Big Island invited to put on its red, white and blue, turn out for 4th of July festivities in Hilo and Kona

Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation invites the Big Island community to celebrate 4th of July 2025 with family, friends and community plus plenty of “rocket’s red glare” and “bombs bursting in air,” announcing festivities planned for Friday in observance of the holiday in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

“We are proud to continue to provide family-friendly, 4th of July celebrations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda in the county’s announcement about the events. “These celebrations give our community a safe way to celebrate and honor the birth of the Unites States of America as a country.”

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HILO

From 10 a.m. through 3 p.m., the Hot Rides Expo — featuring vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles — rolls into the Hilo Bayfront mauka soccer fields from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Not only will there be plenty of awesome autos, rad roadsters, cool coupés and mighty machines to peruse and enjoy for any gearhead or average person who simply likes to look at nifty vehicles, live music will be performed throughout the event.

Performers include Saddle Road Band, Quartz, Pōki‘i Seto and Always Free.

Food trucks and children’s activities, including water slides and bounce houses, will also be available.

And if you want to bring your ride to the party, don’t be shy. All show vehicles are welcome to participate for free.

Those who want to show off their vehicles can roll in beginning at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the former gas station on the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Pauahi Street and are encouraged to stay until 3 p.m.

Hilo Bay Blast — the annual fireworks exhibition of professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Hilo Bay — begins at at 8 p.m.

Hawai‘i County Band will accompany the fireworks with a live performance beginning at 7 p.m. in the bandstand at Mo‘oheau Park in downtown Hilo, next to the bus terminal.

The fireworks display also will be synchronized to patriotic music aired on KWXX Radio at 94.7 FM for those who can’t make it to or near the bandstand for the live performance.

Here is additional information to help plan for the Hilo festivities:

• Lihiwai Street, from Keliʻipio Lane to the entrance of Isle’s parking lot, will be closed from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. July 3-5.
• Bayfront Highway, from Waiānuenue Avenue to Pauahi Street, will be closed from 6 to 10 p.m. July 4. All gates along Mo‘oheau Park and 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. July 4 only.

The Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields also have been designated as the kūpuna viewing station for the Hilo Bay Blast fireworks show:

• Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division is providing shuttle service from Kamanā Senior Center, located at 127 Kamanā St., running from 5 to 7 p.m. with a return shuttle from the soccer fields from 8:30 to 9 p.m.
• People 55 years old and older wanting to use the shuttle service can contact Elderly Recreation Services at 808-961-8710 for more information.

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KAILUA-KONA

The annual Independence Day Parade and Independeence Day Extravaganza fireworks exhibition — presented in partnership with Kailua Village Parade Association — are set for Friday evening in downtown Kailua-Kona.

People will line Kuakini Highway and Ali‘i Drive for the 4th of July parade, which begins at 6 p.m.

The Independence Day Extravaganza fireworks show — an exhibition of professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Kailua Bay — begins at 8 p.m.

Visit the Kailua Village Parade Association website for more information, including complete parade route and list of road closures that will be in effect from 5:45 to 8:15 p.m. Friday.

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County, state and federal public safety agencies are working together to make the island’s public 4th of July events safe and enjoyable.

The following reminders are provided:

• Personal fireworks and the use of alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarettes are prohibited at all county and state parks.
• No tents or canopies are permitted at county or state parks, unless camping is otherwise specifically allowed.
• Operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, is regulated within 5 miles of the Hilo and Kona airports and within county and state parks.
• All marine vessels — including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards — operating at night must use navigation lights and all people on board must have personal floatation devices.
• A 600-foot safety zone will be set up around the fireworks barges; unauthorized vessels shall not moor, drift, traverse or enter these restricted areas.

Officers from Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will assist island law enforcement on sea and land during the events.

Call Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Division at 808-961-8706 for additional information about the upcoming 4th of July celebrations.