gang, I’ve been thinking about going to Kona as a spectator, just to kick it, check out the eye candy, watch the race, chill on the beach, etc etc etc.
i imagine hotel rooms would be competitive and expensive, but that’s besides the point. it would be fun trip, right? should I book now? anyplace somewhat affordable hotel that you’d recommend?
thanks for any tips.
kittycat
Careful with the portuguese, I hear there’ll be a big contingent there… and only one of them is racing! :-p
That’s my tentative plan this year. Fly in a couple days before the race and watch it, and maybe hit Kauai for a couple days to do some mountain biking trips.
As for hotels, if you book in advance it should not be too difficult. I am more concerned with how I am going to get the MTB out there safely.
-g
Unfortunately I doublt I will still be here or I’d offer you a stay at my place. It will definately be a fun trip. Hotels/condos fill up quickly for that week. Islander Inn is pretty cheap and right in town, you may be able to find a unit there. They are all individually owned. I know of a brand new studio unit available at Kealakekua Bay, about 30 min from the race but an excellent place to swim with the dolphins…kj
Unfortunately I doublt I will still be here or I’d offer you a stay at my place. It will definately be a fun trip. Hotels/condos fill up quickly for that week. Islander Inn is pretty cheap and right in town, you may be able to find a unit there. They are all individually owned. I know of a brand new studio unit available at Kealakekua Bay, about 30 min from the race but an excellent place to swim with the dolphins…kj
K-Bay was recently closed because of shark sightings, so be careful!
“K-Bay was recently closed because of shark sightings, so be careful!”
No it wasn’t. That was on Maui- they’re trying to find the person who dumped a bunch of dead fish at the shore and lured them in. I live at Kealakekua Bay and have never had a shark problem…kj
If you can’t find rooms on the Kona side, check out the Naniloa or Hilo Hawaiian in Hilo. The drive is long, but it’s pretty scenic.
I just got back from Kona on Wednesday. It is always a great time. I have family there and have been visiting on a regular basis since I was little. IMO most of the beaches you want to go to are not in town and having a car is pretty necessary. It is not a place where everything is in walking distance and waiters serve cocktails on the sand. Well, maybe the resorts are like that but they are a ways from Kona proper.
The Heffeweizen at Kona Brew Co is one of the tastiest beers I’ve ever had and I contemplated bringing a case of Longboard Lager home with me. Enjoy!
I was in Kona for the race last fall and had a blast. I did the Ko Olina Challenge on Oahu a few days before (highly recommended) and then spent a couple of weeks on the big island with the family and to check out the race. I’m hopefully doing the same this year.
Surprisingly I was able to get a room at the King K the night before, and the night of, the race for less than $100 a night without reservations – just showed up. Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either. The King K is not that great a hotel in terms of accommodations but it is right at the finish line. That’s key because getting around town that day in a car is next to impossible. One option would be to stay at the King K for the couple of days of the race, and somewhere nicer for the rest of your trip if you like a nicer place.
I was watching the race for a long time, and then ended up volunteering from after the pros came in until midnight. It is a long day just to hang around so I would highly recommend volunteering. Just show up near the King K pool and tell them you want to help out. It was really casual. I was basically catching people and walking them through the finish process most of the time. It was fun talking with so many people about their race (not to mention giving a little back to the sport).
The only bummer was that they pack up the expo a couple days before the race, so if you want to check that out go early in the week. Other than that, it is a real party and almost everyone was there cheering and partying untill the last runner came it (and there were a LOT of spectators). Props to the crowd for that.
I’ve been 5 of the past 6 years to volunteer and it’s a blast. This year will be a little different, I’m guessing.
Yes, book now if you want a place. KestrelKerri and I booked our condo last November cause we’ve stayed there before and it’s within walking distance to the pier.
Fun doesn’t even begin to describe it.
clm
Injured, big time!! Therefore no racing Kona so can I join in where the real fun is!!!
the Kona Bali Kai condos are nice and only 3 miles or so from town. Good pricing and probably still available. I booked ours last year at this time and we were fine. Just don’t get an ocean front room. It’s really cool and we got free upgrades but the waves were pretty big last year before the race, no A/C in oceanfront rooms and it was damn loud all night long with the lanai doors open. Under $200 a night with full kitchen. Easily sleeps 4 although we only had 2.
A bike is worth it to cruise around on but not 100% necessary. Parking is a pain right in town so you’ll probably park slightly outside and walk in.
Kim Kam is super convenient but they have a 5-night minimum for almost $200 a night and that’s the special rate for locals. The other guy who posted probably played it right, just showed up and managed to get an unbooked room cheap.
