West Hawaii will be celebrating the nation’s independence with a host of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Locals and visitors are invited to take part in the free celebrations scheduled, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show over Kailua Bay.
The annual July 4th parade in Kona will honor our Vietnam Veterans with the theme “Peace, Love and Fourth of July”.
“It is truly important to recognize and celebrate our hometown heroes who were brave to fight for the freedom we enjoy today,” said parade co-chair Barbara Kossow.
The parade starts at 6 p.m. at Kekuaokalani Gym, travel down Kuakini Highway to Alii Drive and ending at Coconut Grove Marketplace. There will be announcing stations along the parade route. Food trucks are planned to be stationed at Hale Halawai. The parade committee is still accepting applications from businesses, elected officials, non-profit and neighborhood groups interested in participating.
Following the parade, a fireworks extravaganza is planned over Kailua Bay at 8 p.m. Hawaii Explosives and Pyrotechnics Inc. will be lighting up the sky from a barge positioned approximately 600 feet offshore blasting over 1,000 shots. Organizers say they still need about $20,000 to produce this crowd favorite tradition and are soliciting sponsorships and donations from local businesses and community members to fill the shortfall. Visit paradesinkona.com for more information on parade entries and fireworks sponsorship/donations.
“Here’s wishing you and your ohana the best the nation has to offer as we celebrate our country’s independence. Come join us for the parade and fireworks,” said Kossow.
The Hawaii County Democrats will be hosting their annual July 4th Rock-N-Roll party at 1 p.m. at Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park. Registered Hawaii Island Democrats are welcome to this free event that will feature hot dogs , talk story, a drawing and musical entertainment by Retroactive.
Queens Marketplace will be celebrating Independence Day with a family friendly free event that will feature live music with local bands, keiki carnival games, face painting, a photo booth, and more.
Keiki (and adults) can enjoy fun carnival-type games at this year’s event in partnership with Hawaii Island’s local non-profit organizations Humanity Hale, East Hawaii Community Center – Youth Arts Series, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Village Outdoor Circle, and Waikoloa School PTSA. Play carnival favorites like Tin Can Slam, Tic-Tac-Toe, Bank-a-Ball, and more! Keiki prizes available while supplies last.
Enjoy great live performances by local bands Ku Ma’ema’e Music , Tomi Isobe & Blues Dogs, and Off Da Cuff. A scavenger will allow keiki to embark on a fun adventure to find hidden images around Queens’ Marketplace. Prizes will be given to those who complete the hunt, while supplies last. Families can also enjoy fun lawn games at the Coronation Pavilion, including corn hole, ring toss, Jenga, and Connect 4.
While at Waikoloa Beach, Visit he Kings’ Shops for more festivities.
Enjoy entertainment, free keiki activities, merchant offers and the Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race. where 10,000 bathtub cuties will paddle to victory for their adoptive owners. First 50 finishers and last place duckie wins prizes!
Events include watermelon and shave ice eating contests, live entertainment, duck waddling and calling contest and of course the big race at 3 p.m.
Visit kingsshops.com for event schedules and to adopt a duck.
Mauna Lani Hotel will be hosting the 34th annual Turtle Independence day. An annual community celebration that has endured for more than 30 years, Turtle Independence Day represents the rebirth of thir Green sea turtle hatchlings after 2 to 3 years of growth in the turtle pond.
The Mauna Lani has worked with Sea Life Park’s sea turtle breeding program since 1989. Each summer, the resort receives a handful of juvenile green sea turtles that it raises in the saltwater ponds on the South Kohala property. After a year or so, when the honu are deemed large enough to join the wild population, they are released into the Pacific Ocean on Independence Day.
Green sea turtles are ancient ocean dwellers that have lived on Earth for 150 million years. The sea turtle population has been steadily increasing since the reptiles were given federal protections in 1978 but the species is still listed as threatened under federal and state laws.
Each of the released turtles is also tagged so researchers can keep track and conduct annual health exams on the former Mauna Lani residents.