|
A Special 4th of July Event for the Community
by MICHELE VAN HESSEN
Sun Correspondent
Archived July 2008 article
A special event with a specific purpose such as Independence Day at Maunalua Bay (IDMB), is created by organizing and executing activities that have projected deadlines for each step. First, one must select a chair and members for a planning committee. Then one must develop a master plan with a budget and set a date. The next goal is to select chairs for subcommittees for the logistics of police, traffic and safety patrols; and chairs for refreshments, setup and cleanup crews, volunteer speakers, sponsors, vendors, and publicity. Finally, the organizer will need to establish a nonprofit organization so that fundraising may begin.
Fireworks are beautiful, breathtaking and an American pastime tradition enjoyed by the masses during our nation's celebration of our independence. However, the use of consumer fireworks in local neighborhoods is a continually debated topic by our state legislators. Numerous injuries, accidental fires, environmental concerns and health issues were reason enough for Cha Thompson of Tihati Productions to telephone her long-time friend Noah Parker.
"I've got a project," said Cha Thomson to Noah Parker, who had initiated such events in Hawaii Kai as the Boat Parade. The idea of a public fireworks show in Hawaii Kai has been kicked around for a number of years. Recently, the Hawaii Kai Chamber of Commerce polled East Oahu Sun readers, to see if they were in favor of a Hawaii Kai fireworks event; and 100 percent of the response was positive. That was all the vote of support Thompson and Parker needed to move the idea forward.
A committee of eight was formed, consisting of: Cha Thompson as President, Noah Parker as Vice President, Melanie Long as Scholarship Committee Chair; Dianne Glei as VIP Tent Coordinator, Stan Fitchman as Volunteer Coordinator; Jimmy Ishimoto as Ocean Sports Coordinator, Derek Tamura as Secretary, Marketing and Fundraising Manager; and Charlie Long as Treasurer, Event Security.
"The committee members had to wear more than one hat," explained Parker. The budget for this inaugural event is approximately $100,000, which includes $40,000 for the fireworks and barge and $30,000 for insurance, tents, portable toilets, and entertainment. This does not account for the generous in-kind donations from our entertainers, the city and county and volunteers. With a 501c3 filing, IDMB is offering a scholarship program, so that proceeds from the event will fund the program.
The Independence Day at Maunalua Bay grew because of the personal interaction and the support of such donors as Paradise Lau and Perry Management. The event has drawn a diversity of people with a common goal of working together, to stage an event that promises fun for the entire community.
"We are depending upon generous donations from community and corporate sponsors to help underwrite the cost. Our sponsors to date include: American Savings Bank, Bank Of Hawaii, East Oahu Realty, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii Kai Towne Center, HMAA, John Mullen & Co., New Hope-Hawaii Kai, OUTBACK Steak House, Pacific International Realty, Inc., Roy's Hawaii Kai, Tihati Productions, and the City and County of Honolulu. Emcees Guy Hagi and Kim Gennaula of KGMB will provide an afternoon of entertainment slated with such artists as: Hulu Halau Namakahulali, Greg Hammer Band, Leolani Pratt Keiki Hula, Afatia Thompson, Naluhoe Trio, Maka`ala (Keiki vocalist), New Hope Hawaii Kai Band, Heatsong Band and the New Hope Contemporary Dance Team. Henry Kapono is scheduled to perform at 7:05 P.M.
At 8:00 P.M., a fifteen-minute fireworks finale will be accompanied by "Elvis in the Stars" featuring Jonathon Von Brana, the headliner at the "Stars In Concert" show at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel and Denita Ashberry, as Tina Turner/Whitney Houston. The pyrotechnics company Grucci, provides the same show as the one at Kaneohe Marine Base. Come down to the park to enjoy the food, festivities and show.
Rides by Hui Nalu Canoe Club and Hui Malama Maunalua, local environmental caretakers for the bay, will provide education and historical information. B.E.A.C.H., an environmental organization, will also provide environmental information. Putney Student Travel, a youth environmental organization, will have fifteen teenagers from across the mainland and will be funding their own travel and accommodations to also assist the event.
Katie O'Neil, proprietor of OUTBACK Steak House-Hawaii Kai, recently sponsored a fundraiser and donated the entire cost of the ticket to help raise funds for the event. On July 4, she will also have a fundraiser to assist the event by having eleven prime seating tables outdoors on the lanai of the restaurant. There is a $100 donation to reserve a table and the entire donation is tax deductible.
There will be free bus shuttles to and from the Maunalua Bay Beach Park from 2:00 to 9:00 P.M. from the Kaiser High School parking lot, the Hawaii Kai Towne Center and from C&C Kiss and Ride parking facility on Keahole Street. For more information visit the website at: www.independencedayatmaunaluabay.org or you can call (808) 395-0577 or e-mail: parkern001@hawaii.rr.com.
|
|