The age-group worlds are going to be here on O’ahu the week before so that’s 4-5,000 fast racers there at well. The Ko’olina challange is moved back a week. I’m bummed I may miss it to go to Xterra Tahoe:( Ko’olina is an awesome race or at least it was until I got stuck behind a car at the end of the bike and watched a top three spot ride away to a minute gap. The swim is a swim run swim run swim run swim across these gorgeous lagoons. Very cool.
Debating going to watch Ironman as well. It’s only an interisland trip for me but I need to make my reservations soon. Let my slot go so I’m off the hook training wise but it sure would be cool!
“K-Bay was recently closed because of shark sightings, so be careful!”
No it wasn’t. That was on Maui- they’re trying to find the person who dumped a bunch of dead fish at the shore and lured them in. I live at Kealakekua Bay and have never had a shark problem…kj
Hmmm…I’ll take your word then, if you live there. My info came from a friend who was there in May.
Damn friends. Friends ruined triathlon.
The Maui shark thing just happened a few days ago. Last month the DLNR had the gate to the parking lot closed for a while, but it was political, not shark related. Had to do with kayak rentals and such. Maybe one of the vagrants that han out there told your friend a shark story. Those guys are full of crap and try to scare/impress tourists. That was a pain in the ass, people trying to park in our yard. I don’t know of any time Kealakekua Bay has ever been closed due to shark sightings. I literally live yards from the water. There are a couple small reef sharks that live out on the Manini Beach side, but they don’t bother people. A friend of mine has actually grabbed onto one and been towed around (not that U would recommend that). Best not to wear jewelry as I did once see a barracuda, but it didn’t come near me. Mostly just the dolphins, they don’t get close enough to touch, but still close enough that I am always amazed by them (even after a lifetime of exposure)…kj
I have paddled over to the monument and have always been impresses with that area. Lucky for you!
Debating going to watch Ironman as well. It’s only an interisland trip for me but I need to make my reservations soon. Let my slot go so I’m off the hook training wise but it sure would be cool!
Debating, my ass. You’ll be here. You couldn’t stay away knowing half of your friends were partying in Kona and the other half were pent up and nervous waiting for the race day to roll around. I expect to see you sporting a volunteer t-shirt.
KittyCat - please come to watch and be a member of the respected Kokua Crew (volunteers). You’ll have a great time and I would love to meet you.
LOL
We will definitely be there!!! 
And some of us are racing, we are racing the “kids” triatlhon…the ITU AG Worlds… LOL
Well I haven’t put it on the open market yet (waiting on my brother to decide if he’s going or not) but my Kona Hawaiian Village condo http://www.konahawaiianvillage.com/ may be available. 2 bedroom, sleeps 6, great location on Alii drive, just south of the Expo (10 min walk), nice digs, lots of room, Ironclm had friends stay there last year. PM me for details, and there will be a Slowtwitcher discount! Dates are 9 Oct to 16 October (check out Sunday, day after the race). Marty
volunteering sounds great, I would absolutely love to do that! and would love to meet you too!
My husband has been encouraging me to take the trip, saying how much I would enjoy it…although I don’t believe he would go with me as he can’t stand the long flight (who can though, right?). I’ve got some business deals on the line, and know that by Oct. 'll desperately need a vacation away from work. I should know by the end of next week. It’s looking promising 
I’ll have to break down and buy a camera. And actually take pictures with it 
TGIF!
I went as a spectator/volunteer last year and had a blast. A friend had qualified as well as 4 other people I knew so I was able to be there to cheer for them. You have got to volunteer. It is a long day but I wouldn’t trade anything for walking Karen Smyers out to set up her bike and standing between her and Joanna Lawn while they talked about the race. And I said something stupid to Normann before I realized it was him after the race when I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel he was staying at. After he passed I was like doh! Plus I was on the pier in T1 and was able to hand my friend her bike and take a picture of her in transition. Take the time to do a swim on one of the swim mornings. I went with the friend that was there to race that was fun.
ANd you mentioned eye candy. The men were incredible. Especially the Germans. One in particular. We met people from 16 different countries.
We stayed in a condo on the ocean about 1 mile from town. Great location. Walked just about everywhere. The cost was very reasonable. I believe it was the Sea Village. Has a pool. We stayed in a 2 bedroom place with 5 of us. Had a fold out couch. There’s not much in the way of beaches. Take the trip to the volcano. I wish we had spent more time there. Enjoy Kona. I jokingly called in the Myrtle Beach of HAwaii. That’s not quite true but it is touristy. But some fun stores. I believe my whole trip was about $1600- $1800 including food, etc
The 5 of us that went to watch and cheer also said there should be another division on race day of “P” for “poser” because that what we were.
Go have fun.