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July Fourth event in Hawaii Kai set
Question: What ever happened to plans for a Fourth of July event at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai this year?
Answer: The East Oahu neighborhood's first major Independence Day event is on track to happen from 2 to 9 p.m. across from Roy's Restaurant, said organizer Cha Thompson.
Organizers applied yesterday for a permit for a 15-minute, $40,000 fireworks display scheduled to erupt from an offshore barge at 8 p.m., when Elvis Presley impersonator Jonathan Von Brana will take the stage, said Thompson, chairwoman of the Independence Day at Maunalua Bay Foundation.
The pyrotechnics show is being prepared by Fireworks by Grucci, which is designing the program for the opening of this summer's Beijing Olympic Games, said John Tilton, administrative pastor with New Hope Christian Fellowship, one of the event's sponsors.
He said a fireworks soundtrack might be available on a radio station so area spectators can tune in.
Thompson, co-owner of Tihati Productions Ltd., said the explosives will be biodegradable to avoid polluting the bay.
Among confirmed entertainers are Henry Kapono, John Cruz and hula groups. Plans to have the Kaiser High School and Niu Valley Middle School bands perform fell through because the summer break could make it hard to get students together, Tilton said.
People will be able to board free shuttles from Kaiser High School and the city's Park and Ride lot.
The Hawaii Kai Towne Center also will have stalls available.
The party is expected to cost more than $50,000. Money is being raised by Hawaii Kai residents and businesses.
This update was written by Star-Bulletin reporter Alexandre Da Silva.
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