Summer is in full swing here in Kailua Kona, and if you are headed to the Big Island for the Fourth of July weekend or the month of July, there’s always a lot going on. My sense from driving around town is that we are not as busy as we were in previous years and that can be a good thing. We’ve been out to dinner several times over the last few weeks and have not had to wait very long or it wasn’t difficult to get a reservation, so this might be the perfect time to visit. The weather’s been great; I was in the ocean the other day, and the temperature was just perfect, not too warm and not too cold.
We are gearing up for the big Fourth of July weekend, and since the Fourth lands on a Thursday, you can bet that everyone will be taking Friday off and turning it into a long weekend. On Thursday, the Fourth, there are several things going here are two of my favorites:
Head up to Waimea for the annual Fourth of July rodeo. It’s terrific to watch the paniolo (cowboys) compete in horse racing, roping, and all the various rodeo activities. It’s a whole day that starts in the morning, paired with great food and crafts on site.
Later, at 6 p.m. there is the annual Kailua Kona, Fourth of July parade down Ali`i drive. If you have not experienced a parade in Kona, then I would recommended you check it out. It’s not quite like traditional parades, but you should experience it just once. It’s a lot of fun and all the vendors and restaurants along Ali’I Drive will be open so you can shop and eat. Tip – a great place to eat is Fish Hopper on Ali’i Drive. It is directly on the parade route and if you’re lucky enough you can get a window seat and watch the parade go by as you have dinner.
The evening wraps up in town with the annual firework show, which according to the County website will go off at 8 p.m. this year. In years past, it’s been much later like 9 p.m. or even 9:30; this seems like a change so be aware. The parade will last about an hour to maybe an hour and a half. The fireworks will be shot from a barge in Kailua Bay. Most people just stay on Ali’i Drive after the parade to watch the fireworks. Plenty of good places to see the show, but one of the best is to sit on the seawall across from Fish Hopper. You can watch the parade from there and watch the fireworks. Maybe make a night of it and bring a little picnic dinner to eat on the seawall.
Some of the resorts have fireworks for Fourth of July. Right now, I’m hearing that only the Mauna Kea Resort is having fireworks. Their annual dinner and fireworks event is already sold out, but you should be able to see the fireworks show anywhere in the area. You can also stop at the Waikoloa Beach Resort’s Queen’s Marketplace or the Kings’ Shops for different events, like food, Live entertainment, activities for the kids, and a carnival.
If you’re gonna be over in Hilo, the bayfront area of Hilo will be blocked off so people can enjoy cook offs, games, music, and the like. There will also be fireworks over Hilo Bay to end the evening.
Finally, if you are a golfing fanatic, like me and my son, there’s no shortage of places to play golf over the Fourth of July weekend. I think we’re blessed with the best courses anywhere in the country. My top two favorites are the Mauna Lani North and South courses. I pick those as my top two favorites because they’re public courses and yet they are maintained like they are in a private resort. Anybody can play them, and they are not grossly expensive. My third favorite course would be a tie between the Mauna Kea Resort course and the Four Seasons course. The Mauna Kea golf course is closed for renovation and will not open again until November. It’s a very challenging course because it is very hilly and there is not an even lie anywhere on the course. In addition, it has bunkers surrounding just about every green. So, if you’re looking for a tough course play Mauna Kea after November. The Four Seasons course is also a public course, but it is very expensive to play. It’s incredibly maintained, and it is not very long. Because it is a shorter course, they have a ton of bunkers. Navigating the sand at the Four Seasons is the key to success. Sometime, in another blog, I will write a detailed list of all my favorite courses here on the Big Island, what I like about them and the pros and cons of each. If you are visiting to the Big Island and you love playing golf like we do, send me an email and let me know. I would love to meet you and enjoy a round of golf together.
Wherever your plans take you this summer. I hope you have a safe and wonderful time. Again, if you’re headed to the Big Island and there’s anything we can do to help make your stay more pleasurable, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at The Hawai`i Team. Happy Fourth of July everyone!
Aloha
Dan Polimino is the owner of the Hawai`i Team in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. He and his team are the luxury residential experts for the Big Island. If you are thinking about buying or selling in Hawai’i, then please reach out to us at team@thehawaiiteam.com or call 808-913-0899.
