Aloha Gang,
Well, our move from Kailua town to Waimea on Hawaii island took longer than expected and with a new house and 10 acres the annual "Kona Survival Guide" got put on hold as I didn't have the time earlier this summer to be in Kona updating things as I really needed to in order to bring the most up to date guide. The full guide will return in 2020. With that said there are few things happening you should know about if you're coming to the IMWC.
The County Pool. The Kona Aquatic Center is closed. There was a filter problem in March of this year which has required a full replacement system. That is being done, it is ahead of schedule as are the remodeling projects that were being done at the same time. It is currently slated to open (drum roll please) ... during the second week of October. Ironman week. If you wanted to get your last pool set in before the race, you'll need to make other arrangements. The Konawaena pool at the local high school in that area (on the mountain side/mauka side) off the belt high south of town, has proposed expanded hours to help with some of the demand. call ahead (808) 323-3252
Maunakea. Maunakea Access Road to the summit, observatories and visitors center is closed. There is an ongoing protest over the TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope) construction. Many folks are upset over the 5-acre site and how the summit area has looked like a high tech trailer park since the telescopes have taken over. I do not anticipate the road opening in time for many of the pre and post-race rides up to the visitor center or summit. Might I suggest those who want to do this ride instead make the turn on to Mauna Loa Road and head up that way? It's a nice road now -- paved to the 11,000 ft level. Besides if you go to Mauna Loa, you get to have a selfie with Maunakea in the background. This is a dynamic situation, so watch the news if you're at all curious. Yesterday there were 200 police officers and ... 600 National Guard troops according to local sources. BTW, Maunakea is the preferred spelling now, it's part of the mountain's official name. The older name is more descriptive than a proper name.
Old Saddle Road. This has been a favorite ride of many folks for a long time. A couple of things have happened since last year. Old Saddle Raod has been completely repaved. No more 40-year-old ruts from military vehicles (Those vehicles are on the Daniel K. now). That's a good thing. The bad thing? Still no shoulders and the road has much more vehicle traffic and higher speed vehicle traffic now trying to use it as a short cut to the and from the cross-island highway. Please be careful if you try to ride on this road.
Crowds. A few things have happened all in a relatively short period of time that will make Kona feel and be far more crowded than normal. First, Hawaii County is suddenly popular again as a tourist spot, more so than it has been in the recent past. Second, last year's eruptions destroyed 800 homes (more or less). Most of those were vacation rentals. That's put even more pressure on the Air BnB's and hotels on the west side. And then there's Ironman. Hence the crowds.
This year's race will be the first race in many years for which I will likely not be a volunteer and driving the Queen K while you're running it, for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with your race. I'll be sitting this one out up off of old Saddle Rd (although I am being enticed with a different role). Be safe in town, reduce your risk of injury by following the rules of riding and safe road running as much as possible and have fun out there race day.
Aloha
---------------------------------------------------------
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -- A fake Albert Einstein "quote"
Well, our move from Kailua town to Waimea on Hawaii island took longer than expected and with a new house and 10 acres the annual "Kona Survival Guide" got put on hold as I didn't have the time earlier this summer to be in Kona updating things as I really needed to in order to bring the most up to date guide. The full guide will return in 2020. With that said there are few things happening you should know about if you're coming to the IMWC.
The County Pool. The Kona Aquatic Center is closed. There was a filter problem in March of this year which has required a full replacement system. That is being done, it is ahead of schedule as are the remodeling projects that were being done at the same time. It is currently slated to open (drum roll please) ... during the second week of October. Ironman week. If you wanted to get your last pool set in before the race, you'll need to make other arrangements. The Konawaena pool at the local high school in that area (on the mountain side/mauka side) off the belt high south of town, has proposed expanded hours to help with some of the demand. call ahead (808) 323-3252
Maunakea. Maunakea Access Road to the summit, observatories and visitors center is closed. There is an ongoing protest over the TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope) construction. Many folks are upset over the 5-acre site and how the summit area has looked like a high tech trailer park since the telescopes have taken over. I do not anticipate the road opening in time for many of the pre and post-race rides up to the visitor center or summit. Might I suggest those who want to do this ride instead make the turn on to Mauna Loa Road and head up that way? It's a nice road now -- paved to the 11,000 ft level. Besides if you go to Mauna Loa, you get to have a selfie with Maunakea in the background. This is a dynamic situation, so watch the news if you're at all curious. Yesterday there were 200 police officers and ... 600 National Guard troops according to local sources. BTW, Maunakea is the preferred spelling now, it's part of the mountain's official name. The older name is more descriptive than a proper name.
Old Saddle Road. This has been a favorite ride of many folks for a long time. A couple of things have happened since last year. Old Saddle Raod has been completely repaved. No more 40-year-old ruts from military vehicles (Those vehicles are on the Daniel K. now). That's a good thing. The bad thing? Still no shoulders and the road has much more vehicle traffic and higher speed vehicle traffic now trying to use it as a short cut to the and from the cross-island highway. Please be careful if you try to ride on this road.
Crowds. A few things have happened all in a relatively short period of time that will make Kona feel and be far more crowded than normal. First, Hawaii County is suddenly popular again as a tourist spot, more so than it has been in the recent past. Second, last year's eruptions destroyed 800 homes (more or less). Most of those were vacation rentals. That's put even more pressure on the Air BnB's and hotels on the west side. And then there's Ironman. Hence the crowds.
This year's race will be the first race in many years for which I will likely not be a volunteer and driving the Queen K while you're running it, for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with your race. I'll be sitting this one out up off of old Saddle Rd (although I am being enticed with a different role). Be safe in town, reduce your risk of injury by following the rules of riding and safe road running as much as possible and have fun out there race day.
Aloha
---------------------------------------------------------
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -- A fake Albert Einstein "quote"
Last edited by:
KonaCoffee: Sep 8, 19 10:21