**** For July 4th 2016, click this link —> Big Island Fireworks & July 4th Events ****
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The follow information is from 2014 for informational purposes only. For 2016, click here.
Hawaii Island is an excellent destination to celebrate Independence Day. You’ll find festive events including fun games, great food and outstanding waterfront fireworks shows to cap off this exciting day.
We organize this annual list of all the top July 4th events by “West/Kona side” and “East/Hilo side” on Hawaii Island. Here’s what you’ll find July 4, 2014.
FIREWORKS & EVENTS ON WEST/KONA SIDE OF HAWAII ISLAND
Family Fourth and Fireworks at Waikoloa Beach Resort
Live music, unique contest and games will fill the day followed by a spectacular fireworks show at Waikoloa Beach Resort. See this flyer for the full slate of entertainment at the Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace. These family-friendly events are free and open to the public.
One of the bigger events of the day is the 23rd Annual Rubber Duckie Race benefitting the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. See this link for more details on the rubber duckie race.
Doors open to the Waikoloa Bowl at 5pm and live entertainment will start shortly after. Beach chairs and blankest are welcome, however coolers are not. This event is alcohol and drug free. The fireworks show is set to start at 8pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Kailua-Kona July 4th Parade and Fireworks
Kailua-Kona, or as we visitors tend to simply call the town Kona, hosts an excellent July 4th Parade followed by a fireworks show. Parade organizers recommend you get to parade route before 5:45pm with the parade beginning at 6pm. See this link for the parade route map. We recommend you view the parade from somewhere near the waterfront so that you can watch the fireworks after the parade. At approximately 8pm (source) the Kona fireworks show begins with the fireworks shooting from a barge in Kailua Bay.
25th Annual July 4th Turtle Independence Day Celebration at Mauna Lana Bay Hotel
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel puts a Hawaii-spin on Independence Day. The hotel fosters juvenile honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) in their salt ponds until they are a size and weight suitable to be released into the ocean. The hotel hosts a popular ceremony releasing the honu every July 4th.
The honu will be gathered at 10:30 am from the Honu Ponds and they will be paraded to the beachfront for release. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races
Hawaii Island’s famous Parker Ranch hosts their July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races from 9am until noon. Tickets are $7 (pre-sale) and $10 at the gate. Admission is free for kids ages 12 years old and under.
FIREWORKS & EVENTS ON THE EAST/HILO SIDE OF HAWAII ISLAND
Volcano Village July 4th Parade
Volcano Village hosts their annual July 4th parade through this small village near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The parade starts at 9am. For more information about the parade and the associated fund raising silent auction, see this link.
Hilo Bay Blast 2014
Hilo will offer a full day of activities that will conclude a spectacular fireworks show for Hilo Bay Blast 2014. Unless an entry fee is required, Hilo Bay Blast is free and open to the public.
Hilo events begin at 7am with a “Salute to Our Veterans”, the Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk at Lili’uokalani Gardens. Prizes will be awarded. For more information, contact Dr. Marlene Hapai at 808-966-9894.
The Hilo Bay Cook-off barbecue competition will be held at the Soccer Field on the mauka side of Kamehameha Avenue. For more information, contact rick Fredricks at 808-935-1860.
Hawaii County Band will perform their Fourth of July Concert from the Mo’oheau Park Bandstand in starting at 7pm.
At 8pm the fireworks show begins. The fireworks will launch from a barge in the center of Hilo Bay.
Hilo Bay Blast is a drug, alcohol and litter-free event.
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Notes:
– Mahalo to all these July 4th event sponsors and coordinators!
– All these details for 2014 Big Island July 4th events are accurately reported at the time of publishing.
– Bookmark this page and check back for potential additions and updates.
Sheila Beal
