Independence Day brings parades, parties and all-important fireworks displays to Oahu on Tuesday.
You shouldn’t have to travel far to see colorful fireworks from land or sea, with six displays scheduled around the island. Five are open to the public; one event is restricted to military personnel, their families and guests.
If you’re in town, the fireworks display at Ala Moana Beach Park is a best bet. Fireworks sponsor Ala Moana Center is hosting celebratory entertainment from the weekend onward at the mall’s Centerstage location.
The fireworks will be launched from three platforms along the beach and coordinated with a soundtrack broadcast on FM 92.3 KSSK. There should be a lot of good viewing along the South Shore, from Waikiki to Kakaako Waterfront Park and beyond, in addition to Ala Moana Beach Park. The show begins at 8:30 p.m.
For those planning to attend the celebration at Ala Moana Beach Park on Tuesday: Plan ahead. City officials expect 30,000 onlookers to come. Staking out a parking site at the beach on Monday night will not be possible, as all vehicles will be prohibited from 10 p.m. Monday until 4 a.m. Tuesday. The city just announced that people will allowed to set up open canopy tents for overnight stays at the park on Monday night. Only two people are allowed to stay at these sites.
At the mall, additional free parking at the Ala Moana Building and the Ala Moana Pacific Center will be available after 1 p.m. Tuesday. In the evening, trolley depots at the mall will be closed starting at 6:30 p.m.
Ala Moana Boulevard from Atkinson Drive to Piikoi Street will be closed from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to allow people to cross the street safely. Kona Street will also be closed at that time.
If it’s a warm night, you might paddle out from Waikiki to watch the show from the water — go with friends to be safe — or you can take an Atlantis Adventures cruise to watch from the Star of Honolulu or the Dolphin Star. The cruise line is offering a buffet cruise for $164, $96 for kids ages 7 to 12 (children under 6 free), or a cruise with heavy pupu for $89. The three-hour cruise leaves at 6:15 p.m. from Aloha Tower Marketplace.
The fireworks display concludes four days of Independence Day celebrations at Ala Moana Center, which will host music and entertainment from noon to about 6 p.m. from Saturday to Tuesday. Highlights on Centerstage include Jordan Segundo and Raiatea Helm from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday; Keauhou and Streetlight Cadence from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday; Rocky Brown and DeShannon Higa at 5 p.m. Monday; and Hoku Zuttermeister and Maunalua from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Elsewhere on the South Shore, ukulele virtuoso Kalei Gamiao and guests Jon Yamasato and Lopaka Colon will provide entertainment at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, where there will be both a “Picnic on the Pier” celebration and a VIP buffet dinner, starting at 6 p.m. The VIP dinner is $500 for a table of eight, with a buffet from Gordon Biersch, and will feature prime viewing of fireworks from the ship’s fantail.
Picnickers can bring their own food (no glass bottles or grills allowed). Gordon Biersch will have food for purchase available on the pier (cash only). Bring your own blankets and beach chairs (reserved tables have already sold out) to sit comfortably on the pier and watch the fireworks display, which begins at 9 p.m. Park at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and take a shuttle to the Mighty Mo.
Military personnel, their families and friends will have a Fourth of July Celebration at Ward Field on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. and include a petting zoo, airbrush tattoos, archery, balloon twisting, a car show, inflatables and rides. Featured entertainment includes an Eagles tribute band at 5 p.m. and a U2 tribute band at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. It’s free for members of all military branches, Department of Defense ID-card holders and sponsored guests.
On the windward side, Kailua will begin festivities early, beginning with a Freedom Run, featuring 5K and 10K runs and a 1-mile walk. The benefit for the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii begins at 7 a.m. Visit epilepsyhawaii.org for information.
Then there’s the annual parade down Kainalu Drive from Palapu Street to Kailua Intermediate School. It starts at 10 a.m. The parade, which has been held for the last 71 years, features bands, military marching units, horses, and groups representing youth, seniors and schools.
Evening celebrations in Kailua focus on Kailua Beach Park. The party begins at 6 p.m. with skydiving team Col. John Bates and the Flying Leathernecks, an unofficial group of retired Marines who formed to honor a Marine’s dying wish that his ashes be scattered during a dive. That’s followed by the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 8 p.m. Parking is at Lanikai Elementary, Kainalu Elementary, Kailua Elementary and Kailua Intermediate schools, and shuttle service will be provided from the former Macy’s parking lot to Kailua Elementary and the beach.
