Kailua town party today will benefit landscaping
By Eloise Aguilar
Advertiser Windward Bureau
KAILUA — The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle has created a festive way to enlist help from those who most benefit from Kailua beautification projects, throwing an outdoor party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today behind First Hawaiian Bank, 705 Kailua Road.
The I Love Kailua Town Party was established nine years ago to raise matching funds for a Harold K.L. Castle Foundation grant. The money financed the organization's first big project at the Alala Point entrance to Lanikai.
Each year since, proceeds from the annual fund-raiser either pay for the maintenance of projects or new landscaping in Kailua, said club president Lyn Turner.
Maintenance costs have been a pricey surprise, cutting into the club's ability to start new projects, Turner said.
At Alala, the group spends about $5,000 a year to repair equipment at the site. They had expected to take care of the site for three years and then turn it over to the city.
"We were not counting on maintaining this forever, and it turns out we've had to do it," she said.
The 1993 Alala Point project, including water, repairs and maintenance, to date has cost $157,000, Turner said. In 1995, the group was able to finance a second big project at the Hamakua intersection entrance to Kailua, at a cost of $69,000.
Farther up Kailua Road, the organization planted palms, naupaka bushes and ground cover to complete an entrance to Kailua that highlights the town's beach atmosphere. That project cost $23,000, Turner said.
"We've figured we've increased the number of sprinkler systems in Kailua by 10 percent," she said, laughing. "At Alala, we've had more sprinkler heads stolen than you can imagine."
Although the town party strictly finances Kailua town beautification, the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, which started 53 year ago, has other focuses.
Its current projects include organizing landscaping and a garden at the Women's Community Correctional Center and creating an educational tape for schools featuring an introduction by comedian Frank DeLima, Turner said.
As part of the town party, the Outdoor Circle is taking up a collection of garden tools for donation to organizations that improve the Na Pohaku Hauwahine cultural site in Kawai Nui Marsh.
The project, sponsored by the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation, involves clearing, planting and restoring the site.
The party will feature Windward artists, entertainment, handmade crafts and food. It is well known for its food-tasting booths, run by Kailua's most popular restaurants.
The town party also will focus on plants this year, said Carol Ann Ellett, the plant sale's chairwoman.
An expert in plant care, disease and problem identification will be available most of the day to answer questions and give advice. Bonsai, bromeliads, anthuriums, native plants, herbs and organic vegetables will be available.
Entertainment includes Puamana, Elua Kane, Coconut Joe, Uncle Harry, Native Band and Waiahole Ditch Band, said Ed Libby, chairman of the event. Sharing the emcee duties are Michael W. Perry and Kit Beuret.
The event costs $3 for people 12 years and older.
