West Side Committee members of the Maui Chamber of Commerce display posters showing fireworks fund-raising progress that contributors will be able to display. Organizers of the campaign include (from left): front row — Sharon Brooks, Pam Tumpap, Jill Holley and Sara Foley; back row — Steve Knight, Ruth McKay and Danielle Bergen.

LAHAINA — Hard Rock Cafe on Front Street and Expeditions, the Lahaina-based ferry company, are the first merchants to win the right to display a “Celebrate Fourth of July” poster soliciting contributions for the community’s annual fireworks display.

Hard Rock Cafe increased its contribution to $1,200 this year and Expeditions pledged $1,000.

The early contributions represent 4 percent of the $50,000 the sponsoring Maui Chamber of Commerce and its West Side Committee hope to raise.

“The fundraising campaign is starting early because we want to make this year’s celebration bigger and better than ever,” said Jill Holley, West Side Committee chair and marketing and sales manager of the Hard Rock.

“This may seem like a large sum, but fireworks are expensive — even with the substantial discount we receive,” she said.

“The expenditure is well worth it — an investment returned many times over. We get both the smiling faces of our keiki and visitors, increased revenues for local merchants and a bigger payday for employees brought in to handle the crowds.”

Others first contributors pledging lesser amounts include Lahaina News and Maui Communicators Public Relations.