Fireworks will again soar above Lahaina Harbor on July 4 thanks to a major fundraising campaign by the Maui Chamber of Commerce and its West Side Committee. Photo by Maui Communicators.

LAHAINA — Aerial shells fired by mortars in wooden racks and tracers called “Bees” that spread in all directions by Hawaiian Explosives and Pyrotechnics will soar into the sky at 8 p.m. on July 4 as part of Maui’s only Fourth of July community celebration and fireworks.

Culminating a successful community fundraising campaign by the West Side Committee of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Monday’s fireworks display will continue a 12-year tradition in historic Lahaina.

In another annual attraction, the 2011 Maui Invitational Music Festival will present the “Concert in the Park” on July 4 on Lahaina Public Library’s lawn beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The evening will begin with Hawaiian jazz and popular music performed by Tarvin Makia and the Manutea Nui E dancers, as well as the Dejavu Band.

Next, the Maui Community Band will perform traditional holiday favorites and original medleys, including “America the Beautiful,” “Stars & Stripes Forever” and the “Gershwin Medley.”

The music will be followed by Lahaina Town’s fireworks display.

Record numbers are expected to crowd a flag-bedecked Front Street to watch the display that will be launched from a barge on the Kaanapali side of Lahaina Harbor.

The fireworks can be viewed from what are expected to be busy restaurant lanais, the unobstructed sea wall and points north and south. The street will be closed to traffic during the display.

“Family, friends and freedom is what we hope to celebrate this Fourth of July,” said Jill Holley, marketing manager of the Hard Rock Cafe.

“It is important for our community to remember our troops and take time to celebrate America. I am so happy that the merchants and their respective staff members will also enjoy a revenue boost during this event. This is good news, especially during these unique times.”

In a new facet to the celebration, LahainaTown Action Committee will host the “Front Street Food Fair” at Campbell Park between the Wharf Cinema Center and Baldwin Home Museum. Admission is free.

Maui merchants will offer a variety of local food favorites. The idea is to serve families and friends with picnic “to-go” items on July 4.

Live entertainment will be featured on the Campbell Park lawn, including Hawaiian music with Lahaina’s own 1810 at 4 p.m., contemporary Hawaiian reggae with Righteous Youth beginning at 6 p.m. and keiki hula by Na Kamali’i Nani O Lahaina at 7 p.m.

With help Cool Cat Cafe and the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Lahaina Canoe Club will sell chili and rice bowls, Eisenberg Beef Hot-dogs and chili dogs. Lahaina Canoe Club will receive a portion of the funds to support its keiki division.

Aloha Kettle Korn will serve fresh kettle corn, lemonade, coconut water and coconut cut to order; Outrigger Pizza Company will offer ten-inch personal pan pizzas with your choice of toppings; Local Boys Shaved Ice will sell a variety of shave ice; and LahainaTown Action Committee (LAC) will sell beverages and Fourth of July novelties. For information, call Lynn Donovan at 667-9175.

LAC thanked Waiola Church for allowing the group to host the event at Campbell Park, along with Jim Falk’s Valley Isle Motors and Kathy Clark Hawaii DMC for their donations to this family event.

At The Wharf Cinema Center, Red Star specials will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (just listen for the Red Star special announcements and look for the star).

Come spin The Wharf’s Wheel of Fortune on center stage starting at 10 a.m. Spin once, spin twice for a chance to win prizes and Wharf Bucks.

Also slated is The Wharf’s third annual Fourth of July Karaoke Contest. Adult and children’s registration begins at 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., the “Queen of Karaoke,” Toddy Lilikoi, will take the stage to emcee the karaoke contest.

From 5 to 6 p.m., contestants under 18 years of age will start off the evening. At 6 p.m., the adults get a chance to have fun and win prizes. Contestants should bring their “network” along for support to help the judges out. The event is free and open to the public.

