Hawaii, Big Island, July 4th Fireworks & Celebrations 2024

Aloha and welcome to our Hawaii, Big Island 4th of July guide. It is fully up to date for 2024!

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic July 4th on Hawaii’s Big Island for this year. Many of the traditional Independence Day celebrations are back in action. You’ll find excellent festivities and fireworks on both the Hilo and Kona sides of Hawaii Island.

Kailua – Kona July 4th Parade & Fireworks over Kailua Bay 2024

The annual Kailua-Kona parade and fireworks show is planned to be back in action this July 4th! The patriotic parade, which runs down Kuakini Highway (from Kekuaokalani Gymnasium) to Ali’i Drive to Walua Road is set to start at 6:00 p.m.

The “Independence Day Extravaganza” firework show over the bay is planned to start at 8:00 p.m. The professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Kailua Bay. Check for any updates and to make a donation at this link.

Hilo Bay Blast Fireworks & Celebration 2024

Hilo plans to host a wonderful day of fun and fireworks. Here’s the schedule of events for this July 4, 2024:

At 7:00 a.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830 will host “A Salute to Our Veterans” Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk at the beautiful Lili’uokalani Gardens. For more information and to register to participate, see this link.
From 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., the “Hot Rides Expo” car show will be held at the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields (mauka fields.) This car show will feature vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles.
While the “Hot Rides Expo” is taking place, there will be live music featuring Saddle Road Band, After Party, Vizion 20/20, Johnny Ness and Hot Potaytahs for all to enjoy. Food trucks will be on hand. Children’s activities, including water slides and bounce houses, will be available at the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields.
At 7:00 p.m., the Hawaii County Band will perform at Mo’oheau Bandstand. The band will present a live accompaniment to the evening’s fireworks.
The big, “Hilo Bay Blast” fireworks show is set to begin at 8:00 p.m. These professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Hilo Bay. For those not near the bandstand, the fireworks show will be synchronized to patriotic music aired on KWXX.

Kapuna Access for Hilo Bay Fireworks Viewing Information

The Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields have been designated as the Kupuna Viewing Station. The Department of Parks & Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division will provide shuttle service from the Kamanā Senior Center, located at 127 Kamanā Street. The shuttle to the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the return shuttle will run from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Individuals 55 years and older who want to use the shuttle service may contact Elderly Recreation Services at (808) 961-8710 for more information.

Hilo July 4th Closures

- Lihiwai Street, from Keliʻipio Lane to the entrance of Isle’s parking lot, will be closed to vehicular traffic from Thursday, July 4 at 2 a.m. through Friday, July 5 at 10 a.m.
- Bayfront Highway, from Waiānuenue Avenue to Pauahi Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. In addition, all gates along Mo‘oheau Park and the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields will be open to allow pedestrian access to the Hilo Bay shoreline to view the fireworks exhibition.
- All Hilo area parks will remain open until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 only.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s Fourth of July Dinner & Fireworks Show 2024

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is hosting a fourth of July celebration including a barbecue buffet on the Beachfront Lawn and a fireworks show. See this link to reserve a spot for dinner and the fireworks show.

Waikoloa Beach Resort July 4th Activities 2024

The two shopping centers within Waikoloa, Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace, host fun events including free, live entertainment and plenty of fun family-friendly activities.

Kings’ Shops hosts their annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race along with fun, family-friendly Fourth of July activities. This event benefits the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. Events start at 11:00 a.m. and run through 5:00 p.m. See this link for the schedule of events for 2024.

Queens’ Marketplace hosts their 4th of July Extravaganza from noon to 4:00 p.m. They’ll have live music, keiki (kid) carnival games, a magic show and more. See this link for more details.

Prior to 2020, Waikoloa Independent Day events culminated with a spectacular fireworks display over Waikoloa Bowl at Queens Gardens. Fireworks shows have not been held since 2018 and unfortunately they won’t be returning for 2024 either.

Annual Fourth of July Rodeo and Horse Races at Parker Ranch 2024

The 60th Annual Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo and Horse Race is to take place the morning of July 4th. Traditionally, this rodeo celebrates the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) and their skills. See this link for more information.

—

Notes:

All events are subject to change without notice.
More events may be added or revised. Check back for updates.
Some events are dependent upon fundraisers and local financial support. As such, they may be cancelled with little notice if they don’t raise enough funds. When/if we know of these situations, we will note them.
Personal fireworks, alcohol, drugs, tobacco use and e-cigarettes are prohibited at all county and state parks.
Operation of UAVs/drones is prohibited within five miles of the Hilo and Kona airports. UAVs/drones are also prohibited within county and state parks.
All marine vessels (including kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards) operating at night must use navigation lights, and all persons on board must have personal flotation devices.
A 600-foot safety zone will be established around the fireworks barges; unauthorized vessels shall NOT moor, drift, traverse or enter these restricted areas. Officers from the State Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will be assisting this event on sea and land.
Subscribe to our free newsletters that are generally issued twice per week. You’ll stay up to date all Hawaii travel advice, news and ideas. Plus, we’ll make a final announcement about any updates to this page in the days leading up to July 4th. Subscriptions are free and you can unsubscribe at any time.Carefully enter your email address at this link to subscribe to our free newsletters.
If you are a journalist or blogger using this post for researching an article you are writing, kindly do what’s proper and provide a link back to Go Visit Hawaii. This work is a result of many hours of my very own research, long distance phone calls, emails, contacts, etc.