GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Visitors and kamaaina alike enjoyed the movies and food sponsored at Waikiki Beach as a part of Sunset on the Beach last night. The city has the next two weeks to decide the fate of the event.

Sunset on the Beach
on the brink

The city is trying to find a
way to keep the program
despite recent budget cuts

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By Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.com

The city has about two weeks to decide the fate of its popular Sunset on the Beach program, a potential casualty of a $1.2 million cut to the city's budget for economic and tourist promotion.

The city began offering weekly free movies and entertainment in Waikiki last fall, and in recent months expanded the program to other communities, bringing all-day Rediscover Oahu events to Kailua, Waipahu, Maili, Pearl City and next weekend in Haleiwa.

Managing Director Ben Lee said city officials will devise a strategy over the next week or two to determine how frequently the programs are offered and "see if there's some creative ways to see that many of these programs continue."

The city's options include continuation of the weekly schedule, once per month or canceling the program altogether, Lee said.

Michael Ching, 36, said that his family comes to Sunset on the Beach from Kapolei every weekend "just for spend time out of the house." They also went to see the event at Maili Beach Park.

Reducing the program to every other week is OK, but "not once a month," he said, before the start of last night's movie, "Dave," starring Kevin Klein.

"That's too far apart."

Ruth Terrance, 59, of Waipio Gentry, said last night that it was only the second time she had been to Sunset on the Beach, but "I like to have it every week because at least we have an option."

She said she prefers Waikiki to the community-based events.

"I like the atmosphere here better," she said. "The kids can go to the beach, we can relax."

Fran Craft, 43, said that she hadn't been to Waikiki for a long time, until she was drawn in from Kaneohe by Sunset on the Beach.

"This is one of the best things they ever did," she said.

However, she said she understands that in tough economic times, cuts have to be made.

"I think once a month is not too bad," she said.

Michelle Valera, owner of the Nutty Hawaiian, has been a vendor at the Waikiki events since she opened the business in December. Her two kiosks in Ala Moana do steady business, but "coming here really helps a lot," she said.

Lee said that the administration had budgeted $300,000 each for Sunset on the Beach, Rediscover Oahu and Brunch on the Beach events, but now has only $1 million to cover those programs as well as other events, including nightly music at Kuhio Beach; festivals such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Dragon Boat; and three information kiosks in Waikiki.

At this point, he said, "it's really hard to know what we're going to cut."

Lee said one thing to consider is whether the city can cut costs on the monthly Brunch and use the money for the other programs.

He said that he doesn't think that raising the $500 per weekend tent fees for Sunset vendors is the solution because it would translate to higher food prices.

However, the city is looking into partnerships with the private sector, such as radio and TV stations.

Rich Luster, owner of Mr. Pizza, said that the private businesses are trying to find a way to keep the event going, but he can't believe that the taxes the vendors pay won't support the events.

He said that one vendor has offered to donate the tent and platforms for the event so that the money the vendors pay can support the program.