The 4th of July is a very important holiday for Americans. It’s Independence Day and is most commonly celebrated with fireworks in the night sky all the way from the east coast to the middle of the Pacific.
History
How did this day come about? It started in 1776 when the original thirteen colonies claimed independence from England. The Declaration of Independence was signed. And the birth of the United States began to form.
It was a day of victory, one that would be celebrated for years to come. John Adams, our second president, wrote to his wife with a vision of what the day would look like. He said it would be celebrated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
And so it was. And now on this day, we look for fireworks shows to join in the celebration and declare our independence.
Waikiki – Ala Moana Beach Park
Here on the island of Oahu, there are a few different places you can go for 4th of July fireworks shows.
We’ll start with the most well known – Ala Moana Beach Park. It’s the closest one to Waikiki. And in fact, it’s not necessary to go all the way to the Park. You can catch a glimpse of this show at various locations in Waikiki.
The Ala Moana Beach Park fireworks show is known to be one of the best in the nation. It’s the largest one in the State of Hawaii as fireworks are shot from three different platforms. The show starts around 8:30 p.m. If you plan to go to the Park, get there early to grab a good seat.
North Shore – Turtle Bay Resort
If you plan to be on the North Shore of the island, go to Turtle Bay Resort where there’s a great Independence Day celebration. Things get started around 2 p.m. when the West Lawn is open for a fun-filled afternoon of live music, entertainment, games, and food trucks galore. Entrance is free but expect to pay for parking if you plan to drive. The fireworks show starts around 8 p.m.
East Side – Kailua Beach Park
If you plan to be on the east side of the island, go to Kailua Beach Park. The local community comes together to put on a great display of fireworks for all to enjoy. There is usually entertainment prior to the show. Last year there was an acrobatic air show and a performance by the Marine Corps Band. You can check their Facebook Page for more up-to-date information. The fireworks start around 8 p.m.
Updates
All information in this post is accurate at the time of this writing. But you can check the website at Go Visit Hawaii for any up-to-date or last minute changes.
Happy 4th of July everyone. Have a great time celebrating in Hawaii. Aloha!
Image By: Hawaii Magazine
