The workshop manual sez that the center console is removed for access to the "equalizer", the little crossbar where the front cable (from the pedal) connects to the two rear cables to the shoes at each rear wheel. Regardless of which cable gets replaced, you'll need that access with the console lifted.

 

Thanks! I pulled the rear of the center console off and I was able to access it just enough without pulling the console to remove the old cable and get the new one connected. You do need to get under the carpet to pull the piece of venting out and feed the cable. Given the age of our pilot I chose to make a slit in the carpet rather than removing it 🤷‍♂️. It was a PITA to get the old cable out and feed the new cable into the back of ebrake drum but I was able to do it.

 

There's a copy that was uploaded by a member a couple years ago. It's a 2012 manual, applies to 2012 through 2015 gen 2.5 cars. It's the last year that Honda supplied a PDF version for sale. Search and ye shall find.

I bought an official CD copy on e-bay for less than $40 shortly after the car came to us. In the past I've negotiated the manuals during any new-car purchase process, but it was easier to just buy the searchable and indexed PDF version this time.