Kailua firms chip in
to keep fireworks show

By Pat Gee
Star-Bulletin

Kailua residents can look forward to another year of Fourth of July fireworks, thanks to donations from several businesses that will keep the 25-year-old tradition alive.

The event, which has attracted thousands yearly, almost fizzled when the Kailua Chamber of Commerce announced last year that it could no longer afford to sponsor the event. But a few weeks later, several businesses came forward with $18,000 to keep the tradition going, according to John Monge, the chamber's past president.

The businesses include Kaneohe Ranch, Hardware Hawaii, Mike McKenna's Windward Motors, Ameron Hawaii, Foodland and Papa John's Pizza, Monge said.

However, the fireworks will not be discharged from Popoia, or "Flat Island," as they have in the past. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will no longer issue a permit for fear the fireworks would disturb the bird sanctuary there.

The chamber will have to shoot off the fireworks from a barge, Monge said.