were staying 6miles south on ali…week before…park some where ? south of pier and walk?
race day am then same situation? (althogh run turn is 5miles ? south of pier) just curius
Oh jesus.
this all depends upon when you want to park. early morning swims during the week? fairly available in the city lot off kuakini, just south of palani. later on in the morning? not as available. i guess it’s hit and miss during the day (i ride my bike to and from the pier/king kam).* on the other hand, going up palani, there’s always room in the lots of the grocery stores----but i’m not sure what their situation is race day.
going out kuakini, toward the old airport, there’s week-day parking aplenty at the city pool and recreation center. there’s been much construction lately in the area between that section of kuakini and the queen K, so perhaps there’s more restricted parking there now.
peggy
*and then lock it with a cable and lock.
Be careful. Parking a car around the race venue area is challenging. The shopping area parking lots around Palani are nutty on race day. Tons of traffic in and out. I would stay away from the shopping areas. Beware that if you park in a business (like a dental office parking lot or something) they will ticket/tow you and there may not be signs that say so. I got a ticket in a place like this last year and there was no sign, no warning, nothing. The parking company for the building just ticketed everybody stating that it was “Private Property” and that was that. $75 or something.
there are a few places where you can park that are very close to the pier/King Kam, etc. Some of them are good for race day as well. Unfortunately, I’ll be there this year, so I cannot tell you where those places are… 
On the other hand, getting to town early in the morning will make finding a spot easier.
Are you going to be in Kona? Who knew?
I always found a spot each day when we headed into town. Some were further away than others.
Race day, we parked about a mile away (unnecessarily, as it turned out) at one of the larger shopping centers that are out on the main drag.
You could also ride your bike in when you want to go to the pier and swim, etc. We also stayed down at the far end of Ali’i Dr - liked it down there.
Where do u leave ur bike when u swim
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I’m not going so I can tell you where to park. There is a small shopping center which includes Lava Java, on Ali’i Drive somewhere between Wailua Rd and Hualalai Rd. On the back side of the shopping center, which is on the Kuakini highway, there are always a few spots on race morning for your loved ones to park and walk to the start; also to park later in the day to walk to your finish. Never did get any parking tickets there.
BrokenSpoke
During the week there is a free shuttle that runs back and forth from town to Keauhou stopping along the condos, etc. on Alii Drive. Ironman will be providing early morning shuttles on race day as well as shuttles in the evening with athletes taking precedent on space.
Additionally, there is free parking for volunteers and spectators on race day at the Old Airport (end of Kuakini) with a shuttle getting you as close as possible as the race allows to the finish area. Even if you have to walk from OA, it is only a few blocks.
Be careful parking in Lanihau Center and other shopping areas. This may lead to negativity between the merchants and the event which is not good. The merchants do need to be able to serve the customers which is why the event is providing alternate parking and shuttle opportunities.