FBI Honolulu announces drone restriction in Kona during Ironman World Championship
FBI Honolulu and its partners are enforcing Federal Aviation Administration-imposed temporary flight restrictions in the skies above Kailua-Kona during the 2026 Ironman World Championship.
Men and women return to a single race day this year, Oct. 10, with the triathlon beginning in Kailua Bay and ending nearby on Ali‘i Drive in the West Hawai‘i community along the Kona Coast.
“The FBI is enforcing no drone zones around Kailua-Kona in support of the Ironman World Championship,” said FBI Honolulu Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Ryan Noonan. “To keep athletes, spectators and the community safe, our agents and law enforcement partners — under Department of Justice authority — can use specialized detection tools to identify and seize drones that violate temporary flight restrictions.”
Drone operators should always check airspace restrictions using the B4UFLY apps or visit the Federal Aviation Administration website to check if there are any temporary flight restrictions in place before flying an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Violations of restrictions can result in civil fines up to $75,000, criminal fines up to $100,000, up to a year in prison and seizure of the drone.
The FBI asks members of the public to maintain awareness of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity, including unsafe drone activity, by calling 9-1-1.
As drone use continues to grow, so does the importance of understanding safe and lawful operation. FBI Honolulu partnered with Honolulu Police Department and Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement to produce this video explaining key guidelines for drone operators.
