NORTH HAWAII — From Waimea to the Kohala Coast, thousands of residents and tourists flock to the region to participate in the annual Independence Day festivities, some of which have been going on for more than 50 years.
With its historic Hawaiian cowboy heritage, Parker Ranch will lead the celebration in Waimea with the 54th Annual Fourth of July Rodeo and Horse Races on July 4 at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena.
Other nearby ranches will join Parker Ranch paniolo for a round-up of traditional rodeo events including horse races, ranch mugging and team roping. The events will showcase skills that have made Hawaiian cowboys famous throughout the world and continue to keep the unique ranching lifestyle and culture alive in Hawaii.
Fast-paced rodeo action begins shortly after the 9 a.m. grand entry parade and continues nonstop until noon. The day kicks off with the introduction of the ranch teams and raising of the flags. Horse racing action begins with a 1/4-mile, 1/8-mile and relay races for friendly ranch competition.
Village Burger, Hina Rae’s, Hula Mama’s Funnel Cakes &Fried Oreos and Aunty Peaches Onolicious Poi Balls will cater the event with food trucks or tents at the arena.
Keiki can take horse rides provided the Hawaii Quarter Horse Youth Association, and Alohi Akamai will run a petting zoo.
Each year the festivities also recognize an individual or group who has contributed to the island community. This year, Parker Ranch will honor the late Sen. Gilbert Kahele, who passed away in January and was known as a steadfast advocate for the Big Island and a former Marine. His son, Sen. Kai Kahele, now fills his father’s seat in the 2016 legislative session, and will be on hand with his family to accept the award on behalf of his father.
Tickets for the July 4th event are available in advance for $7 or $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, call 885-7311 or visit www.parkerranch.com.
Honu to take to the ocean at 27th annual Turtle Independence Day at Mauna Lani Resort
Just 20 miles down the hill, visitors and residents can participate in the 27th annual Turtle Independence Day event in Mauna Lani. Three- and 4-year-old turtles are released into the ocean from the Honu Ponds where they have been kept at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel &Bungalows. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at noon.
The celebration kicks off beachfront with a welcome ceremony and hula performance by Halau Waiau, followed by the release of honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) into waters off the hotel.
Since 1989, the Mauna Lani has received honu from Oahu’s Sea Life Park and raised them in the hotel’s ponds until old enough to release into the open ocean. The annual celebration will also feature live entertainment and honu educational displays.
For more information, call 885-6622 or email sbredo@maunalani.com
Waikoloa Resort offers Family Fourth Celebration, Rubber Duckie Race and a fireworks display
A free Family Fourth Celebration will be held at Queens’ MarketPlace from noon–9:30 p.m. The event will feature live entertainment, balloon sculpting, popcorn, cotton candy and train rides.
Within the same resort, the 25th Annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race will be held at the Kings’ Shops beginning at 10 a.m. with food booths, children’s entertainment, live music on the stage and special promotions at Tiffany &Co., Sunglass Hut, Jourabchi, Crazy Shirts, Genesis Gallery, Macy’s, Na Hoku, Da Big Bags and Tori Richard.
Free activities will include photo booths, airbrush tattoos, balloon sculpting, lei making, bouncy houses and EMS and fire trucks to explore.
Restaurant booths will sell menu items from The Three Fat Pigs and A-Bay’s Island Grill. Local Big Island beers will also be available at the beer garden located on The Three Fat Pigs’ front lanai.
The main event is the Rubber Duckie Race — a fundraiser for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii — that begins at 3 p.m. on Kings’ Lake. Adoption certificates for the race will be available for purchase until 3 p.m. that day, as well as a chance to win over $37,000 in prizes. Individual duckie adoptions are $5 each and Quack Packs are $25 each and include four adoption certificates and one event T-shirt, while supplies last.
The race will be followed by a special performance by Anuhea at 3:30 p.m. on the Kings’ Shops stage. The evening ends with an awards ceremony in the same area at 5 p.m.
The holiday could never be complete without the impressive 4th of July Extravaganza fireworks display. Entrances at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens open at 5 p.m. The show starts soon after at 5:15 p.m. Guests can bring beach chairs or blankets for the free evening under the stars. Fireworks begin at 8 p.m., followed by live music until 9:30 p.m.
The event is alcohol-free, smoking-free and-drug-free. For more information, call 886-8822.