The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has issued a notice advising drivers to be cautious and expect delays on Saturday, March 14, due to the Valley to the Sea Half Marathon and related races taking place in Wailuku, Māʻalaea, and Kīhei. Police will be present to assist with traffic control during the event.
The half-marathon is scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m., beginning at ʻĪao Valley State Monument. Runners will proceed along ʻĪao Valley Road, continue onto Main Street (Route 32), turn right onto South High Street (Route 30), and then connect with Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30). At the intersection of Honoapiʻilani Highway and North Kīhei Road (Route 310) in Māʻalaea, participants will move along North Kīhei Road facing traffic. They will cross from the mauka shoulder to the makai shoulder on the south end of the park and ride before heading south toward South Kīhei Road. The race concludes at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by noon.
Two additional races—a 10k and a 5k—will begin at 6 a.m., both starting and ending at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary on South Kīhei Road. During these events, southbound traffic may be temporarily stopped or rerouted at South Kīhei Road and Kaʻonoʻulu Street until all runners have passed through that intersection.
For the 10k race, runners will use the shoulders of both South Kīhei Road and North Kīhei Road. The 5k event takes place solely on the shoulder of South Kīhei Road. Police officers and traffic controllers are expected to be stationed at major intersections throughout all races.
Drivers are urged to follow posted signs, obey all traffic controls, and exercise caution around race participants. Additional information about road closures or detours can be found at https://valleytotheseahalfmarathon.com/home-page.
HDOT manages transportation infrastructure across Hawaii’s six major islands, including airports for domestic and international flights, commercial harbors, and an extensive highway system as detailed on its official website. The department operates within Hawaii’s executive branch government structure and works alongside federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Coast Guard as well as county departments for planning and public works. HDOT oversees more than 2,400 lane miles of highways across all major islands in addition to managing airports and harbors statewide.
According to its mission statement on its official website, HDOT aims to provide a safe, efficient, accessible, and sustainable transportation system that supports mobility for people and goods while fostering economic growth.