Costly Independence Day At Maunalua Bay

As of press time, the fifth annual July 4 Independence Day at Maunalua Bay was still on, despite its daunting cost.

Maunalua Communities Foundation has been fundraising for months and recently added public appeals for sponsors, a street-net collection drive and a benefit show by Bobby Moderow Jr. at Cha Cha Cha Salsaria to help pay its bills.

The celebration runs from 1 to 9 p.m. with the fireworks show at 8 by Grucci Hawaii off a barge in the bay.

Leading up to the display is the keiki bike parade at 1:45 at the Keahole Street entrance to the beach park, with bicycles in patriotic decor. Artist Patrick Ching will provide a life-sized horse statue for children to paint red, white and blue.

The watermelon-eating contest for all ages starts at 3, surrounded by face painting, temporary tattooing, keiki ID and patriotic games. A new Maunalua Talk Story runs from 3 to 5, led by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association with tales of history and cultures, plus keiki activities. Maunalua will entertain.

Emily Want of Kalama Valley, a Waialae Elementary student, won the logo contest, and her design (“Aloha over the Bay”) will be on all the event’s T-shirts, posters and other materials for two years.

For more information or to donate to the cause, call chairwoman Dianne Glei at 224-8357 or visit idmbf.org.