FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      May 13, 2005

WAHIAWA, ARMY AND CITY TEAM UP TO HONOR RETURNED HEROES

AT SCHOFIELD SUNSET IN THE PARK

            The Wahiawa Lions Club, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, U.S Army Hawaii and a grateful team of businesses and community organizations will host Schofield Sunset in the Park: "Homecoming for Heroes" at Wheeler Army Air Field next weekend.

            This will be the first major military and civilian homecoming celebration for members of the Schofield Barracks-based 25^th Infantry Division (Light), the Hawaii National Guard and Army Reserve troops who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 16 months.

            “In years past, Schofield Sunset in the Park has been a popular event that brings together Wahiawa’s military and civilian communities,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. “This year we are honored to join them in celebrating the homecoming of these veterans.”

            The celebration will feature food, exhibits, games, live entertainment and, each evening, a family movie shown on a 30-foot screen.

All persons attending are asked to have current photo identification. All packages and bags are subject to inspection.  Ample free parking is available. Take the Wheeler Field exit from from the H-2 freeway and turn on to Kamehameha Highway. Enter through the Kawamura Gate.

            Entertainment:  

·       Saturday, May 21: Carole Kai and Kimo Kahoano, performances by Sonya Mendez, the Royal Hawaiian Band, Da Braddahs, Hawaii Stars All-Stars, Brickwood Galuteria and HAPA. The movie will be "Finding Neverland," starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. 

·       Sunday, May 22:  The 25^th Infantry Division (Light) Band Brass Quintet will perform in the early afternoon, with Simplicity, The Krush, and Jake Shimabukuro on stage in the evening, leading up to the movie feature, “National Treasure,” starring Nicholas Cage.

Attractions:  

·       Community Market Place featuring the work of talented crafters and artists, and businesses promoting products and services.

·       Children’s area with "Xtreme Fun", E.K. Fernandez rides and games, Keiki I.D. and activities such as face painting, tattooing and pony rides. All-day ride bracelets will be given free to all military with I.D. The first 250 non-military guests each day may purchase all-day ride bracelets at half-price, $10.

·       Display of restored military vehicles by the Hawaii Military Vehicles Preservation Association.

·       Classic and custom motorcycle show by Street Bikers United-Hawaii will feature with bikes from Hawaii and the Mainland.

Food:

 Popular restaurants from the area have agreed to participate and will be providing great food at affordable prices.  They include: Time2Grind, Paradise Water Ice, Ono Kettle Korn, Pizza Hut, Slush Puppies, State Street Beef Co., Dong Yang Inn, Jimmy's Lakeside Bakery & Cafe, Giovanni's White Shrimp Truck, Dot's of Wahiawa, Leo's Taverna Greek Restaurant, Billy's Food Spot, Three Star Restaurant, Hawaiian Roasted Corn, Nano's Filipino Food, L&L of Wahiawa and, E.K. Fernandez Cotton Candy.

Sponsors:

Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., Oceanic Time Warner Cable, The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Hawaiian Electric Co., Hawaii Army Family Housing, First Hawaiian Bank, Verizon, BAE Systems, James Campbell Estate, Honolulu Advertiser, A.U.S.A., and USAA are primary sponsors of the celebration.

 Additional sponsors are Bank of Hawaii, Castle & Cooke Hawaii, Hawaiian Cement, Precise Measurements, Tamura's, Continental Mechanical of the Pacific, Okuda Metal, Inc., David's Custom Roofing, and A-1-A Lectrician, Inc.

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Contact:

            Patty Teruya, City Customer Services Department, 527-5759

            Jack Wiers, Marketing Director, Army MWR in Hawaii, 438-0303

            Doug Wheeler, Wahiawa Lions Club, 622-0181

            Claire Kodama, office of state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, 586-8505