Where to watch fireworks on July 4th in Hawaiʻi

Listed below are Fourth of July fireworks shows celebrated throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Our list includes the large annual public fireworks displays on Hawai’i Island, Kaua’i, Maui, and O’ahu. We also provide tips for photographing fireworks, which tend to fill the Hawaiian skyline for Independence Day, as well as for New Year’s celebrations. If you plan to purchase and set off fireworks, we provide links to the state laws restricting fireworks.

State of Hawaii fireworks laws

Hawai’i state laws restrict the purchase and use of fireworks to specific days and times during the year, including New Year’s Day (January 1), Chinese/Lunar New Year (variable date each year), and Independence Day (July 4). If you want to set off fireworks outside of these times, you must get the required license and/or permit.

In addition, there are restrictions on where you can light off fireworks. Listed below are links to some of the laws important to most people who want to set off fireworks, for example at a home party:

• For basic laws restricting purchase and use, see: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0132D/HRS_0132D-0003.htm and https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0132D/HRS_0132D-0005.htm
• For liability issues (whether you are a homeowner, renter, parent or guardian), see: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0132D/HRS_0132D-0013.htm and https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0132D/HRS_0132D-0014_0005.htm
• For firecracker permits from Honolulu Fire Department: Firecrackers | Honolulu Fire Department
• For more details and the complete list of laws governing fireworks, visit Hawaii HRS 132D.

How to take (great) photos of fireworks

Plan to arrive at your planned photography site well before sunset to check your camera settings and take a few photos. Find a level spot and review the framing of your images–your line of site to where the fireworks will be. When you look through the viewfinder, pay attention to what’s in the background. Decide whether horizontal or vertical photos produce the best composition based on your vantage point. If you are far away or have a high vantage point, a horizontal image that takes in the surrounding landscape is usually the better shot. If you are close to the action, then vertical shots of the fireworks from launch to high point in the sky is typically a better shot.

To take great photos of fireworks, turn off your flash and set your camera to manual mode. With your camera in manual mode, set the ISO (“film speed” or light sensitivity), F-stop (aperture), and shutter speed to the settings listed below. 

• ISO 100
• F-stop f/8 or f/11
• Shutter speed 1/2 second

If the photos are too dark at these settings, try gradually increasing the shutter speed (from 2 to 10 seconds) while keeping the ISO and F-stop the same. A camera tripod and remote shutter release are recommended, especially if you want to try long shutter speeds. Other camera settings to try:

• Most professional photographers recommend sticking with ISO 100. However, the F-stop can range from f/5.6 to f/16, with more than one photographer stating f/8 is their favorite.
• Also, shutter speed can be up to 30 seconds, or longer, especially if you want to capture the entire “trail” of a fireworks display. For longer shutter speeds, a tripod and remote shutter will give the best results.

Instead of fiddling with shutter speed, another option is to use B mode or Bulb mode, which allows you to press and hold the shutter button when the firework launches and keep the shutter open until the display eclipses and then release the button. In other words, rather than setting a particular shutter speed such as 2 or 10 or 30 seconds, you manually work the shutter for each shot, and keep it open as long as needed. Of course, you must use both a tripod and remote shutter release for this operation.

For more fireworks photography tips, review this National Geographic photo gallery for photographing fireworks.

July 4th celebrations and fireworks shows

Big Island July 4th celebrations

(listed clockwise around the island beginning in Waikoloa)

(Waikoloa) Queens’ Marketplace daytime July 4th family celebration. The fun-filled event features live entertainment, face painting, carnival games, and lots of great family fun all day long. More info: Queens’ Marketplace Hawaii Resort Calendar at Waikoloa Beach Resort (queensmarketplace.com)

(Kamuela) Parker Ranch Annual July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races. Tickets on sale in June. Seating is limited and first come, first served. 

• When: July 4th. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Fast-paced rodeo action begins shortly after the 9 a.m. grand entry and continues until 1 p.m.
• Where: Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea. 
• Tickets: $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. 
• Discount tickets: Online ($12 + fees). In-person ($10) at Kamuela Hardwoods, Paniolo Preservation Society or Waimea Butcher Shop.
• More info: Hawaii Ranching – Parker Ranch

(Hilo) Bay Blast July 4th fireworks from a barge moored in Hilo Bay begins at 8PM. The Hawai‘i County Band will present a live accompaniment to the fireworks begins at 7PM at the Mo‘oheau Park bandstand and will also be synchronized to patriotic music aired on KWXX. Prior to the fireworks show, enjoy festivities from 10AM-3PM at the Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields including live music, car show, keiki activities, and food trucks More info: Hawaii, Big Island, July 4th Fireworks & Celebrations 2024 – Go Visit Hawaii

(Kailua-Kona) Independence Day Parade & Fireworks Extravaganza is the biggest 4th of July celebration on Hawaiʻi island. The parade begins at 6 pm with vibrant floats, musical acts, and color guards marching along Aliʻi Drive. It is followed by dazzling fireworks over Kailua Bay at 8 pm. More info: Parades in Kona (paradesinkona.com)

