Fireworks $ Help By May 10, Please

Nothing less than an “angel donor” can save this year’s Independence Day at Maunalua Bay fireworks show. Organizers say that if no title sponsor steps forward by May 10, the event will be canceled for the second year in a row.

“The community is supporting us again with their donations,” noted event chairwoman Dianne Glei. “Unfortunately, that’s not the big donations that we need.

“What we need is a big donor or title sponsor, and we can’t seem to find those.”

The committee had raised $22,895 as of April 27 — far short of the $40,000-$50,000 needed to put on a decent pyrotechnics display. These funds include carryover money from the aborted 2014 fundraiser, as well as this year’s initial gifts.

Glei said that the committee already has implemented some cost-saving measures, such as eliminating vendor booths and reducing the length of the fireworks show.

“The community really likes it and wants it,” she explained. “I’m starting to get calls already from the community as to whether we’re going to have it.”

If the event is held as planned, attendees can expect to picnic at Maunalua Bay Beach Park, with live entertainment starting at 4 p.m. July 4, and the fireworks display to follow at 8:15.

Donations can be made at special collection boxes located in the Walgreens store at Koko Marina Center, East Oahu Realty at Hawaii Kai Towne Center and Hawaii Kai Marina’s office in Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. Checks also can be mailed to the Maunalua Communities Foundation address: P.O. Box 256635, Honolulu, HI 96825.

For more information, call Glei at 224-8357.