North Shore to host 'Sunset'

By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer

It's one thing to predict that the second annual "Sunset on The Beach" in Hale'iwa will be bigger than the first, which, boasting a throng of 60,000 people, was the biggest event ever held on O'ahu's North Shore, according to organizers.

At right, Josh Heimowitz, co-chairman of the "Sunset on the Beach" at the North Shore, and Antya Miller, chairwoman of the open-market events, discuss logistics with vendors who will participate in the three-day festival that begins Friday. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

But it's something else to claim that the North Shore's world-famous 30-foot winter waves will be featured at Ali'i Beach Park on the next-to-last day in May.

How is that possible?

Simple, says Malcolm Tom, Honolulu's deputy managing director. Just show the movie "Blue Crush" — filmed at Pipeline — on the city's mobile 30-foot movie screen.

"Big waves, we'll have 'em," Tom said.

Watching last year's surf film starring Kate Bosworth on the open-air big screen at the place where the movie was filmed is only one out of a whole lineup of ways organizers plan to lure Honolulu folks north .

The festival is part of the traveling roadshow put together by the city and area communities that's known as "Rediscover O'ahu."

"We're not only inviting people to come out to the country to watch a movie on the beach, but to take a step back in time to be part of an old-fashioned community fair," said Carol Philips, ocean sports and entertainment coordinator for the event. "It's a chance to get a taste of what the North Shore is about."

"It's going to be the most picturesque dining experience anyone's ever had," she said. "You're going to see the sun drop into the water over Ka'ena Point. It's just gorgeous."

It goes without saying that the world's most noted surf destination would deliver impressive ocean sports events in addition to food booths, live entertainment, prizes, contests, an open market and free trolley rides.

Tom said visitors won't want to miss the extreme sports village, with skateboarding and exhibitions by the OGIO Team Hawai'i. There will also be inflatable bouncers, clowns, balloon makers, arts, crafts, storytelling and three-legged, wheelbarrow and sack races for the kids.

"We'll have fireworks, skydivers and a paddleboard race with a $500 cash prize," added Rex Regal, chief strategic officer of Sugar Mill Inc., a North Shore media solutions provider that is marketing the event.

Saturday night's screen presentation will begin with a special Garrett McNamara big-wave surf film premiere, followed by the movie "Catch Me If You Can," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Before the show begins, the 25th Infantry Tropical Lightning Band from Schofield Barracks will perform a salute to America's armed forces, winding up Military Appreciation Month, Tom said.

Sunday's film highlight is a return engagement of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," starring Nia Vardalos.

Free parking will be available throughout the event at Hale'iwa Beach Park, Hale'iwa Elementary School, Waialua Elementary School and Hale'iwa Boat Harbor.

Free trolley rides on Kamehameha Highway and Hale'iwa Main Street start at 2 p.m. Friday, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. The rides will run continuously, and visitors will be able to stop, shop and explore at their leisure.

It's all designed to bring "the whole community together with a shared goal of revitalizing the North Shore economy," said event co-chairman Josh Heimowitz.

The main idea is to entice city slickers to come pay a call on their country cousins.

"We are trying to get people from Honolulu to get out of town and enjoy the country a little bit," Regal said.

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.