If you are looking for the 2014 list of Hawaii’s Big Island Fireworks & Events, they’re here –> Hawaii’s Big Island July 4th Fireworks & Events 2015.
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The 2010 list below is for reference purposes only. Please note that many of the links will no longer work.
There’s a heap of big fun to be had on the Big Island this July 4th. So, whether you’re planning a Big Island vacation or you’re a Hawaii resident, you’ll have plenty of good choices for celebrating this Independence Day. Here’s a guide to what’s going on and where to celebrate across Hawaii’s Big Island.
Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race & 4th of July Fireworks – Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast is hosting a great line up of events at their two shopping centers – Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace. You’ll find games, a kiddie’s train ride, food, live music, and then fireworks at 8pm. See this link for the complete schedule of events. .
Kailua-Kona Community 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Celebration – A fun parade through Kailua-Kona starts at 5:30 followed by fireworks display over Kailua Bay at 8:30pm. This year’s them is Celebrate Freedom and will feature Hawaii’s Senator Daniel K. Inouye as the Grand Marshal. This free event is presented by the Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association. For more information on this July 4th parade and fireworks display, see this link.
Turtle Independence Day and July 4th BBQ – Now, here’s a July 4th celebration that you’ll only find in Hawaii. The annual Turtle Independence Day celebration honors the honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle) and educates the public about this endangered Hawaiian sea turtle. Since 1989, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows has received 3-5 month old juvenile honu from Oahu’s Sea Life Park and has raised them in the saltwater ponds of the resort. The honu are cared for until they grow to a size and weight that is deemed appropriate for release into the ocean. Mauna Lani generally raises the honu for 2-3 years until they grow to a minimum shell length of 35 cm. The release occurs every July 4 at the ocean’s edge fronting Mauna Lani. Over the years Mauna Lani has released 206 honu.
The honu will be gathered at the ponds before joining a procession down to the beachfront for release. A Hawaiian ceremony will take place at the beach. As part of the day’s activities guests can also enjoy live Hawaiian entertainment, an educational display about the honuand a special July 4 BBQ with menu items including Big Island Beef hamburgers, vegetarian burgers, jumbo beef hot dogs, corn dogs on a stick, grilled Hilo Corn on the cob and more.
You can enjoy the Turtle Independence Day festivities from 10:30am until noon at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows at 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. The turtle celebration is free and the BBQ food is offered at individual menu prices. For more information, call 808-885-6622
Hilo 4th of July Fireworks – Hilo will have aerial fireworks display from Coconut Island starting at 8pm. You can view the fireworks from the Hilo Bayfront. (Mahalo to Big Island Visitors Bureau for their help in finding this Hilo event.)
Volcano Village July 4th Parade & Celebration – This Independence Day parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Volcano Post Office and proceed for one half mile along Old Volcano Road to Cooper Community Center. The parade will feature the Hawaii County Band, floats, antique cars, fire engines, bicycles, horses, and animals in costumes! Music, games, food booths, dunking pond, craft fair and prizes to follow. Call Betsy Mitchell for more information at (808) 967-7209. (Per KonaWeb)
Parker Ranch Independence Weekend Rodeo – Celebrate July 4th cowboy style at the 48th Annual Independence Weekend Rodeo and Horse Races at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea. Action begins at 9am and continues until noon. Tickets for the Sunday, July 4th event are $5 in advance and $6 at the gate. For more information, visit this link.
Ka’u 4th of July Parade & Ho’olaulea — Event will take place from 10am-6pm. Parade on Hwy. 11 will begin at 10am, featuring pa’u riders, classic cars. floats and marchers, followed by a ho’olaulea at the ball park from 11am-6pm. Food, crafts, service booths, and a full lineup of entertainment are planned. (Source: KonaWeb)
Sheila Beal
