The red, white and blue Hawai'i way

By Jennifer Hiller and Jim Dooley
Advertiser Staff Writers

O'ahu residents turned out by the thousands yesterday to celebrate Independence Day amid all the traditional food, fests and patriotic fare.

Viewed from Nauru Tower, crowds and tents spread across Magic Island. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Thousands of Windward revelers were disappointed when the fireworks show at Kailua Beach Park was canceled because winds raised concerns about safety.

But many thousands more O'ahu residents erected a temporary city at the Ala Moana regional park to view the fireworks show there.

In Kailua, a police spokesman said windy conditions were causing the fireworks barge to "rock around too much" and it was considered a hazard.

Fire Department spokesman Kenison Tejada said an attempt was made to carry on the fireworks display from the beach, but that was deemed too risky as well.

"We really tried," he said, "but Mother Nature just wasn't cooperating."

Tejada estimated the winds at 15 to 20 miles an hour. "We did a test-firing from the beach," he said, "and there wasn't a safe distance for the fallout from the fireworks. Some of the sparks would have come down into the crowd."

Tejada said the pyrotechnic experts on hand agreed that it would have been unsafe to go on with the show. He praised the crowd for being "really cooperative."

At Ala Moana, the smoke of a thousand barbecues bathed masses of families gathered to celebrate the flag, the beach and the day off.

"We come every year," said Orlando Patayong, surrounded by aunties, uncles and a horde of kids.

"But this year's different ... more important," he said, referring to the first Fourth of July observance since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks last fall.

On the Windward side thousands of people turned out — rolling decorated strollers, riding bannered bikes and wearing temporary flag tattoos on their way to the Kailua Chamber of Commerce's old-fashioned Fourth of July Parade.

Above, Pat Rice of Waikiki saw to it that she dressed for the occasion at a friend's party on Kainalu Drive. Below, Bryce Tarpey, held by his dad, Jeff, takes an early interest in Old Glory. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We come out every year," said Noreen DeRego, a Kane'ohe resident who returns to her old neighborhood in Kailua every year for the parade.

"We're waiting for the Kailua High School group to come by. They're going to be our favorites this year because that's where I went to school."

There were 113 parade entries, ranging from church groups and Scout troops to the ever-present politicians. Senior citizen groups rolled past on trolleys, strumming 'ukulele and singing "God Bless America." The Royal Hawaiian Band played and everyone cheered for the veterans groups passing by.

Nancy Frey of Kailua teared up at the sight of the Korean Veterans Association and the Vietnam Veterans Association. "Of course this year is very special," Frey said. "It's just sad that it takes a tragedy to bring people together. I think everyone has a little more spirit this year. This is what America is."

Megan Clowe, 12, a student at St. Andrew's Priory who was marching with a Girl Scout troop from Kailua, said she thought more people had come out for the parade this year. "It seems like everyone has red, white and blue this year," she said.

Several parade viewers remarked on the prevalence of hand-held flags as well as T-shirts with flag designs.

Tracy Egger said she had a hard time finding balloons and streamers to decorate her husband's Jeep, a parade entry for the Kailua Citizens Patrol. "All of the stores were wiped out," she said.

Some kids used the parade as an opportunity to earn some extra summer spending money, some dragging rolling coolers down Kainalu Drive and others setting up shop under tents.

Cousins Kamalu Miller, 15, and Kaui Todd, 14, sold sodas for 50 cents and bottled water for 75 cents. Kamalu said he tried to get his cousin to charge more but Kaui refused because "it's not patriotic."

Meanwhile, back at Ala Moana, some patriots started celebrating early: at 2:30 a.m., 6 a.m. or, for the truly dedicated, the Third of July.

Parking spaces were packed and tents were everywhere as the sun rose yesterday. Those staking out the best views and shadiest spots arrived more than 24 hours in advance of the annual fireworks display at Magic Island.

Sam Dacanay of Kalihi arrived at 4 p.m. Wednesday, accompanied by 20 friends and family members, five coolers of food, five tents and eight cots — all arranged side by side.

"We stay all day and all night until everyone leaves after the fireworks," Dacanay said. "This is like our third year. We camp out. It's fun."

While camping is not officially allowed at the Ala Moana park, Fourth of July enthusiasts say police look the other way as long as overnighters move their cars out of the park by 10 p.m. and off the boulevard by 4 a.m.

Max and Haroldyne Mayeda got two parking tickets early yesterday morning, but didn't let it dampen their Fourth of July. "The kids can go in and out of the water all day and we'll have a good view of the fireworks," Max Mayeda said.

A group of Maryknoll Schools alumni arrived at 2:30 a.m. yesterday with a huge tent and set up a PlayStation 2 for all-night entertainment.

"We already had lunch," joked Steven Dudoit of Mountain View, Calif., at 8:15 a.m.

Nelson and Chona Campania and their three children arrived before 6 a.m. yesterday to stake out the same shady spot they pick every year. ""We look forward to this relaxing day," Chona Campania said.

Staff writer James Gonser contributed to this report.