HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An unmistakable buzz can be felt throughout Kailua-Kona during race week of the Ironman World Championship.
Economically, the international race brings in roughly $10 million into local businesses and Hawaii County.
“The hotels are all packed. They hire extra staff to accommodate the extra visitors we have, trying to get a reservation in one of the Kona restaurants,” Hawaii County managing director Bill Brilhante told Hawaii News Now. “And it even goes as far away as Waimea or South Kona, Captain Cook area, that whole area is just inundated with visitors.”
It’s not just the Big Island that benefits from the large-scale event, as visitors are likely to island hop before heading home.
“Our understanding is the travelers spend up to upwards of 10 days or more on average here,” Brilhante said. “The participants travel and they go to the other islands, they’ll land in Oahu, spend a couple days there and then they’ll come to the Big Island for the race, and who knows? They might rest and relax in Maui before they head back home.”
The influx in activity on the west side of Hawaii Island has also produced additional local jobs and business, but it also comes with additional crowds and traffic, especially on race day.
So county officials are asking locals to pack their patience.
“Plan ahead definitely. Often times our island community, they know Saturday is going to be a crazy day in Kailua.” Brilhante said. “For the most part, they plan accordingly.”
County officials are also bracing for the future of the event as the Ironman will return to a single-day race featuring both men and women in 2026 — the first time since 2019.
“We took a hit with COVID and you know everybody kept fighting,” Brilhante said. “Keeping things going and we’re so glad that the expectation for next year is that we’ll be back to the level of participation and support that was pre-COVID.”
Kailua-Kona will be on full display Saturday when the 2025 Ironman World Championship kicks off at 6:25 a.m. Hawaii time.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
