Fireworks at Ala Moana Beach Park

Update: Check out 2009 Ala Moana Magic Island fireworks festivities.

If you like fireworks, I hope you made it out to Ala Moana Beach park to watch the annual July 4 firework show.  My girlfriend and I decided to go last night, so we made sure we go to Ala Moana Center early so that we could find parking.  If you wanted to park at Ala Moana Beach Park, good luck…unless you were there early in the morning, and I’m talking about 4am, you probably don’t have much of a chance.

With out luck though, we pulled into Ala Moana around 5:45pm and just when we pulled in, someone was leaving.  So we were able to eat some dinner at Genki’s then strolled the mall a bit.  Because of the festivities though, all the shops at the mall closed at 7pm.  In fact, Ala Moana closed off their parking lot by Sears makai (sea) side to host a party for the firework celebration.  Although we strolled through here and stayed for about 10 minutes, I was able to catch some Hawaiian bands playing music along with some food stands such as Leonards Jr. for their awesome malasadas (and not to mention the longest line), mini donuts station, and a smoothie station.

We started to trek down to the beach park around 7:30pm and were able to sit almost right up to the barricade where they close it off to the public for safety reasons.  A little after 8:30pm, the show started.  All I can say was wow.  I mean, the fireworks were truly spectacular.  All kinds of shapes, colors, and even motion!  In fact, I think my favorite were these jellyfish looking fireworks.  Instead of shooting up into the air and exploding, they actually launch with light and start wiggling up.  That was a first, and probably the most interesting fireworks I’ve ever seen.

The show lasted for about 20 minutes, and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed.  Yes, it was pretty loud, but who cares…the show was more than worth the noise.  The only problem was walking really quickly back to the parking lot to fetch our car so we wouldn’t be stuck in traffic.  Luckily, we left as soon as the show ended, so we were stuck in the mall for probably less than 10 minutes.

If you missed it, try next year.  Or wait until New Year’s.  They put on a great show, and can count me in to watch it every year.

Tags: Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, Magic Island, Oahu