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Independence Day celebrations around the Big Island


* 7:30 a.m.-noon, Onomea Bay Run

The annual Onomea Bay 5K/10K road race benefits Hawaii Island United Way. Costs $20, including post-run food and beverages. Keiki 12 and under $15, and a $5 discount for Big Island Road Runner members. Starts at the Papaikou Hongwanji, then along the scenic route through Onomea Bay, and back to the Hongwanji. Call 987-5224, e-mail kahakuokahale@msn.com or visit www.hiuw.org

* 8:30 a.m., Waimea Town Market

Parker School campus hosts 4th of July decorated bicycle contest at 9:30 a.m., three-legged race at 10 a.m., sack race at 10:30 a.m. and watermelon-eating contest at 11 a.m. Popcorn and watermelon for everyone; free flags and balloons.

* 9 a.m.-noon, Parker Ranch Rodeo and Horse Races

At Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena, this year’s honoree is the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association, founded by Waimea residents Bill White and Dr. Billy Bergin to perpetuate the paniolo lifestyle by encouraging island youth to stay involved in the sport of rodeo.

Action begins shortly after the 9 a.m. grand entry parade. Line-up of rodeo events features Parker Ranch cowboys and paniolo from ranches all across the Big Island. Horse races, ribbon mugging, ranch mugging, dally team roping, the unique-to-Hawaii Poo Wai U and more.

Local food, keiki activities, pony rides, and new this year, try your hand at roping practice. Hawaii High School Rodeo contestants will teach kids to rope a wooden, make-believe steer.

Tickets: $5 in advance or $6 at the gate. Presale tickets at Parker Ranch Store in the Parker Ranch Center. Children 10 and under are free.

Call 885-5669 or visit www.parkerranch.com

* 9 a.m., Volcano Village Fourth of July Parade & Celebration

Parade runs from Volcano Post Office to Cooper Community Center, with Hawaii County Band, floats, antique cars, fire engines, bicycles, horses, and animals in costumes. Cooper Center then hosts music, games, food, dunking pond, craft fair and prizes. Call Betsy at 967-7209.

* 9-11:30 a.m., Silent Auction at Cooper Center

Benefits Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Auction items include air, sea, and land adventures; overnight stays; massage, reiki, and acupuncture sessions; admissions to area attractions; and restaurant and retail gift certificates. Jewelry, fine arts, gift baskets, crafts, clothing, books, DVDs, computer software, printer ink, and more make up the diverse array of goods and services up for bid. Call 985-7373, e-mail admin@fhvnp.org, or visit www.fhvnp.org

* 9:30 a.m.-noon, Turtle Independence Day at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

Since 1989, the resort has received 3-5 month old juvenile honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) from Oahu’s Sea Life Park and has raised them in the saltwater ponds of the resort. Mauna Lani generally raises the honu for 2-3 years until they grow to a minimum shell length of 35 cm. Over the years Mauna Lani has released 206 honu.

Hawaiian ceremony at the beach before the turtles are released, entertainment, educational display about the honu and a special July 4 BBQ with menu items including Big Island Beef hamburgers, vegetarian burgers, jumbo beef hot dogs, corn dogs on a stick, grilled Hilo Corn on the cob and more.

Call 885-6622 or visit www.maunalani.com

* 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Ka‘u Parade and Hoolaulea

Parade runs along Highway 11 with pa‘u riders, classic cars, floats and marchers. Hoolaulea at the ballpark 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with food, crafts, service booths and entertainment.

* 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Volcano Garden Arts Festival

Explore an invitational show of the finest arts and crafts from the Paradise Park Artists Hui! Come and meet the artists and browse through a large assortment of pottery, textiles, wearable art and more at reasonable prices. Locally grown organic plate lunch will be available at Cafe Ono.

Volcano Garden Arts is located in Volcano Village at 19-3834 Old Volcano Road. Call 985-8979 or visit volcanogardenarts.com

* 10 a.m.-10 p.m., 2010 Hilo Bay Blast

Festivities along the Hilo Bayfront begin at 10 a.m. and end with the traditional Lehua Jaycees Fireworks Exhibition. Alcohol-free, drug-free and litter-free.

Mass Transit will provide a free shuttle service to various activity sites from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking will be available at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium and the Hawaii County Aupuni Center.

For the third year, contestants in the Hilo Bay Cook-off will fire up their grills in the Hilo Bayfront Commuter Parking lot adjacent to the Mooheau Ball Field. Competitions in BBQ beef, chicken, pork, brisket and chili highlight the event. Call Rick Fredricks at 935-1860.

