Coastal Spin: Kihei to Makena Ride & BBQ — April 12, 2026

Kihei to Makena Ride and BBQ on April 12, 2026, is an 18.3-mile community road ride that begins at Kalama Park in Kihei and follows the sun-facing South Maui coastline to Makena. Riders meet at the park’s open lawn, cycle past shoreline parks and sugar-white beaches, and finish near Makena where a BBQ hosted by South Maui Bicycles turns post-ride camaraderie into direct support for local cycling advocacy. This is a spring ride framed as an Earth Month celebration — social, scenic, and community-minded. The route itself reads like a compact coastal tour. You’ll pedal through seaside neighborhoods, cross short stretches of lava-rock shoreline and ironwood-lined headlands, and look out to wide blue where humpback whales may still breach in early April and honu (green sea turtles) cruise the nearshore water. Makena’s coastline includes the long, sandy swell of Big Beach and abrupt volcanic outcrops that drop into reef-studded shallows; the profile of Haleakalā rises inland as a distant, volcanic backdrop. Wind, sun angles, and the occasional seabird — frigatebirds and terns — shape the ride’s visual drama more than technical grade. What makes this event special is the mix of grassroots energy and place-specific access. Local riders and visitors converge for a route that reads as everyday Maui: a working shoreline, surf breaks, fishing points, and public parks rather than a curated tourist loop. The BBQ component hosted by South Maui Bicycles keeps proceeds circulating in the island community, funding advocacy and infrastructure projects that make future rides safer and more connected. For visiting cyclists, this is a chance to link a scenic morning pedal with a real community conversation about mobility on Maui’s rapidly changing coasts. Expect mostly paved roads with short rolling hills and a few busier intersections when you pass Kihei’s commercial stretches. Speeds will vary; group riding etiquette matters — predictable line changes, signaling, and checking over your shoulder. This ride suits intermediate to advanced cyclists who are comfortable in close quarters and can handle 18 miles at a steady group pace. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a spare tube, and hydration; April weather can swing from glassy calm to brisk trade winds. If you want a taste of local cycling culture and coastal riding all in one, this Kihei to Makena loop closes neatly with food, conversation, and the knowledge that your ticket helps local cycling voice be heard. It’s fast, friendly, and unmistakably Maui. Arrive early to check in, secure a spot for the BBQ, and perform a quick mechanical check before rolling. The ride’s organizers welcome riders from all over but expect a local pace and respectful road-sharing; consider bringing cash or card for the BBQ and advocacy donations. Come ready to ride soon.