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Summer is in full swing and with it comes the Fourth of July, a day to celebrate our country’s independence with family and friends! On Oahu, there will be celebrations all over the island with tons of food, entertainment, and of course, fireworks. The celebrations kick off earlier than ever this year due to the holiday falling on a Wednesday. Check out our list of events below so you don’t miss out on a great day with the family!
Sunday, July 1
The Mayor’s 4th of July Celebration Parade and Sunset on the Beach
Mayor Peter B. Carlisle invites everyone to Waikiki on Sunday, July 1 to honor our military veterans and service members at the Mayor’s 4th of July Celebration Parade and Sunset on the Beach.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Saratoga Road and proceeds down Kalākaua Avenue to Kapi’olani Park. Kalākaua Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic at 5:30 p.m. The parade will be followed by a Sunset on the Beach celebration at Kūhiō Beach featuring the movie Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton.
The parade will showcase veterans and service members. Mayor Carlisle wants to especially honor and welcome home the many service men and women who have returned from tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere abroad. All branches of the U.S. military will be represented with marching units and bands in the parade. More than 50 units are participating in the parade with a special appearance by the 150-member Mississippi Lions All-Star Band.
Sunset on the Beach at Kuhio Beach continues the tribute to the military following the parade with themed entertainment and a blockbuster movie. Festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. with a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band and Glee Club. The feature film screens at 8:00 p.m. Food booths will be available.
Tuesday, July 3rd
Fireworks of Independence at Aloha Tower Marketplace
Aloha Tower Marketplace will host Fireworks of Independence on July 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. This fireworks display has traditionally been one of the largest on Oahu. It will be a fun-filled evening with great entertainment for the whole family, with both keiki- and adult-based activities including games, balloon art, face painting and Captain Sharka will be on hand to spread good cheer. There will be plenty of food available, plus music and live entertainment. Entertainment begins at 5:00 p.m. with the big fireworks finale planned for 8:45 p.m. For more information please contact Aloha Tower Marketplace 808-528-5700. If you’ll be coming to Aloha Tower Marketplace from Waikiki, it’s easy to get there by bus and trolley. This will be a popular event with large crowds so we recommend arriving early!
Wednesday, July 4th
Ala Moana Center Fireworks and Entertainment
Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center hosts one of the biggest July 4th fireworks in the state of Hawaii and the country and regularly draws massive crowds! Before the big evening fireworks event, you can find free entertainment at the mall’s Centerstage from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The fireworks show will begin around 8:30 p.m. You can watch the fireworks from around the shopping center, or at nearby Magic Island and Ala Moana Beach Park. You will also be able to see the fireworks from the beaches along the western end of Waikiki (near Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hale Koa, and Outrigger on the Beach). For more information visit Ala Moana Center is at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu or call at 808-955-9517.
There are also numerous opportunities to see the fireworks show from the ocean. We recommend the Star of Honolulu, but most cruise companies are offering specials for that evening.
Turtle Bay Resort July 4th Fireworks & Celebration
If you are from or will be staying on the North Shore for the holiday, check out the celebration at the Turtle Bay Resort that begins at 4:00 p.m. They will have community booths, military displays, games, music, food and fireworks. This event is free and open to the public. Parking will be by the stables and the activities will be on the West Lawn. Turtle Bay Resort is located on Oahu’s North Shore at 57-091 Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku, HI. For more information call Turtle Bay Resort at 866-827-5327.
41st Annual 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield Barracks
Schofield Barracks will host a day long celebration from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Weyand Field. The day starts with a keiki fun run and 5k. Then there will be games, rides and live entertainment capped off with a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, even non-DOD personnel, but you must show a valid I.D. at the gates.
Fourth of July Celebration at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Morale, Welfare and Recreation will host a Fourth of July celebration from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hickam Officers’ Club. The event features David Cook in concert. Cook is the American Idol season seven winner. A D.J. will entertain the crowd for the afternoon, prior to Cook’s performance. The event will also include free activities such as an “xpress train,” air-brush tattoo, petting zoo and pony rides. Food and drinks can be purchased from local vendors. Inflatables, rides, games, mini golf and other activities will be available at an additional cost. The night will wrap up with a fireworks display starting at 8:30 p.m. Event and parking access will be limited. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the event. This event is free and open to all military-affiliated personnel and their sponsored guests. For more information, including shuttle service drop offs and pick-ups, visit greatlifehawaii.com.
5th Annual Maunalua Bay Festival Independence Day Celebration
A huge community celebration will transform Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai on July 4th. Food booths and entertainment are available and a spectacular fireworks display will start at 8:00 p.m.
66th Annual Independence Day Parade
The town of Kailua will host a July 4th parade sponsored by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce. The parade will kick off at 10:00 a.m. and the theme this year is Kailua : Red, White and Ocean Blue. The parade will start at Kainalu Drive at Omao Street and continue on Kainalu Drive ending at Kailua Intermediate School.
Third Annual Ewa July 4th Train Ride
This is a charter train ride and tickets must be purchased in advance. The ride is a 90 minute round trip to Kahe Point and back leaving in the morning at 9:30 a.m. and another leaving at 2:00 p.m. This is a classic July 4th holiday event riding in vintage WW II era Army flatcars that have been converted to passenger cars by the Hawaiian Railway Society. The train engines are vintage WW II Navy diesel locomotives that hauled military supplies throughout the war. The railway is the original used by narrow gauge steam locomotives going back to the 1880’s of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the railway line was in fact chartered by King Kalakaua. The former OR&L mainline from Ewa to Nanakuli was put on the National Register of Historic Places on December 1, 1975.
We hope this list helps you plan for your family’s holiday celebration! Aloha and Happy Fourth of July!
