4th of July Events on the Big Island

Big Island 4th of July events this week include aerial fireworks displays in Hilo and Kona, Independence Day parades in Kona and Volcano, the Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo, the Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race, a Sea Turtle Independence Day celebration, and the Firecracker Open Big Game Fishing Tournament.

Hawaiian Airlines Wants to Stop Go!

Hawaiian Airlines is asking a court to prevent Go! Airlines from selling any new inter-island airfare tickets for a period of one year, because Hawaiian says the Mesa Air Group violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement signed when Hawaiian Airlines was going through bankruptcy. The court will hear arguments in this case on August 4, 2006. The details of this case are a bit complicated. For the whole story, see today's Honolulu Star Bulletin article.

Watch a Baseball Game on Oahu

The Hawaii Winter Baseball League is returning after a nine year hiatus, with a 40-game season running from October 1 through November 22, 2006. For the first two years, there will be four teams, and all games will be played at two Oahu venues. Later the league plans to add teams based on Maui and the Big Island. This year the Honolulu Sharks and the Waikiki BeachBoys will be based at Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawaii, and the West Oahu CaneFires and the North Shore Honu will be based at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu. More information and tickets are available on the Hawaii Winter Baseball Web site.

Cycle With the Locals on the Big Island

The Hawaii Cycling Club on the Big Island invites visitors to bring their bicycles to Hawaii and join one of their weekly, monthly, or special event road cycling or mountain biking rides in Kona, Hilo and other parts of the island. You don't need to be a member to join one of their rides, but you can help support this friendly cycling club by purchasing a $25 membership anyway or buying one of their official Hawaii Cycling Club Jerseys.

Fly from California to Hawaii for $99

Aloha Airlines is offering last minute, 4th of July weekend, $99 one-way airfares between four California airports and Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. The $99 fares are only available July 2-4. The fares increase to $129 for travel July 5-7, and to $149 for travel July 8-9. For more information, see the Last Minute Specials section of the Aloha Airlines Web site.

Lanai Pineapple Festival: July 1

The 14th annual Lanai Pineapple Festival will take place in Dole Park, on Lanai Island, Saturday, July 1, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event will celebrate Lanai's rich pineapple plantation and ranching history and there will be food and game booths, crafts, and live entertainment. There will also be a special late night Expeditions Ferry, to transport visitors from Lanai Harbor to Lahaina, Maui. For more information, contact 808-565-3242 or 808-559-0197.

International War Games Begin in Hawaii

Eight nations are conducting a huge joint military exercise off the coast of Hawaii, in the 20th edition of a program known as the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). The program is taking place from June 26 through July 28 and participating nations include Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. More then 40 ships, 6 submarines, 160 aircraft, and nearly 19,000 military personnel have gathered in Hawaii for the event. There has been some controversy surrounding the military receiving permission to use sonar during the event, because sonar can cause strange behavior in whales. Military personnel are aware of this problem. They have put spotters on every ship who will search for whales and order sonar turned off if any are sighted.

RIMPAC 2006 - Official Web Site

Photos of RIMPAC 2004