Fireworks Events, Road Closures and Safety Reminders

Independence Day festivities on the Big Island will include at least three fireworks displays Friday night, all beginning at 8 p.m. Locations include Hilo Bay, Waikoloa and Kailua Bay.

The Kona display will be preceded by a free reggae concert starting at 4 p.m. at Coconut Grove Marketplace which will be followed by the 19th annual Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade at 6 p.m.

Big Island Now previously detailed Fourth of July activities in Hilo and Waikoloa here and here, respectively.

Hilo’s events include a variety of road closures for at the bayfront.

They include:

• Bayfront Highway (Route 19) from Waianuenue Avenue to Pauahi Street from 6-10 p.m. Friday, with Kamehameha Avenue the alternate route
• Lihiwai Place, the one-block stretch of road between Banyan Drive and Kamehameha Avenue (where it becomes Manono Street) from 2 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday
• Kumu Street and Bishop Street, the roads leading from Kamehameha Avenue into the mauka bayfront soccer fields, from 3 a.m. today until 10 p.m. Friday

Information on the road closures is also available at 961-350.

Meanwhile, officials are reminding the public that fireworks may not be set off at island parks.

The Division of State Parks will be closing three of its West Hawaii parks early on Friday.

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area (including the Waialea Bay section), Kekaha Kai State Park (including the Maniniowali Beach/Kua Bay and Mahaiula Beach sections) and Kiholo State Park reserve all will close at 5 p.m. on July 4.

Normal park hours will resume on Saturday.

The division is also reminding the public that tents may not be set up at Wailoa River State Park in Hilo’s bayfront area without a permit.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as other national park sites also ban the use of fireworks.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park photo.

Visitors to HVNP will notice the “Fireworks Prohibited” signs near its entrance.

The Hawaii County Fire Department is also reminding the public about laws pertaining to fireworks.

According to county law, fireworks may be set off only between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday.

A permit is required for the purchase and use of firecrackers. Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

It is illegal to remove the powder from any fireworks or throw fireworks from a vehicle. It is also against the law to set off any fireworks within 1,000 feet of a hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital; on any school property; on a public street or alley; or within 1,000 feet of a church while services are being held.

Also, minors are prohibited from possessing or igniting fireworks except under the immediate supervision of an adult.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. has offered the following tips for fireworks safety:

• Take time to set fireworks up in a safe location away from flammable items. Make sure the area is clear of overhead power lines. Don’t hang fireworks on utility poles and wires.
• For your safety, stay away from overhead power lines because they are energized and not insulated. Keep yourself and your ladder, pole, and tie lines at least 10 feet from power lines.
• If an object should become entangled in an overhead power line, don’t try to free it. Call HELCO’s Trouble Desk at 969-6666 for assistance.
• In an emergency situation, call 911.

***Updated 3:23 p.m.***