September–November: IRONMAN & Coffee Blossoms

🏃 September–October: IRONMAN & Cultural Marathons

October transforms Kona into endurance sports central. The IRONMAN World Championship women's race happens October 11, 2025, with race week activities from October 7-13. This isn't just a race—it's a celebration of human potential that takes over the entire town.

The best family viewing happens at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, where athletes transition from swimming to biking. Kids can see the action up close while parents use the park's restrooms and shade pavilions. The reef here also offers great snorkeling if you arrive early before race excitement builds.

For wheelchair users and visitors with mobility devices, the Kona Pier VIP viewing area provides accessible seating with unobstructed views of the swim start and finish. Contact the race accessibility coordinator two weeks before the event to reserve space.

The Athletes' Parade on October 9 gives everyone a chance to see competitors up close. They walk down Ali'i Drive signing autographs and taking photos. Many athletes bring their families, creating a festival atmosphere that extends beyond the competition.

My son Nalu made friends with a German triathlete's daughter during last year's parade. They spent an hour building sand castles while their parents shared stories about training through different seasons. Sports create unexpected connections.

Race week also includes the IRONKids events—fun runs and obstacle courses for ages 6-15. These events, held at Kailua Pier, let local keiki participate in the IRONMAN energy without the 140.6-mile commitment.

Cheering protocol matters here. Don't use umbrellas along Palani Road during the bike portion—they block views for people behind you. Do bring ice-cold drinks to share with volunteers who work fourteen-hour days in the sun. Local coffee shops appreciate when visitors buy extra iced coffee to distribute at aid stations.

☕ November: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (Nov 7–16, 2025)

November belongs to coffee. The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival from November 7-16, 2025, celebrates the only commercially grown coffee in the United States. This ten-day festival connects agriculture, culture, and community through forty-plus events across the Kona district.

A $5 festival button unlocks access to most events. Buy it at any participating business or the main information booth at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona. The button also serves as your souvenir—each year features original artwork from local artists.

Free keiki activities include lantern-making workshops at Kealakekua Bay, recipe contests for young chefs, and storytelling sessions about coffee farming history. My daughter Malia won second place in the keiki coffee-themed art contest two years ago with a painting of hummingbirds feeding from coffee blossoms.

The festival spreads across multiple venues, but Hale Halawai serves as headquarters. This historic building offers low-curb entry and wheelchair accessibility. The Hawaii County ADA desk provides wheelchair loaners during festival week—call ahead to reserve.

Coffee farm tours happen throughout the week. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation offers wheelchair-accessible tours with advance notice. Greenwell Farms provides a sensory experience that includes touching different coffee processing stages—perfect for visitors with visual impairments.

The Miss Kona Coffee competition on November 15 crowns a cultural ambassador who spends the year promoting Kona coffee worldwide. Unlike beauty pageants, this competition focuses on agricultural knowledge, cultural understanding, and public speaking skills.

Recipe contests span all age groups. The adult division has categories for sweet and savory dishes using Kona coffee. Winners from previous years have created coffee-rubbed pig, coffee chocolate haupia, and coffee-infused shoyu. Many recipes get published in the festival's annual cookbook.

Coffee cupping sessions teach visitors to taste coffee like professionals. These guided tastings happen daily at different farms and cafes. You'll learn to identify flavor notes, understand processing methods, and appreciate what makes Kona coffee special.