Hilo Bay Blast July 4 Celebration Starts Friday

Fireworks are set to blast off 8 p.m. on Monday, July 4. File photo.

This year’s Fourth of July Celebration—2016 Hilo Bay Blast—will feature a variety of activities throughout the day, culminating with the traditional fireworks exhibition at 8 p.m. in Hilo Bay.

July 1

Hilo’s Independence Day Celebration will begin on Friday, July 1, with the Aloha First Friday event featuring a block party on Furneaux Lane.

The event, hosted by the Downtown Improvement Association, will include live entertainment, street vendors, food trucks and more.

For more information call Event Coordinator Mat Estrada at (808) 935-8850.

July 4

On July 4 beginning at 7 a.m. the Salute to Our Veterans, Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk at Lili‘uokalani Gardens begins the celebration.

In recognition of all those in uniform—past, present and future—the walk is sponsored by the VFW Post 3830 and will award prizes for various categories.

A $25 registration fee is required. Space is still available. For more additional information or to register contact Mike or Pat Sauer at (808) 965-0565.

This year’s BBQ Cook-Off is being coordinated by the All-Hawaii Veteran’s Group and will once again be located at the commuter parking lot makai-side of Kamehameha Avenue. BBQ plates, sandwiches, chili, hotdogs and ice cream will be offered for sale from 6 a.m. until it’s all gone. All specialties at the cook-off will be flavored with a “secret” BBQ mixture.

Proceeds derived from sales will go to the American Legion Post 3, 4-H Program, Boy Scouts of America – Troop 54 and to funding an Honor Guards program on Hawai‘i Island.

Across the street at the Mauka Soccer field, the Hot Rides Expo will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring a display of hundreds of vintage, classic and futuristic cars. Car enthusiasts from all parts of the Island are polishing up their vehicles to participate in this year’s event, which is free of charge and open to the public.

In addition, food vendors will be offering a variety of “onolicious” grinds for the day’s festivities. Everything from plate lunches, andagi, baked goods, smoothies and hot dogs will be available for purchase.

On stage at the expo, entertainment will include Vaughn Valentino, Girls Night Out,the Michael Strand Band, Kobudo Taiko group, the New Originals, Braddah Waltah & Friends and the Ol’ School Band.

The show starts promptly at 10 a.m. and will continue to 4 p.m. Sound and technical assistance will be provided by Pepe Romero of CJ Promotions.

The Hawaii County Band is scheduled to perform their Fourth of July Concert in the Bandstand beginning at 7 p.m. According to Band Director Paul Arceo, the concert will feature patriotic selections in celebration of Independence Day.

Don Pascual of Hawai‘i Explosives has promised a dynamic fireworks display for this year’s celebration. The show is set to begin at 8 p.m. and will be synchronized to patriotic music aired on KWXX.

Road Closures, Mass Transit & Shuttle Service

Coconut Island (Moku Ola) is once again designated as the Kupuna Viewing station. The Elderly Activities Division will provide kūpuna shuttle service from the Kamana Center from 3 to 7: 30 p.m. Return shuttle will run from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for return trips to Kamana Center. Individuals 55 years and older should contact Elderly Recreation Services at 961- 8710 for more information.

In order to give the public additional viewing area for the fireworks, Lihiwai Street which runs through Lili’uokalani Gardens, will be closed and blocked for the Fourth of July celebration. The road will re-open on July 5.

Mass transit will provide free shuttle service to and from the Bayfront area beginning at 10 a.m. and will run continuously to 10 p.m. Parking will be available at the Afook Chinen Civic area and the bus will provide free transportation to the Bayfront area.

In an effort to make the Bayfront Shoreline accessible for prime fireworks viewing, the Bayfront Highway will be closed from 6 to 10 p.m. on July 4.

Gates at the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal, Mo‘oheau Park Ball Field and adjacent soccer field will be opened to allow access to this area during the fireworks exhibition.

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation announces that motorists may not park on Downtown Hilo playing fields between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday, July 4.

The temporary parking ban will apply to all County of Hawai‘i athletic fields located along Kamehameha Avenue in the downtown Hilo area.

Signs and barricades will designate the areas where parking is prohibited.

For more information, please contact Jason Armstrong, Public Information Officer, at 961-8311 or jarmstrong@hawaiicounty.gov.

The County of Hawai‘i, in partnership with Destination Hilo, Hawai‘i Explosives, Hilo Jaycees, Downtown Improvement Association and the State of Hawaii will present the celebration.

The County of Hawai‘i would like to invite the public to attend this alcohol-, drug- and litter-free event, and reminds community members that personal fireworks and smoking are also prohibited at all beaches and parks.

For more information, calling the Culture & Education Office at (808) 961-8706.