The Honolulu Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world and one of the few major marathons with no cutoff time, welcoming runners of all abilities. Held every December on the island of Oahu, the course runs from downtown Honolulu along the stunning coastline past Waikiki Beach to the finish at Kapiolani Park with Diamond Head as the backdrop. The 5:00 AM start features a fireworks display, and the tropical setting makes this unlike any other marathon experience.
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The Event
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Honolulu Marathon 2027 |
| Date | Sunday, December 13, 2027 |
| Venue | Start: Ala Moana Boulevard / Finish: Kapiolani Park |
| Address | Kapiolani Park, 3840 Paki Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 |
| Airport | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) |
December in Honolulu brings warm, pleasant weather. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 20°C (68°F). Humidity is moderate, and brief tropical showers are possible. The early 5:00 AM start helps runners avoid the midday heat.
The Venue: Kapiolani Park
Kapiolani Park is Honolulu's oldest and largest public park, located at the eastern end of Waikiki with Diamond Head crater rising majestically in the background. The finish area in the park provides shade from mature banyan trees and is surrounded by lush tropical greenery. After finishing, runners can celebrate just steps from the beach.
What's nearby:
- Waikiki Beach — the world-famous stretch of sand and surf just steps from the finish area
- Diamond Head — the iconic volcanic crater with a popular hiking trail offering panoramic views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean
- Honolulu Zoo — located within Kapiolani Park, a pleasant post-race diversion
- Waikiki Aquarium — a small but charming aquarium on the Waikiki shoreline near the park
Important: The race starts at 5:00 AM, much earlier than most marathons. Plan your sleep schedule accordingly and arrange pre-dawn transportation to the start area. Many Waikiki hotels are within walking distance of the start on Ala Moana Boulevard.
Race Expo
The Honolulu Marathon Expo is typically held at Hawaii Convention Center, on Kalakaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki, near Ala Moana. You must collect your race bib and timing chip at the Expo before race day.
When to visit: The Expo usually runs Friday and Saturday before the race. Friday is less crowded. Allow at least an hour for bib collection and browsing.
What to bring: Your registration confirmation email and a valid photo ID.
Getting there: Free Waikiki Trolley shuttle from major Waikiki hotels.
Where to Stay
Waikiki is the obvious choice, placing you within walking distance of both the start and finish areas. Hotels along Kalakaua Avenue and Kuhio Avenue offer the most convenience. Staying near the western end of Waikiki puts you closer to the start, while the eastern end near Kapiolani Park is closer to the finish.
Getting There
From Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
HNL is located approximately 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Waikiki.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TheBus (Route 19/20) | ~60 min | $3.00 | Affordable but slow; luggage can be awkward |
| Taxi/Rideshare | ~25 min | $40-55 | Most convenient option with luggage |
| Airport Shuttle (SpeediShuttle) | ~35 min | $18-20 | Shared van service to Waikiki hotels |
A taxi or rideshare is the most practical option when arriving with luggage. For budget travelers, the public bus works but does not allow oversized luggage. Many hotels also offer shuttle services that can be arranged in advance.
Public Transport
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ride (TheBus) | $3.00 |
| 1-day pass | $7.50 |
| Monthly pass | $80.00 |
Honolulu's HOLO card is a reloadable transit card that works on TheBus and the Skyline rail. For race weekend, most visitors find that Waikiki is walkable for marathon-related activities, so a transit pass may not be necessary.
Where to Eat
Waikiki (Kalakaua Avenue and side streets) — a huge range of restaurants from upscale Hawaiian-fusion dining to casual poke bowls and plate lunches, all walkable from marathon hotels. Ala Moana area — the Ala Moana Center food court and surrounding restaurants offer excellent Asian and Hawaiian food at more local prices than Waikiki.
Honolulu Food to Try
- Poke bowl — cubed raw ahi tuna seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions, served over rice at spots like Ono Seafood or Foodland
- Plate lunch — a local institution featuring two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein like kalua pork, chicken katsu, or loco moco from Rainbow Drive-In
- Spam musubi — a beloved Hawaiian snack of grilled Spam on a block of rice wrapped in nori, found at every convenience store and 7-Eleven
- Shave ice — finely shaved ice topped with tropical syrups and sometimes condensed milk or ice cream from Matsumoto's on the North Shore or Island Vintage Shave Ice in Waikiki
- Malasadas — Portuguese-style fried doughnuts rolled in sugar, best from Leonard's Bakery on Kapahulu Avenue
Budget eating: Plate lunch spots and food trucks offer filling meals for $10-15. The Ala Moana Center food court has excellent affordable options. ABC Stores (on every Waikiki block) carry musubi, snacks, and drinks at reasonable prices.
Essential Honolulu Tips
Currency. US Dollar (USD). Cash vs card. Card is accepted everywhere in Waikiki. Carry some cash for food trucks and farmers markets. Tipping. 18-20% at restaurants, standard US tipping customs apply. Language. English and Hawaiian are the official languages. You will hear Hawaiian words throughout daily life, such as aloha (hello/goodbye), mahalo (thank you), and mauka/makai (toward the mountain/toward the sea). Weather in December. Highs around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F). Brief rain showers are common but pass quickly. The humidity is moderate and manageable. Safety. Honolulu is very safe for tourists. Standard precautions apply: do not leave valuables unattended on the beach, and be mindful of strong ocean currents when swimming.
What to See
- Diamond Head State Monument — hike to the summit of this iconic volcanic crater for 360-degree views of Honolulu, Waikiki, and the Pacific
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial — visit the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, a deeply moving historical site
- North Shore — about an hour's drive from Waikiki, famous for massive winter surf, charming Haleiwa town, and shrimp trucks
- Hanauma Bay — a stunning volcanic bay and marine preserve, one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu
- Iolani Palace — the only royal palace on American soil, located in downtown Honolulu
- Kailua Beach — a gorgeous windward-side beach with turquoise water and soft sand, about 30 minutes from Waikiki
Quick Reference
| Need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airport | Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL), ~25 min by taxi |
| Venue | Start: Ala Moana Blvd / Finish: Kapiolani Park |
| Nearest station | Waikiki is walkable; TheBus stops throughout |
| Transport to venue | Walk from Waikiki hotels |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Cash needed? | Rarely, mostly for food trucks |
| Language | English, Hawaiian |
| Weather | 20-27°C (68-81°F), warm and tropical |
| Tipping | 18-20% at restaurants |
| Emergency | 911 |
Race Preparation:
- What Is a Good Marathon Time? — Percentiles from 1.2M finishes to set your goal
- How Weather Affects Marathon Performance — What race-day conditions mean for your pacing
Gear:
- Best Marathon Running Shoes — Data-backed picks for race day
Training Plans:
- Marathon Training Plan — Structured programme for every goal time
This guide will be updated as more event details are confirmed. Last updated: May 2027.