Fire in the sky

• How aerial shells are launched (graphic)
• Fireworks shows, parades happening all over Islands

Gannett News Service

Revelers at the Turtle Bay Hilton resort on the North Shore got a jump on celebrating Independence Day last night. More fireworks will appear all around the state today as Hawai'i marks the Fourth of July. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

The eye-popping explosions result from the sequence of powders, gums, resins, paper and string in ingenious ways that have changed little in the last five centuries of pyrotechnical experimentation.

China, where black powder was invented during the Sung dynasty, 960-1279, generally is recognized as the birthplace of fireworks.

The first use of the explosive powder, which later evolved into gunpowder, was for entertainment. For centuries, the one major effect that was missing from fireworks was color. That changed in the 19th century. Pyrotechnicians developed a method of using various metallic salts to make colors. Since then, fireworks have continued to evolve into a high stage of development.

Fireworks became prominent in holiday celebrations around the world, including Independence Day in the United States and Bastille Day in France.

By burning spherical star pellets rolled from powdered metals, salts and adhesives, pyrotechnicians create a variety of colors:

• Red: Strontium salts.
• White: Magnesium, aluminum.
• Blue: Copper carbonate.
• Orange: Charcoal or iron.
• Yellow: Sodium oxalate.
• Green: Barium nitrate.
• Purple: Strontium and copper.

Fireworks shows, parades happening all over Islands

Advertiser Staff

Magic Island: Fireworks synchronized to a musical score, 8:30-9 p.m., presented by Ala Moana Center. Free.

Kailua: Kailua's old-fashioned Fourth of July Parade, presented by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Celebration, beginning at 10 a.m. on Kainalu Drive. Fireworks display off Flat Island 8-8:30 p.m. Free.

Pearl Harbor: July Fourth Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular, 2-10 p.m., Merry Point, Pearl Harbor; fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. Free.

Schofield Barracks: Salute to Patriotism, 10 a.m., including Tino & the Rhythm Klub at 4:30 p.m., the Society of Seven Las Vegas at 6 p.m. and fireworks display 8:15-8:45 p.m., Sills Field. Free.

Big Island: Fireworks displays, 8:30 p.m. at Waikoloa Resort, 8:45 p.m. at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and 9 p.m. at Four Seasons Resort. Free.

Maui: July Fourth Freedom Fest, entertainment and a fireworks display, 4 p.m. at War Memorial Complex. Free. In Lahaina, Old-Fashioned Fourth of July; fireworks at 8 p.m. Free.

Kaua'i: "Concert in the Sky," a fund-raiser for Kaua'i Hospice, featuring entertainment, family activities, ending with a fireworks show, 3-9:30 p.m., Vidinha Stadium. Admission — $10 general, $7 in advance.