The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation has announced  Fourth of July celebrations for Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

COVID-19 protocols including physical distancing, face coverings and crowd limits will remain in effect during the festivities.

In East Hawaiʻi, the Hilo Bay Blast fireworks exhibition will begin at 8:00 p.m., with professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Hilo Bay. At the Mo‘oheau Bandstand, the Hawai‘i County Band will present a live accompaniment to the fireworks with a performance that begins at 7:00 p.m.

The following information is provided for the public to plan accordingly:

• Lihiwai Street, from Keliʻipio Lane to the entrance to Isle’s parking lot, will be closed to vehicular traffic from Sunday, July 4 at 2:00 a.m. through Monday, July 5 at 10:00 a.m.
•  Bayfront Highway, from Waiānuenue Avenue to Pauahi Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 4. All fence gates along Mo‘oheau Park and the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields will be open for people to walk to the Hilo Bay shoreline to view the fireworks exhibition.
• All Hilo area parks will remain open until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 only.

In West Hawaiʻi, the Kona Fireworks Display will begin at 8:00 p.m., with professional pyrotechnics set off from the north end of the old runway at Kailua Park.

The following information is provided for planning efforts:

• The north end of Kailua Park (including the old runway, Makaeo Walking Path, skatepark, canoe hales, beach pavilions, the shoreline, and Pawai Bay) will be closed to all unauthorized access from Saturday, July 3 at 8:00 p.m. through Monday, July 5 at 7:00 a.m.
• The south end of Kailua Park will remain open until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, for persons to park and view the fireworks display.
•  All other Kona area parks will close at their regularly scheduled times.

Personal fireworks, alcohol and tobacco use, and e-cigs are prohibited at all county and state parks.

• All marine vessels, including kayaks, all types of canoes, and stand-up paddle boards operating at night, are required to have navigation lights and personal floatation devices
• A 100-yard perimeter will be established around the fireworks barge in Hilo Bay; unauthorized vessels are not allowed