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Hawaii News

Budget cuts cancel Pearl Harbor fireworks, Bayfest

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and Lance Cpl. Isaias Calderas. Steve Tatum

Federal budget cuts are forcing Pearl Harbor to cancel its July 4 fireworks and the Marine Corps to cancel its annual Bayfest event at Kaneohe Bay.

A Navy Region Hawaii spokes­man said Monday that annual fireworks at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam have been canceled as the base scales back its Independence Day celebration at Hickam Harbor. The event will now be a daytime celebration ending at 5 p.m., featuring the Pacific Fleet Band and the Air Force Band of the Pacific, plus other activities.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii said earlier Monday its summer festival is being canceled this year because of automatic federal budget cuts and other fiscal constraints.

The Marines have been holding the festival for more than 20 years. The 2 1⁄2-day event draws 25,000 people to Kaneohe Bay for musical performances, carnival rides, fireworks and military static displays.

The Marines say the festival requires significant resources from many base departments and from Marine Corps Community Services. The Marines say all these sections are affected by potential furloughs and fiscal limits.

Military services and federal agencies are feeling the effects of $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts that took effect in March.

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