The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announces this year’s Fourth of July celebrations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

Hilo
o Beginning at 7 a.m., the “A Salute to Our Veterans” Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk 2022 will take place at Liliʻuokalani Gardens. For more information or to register, visit www.ASaluteToOurVeterans.org or contact Mike or Pat Sauer at (808) 936-7611 or by
email at runcoordinator@vfw3830aux.org

o From 10 a.m. through 3 p.m., the “Hot Rides Expo,” featuring vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles, will be held at the Hilo soccer fields (mauka fields). All show vehicles are welcome to participate at no charge and may roll in from 7:30 a.m. at the former gas station on the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Pauahi Street. Show vehicles are encouraged to stay until 3 p.m.

o During the “Hot Rides Expo,” live music will feature The Ing Crowd, Just Us, OL’School Band, Kachi Kachi Hawaiʻi, and Hot Potaytahs. Food trucks and children’s activities, including water slides and bounce houses, will be available at the Hilo
Bayfront Soccer fields.

o At 8 p.m., the “Hilo Bay Blast” fireworks exhibition will begin with professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Hilo Bay. The Hawai‘i County Band will present a live accompaniment to the fireworks with a performance that begins at 7 p.m. at the Mo‘oheau Park bandstand. For those not near the bandstand, the fireworks display will be synchronized to patriotic music aired on KWXX. In addition, the following information is provided for your planning efforts:

• Lihiwai Street, from Keliʻipio Lane to the entrance of Isle’s parking lot, will be closed to vehicular traffic from Monday, July 4 at 2 a.m. through Tuesday, July 5 at 10 a.m.

• Bayfront Highway, from Waiānuenue Avenue to Pauahi Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. on Monday, 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 p.m. on Monday, July 4 only.

• The area known as “Isles,” located across from Liliʻuokalani Gardens, has been designated the Kupuna viewing station. The Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division will provide shuttle service from the Kamanā Senior Center, located at 127 Kamana Street. The shuttle to Isles will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the return shuttle will run from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Individuals 55 years and older wanting to use the shuttle service may contact Elderly Recreation Services at
(808) 961-8710 for more information.

Kailua-Kona

o Presented in partnership with the Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association and Fireworks Committee, the Fourth of July parade along Kuakini Highway and Ali‘i Drive begins at 6 p.m. For the complete parade route and list of road closures that will be in effect from 5:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., visit https://paradesinkona.com/

o At 8 p.m., the “A Salute to Our Hometown Heroes” fireworks exhibition will begin with professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Kailua Bay. For more information, visit https://paradesinkona.com/ County, state, and federal public safety agencies are working together to make our public Fourth of July events safe and enjoyable for everyone.

As a reminder, the following is provided for your information:

• Personal fireworks, alcohol and tobacco use, and e-cigs are prohibited at all county and state parks.

• Operation of UAVs/drones within 5 miles of the Hilo and Kona airports as well as within county and state parks is prohibited.

• All marine vessels (including kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards) operating at night must utilize navigation lights, and all persons on board must have personal floatation devices (PFDs).

• A 600-foot safety zone will be set around the fireworks barges; unauthorized vessels shall NOT moor, drift, traverse or enter these restricted areas. State DOCARE officers will be assisting this event on sea and land.

The County of Hawaiʻi would like to invite the public to attend these alcohol-, drug- and litter-free events coordinated in collaboration with private enterprises, community organizations, and numerous government agencies.

Firework Permits

Fire Chief Kazuo Todd announced that firework permits will be issued beginning Wednesday, June 29, 2022, and ends on Monday July 4, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.  Permits and firecrackers may be purchased at the following location ONLY:

• TNT tent 381 E. Makaala Street Hilo, HI 

Each permit costs $25.00 and will entitle the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers.  Permits will be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non‑transferable, and non-refundable.

Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

Firecrackers (with a valid permit), and consumer firework are allowed to be set off during the approved hours of 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm on July 4^th only. 

Please be advised that it is unlawful to buy, sell, possess, or set off any Aerial Luminary Device such as Sky Lanterns and Hawaii Lanterns. Any person in possession of any Aerial Luminary Device, who would like to dispose of it with amnesty, can contact the Fire Department at 932-2911. 

      Chief Todd reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to:

1. Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework;
2. Throw firework from a vehicle;
3. Set off any firework:
4. At any time not within the time period allowed;
5. Within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital;
6. In or on any school building or property;
7. On any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park, or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.
8. It is illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any firework to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any firework, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.

The Hawaii Fire Department also asks everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by firework:

1. Have a water hose connected to a water source or a fire extinguisher readily available. Wet down surrounding brush prior to setting off firework if need be.
2. Children playing with firework shall be under adult supervision at all times.  Even the smallest of firework can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
3. Firework should be set off in a safe area away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles, and flammable materials.
4. Dispose of used firework properly by soaking in water prior to disposal.

Once again, the Fire Department will be conducting a collection of un-used and unwanted firework following the 4^th of July holiday.  Anyone interested in disposing of firework should call the Fire Prevention Branch at 932-2911 for further information regarding the pick-up and drop-off locations.  Please DO NOT drop off firework at local fire stations.