While Hawaii may have been the last state to join the union, it pays tribute to July 4 with as much pride and flag-waving as any other U.S. destination. Around the islands, the patriotic holiday ushers in parties and pyrotechnics, but residents also demonstrate their patriotism with one-of-a-kind, local-style events.
The following July 4 observances embrace the best of Americana sprinkled with Hawaii’s inimitable aloha spirit.
Ala Moana July 4th Celebration (Oahu)
As the world’s largest open-air shopping emporium, Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center doesn’t do anything small, and its Independence Day celebration is no exception. The fun starts at Ala Moana Beach Park — across the street from the mall — with the July 4 fireworks show, featuring flashes, bangs and booms synchronized to music on a Hawaii radio station.
During the next three days, clients can take advantage of various Ala Moana promotions including free concerts, exclusive retail savings and a sweepstakes, all of which kicks off the center’s 60th anniversary.
www.alamoanacenter.com
Family 4th at Waikoloa Beach Resort (Hawaii Island)
Home of hotels, condos, restaurants and shops, the Kohala Coast destination resort of Waikoloa salutes July 4 with an afternoon and evening of smile-worthy pastimes. Clients can take part in duck-waddling and duck-calling contests, enjoy balloon sculpting, compete in a rubber duckie race on Kings’ Lake and pull up a chair for the shave ice and watermelon-eating contests.
Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii Island marches to its own drummer during its July 4 celebration, which includes a rubber duckie race.
Credit: 2019 Warren HiguchiLoved ones snuggle up together as a fireworks extravaganza lights up the night sky, followed by live music in the coronation pavilion at Queens’ MarketPlace.
www.waikoloabeachresort.com
Hukilau Marketplace 4th of July (Oahu)
Located next to Polynesian Cultural Center, Hukilau Marketplace has established itself as a nostalgic hub of Hawaiiana with its throwback shops, kiosks and eateries. This year it’s honoring Independence Day with family fare such as an inflatable obstacle course, carnival games and a mechanical bull-riding contest.
Live tunes by Makaha Sons, Josh Tatofi and other well-loved local musicians entertain the audience, while food stalls keep energies high and spirits soaring. It all leads up to a fireworks spectacle that brightens the heavens over Oahu’s rural North Shore.
www.hukilaumarketplace.com
Kauai Hospice Concert in the Sky (Kauai)
In Kauai’s central town of Lihue, the Vidinha Soccer Field is transformed into an all-ages festival, created 30 years ago as a fundraiser for Kauai Hospice. For 2019, the popular annual affair features sense-of-place food from the island’s top hotels, restaurants and trucks.
Headliners present nonstop live performances, and kids dive into the fun zone with its water slides, face painting and inflatables. After dark, the attention turns skyward for the stupendous fireworks display, with 3D effects and a musical soundtrack.
www.kauaihospice.org
During the July 4 festivities in Lahaina, Maui, a family celebrates with face paint and Hawaiian shave ice.
Credit: 2019 LahainaTown Action CommitteeLahaina Fireworks & Festivities (Maui)
This old-fashioned Fourth of July bash is one of the most cherished yearly events in Maui’s historic seaside town, and rightfully so. The main drag of Front Street morphs into a pedestrian-only thoroughfare for thousands of visitors and locals. The mood grows increasingly upbeat throughout the day thanks to jazzy bands, hands-on crafts, stilt-walkers, silliness for kids and food booths.
Culminating it all is the fireworks show, which thrills spectators whether they’re relaxing on the shore, sailing on a charter boat or sitting at a table in one of Lahaina’s oceanfront restaurants.
www.visitlahaina.com/events
