FOURTH OF JULY
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Pyro technicians Brad Chesshire and Jerri Jo Elliott, of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, attached electronic modules to crates of cannons yesterday where shells will be electronically triggered for Ala Moana Center's annual Fourth of July fireworks show.
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Holiday waterfall
Ala Moana Center's annual fireworks show will start at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow
More than 50,000 people are expected at Ala Moana Beach tomorrow for the Fourth of July fireworks show, which this year will sparkle the night sky with a massive, gold-colored waterfall finale.
Fourth of July Entertainment
Store hours at Ala Moana Center tomorrow are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the Fourth of July show at the Makai Parking Deck in front of Sears.
Entertainment at the Makai Parking Deck:
» 6 to 6:30 p.m., U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Band
» 6:30 to 7 p.m., Dita Holifield & Red-handed
» 7 to 7:30 p.m., Rubber Soul
» 7:30 to 8 p.m., Amy Hanaialii Gilliom
» 8 to 8:30 p.m., Brother Noland
» 8:30 p.m., Fireworks show
Entertainment at Ala Moana Centerstage:
» Noon to 1 p.m., Holunape
» 2 to 3 p.m., Na Kama
» 4 to 5 p.m., Ike Pono
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This is the Ala Moana Center's 15th fireworks show. Produced by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, the sky is expected to be lit in multiple colors starting at 8:30 p.m. The pyrotechnics company produces 500 Fourth of July fireworks shows across the nation.
Ala Moana Center has been sponsoring what is described to be the state's largest Fourth of July fireworks show in the state since 1991. On Thursday, workers started setting up 2,500 shells, each 10 to 12 feet in length, on the tip of Magic Island. They were strategically placed on the sand in boxes.
With a computerized field controller, the pyrotechnics company will systematically ignite fireworks throughout the 18-minute show choreographed with music.
During the finale song, Sherry Souza of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza said the gold waterfall will span several thousand feet above Ala Moana Beach.
The gold waterfall was featured in last year's show, "but not as big," Souza said. "It will take up the whole entire sky."
Pastel-colored fireworks, as well as palm tree and smile-shaped ones, will also glitter above Ala Moana.
In the past 15 years, Ala Moana Center has spent almost $3.7 million to host the fireworks show, described to be the largest on the West Coast and one of the top 10 in the nation, said Jasmine Tso, marketing and promotions director for Ala Moana Center.
More than 10,000 people are expected to watch the show from the shopping center's floor levels and parking lot of Ala Moana Center. Event planners are also expecting 50,000 people at Ala Moana Beach.
Center officials are giving away 3-D glasses for the event to shoppers who present a receipt from any store at Ala Moana for items purchased from July 1 through tomorrow.
Other sponsors of the fireworks show include the Honolulu Star-Bulletin/Midweek, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Ala Moana Hotel, Pepsi, This Week Magazines, KCCN FM100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Steve Souza and his wife, Sherry, owners of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, discussed show logistics yesterday on the beach at Magic Island.
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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Pyro technician Randy Mariano, of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, showed a 10-pound shell called a Brocade Waterfall yesterday after unpacking it from the magazine behind him. The waterfall will be part of this year's fireworks show sponsored by Ala Moana Center. The show will also include a 3-D display of fireworks. Pyro Spectaculars owner Steve Souza said it took about 10 days and 40 hours of planning before the actual field work and labor at Magic Island to set up the fireworks could begin. The public will be able to watch the show tomorrow night from Ala Moana Center and selected parts of Magic Island.
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