I never imagined that a day like this would come in my life. Being invited as a guest rider for the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR), which boasts a 40-year history, is quite an honor. And the fact that this ride will be professionally recorded for a television program adds another level of excitement.

How do you explore Hawaii? A rental car is certainly convenient. You can drive from Waikiki to the North Shore in just half a day. But on a bicycle, the very same roads make you feel as though you’re discovering a completely different island. Scenery that flashes by in seconds from a car lingers with you at the pace of pedaling. You notice the scent of the trade winds, the sound of the waves, and the subtle rhythm of the island in a way that’s impossible behind the wheel. Perhaps that’s why the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR)—one of Hawaii’s signature sporting events—has attracted cyclists from around the world for more than 40 years. The real appeal isn’t simply co […]

This series presents Honolulu ride trip notes from riders participating in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.In this fourth installment, we feature Daisaku Kawase, Communication Director of Global Ride and a television producer, who is taking part in the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) for the third time. With extensive experience in ride events across Japan, Kawase prefers to travel with his own bike whenever possible, relishing the freedom of exploring destinations by pedaling through them. He delights in local cuisine just as much as riding, seeking out great neighborhood spots along the way. On race day, his approach to HCR feels less like a competition and more like an extension of a cycling j […]