The Lahainaluna High School junior varsity football team will play the first game on the new field against King Kekaulike at 2 p.m. on Aug. 14.

LAHAINA — The Lahainaluna High School Foundation will present its “Fire Up da Imu” event on Saturday, Aug. 14, to celebrate the completion of the new athletic facility on campus and to honor the major contributor to the project, Sue Cooley.

According to foundation Special Events Coordinator Jeff Rogers, the third annual “Fire Up da Imu” promises to be a memorable day for the West Side community.

“We’re planning a family friendly event with more tents for shade, more tables to sit and relax and enjoy the day,” he said.

“We’ve got more activities planned, with a wider variety of food for all to enjoy; and, of course we want everyone to come out and see our new field and show our appreciation to Sue Cooley.”

The new field — a state-of-the-art Matrix artificial turf surface for football and soccer replete with a 20-yard-wide Lahainaluna emblem at its center, all-weather track and field event pits, and a large Spectrum scoreboard — has been attracting admirers for weeks in anticipation of the upcoming event.

Also completed in Phase I of the project are landscaping to the surrounding areas, including the Paver/monument area and spectator section, fencing and drainage improvements.

On “Fire Up da Imu” Saturday, the festivities on Boarders’ Field will begin at 10 a.m. with entertainment from the LHS band and cheerleaders, as well as the Ridiculust dance crew.    

Food will be provided by Cool Cat Café (serving their award-winning burgers and hot dogs), island favorite Auntie Jackie’s lau lau plate and chow fun, shave ice served up by Lunas football and drinks from the LunaTechs.

For fun and games, there will be a Keiki Zone with a Castle Bouncer, face painting, temporary tattoos, a QB challenge and other games with prizes.

A suggested donation of $1 is asked for the games, and a field goal contest — grand prize is $500 — will take place at half-time of the football game that will feature the junior varsity squad from Lahainaluna taking to the sparkling new field in the inaugural contest versus the King Kekaulike JV team.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Admission is free to all for the game and event.

Celebratory merchandise will also be available for purchase. Maui Babe sunscreen will be offered by the Luna cheerleaders; car flags from the Lahainaluna High School PTSA; umbrellas from the Class of 2011; T-shirts, hats and decals from the football team; recycle totes from the Archive/Lahainaluna Historic Preservation Committee; and T-shirts, knickknacks and decals from Student Body Government. A masseuse will also be on hand.

The dedication and appreciation ceremony to honor Cooley will be held at 12:30 p.m. to precede the football game on the field.

“This is really a terrific sports field — all top-of-the-line and as good as it gets. And the scoreboard is probably the largest on Maui and is a state-of-the-art product. We invite the entire community to come out and enjoy the celebration of the completion of the project,” Rogers said.

Phase II of the stadium work will include resurfacing the entryway at the gate; research and discussion regarding lighting (a complicated matter due to state, county and environmental entanglements); cleaning out Hanawai Canal up to the Bishop Estates property line; and negotiating with Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate regarding their border property.