Happy birthday, America.
And happy Independence Day, Kauai.
As you know, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July today. Actually, the celebration has already started thanks to the firework show, America’s Most West Freedom Fest, which exploded last night. The free event returned to the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island’s Westside, after taking a break for budgetary reasons, and was a welcomed sight to see.
Still, there’s plenty more to do, so anyone who didn’t get an early jump has plenty of options before them.
Kauai Hospice will host its 25th annual Concert in the Sky event beginning at 4 this afternoon. The firework show will light up the night, but the event offers so much more, such as food, games and musical entertainment. Back over on the Westside, the Kekaha Community Fourth of July celebration will blast away at 9:15 p.m. But, just like in Lihue, the all-day event will offer enough venues to to make a state fair jealous. It opens at 10 a.m. and has been running 80 years strong.
So as far as traditional celebrations, Kauai is covered.
And while we’re here, hat tip to the St. Regis Princeville Resort for organizing a volunteer-led cleanup effort at Hanalei Bay on Saturday. Because, let’s face it, celebrating, unfortunately, can get out of hand.
So at the risk of sounding square, we ask everyone to have a blast celebrating the country’s 238th birthday, but to do so responsibly.
What’s responsibly? Go ahead and eat the extra hotdog, or sip on a sud after a swim. But if you’re the reason Hanalei Bay needs volunteers to look like a beautiful beach instead of a dump, well, that’s not responsibly.
And neither is getting in trouble. Ask any police officer or emergency room nurse about working on the Independence Day holiday and you’ll probably get an eye roll and a long sigh. Lots of accidents. More poignantly put, lots of avoidable accidents.
So, it’s well worth pointing out a great service AAA is offering. Starting last night and running until midnight, Tipsy Tow will be available for anyone who might have had a few too many.
The program offers people a free ride home within a five mile radius and will tow their car to boot, so people don’t wake up and need another ride to pick up their car. It’s a responsible option to driving while intoxicated.
Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver can call 1-800-222-4357 for a free tow home of up to five miles, AAA stated.
Callers simply tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” to receive the free tow and ride. Anything beyond five miles is open to regular price charges, but those first five miles are free.
A free ride that keeps our roads safe on a day the whole country is celebrating seems like a perfect birthday gift.
OK, enough lecturing, go have fun, Kauai. There’s no shortage of options.