Hot Rides Expo is 10 a.m.-5 p.m., mauka soccer field on Kamehameha Avenue. On display will be show motorcycles, classic hot rods, Volkswagens and drag racing vehicles courtesy of the Volkswagen Club, Hawaii Classic Cruisers and Big Island Auto Club.

Highlighting the entertainment stage at the Expo will be Esther Zamora, Epicenter, Out of Nowhere, Razz and Ol’ School.

Mooheau Baseball Field will be home to various children’s games and a waterside. The Bandstand will feature various interactive activities such as Zumba, line dancing and special performances by local musicians.

Bayfront Highway will be closed 6-10 p.m. to allow access onto the shore for fireworks viewing. Gates at the Mooheau Bus Terminal, Mooheau Park and Ball Field will be open for easy access onto the Bayfront Highway.

The Hawaii County Band will perform 7 p.m. at Mooheau Bandstand. This concert is performed in synchronized coordination with the Lehua Jaycees Fireworks Exhibition.

Call the Culture & Community Arts Office at 961-8706.

* 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Family Fourth at Queens’ MarketPlace

Beach mats or chairs are welcome for open lawn seating, however coolers, alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted. Admission is free.

Throughout Queens’ MarketPlace:
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Zoo Choo rides ($2 donation to Food Basket/Hawaii Island Food Bank)
11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.: Face painting, popcorn and cotton candy, balloon art by Balloon Monsoon

Coronation Pavilion:
11 a.m.-noon: Arneleo the Hawaiian Magician
Noon-1 p.m.: Iaukea Bright
1-2 p.m.: Nino Kaai
2-3 p.m.: Hot Lava 808
3-5 p.m.: Salsa Latinos
5-6 p.m.: Sons of Kohala

Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens:
5 p.m.: Gates open
6-8:15 p.m.: Jimmie Mac and the Kool Kats – dance hits from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s
8 p.m.: FIREWORKS

More music at the Coronation Pavilion:
8:30-9:30 p.m.: Full Circle

Call 886-8822 or visit www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com

* 3 p.m., Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race, Kings’ Shops Stage

The 19th Annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race “Boot Scootin & Boogie”, a benefit for United Cerebral Palsy of Hawaii and BIIF Big Island High Athletics Programs begins at 3 p.m. on the King’s Lake.

Adopt a ducky in person on race day at Kings’ Shops right up until race time. $5 adoption: 1 Adoption Certificate; $20 Quack Pack: 3 Adoption Certificates and a Duckie T-shirt included. First 50 ducks winning prizes.

* 5:30 p.m., Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade and Fireworks

Parade begins at Kekuaokalani Gym, south on Kuakini, down Palani, and along Alii Drive to Walua Road, just past Coconut Grove
Marketplace.

Announcing stations feature special attractions before the parade: Target Shave Ice Truck at West Hawaii Today offering free shave ice; Arneleo the Great will perform magic at Kimo’s/Uncle Billy’s; Waterfront Row will feature noted jazz singer Olga Salvatore with her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner; and Lyman Medeiros will have patriotic music in front of Coconut Grove Marketplace.

The Grand Marshal is Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. He and his wife, Irene Hirano Inouye, will be in a classic Mercedes driven by kamaaina and Hawaiian Civic Club representative Bucky Leslie.

Parade includes community groups and over a dozen military and veterans units. Some of those veterans and active duty service members in the parade include those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan and Iraq. One notable entry will be members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd became the most highly decorated regiment in the history of the United States Armed Forced, with 21 Medal of Honor recipients. Several of its members live on the Big Island.

Other entries include the County of Hawaii with Mayor Billy Kenoi and dozens of county employees, Hawaii Invitational Air Show (featuring Grammy-nominated slack key artist L. T. Smooth), Kealakehe High ROTC, the Boy Scouts, police and fire departments, Capt. Jack Sparrow, West Hawaii County Band, Solar Wind Band, Kai Opua Canoe Club, Full House Band, and 4-time Big Island Interscholastic Foundation and 2010 state girls tennis champion Sayo Tsukamoto from Kealakehe High School.

Fireworks over Kailua Bay at 8:30 p.m.

Road closures along the parade route, and on streets entering into the
parade route, will begin at 4:45 p.m.

For more information, visit www.konaparades.com

* Tipsy Tow

AAA Hawaii offers its free Tipsy Tow service – 6 p.m. Saturday, July 3, to midnight, Sunday, July 4. Call 1-800-222-4357 for a free tow home of up to five miles.

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