Lahaina Town to host Fourth of July fireworks
LAHAINA — West Maui will celebrate the Fourth of July with a fireworks show in Lahaina Town at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Police will close Front Street to motorists at 4 p.m. to prepare for the fireworks display that will be launched from a barge offshore in the center of town.
The fireworks are funded by donations from the community and coordinated by the Maui Chamber of Commerce.
LahainaTown Action Committee Vice President Joan McKelvey said the organization will decorate Front Street with American Flags. Merchants are encouraged to decorate their storefronts for the celebration.
At the front of the Wharf Cinema Center on Independence Day, Artie Parti will use magic to gather children down to center stage, where his bag of surprises opens at 3:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy Artie’s antics — magic tricks, balloon sculptures, stories and songs — until 4:30 p.m.
“Queen of Karaoke” Toddy Lilikoi will emcee a Fourth of July karaoke contest at The Wharf from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration begins at 4 p.m.
Contestants are encouraged to bring supporters along, because the audience gets to help judge the competition. Contest winners will be awarded prizes.
Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 661-8748.
Coordinated by the nonprofit Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), the 2010 Maui Invitational Music Festival will present “Concert in the Park” prior to the fireworks at 5 p.m. on the Lahaina Public Library lawn.
The open-air celebration will feature musical performances by the Maui Community Band, Latitude 21 and Sheryl Renee. Admission is free.
Latitude 21, a popular combo of well-known Maui musicians, includes David Chou, Bob Harrison, Sal Godinez and Mike Buono playing jazz with a Latin flair.
Renee is a vocalist, actress and playwright. Based in Denver, Colorado, she has been the featured guest soloist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, opened for Joe Cocker and won awards for her stage performances.
The Maui Community Band will perform holiday favorites and an original composition, “Fanfare for Festival,” by New York composer Carl Strommen commissioned especially for the Maui Invitational Music Festival.
Lisa Owen is the founder and music director of the Maui Community Band comprised of musicians from all walks of life — doctors, opera singers, car salesmen, bankers, teachers, hotel workers, high school students and retirees.
AECG Executive Director Bryant Neal said, “AECG and the Maui Invitational Music Festival are happy to be part of Lahaina’s Fourth of July celebration. We have presented the ‘Concert in the Park’ before the fireworks for the past five years.
“This year, we are expanding our support for the event by throwing a party that features lots of musical entertainment and a rooftop venue for watching the fireworks.”
Produced by AECG, the festival will also throw a Fourth of July party at the former Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar at 744 Front St. from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The event — the only rooftop party in Lahaina — will support the Arts Education for Children Group.
Downstairs at the party, the Haiku Hillbillys will play from 5 to 7 p.m., a deejay will cue music to the fireworks from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sheryl Renee will perform sets from 9 to 9:45 p.m. and 10 to 10:45 p.m., and Deejay Nate Castro will play songs from 10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.
Gene Argel, Mike Buono, Shiro Mori, Jamallad and special guests will perform with Renee.
Upstairs at the event, a deejay will cue music to the fireworks, and Deejay Nadi will play music from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
The benefit will also feature Fourth of July-inspired decorations; hot barbecue fare and pupus for purchase from Lulu’s Lahaina; traditional contests, such as watermelon eating and seed spitting; “The Best Pie in Lahaina Town Bake-off;” and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Pre-sale tickets are available, along with special rooftop VIP tables. For more information, call (808) 283-3576 or visit www.aecg.org.