Honolulu drivers should expect lane closures, cones, and tow-away zones on Sunday as the JAL Honolulu Marathon takes place. Areas affected include Downtown, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kahala, and Hawaii Kai, starting before the 5 a.m. race. Expect shifting contra-flow setups, detours through the eastern neighborhoods and a fair amount of "wait, I can't turn here?" moments. Transit riders are not off the hook either, with canceled and rerouted TheBus service on tap.
Road Closures And Tow-Away Zones
According to the Honolulu Marathon traffic advisory, one or more lanes along sections of the course will start closing at 12:30 a.m. Tow-away zones will be in effect from midnight until 5 p.m., so leaving the car on the street overnight in the wrong spot is a risky game. The advisory details an early detour on Ala Moana Boulevard from Atkinson Drive to Ward Avenue, with that stretch expected to reopen at about 8 a.m. Other downtown streets will stay under police traffic control until runners clear the area.
State Roadways And Freeway Detours
Per the Hawaii Department of Transportation, key state routes in play for the race include Ala Moana Boulevard, Nimitz Highway, Waialae Avenue and Kalanianaole Highway. Early Sunday, H-1 eastbound traffic will be routed off at the Waialae Avenue offramp. HDOT also notes that eastbound lanes of Kalanianaole may be closed while the mauka side is set up for contra-flow to keep two-way travel moving where needed.
Transit Riders: Check Routes
Oahu Transit Services says TheBus will add shuttle service between Kapiolani Park and Ala Moana to help move runners and spectators. Some regular routes may be canceled or detoured, so riders should check thebus.org or call 808-848-5555 for the latest on specific lines. The agency also notes there will be additional one-way buses after the finish to help clear out the post-race crowds.
Kahala, Kilauea Avenue And Hawaii Kai Access
The course tightens things up through Kahala and Diamond Head. The Honolulu Marathon advisory shows Kilauea Avenue eastbound lanes closing at 4 a.m., with westbound lanes contra-flowed to allow two-way traffic. Drivers exiting lower Kahala will need to cross Kilauea at Hunakai Street. Out toward Hawaii Kai, the makai side of Kalanianaole Highway will be restricted between Ainakoa Street and Hawaii Kai Drive while the mauka side handles contra-flow traffic, meaning local drivers should be ready for detours and slower going.
Plan Ahead And Contacts
If you live, work, or have appointments along the course on Sunday, moving vehicles out of posted tow-away zones before midnight is the safest bet. Build extra time into any Sunday plans in case you get caught behind cones, barricades, or a wall of runners. For race-day traffic questions, call 808-221-9534 or email [email protected]. Local coverage from KITV will provide updates on detours, and TheBus will post service changes on its website.
