Kailua town party awaiting city permit for new venue
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — As promised last year, the I Love Kailua Town Party has reinvented itself, changing location and style but maintaining some of the most popular features, including A Taste of Kailua and live entertainment.
Organizers for the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle event hope to have a community street festival, a block party on Kailua Road in front of Longs and Macy's between Hahani Street and the Salvation Army Thrift Store. The area would be closed to automobiles for the five-hour affair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 18.
Plans are moving forward and only a city permit is needed, said Amy Hammond, event coordinator.
"It's 95 percent final," Hammond said, adding that the city told her to move forward with planning. "If we don't get the permit, then we'll move it back into the parking lot (next to Foodland)."
For more than a decade the fund-raiser has paid for beautification and maintenance of projects in Kailua, including at Alala Point and in the median near the entrance to Kailua to beyond Hamakua Drive.
The group is now planning a project for the median from Castle Medical Center to town, she said.
Last year Lyn Turner, then-president of Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, said the group couldn't continue to operate the event in the same format and things would have to change because of rising expenses and a decline in participation and donated material.
The change in venue seems to have reignited enthusiasm in the community, especially with restaurants, some of which were reluctant to participate last year, Turner said, adding that about 16 have signed up for the party.
"We think it's going to be fun because it's different," she said.
Having the party in the middle of the town means more room for activities and more visibility, said Hammond, who organizes events for a living, including the Made in Hawai'i Festival.
"A lot of people have driven right past it in the past and don't know it's happening," she said.
This year planners want to add a produce sale to the offerings that also include plants, crafts, keiki activities, health screenings and community information booths.
Businesses on the block are being encouraged to participate, have sidewalk sales or offer special discounts for people who purchase the entry button to the party, Hammond said. Buttons are $3 in advance and $4 at the gate.
BookEnds owner Pat Banning said the book store will participate by having a sidewalk sale. BookEnds is in Kailua Shopping Center, which is on the party block. Banning said she looks forward to the event.
"You never know until you see what they're really doing, but it has such potential," she said. "It could be so wonderful."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
