Turtle Independence Day at Mauna Lani Resort

Turtle Release Ceremony Crowd

If you are looking for fun at the beach on Independence Day this year, then you may want to celebrate part of the day at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast.

Hawaiian Honu (turtles) are raised and cared for in ponds at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. Turtles are a common sight along the coast.

Turtles sunning in Mauna Lani Resort

Every year the hotel has a huge party to release the grown Honu to the ocean.

Turtle Release Ceremony Parade

Starting at 10:30 AM, the turtles will be gathered from the Honu Ponds and paraded to the beach front.  

Turtles being transported to the beach

Educational displays will be set up on the beach and there will be live music and activities. 

Entertainment for the kids

A July 4^th BBQ will be offered by the hotel.

Mauna Lani Hotel

Mauna Lani is a 3200 acre resort developed in the 1970’s by Francis Hyde Ii Brown (a state senator for 20 years and avid golfer) and Noboru Gotoh (chairman of Tokyu Corporation). The resort has two hotels, golf courses, and a shopping center. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel opened in 1983 in front of a protected reef. Nearby the hotel are ancient Hawaiian fish ponds. 

Fish pond next to Mauna Lani Hotel

The Fairmont Orchid opened since December 1990, is also located within the Mauna Lani Resort.

Directions: Mauna Lani Resort is located 23 miles north of Kona Airport (approximately 30 minutes) and 7 miles south of the Kawaihae Road/Queen Kaahumanu junction.

Turn into the resort onto Mauna Lani Drive and proceed a mile to the round-about.

Enter the round about/traffic circle and take the 2nd right onto Mauna Lani Drive. The Shops at Mauna Lani will be on your right.

Stay on Mauna Lani Drive until you reach the main entrance to the hotel.

After enjoying the beach and BBQ at Mauna Lani, you can see the fireworks display at the nearby Waikoloa Beach Resort.  Hilo and Kona are also having fireworks celebrations this year.

Hotel information about this year's event

Here is a listing of Independence Day events this Friday, July 4, 2014.