Hawaii Kai – July 4, 2009 will mark the second annual Independence Day at Maunalua Bay with fireworks, food, entertainment, activities and an immense amount of community support.
“We’ve had so much support. Lots of companies giving what they could in these times,” says Melanie Long, President of IDMB Foundation.
Hosted by emcee Ramsay Wharton of KGMB, the event will run from 2 to 9 PM and will feature musical groups Maunalua, Kajiki Johnson Band, Yoza Music, This City Lives, Heartsong, Gregg Hammer Band and keiki hula halaus of Leolani Pratt and Shirley Recca. In addition, there will be continuous activities of keiki I.D., face painting, patriotic crafts and games. Patrick Ching’s famous painted horse will make its way from Waimanalo’s Naturally Hawaiian Gallery to Maunalua Bay where Ching will don his art skills and give others a chance to collaborate and paint.
Grand Finale Hawaii will kickoff the fireworks finale at 8 PM “We really wanted to work with a local company this year and Grand Finale Hawaii has been so supportive,” says Long. “They have given us a huge discount on the fireworks.”
No personal fireworks will be allowed in the park or along the waterfront.
“We’re also trying be more ‘Green,’” says Long. “The Boy Scouts will be there to help with recycling; we’re making more of an effort to minimize the trash; the fireworks are 95 percent biodegradable; we created reusable banners and, unlike last year, we will not be passing out programs.” Instead, Long says, the event will feature large, laminated posters with the lineup and sponsors. “We’re going paperless.”
Long says that though things have been more difficult for businesses, they are lucky to have continued sponsorship. Diamond Sponsor, Outback Steakhouse donated more than $10,000 with fundraising initiatives, VIP tables for fireworks viewing and monetary donations. Tyler Roukema, owner of Outback Steakhouse, says he considers this July fourth event to be his signature community support event. Other major sponsors include Pacific International Realty, Roy’s Hawaii Kai, Koko Marina Center, Hawaii Kai Marina Association, 76 Gas Station as well as many other East Oahu businesses and organizations.
No public parking will be allowed near Maunalua Bay. VIP transportation will provide free shuttles to and from various off-site parking locations starting at 1:30 PM, with the final shuttle leaving Maunalua Bay at 9:30 PM. Off-site parking will be located at Kiss-and-Ride, Costco parking area, Kaiser High School, and Koko Marina Center’s upper level parking near Taco Bell and Straub Clinic.
Seventy-five percent of all proceeds from the event will go to a scholarship fund awarded to two lucky East Oahu students. Anyone wishing to donate to either scholarship fund or the July fourth celebration can visit idmbf.com. “We are still in need of volunteers and donations are still being collected before and during the event,” says Long.
Long would like to thank the City, State, Mayor and Coast Guard. “They have been unbelievably nice to us. Retired Police Chief Lee Donahue worked so hard to make sure things went smoothly and timely. We couldn’t have done it without his help,” says Long.
For more information visit either independencedayatmaunaluabay.org or IDMBF.com.