Fireworks illuminate the sky over Aloha Tower in observance of Independence Day in downtown Honolulu. (Jamm Aquino / 2013)
STAR-ADVERTISER STAFF
Happy Birthday, America!
Music, parades, food and, of course, fireworks will be going off Friday as we celebrate Independence Day.
No matter where you are on Oahu, you’ll likely be able to enjoy a fireworks display nearby. Fireworks shows are set for Ala Moana, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Turtle Bay and Kailua.
If you’re lucky enough to gain access to the celebrations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor or Schofield Barracks — these events are open only to Department of Defense cardholders and their authorized guests — you’ll get the chance to see rock bands 3 Doors Down (Pearl Harbor) and Third Eye Blind (Schofield).
Other Fourth of July events are open to all patriotic revelers, including the 68th annual Kailua Independence Day Parade, Turtle Bay’s celebration and the Battleship Missouri Memorial’s evening “Picnic on the Pier.”
Third Eye Blind will perform at the 43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks. Attendance is limited to military members and their guests. (Brian Tseng / 2012)
Ala Moana Center’s 23rd annual Fourth of July Celebration: Friday through Sunday. Visit alamoanacenter.com.
» Enjoy live entertainment at Centerstage on Friday with EMKE at 4 p.m., Mark Yamanaka at 5 p.m. and Touch of Gold at 6 p.m.; Saturday with Mike Tulba at 4 p.m., Melveen Leed at 5 p.m. and Hoku Zuttermeister at 6 p.m.; and Sunday with Erin Smith at 4 p.m., Sean Na’auao at 5 p.m. and Kapena at 6 p.m.
» Fireworks spectacular, 8:30 p.m. Friday, Ala Moana Beach Park. Check out Hawaii’s largest fireworks display, launched off Magic Island. Tune in to radio station KSSK (FM 92.3) for a live soundtrack to the fireworks.
Turtle Bay Resort’s Independence Day Celebration: 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku. Visit turtlebayresort.com/oahu_events. Fourth of July festivities run 9:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.:
» The 36th annual Da Hui Paddle Race from Turtle Bay to Waimea Bay begins at 9:45 a.m., with more than 600 competitors in long and short courses, followed by an awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Other highlights include a stand-up paddleboard demonstration, a beer garden, prize giveaways and family activities including bounce houses, a water slide, Hawaiian board carving and Hawaiian holua sledding.
» Enjoy live entertainment on the resort’s West Lawn (gates open 2:30 p.m.) by Cultural Nation at 3:30 p.m., MT Ke’ala at 4:30 p.m., Crimson Apple at 5:30 p.m., Keilana Mokulehua at 6:30 p.m. and Kapena at 7:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display. Both are free and open to the public. Bring mats. High-back chairs, coolers and outside food and beverages are not allowed.
» Pool Bar Sunset BBQ and fireworks, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., with food, drink specials, live Hawaiian entertainment and a DJ from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Costs start at $25.
» Head to the after-party (for ages 21 and older) at Surfer, the Bar, featuring a performance by Darren Benitez at 9 p.m.; cover charge is $15, $10 for Da Hui Paddle Race participants.
Festivities continue Saturday, including:
» 7 p.m. performance by JGeeks, one of New Zealand’s hottest acts with more than 9 million YouTube views, on the resort’s West Lawn; gates open 6 p.m. Cost: $25 for general admission, $20 pre-sale, $70 VIP and $200 for Family VIP for four (VIP includes luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Surfer, the Bar, meet-and-greet and preferred seating for the show). Visit shopturtlebay.com.
» 9 p.m. performance by Alex Marley at Surfer, the Bar. For ages 21 and older. Cost: $20, $15 online pre-sale. Visit shopturtlebay.com.
43rd Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Open to Department of Defense ID cardholders, including military members and retirees and DoD civilian employees, and their authorized guests.
» Third Eye Blind, the ’90s alt-rock band, gives a free concert at 5:35 p.m. on the main stage. Openers include Willie K (4 p.m.) and O.N.E. Nation (3:15 p.m.). At 7:30 p.m. there’s a 50-state patriotic salute and 25th Infantry Division Band concert.
» Fireworks display at 8:30 p.m.
» More live entertainment: Chaotic 5, Amanda Frazier, AnyGivenChance, Ignite the Red and others on the Family and MWR Stage, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Weyand Field.
