since June to make sure the race goes off smoothly, Bertsch said. Historically, the contact between cyclists and vehicles has been minimal, he said.
“People in Kona tend to be pretty cooperative and diligent,” he said. “The predominant function is that every hotel room is sold out and every rental car is rented, and everyone wants to come down and be a part of it.”
Drivers trying to get between Kailua-Kona and North Hawaii on Saturday will need to look to Highway 190 for their transit. Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Henry Street and the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. The alternate route for traffic between Palani Road and Hina Lani Street is Ane Keohokalole Highway.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway between NELHA and Waimea Junction at Kawaihae will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Highway 190, Kaiminani Drive, Ane Keohokalole Highway and Waikoloa Road are all possible detours, depending on destination.
Akoni Pule Highway between Waimea Junction and Hawi will be closed from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drivers trying to get to Hawi and points east of there will have to detour over Kohala Mountain Road.
Closures for Kailua-Kona:
Kailua Pier and Kaahumanu Place are closed from 6 a.m. Thursday to noon Sunday.
Alii Drive is closed from Kailua Pier to Likana Lane from 9 a.m. Thursday to noon Sunday; from Likana Lane to Hualalai Road from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday; from Hualalai Road to Kahaluu Beach Park, south lane is closed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Palani Road is closed from Kailua Pier to King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel from 9 a.m. Thursday to noon Sunday; from King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel to Kuakini Highway from 6 a.m. to midnight Saturday; from Kuakini Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, westbound lanes are closed 6 a.m. to midnight Saturday, with eastbound lanes closing at 6:30 a.m.
Kuakini Highway is closed from Palani Road to Makala Boulevard from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; from Palani Road to Hualalai Road from 6:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, the south lane is closed from 10 a.m. to midnight; from Palani Road to just before Kahakai Estates subdivision with limited access for residents from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Makala Boulevard is closed from Kuakini Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Hualalai Road is closed from Alii Drive to Kuakini Highway from 6:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday.