HONOLULU — Hawaii County will sponsor two Fourth of July events on July 4 in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, announced the county’s Department of Parks & Recreation.

"We are proud to be able to offer our community fun and safe activities across the island to celebrate the Fourth of July year after year," said Mayor Mitch Roth in a news release. "These events provide spaces for us to come together, strengthen our bonds, and create lasting memories. By bringing our community together in celebration, we not only honor our nation's independence but also reinforce the spirit of unity and aloha that defines Hawaii Island."

Director of Parks & Recreation Maurice Messina added, “The Department of Parks & Recreation is pleased to invite the community to join these festive celebrations in Hilo and Kona that honor our nation’s independence. We wish everyone a safe, fun Fourth of July and extend a sincere mahalo to the many businesses, organizations, individual volunteers, and government agencies collaborating to present these events for our residents to enjoy.”

The celebration is an all-day affair in Hilo kicking off at 7 a.m. with “A Salute to Our Veterans” Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk 2024 at Liliuokalani Gardens hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830.

(Photo courtesy of the County of Hawaii)

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., “Hot Rides Expo” at the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields (mauka fields) will showcase vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles. Throughout the event, the public can enjoy food trucks and keiki activities (including waterslides and bounce houses) alongside performances by Saddle Road Band, After Party, Vizion 20/20, Johnny Ness and the Hot Potaytahs.

Then at 8 p.m., look to the skies for a spectacular “Hilo Bay Blast” professional fireworks exhibition as high-tech pyrotechnics launch from a barge moored in Hilo Bay. Music by the Hawaii County Band at Moʻoheau Park Bandstand will accompany every Comet, Chrysanthemum, Crossette and Brocade (types of fireworks – and there are more!). Patriotic tunes on KWXX will also synchronize with the display.

Need-to-know info for Hilo festivities:

• Lihiwai Street from Keliʻipio Lane to the entrance of Isle’s parking lot will be closed to vehicles from 2 a.m. July 4 through 10 a.m. July 5.
• Bayfront Highway from Waianuenue Avenue to Pauahi Street will be closed to vehicles 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 4. All gates along Moʻoheau Park and Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields will be open to pedestrians to access the Hilo Bay shoreline to view the fireworks.
• All Hilo area parks will remain open until 9 p.m. July 4 only.
• A designated Kupuna Viewing Station will be at Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields with shuttle service from Kamana Senior Center (127 Kamana St.) operating 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Individuals 55 years and older can contact Elderly Recreation Services at 808-961-8710 for information on the shuttle.
  

  (Photo courtesy of the County of Hawaii)

On the west side, the Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association and Fireworks Committee and Hawaii County team up to present the Fourth of July parade along Kuakini Highway and Alii Drive kicking off at 6 p.m. Then at 8 p.m., enjoy the “Independence Day Extravaganza” professional fireworks exhibition launched from Kailua Bay.

Road closures will be in effect from 5:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Parade details are available on the Parades in Kona website.

Hawaii County reminds the public of the following for the Hilo and Kailua-Kona events:

• Personal fireworks, as well as the use of alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarettes are prohibited at all county and state parks. No tents or canopies are permitted.
• UAVs/drones are prohibited within five miles of the Hilo and Kona airports and within county and state parks.
• Marine vessels including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards must use navigation lights at night and all individuals on board must have a personal flotation device.
• Officers from the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will be assisting on land with the event, as well as maintaining a 600-foot safety zone around the fireworks barges. Unauthorized vessels are restricted from mooring, drifting, traversing or entering restricted zones.

Fireworks permit information 

Permits and firecrackers are only available at two TNT Tent locations through 8 p.m. July 4:

• Safeway parking lot, 381 E. Makaala St. in Hilo
• Walmart parking lot, 75-1015 Henry St. in Kona

Each $25 permit will allow its holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits are only available to people 18 years and older and are nontransferable and non-refundable.

Firecrackers can only be set off from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4.

Note that permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

The Hawaii Fire Department reminds the public that it is unlawful to buy, sell, possess or set off aerial luminous devices such as sky lanterns and Hawaii lanterns. Individuals who possess such a device can dispose of it with amnesty by contacting Fireworks Auditor Kamuela Moraes at 808-938-1253.

Fire Chief Kazuo Todd reminds the public that it’s illegal to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks
• Throw fireworks from a vehicle
• Set off fireworks outside of the permitted time period of 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4
• Set off fireworks within 1,000 feet of a hospital, nursing home, senior facility, animal hospital, or church when services are being held; on school property; on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or public way; in any park
• For any individual to offer for sale, sell or give fireworks to minors, as well as for minors to possess or sell fireworks, or ignite fireworks without adult supervision

The fire department also asks the public to help prevent fires and injuries by having a water source or fire extinguisher readily available, wetting down surrounding areas before setting off fireworks, providing adult supervision for keiki playing with fireworks, setting off fireworks away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles, and flammable materials, and properly disposing of used fireworks by soaking them in water first, then throwing them away.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.