Fourth of July fireworks will be back at Hawaii’s historic Pearl Harbor, thanks to several sponsors that have stepped in to revive the tradition. The celebration includes a concert by the rock band 3 Doors Down.
The annual fireworks show had lit up the night sky at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for at least 25 years but was canceled last year due to $85 billion in across-the-board federal budget cuts. A scaled-back Beachfest celebration was held instead, featuring the Pacific Fleet Band and Air Force Band of the Pacific.
"Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is looking forward to a spectacular Fourth of July celebration this year, complete with a fireworks display and entertainment by 3 Doors Down," said base spokeswoman Grace Hew Len. "USAA is the title sponsor, along with fireworks sponsor Pizza Hut and Armed Forces Entertainment, bringing 3 Doors Down in concert."
The event, open to military-affiliated personnel and their sponsored guests, will take place from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 4, which falls on a Friday this year.
Texas-based Pizza Hut, which has 37 locations in Hawaii, heard about last year’s cancellation and wanted to help out then, but there wasn’t enough time to pull the fireworks show together, according to company spokesman Doug Terfehr. So the company made sure to get involved this year.
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JULY FOURTH FIREWORKS
» Where: Joint Harbor Pearl Harbor-Hickam base
» When: 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. Ward Field, 3 Doors Down concert at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.
» Cost: Free (not including Xtreme Fun rides, food and beverages)
» Info: Open to all military-affiliated personnel and their sponsored guests. Be prepared for an ID check at the entrance. No outside backpacks, tents or coolers allowed. Visit www.greatlifehawaii.com.
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"If you think of the Fourth of July and what that stands for and represents in this country, and what Pearl Harbor represents to the country, we’re all very excited this came together and it’s able to happen," he said. "We felt if there’s any place that needed to have fireworks on the Fourth of July, it was Pearl Harbor."
Annual fireworks shows at Kailua Beach Park and Ala Moana Beach Park are expected to take place on the Fourth of July this year, with details to be announced. Turtle Bay Resort will host a daylong celebration of family-friendly activities and music followed by a fireworks display.
The Hawaii Kai community, however, will not be hosting fireworks this year due to lack of funding, according to the Maunalua Communities Foundation.
At Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. at Ward Field with free activities, including a petting zoo, train, car show and samples of Pizza Hut’s new BBQ pizza. Xtreme Fun rides, food and beverages will be available for purchase. Mississippi-based 3 Doors Down is scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m.
Schofield Barracks will also be offering family-friendly activities starting at 10 a.m., with fireworks scheduled at 8:30 p.m. with a free concert by Third Eye Blind and Willie K, open to military personnel and their sponsored guests.