» On Desiderio Field: pony rides, petting zoo, archery, game booths, mechanical bull, surf rides and food booths.
» On Sills Field and tennis court parking lot: a rides midway (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), climbing wall and carriage rides.
» In the pool parking lot: a crafts and new products bazaar, mini PX, water slides, Zorb, dunk tank, video game trailer and miniature golf (all 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Kendama tournament 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information, visit himwr.com/4thofjuly or call 656-3160.
The 68th Annual Kailua Independence Day Parade will include marching bands and colorful characters. (Krystle Marcellus / 2013)
Kailua Independence Day Parade: 10 a.m. to noon on Kainalu Drive (from Palapu Street to Kailua Intermediate School). For this 68th Annual event, expect marching bands including the Royal Hawaiian Band, Marine Corps bands, Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii and the Kukui High School Alumni Marching Band; colorful patriotic characters; dignitaries; community groups; businesses; and more. Call 261-7997 or visit kailuachamber.com.
Kailua’s Fourth of July Fireworks and Twilight Air Show: Kicks off at 6 p.m. with the 13th annual Twilight Air Show over Kailua Bay by local pilots Clint Churchill and Hank Bruckner; entertainment by Marine Corps Marching Band from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kailua Beach Park; and a fireworks show at 8 p.m. off Kailua Bay. Parking available at Lanikai Elementary from noon to 10 p.m., Kailua Intermediate and Kainalu Elementary from 1 to 10 p.m., Kailua Elementary from 4 to 10 p.m. and in the Macy’s parking lot all day where there will be free round-trip shuttle service to Kailua Beach Center from 4:30 to 10 p.m. (includes pickup and drop-off at Kailua Elementary School). Call 478-5230 or visit kailuafireworks.net.
Fourth of July Celebration at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam: 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Ward Field. Open to all military-affiliated personnel and their sponsored guests.
» 3 Doors Down, the Grammy-nominated Mississippi rock band (known for hit song “Kryptonite”) performs at 7:30 p.m.
» Fireworks display at 9 p.m.
» Free activities (closing at about 6:30) include a petting zoo, Xpress Train, airbrush tattoos, 360-degree photos and a batting cage, Pizza Hut samples and a pre-party on Ward Field with London DJ Bennie James and a Car Show & Shine.
» Paid activities: Xtreme Fun rides and inflatables, food and drink vendors and a beer garden.
For more information, visit greatlifehawaii.com.
Waikiki Ocean Club sunset sail: Departing 5:30 p.m. Friday from Aloha Tower, Diamond Head side. Double-decker party boat with two bars and DJs spinning, offering an overhead view of the fireworks. Pre-party 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Above Ultra Lounge. Shuttle departing from Hawaiian Monarch Hotel at 4:15 p.m. Cost: $50 (includes food and drink). Call 375-0659.
Picnic on the Pier at the Battleship Missouri Memorial: 6 p.m. “steel beach” picnic and 9 p.m. fireworks show Friday at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Bring your picnic gear, food and drinks (no glass or grills permitted) for an evening of Independence Day fun and entertainment including live music by Jason Laeha, keiki activities such as paper sailboat races, signal flag making and Battleship game. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Complimentary shuttle service from Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Cost: $10, $5 for children (ages 4 to 12), free for Mighty Mo members. Visit bit.ly/ussmsteelpicnic or call 877-644-4896.
Fourth of July cruise aboard Navatek: 6:15 to 9:15 p.m.; departs Aloha Tower Marketplace at Pier 6. Enjoy a cruise along the Waikiki and East Oahu shoreline with live entertainment and prime seats to view the fireworks. Includes a buffet dinner on the main deck or an elegant five-course dinner on the upper deck. Costs range from $134 to $164 for adults, $93 to $110 for ages 7 to 12, free for keiki ages 6 and under. Add $20 to $25 for premium window seating. For reservations, call 973-1311.
Fourth of July Concert featuring Kalapana: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Great Lawn. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Special guest Hapa and a view of the Magic Island fireworks round out the night. Cost: $30; $90 VIP seating including barbecue dinner and two drinks. All ages. Barbecue food for purchase and full bar available. No outside food or drinks permitted. Visit 4thjulyconcert.eventbrite.com or call 282-1059.