Three Air Force Thunderbird shows off Waikiki this week will close Diamond Head State Monument, the entrance to Ala Wai Boat Harbor, a busy patch of air space and a 6,000-foot-wide stretch of water frequented by surfers and boaters.

But organizers and community leaders haven't heard any complaints.

"We've had only good responses from the community," said Bob Finley, chairman of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, which heard a presentation on the show at its last meeting. "This doesn't happen but every 10 years or so."

The 45-minute Thunderbird shows will be Thursday at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. About 2 p.m. today, two of the F-16s will fly once over the showbox — the area in which they will perform — off Waikiki at 300 feet to survey the landscape.

Surfers and boaters will not be allowed in the water under the showbox on Thursday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The entrance to Ala Wai Boat Harbor will be closed from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. No boats will be allowed to leave or enter the harbor during the closure.

There will be no water closures in effect for the low fly-by today, but there will be air space restrictions.

It took about eight months to plan the Thunderbirds' shows, given the busy air space, the high population density and the number of surfers and boaters in the water.

"There were some big challenges," said Air Force Lt. Col T.J. Stull, an organizer.

Organizers say they decided to have the Thunderbirds' show off Waikiki, despite the challenges, because they wanted as many people as possible to see it.

The Thunderbirds last performed off Waikiki in 1997.

In the shows this week, six F-16s will fly in tricky formations at 550 mph, mimicking the moves they would make in combat if they were pursued by an enemy. They will get to the showbox by flying low over land — zooming over spectators' heads — and perform the same series of about 30 stunts all three days, organizers said.

The performances are part of Air Force Week, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the military branch and is designed to attract recruits and give back to the community. Honolulu was chosen as one of six sites around the country to host Air Force Week celebrations, which also include free concerts and art exhibits.

Col. John Torres, commander of the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, said Coast Guard, fire, police and other departments are all pitching in during the shows to ensure the safety of the crowd and swimmers and boaters in the water.

"We want to bring a spectacular show to Waikiki, but we're going to do it in a safe way," Torres said yesterday at a news conference in Waikiki discussing security regulations surrounding the show. "We have instituted an incident-readiness plan in case anything goes wrong. This has been a well-orchestrated event."

THOUSANDS EXPECTED

The last time a Thunderbird jet crashed was in September 2003 during an air show in Idaho. The pilot ejected safely and no one was injured on the ground.

The Thunderbird show on Saturday is expected to attract thousands to Waikiki shorelines, in addition to those who come out for the Aloha Festival Parade, which is also Saturday.

The two-hour parade will start at Ala Moana Park at 9 a.m., proceed along Kalakaua Avenue and end at Kapi'olani Park. Those coming for the Thunderbirds will be able to see the show for miles along Waikiki, but the best spot will be behind the Hale Koa Hotel.

Officials are urging attendees to come early and use alternative transportation if possible. On an average day, there are about 70,000 visitors and 20,000 residents in Waikiki.

"We just ask everyone's patience," said police Capt. Jeff Richards, of the Waikiki station. "This show is going to be in our backyard. This is a celebration."

In addition to police officers patrolling beaches during the air shows, 24 Coast Guard and state boats and several firefighters on jet skis will be in the water to keep surfers, swimmers and boaters out of the showbox area — a swath of water 6,000 feet long and 2,700 feet wide. Buoys will mark the perimeter of the box.

The center of the showbox is about 3,000 feet offshore. But other areas of the showbox are closer to the shoreline, which means some surf breaks will be off-limits.

Also, the state will close Diamond Head State Monument on Thursday and Saturday. The Fire Department recommended the closure because the no-fly zone around the performance area extends to Diamond Head, meaning if a person was injured, it would be impossible to get them out quickly by helicopter.

FLIGHTS CHANGED

The no-fly zone around the showbox will affect about 30 commercial flights during each performance. Officials said the flights had to change their routes to accommodate the show. The no-fly zone extends for five miles in each direction from the center of the performance area, and affects all planes and helicopters.

Ron Dubois, port captain at the Hawai'i Yacht Club, said he hasn't heard any complaints from boaters about the Ala Wai harbor closure. The harbor is home to boats used for recreation only.

Dubois pointed out the Ala Wai harbor mouth has been closed several times before for safety reasons, including every Fourth of July for the fireworks show.

Louis Erteschik, of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, said he also hasn't heard any concerns.

"There may be a little noise for a bit," he said. "But I don't think this is that big a deal, in terms of impact on the community."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.