Kaneohe Air Show

Who doesn’t love jets and hot pilots?
Ok, you may not be able to meet or get up close with the hot pilots, but you will get to see an amazing display of skill, accuracy, and gut wrenching maneuvers at the Kaneohe Air Show.
This 2-​day show comes around every couple of years, and it’s not to be missed. Admission is free, but the best way is to purchase tickets at one of the chalets so that you can get shade, water, and an unobstructed view of the runway.
What’s at the air show? Static displays of planes, helicopters, tanks, etc., in air performances throughout the day, EK Fernandez games/​rides/​food, food booths, beer tent, souvenirs, and of course, the US Navy BLUE ANGELS.
It’ll be a few years until the Blue Angels return to Kbay, but when they do, keep these tips in mind:
1) Buy tickets for the chalet and buy them early. They often sell out prior to the event.
2) Check the Kaneohe Bay Airshow website for general information, and pay close attention to the list of prohibited items.
3) You will be going through a metal detector and manual bag check at the entrance
4) Bring sunscreen
5) When parking, keep in mind that the closer you park to flight line, the longer it’ll take to get out. Use the restroom before heading back to your car after the air show because there will be traffic, and lots of it.
6) The Blue Angels fly last, normally around 3 – 4 pm, but plan on coming early to the show and staying the entire day, because there will be traffic getting to the parking and at the entrance.

When I was younger I remember going to Coney Island to see the Blue Angels fly over the boardwalk while shoveling Nathan’s hotdogs down my pie hole. Remembering this being an enjoyable experience, when the Kaneohe Bay Airshow came around this year and I hadn’t gone to the airshow (s) any years prior I said to myself «self, why not go to the airshow?» and so it was.
Even though general admission is free, there are also several ticketing options to choose from. Prices range from the Ritz Carlton of seats to the more economical Motel 6’s of seats. The higher end seats include shade (which judging by my sunburn may have been a good idea), snacks and/​or unlimited bottled water. The lower budget seats which were the box seats and the bleacher seats were closer to the action and ensured that you weren’t sitting on hot asphalt all day long, but provided no shade, and no snacks, water or any luxury amenities (which is why the prices are so reasonable).
For anyone who does not reside on MCBH, there is only one way on and one way off the base when attending the airshow. This made for some bottlenecking of traffic, but they did an excellent job of directing traffic in the morning and in the late afternoon to ensure people got on and off base in the most efficient way (s) possible. This also helped to ensure that for those who do reside on base that no random stragglers showed up in their neighborhoods without being invited (which I’m sure base residents appreciated).
Although the Blue Angels (the main event) did not perform until late in the day (about 3:40pm on Saturday 10÷17÷15, the airshow itself was entertaining and informative throughout the day. All branches of service to include the Coast Guard were able to display their skills in the air to include parachuting, sliding out of a helicopter on a rope and plenty of other impressive things. There was also plenty of air acrobatics performed by smaller planes to keep the crowd entertained throughout the day. If you didn’t want to sit in your seat (s), there were also static displays where you could walk around the airplanes, and helicopters, etc. and see what they looked like, and feel like.
For those who brought their appetites, there were several vendors on site to offer to fill your tummy up. Treats ranged from Lanikai Juice, plate lunches, poke, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, shave ice and more. And for those with kids who just couldn’t possibly wait a moment more, there were carnival rides as well to keep you busy (and spending money) until the Blue Angels finally took the sky.
In fact the ONLY suggestion I would have for 2016 is to replace the MC.
Everyone who sat around us agreed that the man sounded like they dug up Casey Kasem and made him the world’s most terrible MC. Few pro tips, when MC’ing an event in Hawaii, know how to say kama’aina, also perhaps learn how to say a pilot’s last name BEFORE having to read it over the loudspeakers? And its Leonardo DiCaprio. Not Leon or whatever he said. He was good for the laughs, but given that we got there at 10:30a and didn’t leave until after 4:00p it was a long day of the ghost of Casey Kasem.
All in all, this is definitely a great event for people of all ages. We appreciated the fact that they allowed outside food and beverage and the ability to get seats without it costing us an arm and a leg. Pro tips for next year? One coating of sunscreen even when its cloudy causes HORRIFIC sunburns. Ow.

Preferred seating is THE WAY TO GO! Whether they’re Grandstand or Top Brass tickets, the unobstructed view and the ability to hear announcements loud and clear, totally make paying for the bill worth it! (Or you can earn your way to becoming an Elite Unilocaler and possibly score free tix — Thank You so much, Emi!).
We decided to attend on Sunday. At 0800, the line of traffic into the base was short and moved quickly. Directional signs to the location of the show were minimal, so follow the crowd if you’re not familiar with the base or where the flight line is.
Parking was very organized (at least when you arrive early); free and about a 10-​minute walk to the main entrance of the show. We arrived at the gate at 0830 to find out that we’d have to wait until 0900 to enter. The Volunteer told us that vendors were still setting up. Meanwhile, a long line began to form behind us and apparently the line can string for days on a Saturday.
The show promptly begins with the Marine Corp Band. Looking sharp as always. The National Anthem played along to an awesome Parachu