Celebrating the Fourth in Hawaiiby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 22 Jun 2008 10:06 PM Despite what you might think we do celebrate with fireworks, BBQ's, and parades just like the rest of the country. Spending Independence Day in the 50th state is a dream come true for most folks, and as someone who was born and raised there I must admit there are quiet a few tourists that time their Hawaiian vacations to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations... and rarely are they disappointed with their decision to do so. This year Waikoloa Beach Resort is once again hosting the Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race. The annual Fourth of July festival has been going on for nearly two decades and takes place on the west side of the Big Island. The family-friendly event consists of a rubber duck race, face painting, a magic show, disco dance contest, duck quaking and waddling contests, free cotton candy and popcorn, and, of course, a beachfront fireworks display. The duck race is a huge deal. Thousands of race participants purchase bright yellow rubber duckies and send them floating down the waterway, with the top 50 finishers winning prizes, including a seven-night stay at the Outrigger Condominium Collection's Fairway Villas, seven-night stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village, dinner for 17 at Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 17 $100 bills from Waikoloa Beach Resort for the 17th-place duck, and more. All proceeds from the Rubber Duckie Race benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. Last year, Waikoloa Beach Resort raised more than $38,000 for the organization. This year you can adopt a duck for $5 each, or pick up a $20 "Quack Pack," which includes three rubber duckies and a race T-shirt. If you would rather spend the Fourth of July on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu you can take in the fireworks from Waikiki Beach. Several hotels located on the legendary beach are offering Independence Day travel deals to lure guests to their properties. For example, from July 3-6, the Hilton Waikiki/Prince Kuhio is offering the "Independence Package" featuring one night's accommodations, valet parking, and in-room Internet access for $199. Staying at the hotel gives you great access to the fireworks show--you can either walk to the beach and find a spot in the sand or simply view the fireworks from your room. For more ways to save during your next trip to Hawaii consider reading the following blogs: Affordable Accommodations in Hawaii Hot Hotel Deals in Hawaii for 2008 Cruising the Pacific on a Ribcraft Traveling To Hawaii---With Your Pet Hawaii--Visiting the Big Island's Best Waterfalls Hawaiian 101: "Was that Mauka or Makai?" Adventure Travel--Swimming With Sharks Adventure Travel--A Trip to the "Valley of the Kings" Visiting the World's Largest Outdoor Shopping Center Destination: Hawaii--A Great Family Beach Visiting Hawaii's "White Mountain" Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags Big Island, Fourth of July, hawaii, Honolulu, Waikiki Discuss this article
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