Mud Bog Turns One

Midnite Burner is a V6 Jeep originally raced by Bobo Alcon in the 1980s. Rebuilding it to race again was part of the inspiration behind the Mud Bog series. Photo by PF Bentley.

ByDayanti Karunaratne, Editor

After the Kona Low storms flooded roads and driveways across the island this spring, some people might find it hard to believe that Molokai residents still want to watch souped-up trucks fight their way through mud — but there’s just something special about the Mud Bog that keeps people coming back. 

“It’s just a fun, relaxing family event. And our events are still free to the community,” Hana Alcon, one of the event organizers said, noting that they don’t charge their food vendors, either. “That’s the thing we’re proud of — we don’t charge entry.”

The next race in the Mud Bog series happens Saturday, July 18 at the mud tracks on Lihi Pali Avenue in Ho’olehua. It marks the one-year anniversary of the races, which sees all kinds of vehicles or “boggers” race side by side along muddy tracks. After hosting the first race on July 19, 2025, the Alcon family held events Feb. 26 and April 18. After Saturday’s races, the family is planning another for Oct. 3.

So how do they continue to attract hundreds, if not thousands, of people to their events and still not charge entry fees?

“We’ve been blessed with sponsors that listened to our ideas and jumped on board,” she said. “And putting a merch booth together at each Mud Bog to sell shirts and hats — that is what really keeps the event going. That’s why we can keep offering this as a free event.”

For this month’s event, 35 vehicles have been registered to race, including six from Oahu. 

“Those cars [from Oahu] give our community a show, something different,” she said.

Hana explained that the vehicles that compete in the Unlimited Under 3000 race are the “dragster-looking” cars that have the most speed. Last July, Bad Intentions from Oahu won this race, and they are back this weekend, looking to take the title again. 

And yes, Midnite Burner is racing. That’s the pink V8 Jeep, which first raced back in the 1980s and was rebuilt in 2024 by Bobo Alcon, Hana’s father-in-law. It’s been called one of the motivations behind the Mud Bog. Driven by Hana’s son, Kahanu, Midnite Burner will compete in the Unlimited Over 3000 race.

Mike Moss of Izzi’s Auto is racing two vehicles in the V6/4 cylinder class.

“As a mechanic and off-road enthusiast these Mud Bogs have been an opportunity to represent my shop and have some fun in the mud,” Moss said. “The Yellow Jacket was built over 13 years ago as a rock crawler. I used to go off-roading with my friends in that rig before life got too busy, so it’s been fun driving it again but in a race. 

He said he threw together Blues Clues specifically for the first Mud Bog. “We themed it more for the kids. My kids look forward to each Mud Bog, and are my biggest supporters. My oldest Izzi and my wife are in the pit with me every race.” 

Hana said they are hoping to bring back the “grudge matches” — just-for-fun competitions for people who had already been knocked out of their registered race but still want another run at the track. 

“It’s a friendly match where we picked out races to fill time while we were waiting for other races,” explained Hana “We had father-son races, some cousins racing each other; it was fun.”

As for what the future holds, Hana said the family needs to balance their time between other obligations, but they plan to have at least two free, fun, muddy events in 2027. 

Visit @molokaimudbog on Instagram for more information.