This week, the United States is celebrating its semiquincentennial, or 250 years of being a nation. There are many local celebrations, including parades and events with food and live music.
The City and County of Honolulu is providing partial sponsorship for fireworks shows at 8 p.m. at Kailua Beach Park and 8:30 p.m. at Kapi‘olani Regional Park/Kūhiō Beach Park. The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. at Haleʻiwa Beach Park.
Here are some of the upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations. Items with an asterisk feature fireworks.
Eat pop-up barbecue at Wai Kai (ʻEwa Beach). Celebrate with hot dogs, burgers and ribs as part of a pop-up barbecue on the wave deck at Wai Kai. Spend the day in the water and enter for a chance to win a full day adventure pass for two people. Details.
Attend the PHAMily Fun Day: Freedom to Fly (Pearl Harbor). Go to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum for a day of family fun in collaboration with Hawaiʻi’s America250. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. There will be opportunities to meet a 103-year-old WWII B-17 pilot, patriotic demonstrations, live entertainment, activities for keiki including crafts and a bounce house, a vintage book sale, a photo booth and open cockpit experiences. Free popsicles will be given out to the first 250 guests. Tickets for kamaʻāina and military guests are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Details.
*Visit the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial (Pearl Harbor, FIREWORKS). The Picnic on the Pier event is back after a six-year hiatus. Guests can gather between the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri — where World War II came to an end. There will be live entertainment from Jai & The Tones, ship tours, and more. The event starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9:20 p.m. Families can bring food and drinks. For security reasons, some items are not permitted, so check the list before arriving. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for keiki, if purchased in advance. Details.
*Watch Fireworks (Nuʻuanu). Oʻahu Country Club will celebrate Independence Day with its annual Fourth of July Family Festival, which includes professional fireworks. The event is not open to the public, but fireworks will be visible and audible beyond the club property. The fireworks are scheduled for between 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. Details.
Party at The Gatsby Hawaiʻi (Kakaʻako). This party features three live bands, 12 DJs and food vendors. It starts at 8 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. Early bird tickets are $20. Details.
Celebrate with High Watah (Ala Moana). Catch High Watah at 6 p.m. at Centerstage at Ala Moana Center. Hui Pu will take the stage starting at 4:30 p.m. Before the performances, attend a meet and greet with High Watah from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hawaiʻi’s Finest at Ala Moana Center. There will be keiki activities and games, and special shopping offers. Ala Moana Center is also partnering with Blood Bank Hawaiʻi to host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Atkinson Trolley Depot. Free. Details.
*Listen to Kapena + Anuhea (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). Prince Waikīkī will host two nights of live Island music performances in Waikīkī. On Friday, July 3, Kapena will take the stage. On Saturday, July 4, Anuhea will perform. There will be cocktails, smoky barbecue, and fireworks on the Muliwai Deck, which is Prince Waikīkī’s poolside venue. Details.
Celebrate at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikīkī Beach Resort (Waikīkī).Enjoy barbecue, including kiawe smoked ribs with guava barbecue sauce and huli huli chicken skewers along with Dole Whip cups. The event starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 9 p.m. at the resort’s Great Lawn. The featured entertainers include The Jasmine Kaleihiwa Band, Ben Kama Band, DJ Mastermind and Nesian Nine. Validated self-parking is $15. The event is open to resort guests and kamaʻāina. Details.
*Catch Stars, Stripes & Grindz (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). Head to Waikīkī Beach Walk,which will have a live DJ and food vendors, including Joja Burgers, Cosmic Tacos, Neha's Kitchen, Chillex Pops and Sugarless Bites. There will be family friendly activities and games. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Details.
*Eat barbecue by the beach (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). At Kaimana Beach Hotel, head to the second floor for Hau Tree inspired food and drinks. Catch a panoramic sunset on the oceanfront balcony along with beats from Aloha Got Soul's DJ O'Spliff. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. No cover. Valet is $10 per car.
Enjoy Tiki’s 4th of July Rooftop Bash (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). Ditch the crowd on the beach and head upstairs to the Coconut Club, on the 21st floor of The Twin Fin Hotel. Tiki’s Grill & Bar is throwing this rooftop bash, which includes music from DJ Soulrenity and panoramic views of Waikīkī Beach. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50. Details.
Head to the Decades Day Drinkin’ Pool Party (Waikīkī). Head to the pool atThe Ambassador Hotel of Waikīkī, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. DJ James Coles will provide music for this Decades Day Drinkinʻ Pool Party. The event starts at 1 p.m. and there will be games and barbecue. VIP cabanas are also available for $50 per person, up to four people, and include one round of drinks. Free valet parking is available for up to three hours. General admission is free. Details.
Catch BBQ & Beats (Waikīkī). Head to Swell Restaurant & Pool Bar at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach for BBQ & Beats and enjoy barbecue, a full bar, and music from a DJ. No cover. Open to guests and kamaʻāina. Food and beverages available to purchase. Self parking or valet with validation up to four hours. Details.
