FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      July 5, 2006

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann said today he was extremely pleased with the way local residents celebrated the Fourth of July.

            “Compared to last year, this year’s celebration was much safer, with far fewer accidents and incidents of illegal fireworks activity,” Hannemann said.

            The mayor credited the Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department and the Emergency Services Department with educating the public about the importance of making the holiday a safe one.

            “There was much more awareness this year about the dangers associated with fireworks activity in public parks where thousands of people, many of them children, congregate,” Hannemann said.  “We had great cooperation from local residents who camped overnight on the 3^rd in Ala Moana Beach Park.  They all acted responsibly and contributed to the success of the Independence Day holiday by taking good care of our park, our city, our home,” Hannemann said.

                                                -30-

Contact:

              Bill Brennan, 527-6928

              Mark Matsunaga, 527-5784