Besides a large outdoor screen, local entertainment, fresh air, and food from community businesses, there's another good reason to check out Sunset on the Beach as it continues today in Ma'ili.

Where else can you find a "biggest rubber slipper" contest?

For residents of the Wai'anae Coast, the two-day Sunset on the Beach is much more than a place simply to watch a movie outside. It's a place to meet friends, old acquaintances and talk story.

And for the record, a size 14 won the slipper contest at Ma'ili Beach Park yesterday.

The Wai'anae Coast has embraced its Sunset on the Beach, which is in its fifth year. Last year, more than 60,000 people turned out.

The park gates open at noon today and events go to 10:30 p.m. Tonight's free movie, "National Treasure," starts at 8:15.

Wai'anae resident Ron Lopez was there with his family yesterday.

"I've been to all of them," said Lopez, a 37-year-old elementary school teacher. "It's the community atmosphere. Everyone comes together to have a good day at the beach."

More than a dozen businesses from the area are participating. Five musical groups are scheduled to be on hand for performances. There are also kids' inflatable bouncers, rides and games — even McGruff the crime dog was there yesterday.

Now that the city no longer pays to stage the event, it's been up to the local community to come up with the money. The Valley of Rainbows, a Leeward Coast nonprofit volunteer group, footed the $96,000 bill.

After expenses, all profits will go toward youth scholarships for sports programs and other community activities in the Leeward Coast area, said Valley of Rainbows president Denice Keli'ikoa.

"There's no carnivals, no movie (theaters) here," Keli'ikoa said. "It helps rekindle friendships and get everyone involved."

This is the first year that the group footed the bill completely on its own, although the city still helped to coordinate with permits and security.

Patty Kahanamoku Teruya, the special events coordinator for Mayor Mufi Hannemann, was pleased to help put this weekend's festivities together. She's a Leeward Coast resident herself.

Hannemann, who attended the festivities yesterday, said he was happy about the turnout. "It's just fantastic. We're going to try to keep partnering with the private support."

After Ma'ili, the next Sunset event will be at Waimanalo Beach Park on Sept. 10 and 11.