The Wharf Cinema Center is located directly across from Banyan Tree Park. Validated parking is available in lots behind the center, and Maui Public Transit provides transportation to The Wharf from Kapalua, Kaanapali, Maalaea, Central and South Maui. For information, call 661-8748.

Whalers Village will celebrate Independence Day at Center Stage with free entertainment. Arts and crafts will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as coconut husking classes from noon to 1 p.m., “Brenton Keith and His Bag O’Tricks” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and face painting from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Keith will also stroll around the center following his performance.

Pacific Whale Foundation will again offer Fireworks Cruises to Lahaina. Departure times are 6, 6:30 (alcohol-free), 6:45 and 7 p.m. from Maalaea Harbor and 7 and 7:30 p.m. from Lahaina Harbor.

Guests can enjoy Maui Brewing Co. beer, wine, mai tais, ice-cold soda and juice, and All-American-themed appetizers. Tickets are $69.95 for adults and $49.95 for children ages 12 and under. Visit www.pacificwhale.org or call 249-8811, extension 1, for information.

A Chamber of Commerce booth on Front Street will sell T-shirts utilizing artwork by well-known West Maui artist Carleton Kinkade, winner of a chamber-sponsored design contest.

Attendees are encouraged to come early to secure parking. Motorists last year found overflow parking on vacant lots north and south of town.

“We asked businesses to step up, and merchants and individuals came through with flying colors,” said Pam Tumpap, Maui Chamber of Commerce president.

Funds were contributed from nearly 60 businesses and individuals, and another dozen or so have made pledges, she said.

The 2011 Lahaina celebration marks the third year that the Maui Chamber of Commerce has raised nearly $40,000 to finance the pyrotechnics show. The event was previously coordinated by LahainaTown Action Committee or Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise.

Maui County pledged $15,000 toward the fireworks, and another large potential contributor has pledged a dollar-for-dollar match of funds received beyond

$30,000 up to a total matching contribution of $10,000.

Last-minute contributions are still needed to assist with the match; details will be released in the near future.

Tumpap praised the West Maui Committee and its chair, Holley, as well as community leader Ruth McKay for a strong effort in directly reaching out to many businesses.

Large contributors of past years continued their generous support, and they were joined by many small merchants, she said.

Major contributors include Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Cheeseburger in Paradise, Expeditions, Hard Rock Cafe, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Lahaina Fish Company, Kimo’s Restaurant and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, which all contributed $1,000. They were joined by Ewalu Partners LLC ($800), Feast at Lele ($800), AAAAA Rent-A-Space ($750), Pioneer Inn ($750), Volcano Group Maui ($750) and Lahaina Yacht Club ($600).

Contributions of $500 were made by ABC Stores, Aloha Self Storage, Alihilani Yacht Charters, Clark Enterprises, Kaanapali Land Management Corp., Loko Maui LLC, Longhi’s Lahaina, Pacific’o Restaurant, Pacific Whale Foundation, Sunshine Helicopters, Trilogy, Whalers Realty and Wharf Cinema Center.

Other contributors include A Hui Ho Tattoo, Atlantis Submarines, Bank of Hawaii, Barbara and Steven Sharp, Cilantro Mexican Grill, David Paul’s Island Grill, Famous Dave’s, Friends of Roz Baker, Holy Innocents Church, I’o Restaurant, Joe Pluta, Lahaina Galleries, Lahaina Grill, Lahaina Mai Tai Lounge, Lahaina News, Lahaina Printsellers, Lahaina Tattoo, LahainaTown Action Committee, Lowson & Associates, Lahaina Tattoo, Linda and Alan Unemori, Lokelani Construction Co., Maui Clothing Co., Maui Communicators Public Relations, The Maui News, Maui USA Realty Inc., Ono Gelato, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Sea Breeze Clothing and Curious, Sir Wilfred’s Gourmet Coffee, Sergeant’s’ Fine Art and Maui Time.

Contributions can still be made on the chamber’s website at www.mauichamber.com, by calling 244-0081 or e-mailing info@mauichamber.com.