In central Oahu, Schofield Barracks will welcome the public to a Fourth of July Spectacular, returning for the first time in five years. The free celebration begins at 10 a.m. and will include rides and games, a petting zoo and crafts. Entertainment includes country music star Tyler Farr at 3:30 p.m. and Australian singer-songwriter and model Natalie Imbruglia at 5:05 p.m. Fireworks are at 8:30 p.m.
Foote Gate on Kunia Road will be open for public entry, with parking on Watts Field and shuttle service provided to the festivities at Weyand Field. Restrictions apply on items allowed on base. Grilling is allowed only at reserved tailgating and picnic areas (sold out).
Up on the North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort is combining its Fourth of July celebration with a day of Hawaiian music, provided by the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival. The music begins at 2 p.m. and featured performers include Stephen Inglis at 2:10 p.m., George Kuo at 3 p.m., Danny Carvalho at 5:35 p.m. and Brother Noland at 7:25 p.m.
The event is free. Parking in the resort’s lot is $10, but if you want to turn the day into a tailgate party, the resort is offering reserved, oceanside stalls, with space for a tent, for $250. Fireworks begin at 8 p.m. Eat the Street will provide food.
Laie hosts an all-day, community-centered Independence Day celebration, highlighted by a parade at 4 p.m. from Brigham Young University-Hawaii to the Hukilau Marketplace. Games and rides will be open for keiki, with a watermelon eating contest at 5 p.m. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. featuring local bands Joe Napeai and da Boys, Tonga Sisters, Vaitai Bros, Vaihi and Hi Risk.
There won’t be fireworks at the Laie event, but there will be fire: a choreographed fireknife street battle takes place from 9:15 to 9:30 p.m., followed by DJ Uale spinning dance music until 11 p.m.
JULY 4 CELEBRATIONS
All events on Tuesday unless noted. All events free unless noted.
ALA MOANA CENTER
Centerstage entertainment. Info: alamoanacenter.com
Saturday: 3 p.m. Royal Hawaiian Band; 4 p.m. Jordan Segundo; 5 p.m. Raiatea Helm
Sunday: 3 p.m. John Curtis Quintet; 4 p.m. Keauhou; 5 p.m. Streetlight Cadence
Monday: 3 p.m. EMKE; 4 p.m. Mahi‘ai Kekumu and GJ; 5 p.m. Rocky Brown & DeShannon Higa
Tuesday/Fourth of July: 3 p.m. Hawaiian Soul; 4 p.m. Hoku Zuttermeister; 5 p.m. Maunalua
ALA MOANA BEACH PARK
Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. fireworks
KAILUA
Info: kailuachamber.com/kailuaparade, kailuafireworks.net
Tuesday: 10 a.m. parade; 6 p.m. beach party; 8 p.m. fireworks
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS
Carry-in restrictions and parking details: himwr.com
Tuesday: 10 a.m. rides, arts and crafts, petting zoo, entertainment; 8:30 p.m. fireworks
TURTLE BAY RESORT SLACK KEY GUITAR FESTIVAL
Parking: $10 at hotel lots. Info: turtlebayresort.com
Tuesday: Music from notable slack key guitar artists all day, beginning at 2 p.m. Highlights: 3 p.m. George Kuo; 3:25 p.m. Moon Kahele; 6:40 p.m. Keale; 7 p.m. Kawika Kahiapo; 7:25 p.m. Brother Noland. 8 p.m. fireworks
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM CELEBRATION
Department of Defense personnel and guests only. Info: greatlifehawaii.com
Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. food and entertainment; 9 p.m. fireworks
LAIE, HUKILAU MARKETPLACE
Info: hukilaumarketplace.com or 293-3142
Tuesday: 4 p.m. parade; 5 p.m. watermelon eating contest and entertainment; 9:15 p.m. fireknife exhibit
PICNIC ON THE PIER, BATTLESHIP MISSOURI
Tickets: $5-$10 presale through July 3; $10-$15 at point of entry. Info: ussmissouri.org/picnic or 455-1600, ext. 231
Tuesday: 6 p.m. picnicking; 9 p.m. fireworks viewing
