Kona Gift Guide: Top 5 Bag-Checkable Gifts From The ABC Store

While athletes are on the 112-mile bike ride visitors will flock to stock up on cool presents from Hawaii’s most ubiquitous stores.

One shared experience of anyone who visits the Hawaii Ironman in Kona for the first time is that, during the course of pre-race week and the required number of trips up and down Ali’i drive through the village is a sweeping feeling of deja vu that begins to tap you on the shoulder—“Didn’t I just pass by the ABC Store?”

Between Ironman central at the King Kam hotel and Kakina Lane, roughly a distance of a half-mile, you’ll pass by no less than 3 ABC Stores. Open from 6:30 in the morning to 1 a.m., and stocked with everything imaginably possible from sunscreen to souvenirs to sandwiches, triathletes and their myriad counterparts come quickly to rely on ABC Stores not only for the basics but also for cool little gifts to take back home to waiting friends and family members.

One grand opportunity for spectators during the epic hours that pass during the bike ride—when info on the race can be hard to come by–is to drop into an ABC Store and knock out some quick shopping for presents.

Since time can be of the essence due to all of the responsibilities of being an Ironman Sherpa (photography, videography, moral management, grocery procurement, mood stabilizing, logistical support and execution, rambling around Kona in a panic trying to be in the right place at the right time) here are our top 5 favorites of fun things to pluck from the dizzying array of possibilities.