Kauaʻi July 4th celebrations

(Keheka) America’s Most West Freedom Fest at Barking Sands on July 3rd. The Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) hosts their annual Freedom Fest on July 3rd. Organizers plan family-friendly activities, live music, and the best fireworks show on the island. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. Events begin at 6:00 p.m. with the big fireworks show planned to begin at 9:30 p.m. PMRF has rules on entry and what can and cannot be permitted. Free and open to all U.S. citizens with valid identification. Public access and guest pass holder entry will be at Kokole gate. More info: Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands and Kauai July 4th Fireworks & Celebrations – Go Visit Hawaii

(Līhuʻe) Kauaʻi Hospice 4th of July Concert at Vidinha Stadium featuring The Green. A spectacular 3D display choreographed to a musical soundtrack especially created by Kaua’i Hospice. Due to safety concerns at Vidinha Stadium, the Kaua’i Hospice July 4, 2025 Concert in the Sky has been canceled. Potential flammable materials for ongoing construction at Vidinha Stadium have made launching of the fireworks too high a risk. Location: Vidinha Stadium Soccer Fields, Hoolako St, Lihue, HI 96766. More info: *CANCELED* 2025 Kaua’i Hospice 4th of July Concert | Eventbrite and Kauai Events Calendar | Kauai Events, Concerts, Community Events, Arts & Cultural : Kauai Now

Maui 2024 July 4th celebrations

(Lahaina) 4th of July Celebration (cancelled until further notice). Independence Day on Maui will not be the same with the loss of Lahaina town’s traditional fireworks show. The LahainaTown Action Committee (LAC) sought the community’s input and has decided against hosting a fireworks show in another West Maui location. More info: Maui July 4th Fireworks & Celebrations 2025 – Go Visit Hawaii and LahainaTown Action Committee | Maui Hawaii (visitlahaina.com)

O’ahu July 4th celebrations

(listed clockwise around the island beginning in North Shore)

Haleiwa July 4th Festival, Fireworks and Vintage Car Show. Festivities 1PM-9PM. Fireworks show at 8pm. Enjoy Food & Retail Vendors, Live Entertainment, Kid’s Zone, contests, and exhibits. Location: Haleiwa Beach Park, 62-449 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI  96712. More info: July 4th Fireworks & Car Show Festival – (gonorthshore.org)

Kailua Independence Day Fireworks show begins at 8 pm and can be best seen at Kailua Beach Park. Alexander & Baldwin sponsors shuttles between Longs Parking lot bus stop and The Beach Center between 4:30 PM and 10:30 PM. There are no reserved school parking lots this year, please park only in legal, designated parking spots. More info: Kailua Fireworks

Polynesian Cultural Center Hukilau & fireworks. PCC hosts its annual July 4th event from 4pm to 9:30pm at the Hukilau Marketplace in Lāʻie. FREE family activities begin at 4PM, along with carnival games, food vendors, and live concert. Fireworks start at 9pm. Location: PCC Hukilau Market Place, 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, HI 96762. More info: Hukilau Marketplace

Ala Moana Center July 4th daytime concerts. Celebrate Independence Day with an unforgettable lineup of live music, island vibes, and family fun from 11am – 7pm throughout Ala Moana Center (Centerstage, ʻEwa Wing Stage, Mauka Wing). Enjoy deals throughout the week at participating retailers. More info: Events | Ala Moana Center

Oʻahu Military Base Fireworks Shows

Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kāneʻohe. As of June 20, 2025, MCB Hawaii has no fireworks show on their calendar. More info: MCB Hawaii | Events (usmc-mccs.org)

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu hosts a 15-minute pyrotechnic display illuminating the harbor beginning at 9:00 PM. DOD card holders only. More info: JBPHH Great Life Hawaii

Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa. 4th of July Independence Day Celebration at Weyland Field. Live entertainment, food, and activities for the whole family 4PM-9PM. Grand Finale Fireworks 9PM. DOD card holders only. More info: Calendar :: Hawaii :: US Army MWR and 4th of July Independence Day Celebration :: Hawaii :: US Army MWR

For those without DOD access to a military bases (which is most of us), we suggest the following vantage points for the public to see fireworks displays on central and south shore Oʻahu military bases—but it’s just a guess (let us know if you go). We included public parks that are listed as open until 10PM, as well as shopping centers if there are stores (usually eateries and grocers) open until fireworks start. You can certainly try to hang out in the parking lot but purchasing SOMETHING from a merchant would be the mālama ‘ohana (care for others) thing to do.

• Mililani Shopping Center (some eateries open until 7-8PM, Foodland open until 9PM)
• Town Center of Mililani (closes at 8PM, but Longs, Times, and Walmart open until later)
• Mililani Marketplace (a couple of eateries open until 8-9PM, Safeway open until late)
• Patsy Mink Regional Park, 94-1024 Waipahu Street, Waipahu, HI 96797 (note: Honolulu parks close at 10 PM)
• Oneʻula Beach Park aka Hau Bush, 91-101 Papipi Road, Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (note: park closes at 10 PM)
• Pearl City Shops, 1029 Makolu Street, Pearl City, HI 96782 (some eateries open until 10PM)
• Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center, 98-1277 Kaahumanu St, Aiea, HI 96701 (eateries open 8-10PM, Safeway 24 hours)

Event calendar of free and affordable things to do

Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.

Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.

You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)