Pearl Harbor celebrates Fourth with the public
By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Pearl Harbor will be open to the public for fireworks, food and fun on Independence Day.
U.S. Navy Region Hawai'i
The naval station will stage its annual July 4th Block Party and Aerial Fireworks Spectacular from 2 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
The fireworks display will begin at 8:30 p.m., after the singing of the national anthem by Guido Salmaggi.
"Our block party has always been a big thing within the community," said JoAnne Yow-Fairchild, spokeswoman for Navy Region Hawai'i. "We hold this event as a community service, so we can give something back to the people."
The party was started 10 years ago by Naval Station Pearl Harbor's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department and usually draws thousands of people, Yow-Fairchild said.
This year, the event will have carnival games and food booths provided by EK Fernandez, a craft fair and a free Keiki Farm Petting Zoo and Nozawa's Ark Pony rides.
The Jurassic Survivor Obstacle Course and a game called the Rock 'Em & Sock 'Em, which allows two contestants to fight it out with inflatable jousting sticks, will be open to older kids and adults.
Visitors can also get wet and wild on the 33-foot Tsunami Wave Slide, Rock Climbing Wall or Euro-Bungee Trampoline.
"This year we tried to really plan some memorable activities that allow people to spend time with their families and have the most excellent time," Yow-Fairchild said.
The event will have two stages of entertainment. Live music will be played by the local band Ka'ala Boys, Chicago-style blues band J.P. Smoketrain and Honolulu the Band.
Live entertainment
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2-2:45 p.m.: Baton twirlers
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3-4 p.m.: "America's Freedom," a musical revue by The Hurrah Players
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4:30-5:30 p.m.: Blues band J.P. Smoketrain
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5:30-6 p.m.: Au's Shaolin Chinese Lion Dance with a 10,000-firecracker blowout
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6-7 p.m.: Ka'ala Boys
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7:30-8:30 p.m.: The Dick Jensen Show
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8:30-9 p.m.: Guido Salmaggi and fireworks display
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9-10 p.m.: Honolulu The Band Sports for Big Kids
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2-4 p.m.; Amateur Boxing Tournament, featuring James Picarra, runner-up in the Golden Gloves Tournament
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3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Unidos Car Hopping Competition
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2-10 p.m.: Auto exhibition Schedule of events
"It's a special event to play at because we're playing to celebrate the independence of our country," said Elton McKeague, drummer for the Ka'ala Boys. "We should all be so grateful for what we have, since we're so fortunate."
McKeague said the Ka'ala Boys will do a little bit of everything during their performance.
"We do country, ballads, reggae and island-type songs," McKeague said. "But, one of our favorites is the Kamuela yodel. We actually have one guy that can yodel."
The Dick Jensen Show, a combination of comedy, rock and dancing, features Jensen, who has entertained local audiences for more than 20 years.
"It's the Fourth of July so, of course, I'll be singing the one song that says it all, 'I Love to be an American!' " Jensen said.
The centerpiece of the event, the aerial fireworks display, will light up the skies above Pearl Harbor at 8:30 p.m. Guido Salmaggi, a former New York City Opera singer, will kick off the fireworks show with his rendition of the national anthem.
"When Guido hits that last note, the fireworks will explode," Yow-Fairchild said.
Parking and entrance to the base for visitors will be on Center Drive near Nimitz Gate at Bloch Arena. Access for cars and trucks to Pearl Harbor will remain restricted to Department of Defense personnel or contractors with valid DOD stickers and identification cards.
For more information, call the MWR hotline at 473-2434.
