KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — The 2022 VinFast Ironman World Championship returns in a big way after a three-year hiatus, with over 5,000 triathletes converging on the coastal town of Kailua-Kona this week. For the first time in the event’s history, the race will occur over two days, on Oct. 6 and 8.

What You Need To Know

  • For the first time in its history, the Ironman will take place over two days, Oct. 6 and 8

  • Ironman’s Live Aloha initiative was created in line with Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Destination Management Action Plan for responsible tourism

  • Live Aloha encourages all to act mindfully toward and learn about and respect native Hawaiian culture and practices, people and land throughout their time on the island

  • Live Aloha also encourages everyone to be pono (righteous) on Hawaii Island by taking the Pono Pledge

With the thousands of athletes along with an even larger entourage of team members, supporters, volunteers and media accompanying the event, Ironman announced its Live Aloha initiative that was created in line with Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Destination Management Action Plan for responsible tourism.

The goal of the Live Aloha initiative and this year’s theme, Kū Like (stand together), is to remind everyone attending, visiting and participating in the event to act mindfully toward, learn about and respect native Hawaiian culture and practices, people and land throughout their time on the island.

“Live Aloha calls on not only our athletes but our entire Ironman ohana to return to Hawaii in a way that celebrates our shared history, taking collective ownership and responsibility for honoring and respecting the Hawaiian culture, lands and people that make this amazing event possible,” said Diana Bertsch in a news release. Bertsch is the senior vice president of World Championship Events for The Ironman Group.

“Live Aloha seems like such a natural fitting motto for the race and the days around it,” added three-time Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno. “Being well aware of nature, conditions and the surroundings has always been a part of my personal journey on the island. When you display care for the land, the people and the culture, you get so much back in return. The last years have shown that we can’t take this most amazing race and its shared history with Hawaii for granted, so make sure you create memories to look back fondly upon.”

This year, Ironman expands upon its annual tradition of hosting service projects throughout race week. The organization will team up with Island Breeze, Lili‘uokalani Trust and other local organizations to host a cultural education program. It includes free cultural tours and activities, plus environmental education on ways to take action to protect local waters and land.

Live Aloha also encourages everyone to be pono (righteous) on Hawaii Island by taking the Pono Pledge. Larry Lindsey Kauanoe Kimura, grandfather of Hawaiian Language Revitalization, described pono in the following way: “Pono extends beyond its many English translations. To live pono is to be in perfect harmony with all things and to be aligned with your custodial relationship with the planet and its inhabitants.”

Information about the Live Aloha initiative, cultural activities and the Pono Pledge is available on the Ironman Kona community website. Visit the 2022 VinFast Ironman World Championship website for everything related to the event.

During its 44-year history, the Ironman World Championship has become a pinnacle event of the Ironman Triathlon Series race season, with more than 94,000 athletes from around the world vying for a qualifying slot.

With countless hours and miles of training now behind them, triathletes kick off their 140.6-mile journey in Kailua-Kona starting with a 2.4-mile swim, moving on to the 112-mile bike course, then finishing with a 26.2-mile run. For the best sites to view the athletes throughout the race on both days, click on this link.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.