Sunset event heads to Waipahu
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
WAIPAHU — The city's popular "Sunset on the Beach" is going inland this month.
Advertiser library photo • Nov. 23, 2001
Appropriately retitled "Sunset in the Park," the free event is scheduled April 20 and 21 in Waipahu.
"Sunset on the Beach," a weekend event in Waikiki, has proved a popular concept elsewhere on O'ahu. Waipahu will hold the first "Sunset in the Park."
Waipahu Community Association Executive Director Darrlyn Bunda hopes the turnout for the latest Sunset event will be similar to last year's Taste of Waipahu, which attracted about 6,000 people.
Letters have been sent to potential vendors, and organizers already have commitments from 10 restaurants, Bunda said.
"People have been asking us when Waipahu was holding its own event, since it's been a success elsewhere," she said of the Sunset events. "We've even gotten calls from vendors who were at the Wai'anae event wanting to come here."
Malcolm Tom, city deputy managing director, said the site is unique among Sunset events so far.
"It's a little different setting, but the event organizers wanted to feature the community's cultural heritage," Tom said of the site below the former Waipahu Sugar Mill.
• What: Sunset in the Park • Where: Hawai'i Plantation Village, 94-695 Waipahu St. • When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 20 and 21 • Features: The city has scheduled the James Bond flick "The World Is Not Enough" for the 7 p.m. showing April 20, and Kevin Costner's "Field of Dreams" for April 21. Entertainment and an open market are planned. Tours of Hawai'i Plantation Village will be offered for $1; free for children under 12. • Call: Interested vendors can call Bunda at 677-6939, Lynn Valinte of the Hawai'i Plantation Village at 677-0110, or the city at 523-CITY.
The city has coordinated Sunset events regularly in Waikiki, and once each in Kailua and Wai'anae this year during the economic downturn caused by the Sept. 11 attacks.
At a glance
Another Sunset event is planned on the North Shore for June.
Bunda is excited about the Waipahu event, since it precedes a huge June 11 grand opening for the nearby Filipino Community Center and a second annual Taste of Waipahu slated for October. Along with promoting the plantation village and area restaurants, Bunda said customers most likely will pass by the new FilCom Center and the Mill Town Center (industrial park).
"All these events give us the opportunity to show people that businesses are coming back to Waipahu," she said. "Things have been on the rebound here recently."
Parking is limited, so the city will provide free shuttle service from Hans L'Orange Park, Leeward YMCA, Westgate Center, Waipahu Shopping Plaza, Waipahu Shopping Center, Daiei Plaza, Waipahu Town Center, Village Park Park & Ride, and Waipio Center during the weekend event.
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
