The Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Friday night fireworks display has been a popular event among visitors and Oahu residents alike since its introduction in the late 1980s, but the show’s appeal has been so great of late, officials at the 22-acre oceanfront property in Waikiki have decided once a week just isn’t enough.
Last Tuesday marked the debut of a second weekly fireworks display at Waikiki’s largest resort property, an additional amenity officials there say is aimed at improving the guest experience.
“Because of the typical length of stay for our guests, many of them are not here on a Friday night,” said Jerry Gibson, area vice president for Hilton Hawaii. “Now, nearly all of our guests will be able to enjoy the Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks, which have become a tradition in Waikiki.”
Prior to its Friday night display, the Hilton currently offers its Rockin’ Hawaiian Rainbow Review beginning at 7 p.m., featuring Tihati Productions’ take on the golden age of Hawaiian music and a tribute to legendary Hawaiian swimmer Duke Kahanamoku. The entrance fee for the 45-minute performance is $20 and includes seating around the property’s Super Pool along with a mai tai punch cocktail.
The Friday fireworks begin around 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday’s fireworks show starts at 8 p.m. with a free-of-charge, 15-minute Tihati Productions Fireworks Spectacular performance prior.
Or Waikiki visitors can simply behave like many locals, show up with somebody special a half an hour or so beforehand and try to get a seat and put in a drink order at the Hilton’s popular Tropics Bar & Grill. If you’re a little late for a seat at Tropics, plopping right down on the beach is always a terrific option and a great place to enjoy all the color bursting over the Pacific.
According to Gibson, the mixture of Hilton guests with other visitors and residents just adds to the events’ appeal.
“We know that the visitors up and down Waikiki Beach look forward to seeing the fireworks,” Gibson said. “In addition to visitors, we also see a lot of residents picnicking on Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Fridays to watch the show.”
Visit www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com.