I’m looking forward to this weekend and all the different ways to celebrate the Fourth of July across the island. Whether you already have plans with family and friends or are dreaming about spending a future holiday here, each community celebrates a little differently, making every year an opportunity to experience something new.
Last Fourth of July, I spent the day at the Waimea Rodeo, and it was one of my favorite island experiences. This year, I’m torn between two completely different events. Surprisingly, neither involves fireworks over the ocean. Instead, I’m debating between the annual Rubber Duckie Race and the 100th anniversary celebration of Kohala High School in Hawi. As much as I’d love to be in two places at once, I haven’t figured out how to bend space and time just yet.
I wanted to share some of the events happening this holiday weekend. You may even find a new tradition to add to your next Fourth of July on the Big Island.
1. The Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race
This year, I didn’t adopt just one duck… I adopted 40! Needless to say, I’m looking forward to cheering them on as more than 10,000 rubber ducks race through Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Beyond the fun, what makes this event special is that it benefits local charities, including the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi. It’s a chance to support our community while spending the afternoon enjoying live music, local food vendors, shopping, and family activities throughout Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace.
I’m also secretly looking forward to the watermelon eating contest and ice cream eating contest. They may not be as competitive as the duck race, but I have a feeling they’ll be just as entertaining.
Whether you’re visiting with family or simply looking for a fun way to spend the holiday, this is one of those events that captures the community spirit of the Big Island. If you’re there this year and hear someone enthusiastically cheering for a flock of rubber ducks, there’s a good chance it’s me, hoping one of my 40 ducks wins the grand prize trip to Tokyo for two.
2. Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade & Fireworks
If you’re looking for a classic Fourth of July celebration, H Kailua-Kona is where much of the island gathers. The evening parade winds its way down Aliʻi Drive with marching bands, military veterans, community organizations, classic cars, and plenty of local pride before the festivities shift to Kailua Bay for the fireworks display.
It can be one of the busiest days of the year in Kona, but that’s also part of what makes it so much fun. The restaurants are full, families line the streets, and there’s an energy you don’t experience every day on the island.
Local Tip: Arrive early to find parking, enjoy dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants, and bring a beach chair so you can relax before the fireworks begin.
3. Parker Ranch Fourth of July Rodeo & Horse Races
If you’ve never experienced Hawaiʻi’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture, the Parker Ranch Rodeo in Waimea is one event I highly recommend. Last year was my first time attending, and it quickly became one of my favorite Fourth of July traditions on the island.
Founded in 1847, Parker Ranch is one of the oldest and largest working cattle ranches in the United States, and the annual rodeo celebrates a way of life that has been part of Hawaiʻi for generations. Throughout the day, you’ll watch skilled paniolo compete in horse races, team roping, ranch mugging, and other rodeo events while enjoying local food vendors, crafts, and family-friendly activities.
It’s an experience that gives you a different perspective of Hawaiʻi. Beyond the beaches and resorts is a rich ranching history and a strong paniolo tradition that continues to thrive today. If you’re looking to experience another side of the Big Island, this is a wonderful place to start.
Read is my last year’s post on the rodeo with photos I took at the event: https://www.hawaiilife.com/blog/saddle-up-my-4th-of-july-at-the-waimea-rodeo/
Pro tip: There is not enough seating for everyone and each year seating runs out.
4. Celebrating 100 year of Kohala High School
You may not know this, but my husband, Jeremy, grew up on the Big Island and graduated from Kohala High School in 1989. One of my favorite things is hearing his stories about growing up in Hawi. His graduating class had just 20 students. I graduated from a California high school with more than 500 seniors, so it’s safe to say our school experiences were a little different.
What excites me most about this weekend isn’t just the anniversary itself. It’s the opportunity to experience a community that truly values its history, friendships, and traditions. Hawi has a way of bringing people together, and for this celebration, classmates are returning from around the world to reconnect and celebrate the school’s 100-year legacy.
The celebration spans three days with events throughout the weekend, and I’m looking forward to hearing stories about what life was like in Kohala decades ago and learning more about the traditions that continue to shape this special community today.
5. Release of Hawaiian green sea turtles
One of the more unique Fourth of July traditions on the Big Island takes place at Mauna Lani, where young honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) are released into the ocean after being raised through conservation efforts.
It’s a special experience to watch these turtles begin their journey into the Pacific while learning about the important work being done to help protect Hawaiʻi’s native wildlife. If you’re looking for a holiday event that’s a little different from parades and fireworks, this is a memorable way to start the day.
Wishing you and your family a safe, joyful, and memorable Fourth of July. Happy Independence Day, and Mele Hālāwai!
Which event are you heading to this year?
