Fireworks continue
to light KailuaThe annual show was nearly
canceled due to funding concerns
Thousands of people poured into Kailua Beach Park last night to see a Fourth of July fireworks tradition and to celebrate the community spirit that wouldn't let it die.
Gathered around barbecues and sprawled out on blankets, they gazed at a sky lit with brilliant colors.
"We do this every year -- something you do no matter what," said Vicki Strapple, who came from Salt Lake and was accompanied by her brother and his wife.
Ashley Lynd of Waimanalo also has made the fireworks show a traditional family outing. Every year she comes with about 35 relatives.
"The fireworks at Kailua Beach are a great time to gather the generations and share the beautiful show," she said.
The show was canceled last year for the first time in 50 years because of high surf and high winds, and it almost didn't happen this year.
The Kailua Chamber of Commerce decided it couldn't justify asking businesses for the approximately $20,000 it costs to stage the fireworks show because the show doesn't really generate any financial return for Kailua businesses.
But Clear Channel Radio stepped in as a sponsor and offered to match donations with free radio time.
Organizers are confident that the show will continue to light up the skies for years to come.
Clear Channel Radio, organizer and a major contributor for this year's fireworks display, said it will continue to help.
"If that's what it takes for the community to step in to keep the fireworks alive, then we're going to participate in what ever way we can," said Chuck Cotton, vice president and general manager of Clear Channel Radio.
He said he will put together a nonprofit group that will decide how to fund next year's fireworks.
"Once we have a group organized, we'll talk to people who contributed this year and see if we have to do the same thing again," he said.
Mike McKenna thinks the fireworks are essential to Fourth of July in Kailua and hopes the community will also donate.
"Whatever it's going to take, we want to do it," he said.
Hardware Hawaii has helped the festivities for many years and knows how much the community enjoys the show.
"There's just a huge crowd at the beach, oohing and ahhing over the show," said Larry Lanning, marketing director for the hardware store.
"Traditions do end, but I don't see why this should," he said. "As long as people are interested enough to commit money and time, it will continue."
Hardware Hawaii, Kaneohe Ranch, Papa John's Hawaii, Foodland, Mike McKenna's Windward Ford and Windward Volkswagen-Mazda contributed to the show.
"Kailua is the capital of Fourth of July," said Mitch D'Olier, president of Kaneohe Ranch. "And what's fourth of July in Kailua without fireworks?"
He added: "This is so amazing. These are the fireworks that just wouldn't die."