Kailua fireworks show fizzles

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — Citing high cost and low benefit, the Kailua Chamber of Commerce has decided to end its annual Fourth of July fireworks display — a 50-year tradition at Kailua Beach Park.

The chamber will still hold its parade and has decided to sponsor a Freedom Festival at the end of the route featuring some of the bands that will march in the parade, including two high school groups from the Mainland, said David Earles, chamber president.

"What it really comes down to is $23,000 for a 10-minute show that really doesn't benefit the business community in Kailua," Earles said. "We can't justify asking the businesses to help us do that when it's not supporting the Windward businesses, which is what the chamber is all about."

The chamber has sponsored the parade in Kailua for 25 years, but fireworks have been part of the Fourth of July celebration in Kailua for 50 years. In 2000 the chamber voted to drop the fireworks from its July Fourth activities but business sponsors came forward promising to donate the needed money.

"Our hearts were so close to it we couldn't quit," Earles said. "When nobody else picked it up we continued. This is another hard vote but we're going to stick to it this time."

The decision was easier to make this year because the Kane'ohe Marine base has decided to hold its Bayfest on the July Fourth weekend. That festival will include a 20-minute fireworks show.

Instead of fireworks, Kailua will have a Freedom Festival at Kailua District Park, featuring music, food and activities after the parade, he said. People will then have the option to go to the base if they want to see fireworks, Earles said.

In January, the chamber asked Kailua residents to phone in their opinions: Continue the fireworks or end the tradition?

The response was about 65 percent in favor of keeping the show.

But in the end, the chamber board decided against the fireworks.

Earles said everyone on the board regretted having to make the decision.

"We love the fireworks," he said. "This was a very tough decision."

Faith Evans, a member of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce and former Kailua Neighborhood Board member, said she's sad the display has been canceled.

"It's like part of your family's tradition being cut out and I think most people feel that way," said Evans, a 38-year Kailua resident.

Mike McKenna, owner of Windward Ford and Windward Volkswagen Mazda, is also sorry to see it go. The dealership was among several sponsors of the annual display.

"When we first started sponsoring it (four or five years ago), it was only $6,000 and they wanted $23,000 to do it this time," he said. "So it's just gone way out of sight in price."

But McKenna said the Marine base's fireworks show will help.

"So we're not going to lose it entirely," he said.

Anthony and Donna Wong, area residents for 30 years, have three grown children who enjoyed the displays as they were growing up.

"I'm disappointed it's gone," Anthony Wong said. "It's part of our culture, too, you know, here in the Islands."

Staff writer Zenaida Serrano Espanol contributed to this report. Reach Eloise Aguiar at 234-5266 or eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.