Honolulu will experience widespread traffic disruptions and road closures on Sunday, December 14, as the city hosts the JAL Honolulu Marathon, one of the largest running events in the United States.
With an estimated 35,000 runners and thousands of spectators expected to converge on the island's eastern corridor, motorists should anticipate significant delays and plan alternative routes well in advance.
Extensive Road Closures Across Multiple Districts
Traffic control measures will begin extraordinarily early, with the first lane closures taking effect at 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
The disruptions will affect major thoroughfares across Downtown, Kakaako, Ala Moana, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kahala, Aina Haina, Niu Valley, and East Honolulu. Tow-away zones will remain in effect from midnight until 5 p.m., creating an enforcement window that spans nearly the entire day.
The marathon itself begins at 5 a.m. with a fireworks display at the starting line on Ala Moana Boulevard, launching runners westward on a 26.2-mile course that winds through the city's most densely populated areas.
Roadways will progressively reopen as athletes clear each section, though some major arteries may remain restricted well into the afternoon.
Critical Freeway and Highway Restrictions
Perhaps the most significant impact for commuters will be the closure of the H-1 Freeway's eastbound lanes. Beginning at 3:30 a.m., all eastbound traffic will be diverted off at the Waialae Avenue off-ramp near 22nd Avenue.
The freeway will remain closed until approximately 8:30 a.m., when traffic will be partially redirected to a contra-flow lane configuration. This closure will effectively sever the primary eastern route for several hours during what would normally be early morning travel time.
Kalanianaole Highway will face similar restrictions, with the makai side experiencing limited access from Ainakoa Street to Hawaii Kai Drive starting at 3:30 a.m.. The mauka side will be contra-flowed to accommodate two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane.
Between Hawaii Kai Drive and Keahole Street, the highway will be completely closed to through traffic, forcing detours via Hawaii Kai Drive, Kawaihae Road, and Lunalilo Home Road.
Downtown and Waikiki Corridor Closures
The urban core will experience particularly severe restrictions. Ala Moana Boulevard will be detoured from Atkinson Drive to Ward Avenue starting at 12:30 a.m., with lanes remaining closed until approximately 8 a.m.. King Street will close from Nuuanu Avenue to Kapiolani Boulevard at 3:30 a.m., with traffic redirected at Smith Street.
Kapiolani Boulevard will shut down in both directions from King Street to Piikoi Street at the same hour, forcing Ewa-bound traffic toward the mountains at Piikoi Street.
Kalakaua Avenue, the primary artery through Waikiki's hotel district, will face extended closures. The mauka side between Monsarrat Avenue and Poni Moi Road will close at 4:30 a.m. and remain shut until the marathon concludes.
The makai lanes will be contra-flowed for two-way traffic beginning around 9 a.m., though access will be limited to residents only. Outrigger Canoe Club and Elks Club patrons must enter via Kapahulu Avenue.
Residential Area Impacts
Neighborhoods along the eastern portion of the course will experience prolonged disruptions. Kilauea Avenue's eastbound lanes will close at 4 a.m., with westbound lanes contra-flowed to permit two-way traffic.
Vehicular traffic exiting the lower Kahala area must cross Kilauea Avenue at Hunakai Street, with delays expected until 11 a.m..
Monsarrat Avenue will close from Kalakaua Avenue to Paki Avenue from 4:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., restricting access to tour bus pickups only.
Paki Avenue will also close for the marathon's duration, with limited local traffic access to Diamond Head Tennis Courts permitted after 9 a.m..
Diamond Head Road, Kahala Avenue, and Kealaolu Avenue will remain under Honolulu Police Department control until runner volume diminishes sufficiently to allow safe vehicle movement.
Access to Kahala Towers, the Kahala Hotel and Resort, and Waialae Country Club will be permitted via Aukai Avenue and Pueo Street starting around 11:30 a.m..
Public Transportation and Parking Restrictions
TheBus routes will face cancellations and detours throughout the morning. Riders are advised to contact Oahu Transit Services at 808-848-5555 or visit their website for specific route information.
The disruptions will particularly affect routes serving the eastern sections of the island.
Parking will be severely limited near the start and finish areas. The official marathon guidelines explicitly prohibit parking at Ala Moana Shopping Center, Ward Center Theatre, and Whole Foods.
Access to Ala Moana Beach Park will be restricted to authorized vehicles only. Enforcement officials have historically towed vehicles from these areas each year, and the prohibition remains in effect for the 2025 event.
Street parking within a four-to-six-block radius of the start line may be available but will be extremely limited. Marathon organizers strongly recommend using ride-share services to reach the starting area.
Law Enforcement and Safety Measures
The Honolulu Police Department will maintain a substantial presence throughout the event. Officers will be stationed at the start and finish lines and along the entire race course to ensure public safety.
Major Clifford Ramson of HPD's Major Events Division emphasized that while the department supports community events like the marathon, public safety remains paramount and attendees must follow directions from officers and first responders.
Access to the starting line area will be strictly controlled due to enhanced security measures.
No entry will be permitted from directly in front of the starting line; all participants must enter from Piikoi Street or the back entrance off Atkinson Drive, or approach from Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department will control all access points.
Planning Ahead
For those who must travel during the marathon, race organizers have established a traffic information hotline at 808-221-9534 specifically for race day inquiries.
Additional questions regarding traffic closures can be directed to the JAL Honolulu Marathon office at .
The event marks the return of one of Hawaii's signature sporting occasions, drawing participants from Hawaii, the mainland United States, Japan, and countries around the globe.
While the economic impact exceeds $100 million annually and the marathon plays a critical role in Hawaii's tourism industry, the logistical challenges it presents require careful advance planning from residents and visitors alike.youtube
Motorists should expect significant delays throughout the morning hours and consider postponing non-essential travel until roadways reopen in the afternoon.
Those with airport commitments or other time-sensitive obligations should factor in substantially longer travel times or seek alternative routes that avoid the affected corridors entirely.