*Watch fireworks (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). The City and County of Honolulu and Waikīkī Improvement Association are partnering with Southwest Airlines to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a fireworks show launched from a barge positioned offshore of central Waikīkī, facing Halekulani Hotel and Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Free. Details.
Head to the Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest (Mōʻiliʻili). More than 5,000 people are expected to gather to celebrate culture, cuisine and more in Mōʻiliʻili, according to permits filed with the City and County of Honolulu. Enjoy the Bon Dance, find ʻono food and shop from local retailers and artisans. Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is presented by the nonprofit Mōʻiliʻili Festivals with support from Kamehameha Schools and Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea, a shopping center set to open in 2026, as well as community partners such as the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, Mō’ili’ili Community Center, and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Free. Details.
Enjoy the Hawaiʻi Kai Independence Day Market & Concert (Hawaiʻi Kai). Start the celebrations early at Hawaiʻi Kai Shopping Center on Friday, July 3. Catch a free concert that features Henry Kapono & Band, Kapena, Kalaʻe & Kalena, Kailua Moon, Mānoa DNA, Hawaiian Style Band and Maunalua, as well as Henry Kapono Foundation’s On the Rise artists. Free. Details.
Rock the 4th with Henry Kapono and Duke’s on Sunday Band (Hawaiʻi Kai). This party features Henry Kapono and the Duke’s on Sunday Band at Kapono’s at the Lounge on Saturday, July 4. That same evening, Nick Laʻa, a Henry Kapono Foundation Next Level Artist will be performing two shows upstairs at The Velvet Monkey. Each artist will have performances at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35 for each show. Details.
Celebrate with live country music, trains, and a petting zoo (Waimānalo). DLT Ranch is celebrating July 4 with live country music, train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, a bounce house, sparklers and more. Tickets are $25. Keiki who are younger than 2 years old can enter free. Details.
Catch the Kailua 4th of July Independence Day Parade (Kailua). Hosted by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, this event will have 45 vehicles, 20 floats and three bands, according to permits filed with the Department of Transportation Services. The route starts at Kainalu Dr. and Omao St. and proceeds along Kainalu Drive until it ends at Kailua Intermediate School. Details.
*Watch the fireworks show (Kailua, FIREWORKS). The City and County of Honolulu is providing partial sponsorship for a firework shows at 8 p.m. at Kailua Beach Park. Alexander & Baldwin is the event’s platinum sponsor and will provide complimentary shuttle runs from its shopping centers in Kailua Town to the beach park in 30-minute rotations, starting at 4 p.m. The event is expected to have more than 10,000 participants, according to permits filed with the Department of Transportation Services. Free. Details.
Watch “The 100th, Seeds of Aloha” (Kāneʻohe and Pearl Harbor). Throughout the month of July, Filmmaker Steve Sue’s documentary “The 100th: Seeds of Aloha” — which shares the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion unit that fought in World War II — will be featured across Oʻahu. Five of the screenings are at private retirement communities, but the film will also be shown at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu in Kāneʻohe on Sunday, July 5, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Friday, July 17. Details.
*Listen to live music at Hukilau Marketplace (Lāʻie, FIREWORKS). At the entrance to the Polynesian Cultural Center is Hukilau Marketplace, which will offer live performances from Pohaku, Kawao, Johnny Suite, and Wavvy in Lāʻie. The community event starts at 4 p.m. There will be vendors with food, as well as fireworks. Free. Details.
Eat beachside barbecue (Kahuku). The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay is holding its annual barbecue cookout on Saturday, July 4. Enjoy Island-style barbecue made with fresh local ingredients, along with live music from Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artists Kalae & Kalena, lawn games and family friendly activities with ocean views. There will be a fireknife performance and opportunities to hang out with goats and mini horses at The Stables. The menu includes Kahuku garlic shrimp, Kalbi short ribs, kiawe grilled bone-in ribeye, beer can chicken and spicy ʻahi poke, among other items. Tickets are $165 for adults and $75 for keiki. Details.
*Haleʻiwa 4th of July (Haleʻiwa, FIREWORKS). Enjoy food vendors, live entertainment and activities for keiki and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the Haleʻiwa Beach Park. The event headliner is The Elevations Hawaiʻi. The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. at Haleʻiwa Beach Park. Details.
Watch an aerial show, sky divers and live music at Schofield Barracks. The event, held at Weyand Field, includes an aerial show with skydivers, a patriotic salute and live performances from the Scooter Brown Band, the 25th Infantry Division Band, the 312th Army Band and country singer Chris Young. At 8:45 p.m., the 25th Infantry Division Band and the 312th Army Band will play the “1812 Overture” written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The fireworks show is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the event will have food vendors. The event is open to Department of Defense personnel and their guests. Details.
Do you know of a July 4 event not on this list? Email katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
