Fourth of July fireworks display moves to Lahaina
By Christie Wilson
Neighbor Island Editor
KA'ANAPALI, Maui — West Maui's annual Fourth of July aerial fireworks display has been moved this year from Ka'anapali's north beach to a barge anchored off Front Street in Lahaina.
The free display, sponsored by LahainaTown Action Committee merchants, will start at 8:15 p.m. July 4, with prime viewing spots along Front Street and at higher elevations mauka of Honoapi'ilani Highway.
The celebration will begin earlier in the day as the Ka'anapali Beach Resort Association presents a free beachside concert and keiki activities at Whalers Village starting at 4:30 p.m.
The concert, featuring the Maui Jazz All-Stars and the Bobby Ingram Band, will be held on the oceanfront lawn at the shopping center, with music until 10 p.m.
The various hotels along the Ka'anapali shoreline are having their own Fourth of July food and entertainment events for a price. The Royal Lahaina Resort Tennis Stadium will be the venue for a concert from 3 to 9:30 p.m. with Ekolu, Damon Williams, Hawaiian Rhythm, Any Kine and other performers. Doors will open at 2 p.m. Parking and shuttle service are available.
Tickets are $18 in advance and $23 at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Royal Lahaina Resort, SuperStop stores, Request Music, Tropical Disc and Gaby's Pizzeria.
For more information on the concert, call CM Entertainment at (808) 250-2625. For more information on Ka'anapali resort activities, call resort association at (808) 661-3271 or visit the Web site www.kaanapaliresort.com.
Maui residents who'd rather set off their own fireworks are being reminded by the Department of Fire Control that permits are required for firecrackers. The permits are $25 each and allow for the purchase of up to 5,000 firecrackers. There is no limit to the number of permits a person can purchase, said Capt. Neal Bal of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Fireworks such as sparklers, snakes, party poppers, fountains and cone fountains do not require a permit, he said.
Permits are available at the Fire Prevention Bureau located at Wailuku Fire Station from 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. through July 4; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at fire stations in Kahului, Kihei and Lahaina.
Fireworks permits can be purchased only in person by those age 18 or older with a photo ID. Checks, money orders or traveler's checks only; no cash will be accepted.
According to state and county law, fireworks can be set off only between the hours of 1 and 9 p.m. Minors are forbidden to possess, purchase, or discharge any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.
For more information, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (808) 270-7123 or visit the Maui County Web site at www.co.maui.hi.us/departments/fire/index.html
