Makaha Time Trial 2026 on Oʻahu is a morning cycling time trial on Sunday, February 1, 2026, sponsored by Hawaiʻi Bicycling League and listed on the City and County of Honolulu’s major parades and street activities schedule. It’s one of those classic island race days where athletes chase speed against the clock on the West Side, while visitors get a front-row view of Oʻahu’s raw coastal beauty around Mākaha and Waiʻanae.
Makaha Time Trial 2026 Oʻahu: what the event is
Makaha Time Trial is a road cycling race format where riders start in intervals and race individually against time rather than head-to-head in a pack. That structure makes it exciting in a different way: it’s about pacing, aerodynamics, and steady power, all set against Oʻahu’s dramatic West Side scenery. The Hawaiʻi Bicycling League lists Mākaha Time Trial among its events across Hawaiʻi, reinforcing that this is part of the state’s organized cycling calendar.
For island visitors, the appeal is twofold: you can watch local athletes and visiting riders test themselves early in the year, and you can explore a less-touristed side of Oʻahu where the landscape feels wilder than Waikīkī. The event is also recognized as a significant activity on the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services schedule of major parades and street activities, which means road impacts and lane closures are officially anticipated.
Confirmed 2026 date and traffic timing
The City and County of Honolulu DTS “2026 Oahu schedule of major parades and street activities” lists MAKAHA TIME TRIAL on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The same schedule provides operational timing details: 7:00 AM lane closes and 8:30 AM lane reopens (approximate). It also identifies the event sponsor as the Hawaii Bicycling League, which aligns with the organization’s statewide cycling events listings.
Because this is a time trial and not a mass-participant fun run, the morning window is relatively tight, which helps both participants and the local community. For travelers staying on the West Side or driving through early, it’s smart to plan around those lane closure times to avoid delays.
Where Makaha Time Trial happens on the island
The official Honolulu street activity schedule confirms the event name and timing but does not publish a full route map in the snippet shown. The Hawaiʻi Bicycling League identifies the event location simply as “Mākaha,” placing it on Oʻahu’s leeward coast in the Waiʻanae area. For visitors, this points to the West Side corridor along Farrington Highway, an area known for long ocean views, rugged shoreline, and beach parks that feel far from the resort bubble.
Mākaha itself is famous for surf culture and a strong local identity, and visiting for a race morning offers a respectful way to witness community life in motion. The best approach is to treat the area like someone’s home, not an attraction: drive carefully, park legally, and keep the beaches and roads clean.
Why the West Side makes this time trial special
Cycling on Oʻahu’s West Side is about scenery and conditions. Trade winds, sun, and open road segments can turn a time trial into a true test of pacing and mental focus. Because the Makaha Time Trial is an early-morning event, riders often experience cooler temperatures and calmer traffic patterns, which is ideal for safe, fast efforts.
For spectators, it’s also a beautiful time to be out. Sunrise light on the leeward coast can be spectacular, and watching riders push through the course gives the morning a purposeful, athletic energy that feels very island: outdoors, communal, and tied to the landscape.
Race-day highlights and what to expect
Makaha Time Trial is listed as a sponsored event by Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, and it appears in the league’s event list for February 2026, suggesting it’s part of the organized competitive season. That usually means you’ll see a mix of experienced racers on aero setups and newer riders using the event to test fitness and form. The time trial format also makes the viewing experience dynamic, because riders are spread out and you can catch multiple competitors over the morning window.
Even if you’re not racing, it’s a fun event to build around:
- Bring coffee and breakfast, then watch the early starts roll out.
- Explore nearby beaches after the lane reopens.
- Pair the morning with a West Side drive for photography and ocean views.
Oʻahu island culture and local relevance
Visiting Mākaha for an athletic event is also a chance to experience a different Oʻahu rhythm. The West Side has deep local roots, a strong sense of community, and beach culture that is proudly not polished for tourists. If you come for the Makaha Time Trial 2026, support small local food spots, respect beach etiquette, and keep your travel footprint light.
For travelers planning an island trip around sports, this event pairs nicely with other Oʻahu experiences: hiking in the Koʻolau range on another day, cultural sites around Honolulu, and beach time in quieter areas once you’ve explored the West Side.
Practical travel tips for participants and spectators
Because the official city schedule shows lane closures starting at 7:00 AM, plan to arrive early if you need to park or access specific areas. If staying in Waikīkī or Honolulu, build in drive time to the leeward coast and account for early-morning conditions. For spectators, sun protection matters even in the morning, and bringing water is essential because West Side stretches can feel hot once the sun rises.
For cyclists traveling with a bike, confirm race-day logistics and any required registration steps through Hawaiʻi Bicycling League’s official channels, since the city schedule focuses on traffic impacts rather than participant instructions. It’s also a good idea to carry basic repair tools, because island roads and wind conditions can be unforgiving on race wheels.
Pricing and registration: what’s available right now
The official Honolulu schedule confirms the event and sponsor but does not list registration pricing. The Hawaiʻi Bicycling League events page confirms the event name and month placement but does not show a fee in the snippet provided. Because of that, pricing for Makaha Time Trial 2026 cannot be confirmed from the sources captured here, and the most reliable path is to check Hawaiʻi Bicycling League’s official registration links once they publish the 2026 race page.
Make Makaha Time Trial 2026 part of your Oʻahu trip
Makaha Time Trial 2026 is a great excuse to see the leeward coast at its best: early morning light, ocean views, and a community sports vibe that feels authentically Oʻahu. With the event confirmed for Sunday, February 1, 2026 and lane closures noted from 7:00 AM to about 8:30 AM, it’s easy to plan around, whether you’re racing or spectating. Add it to your island calendar, head to Mākaha with respect and curiosity, and let a simple time trial morning become a standout memory from your Oʻahu adventure.
Verified Information at glance
Event Name: Makaha Time Trial
Event Category: Cycling time trial (road cycling)
Confirmed Date (2026): Sunday, February 1, 2026
Confirmed Sponsor: Hawaii Bicycling League
Confirmed Location Area: Mākaha, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi (as listed by Hawaiʻi Bicycling League events page)
Traffic Management (confirmed): Lane closes 7:00 AM; lane reopens approximately 8:30 AM
Venue / route map: Not confirmed in the referenced sources
Pricing: Registration fees not confirmed in the referenced sources
