FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                May 7, 2007

Release No. 44-07

KUHIO BEACH TORCH LIGHTING AND HULA SHOW TEMPORARILY RELOCATES TO KAPIOLANI PARK BANDSTAND

            Beginning tonight (May 7, 2007), the daily Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting and Hula Show is moving off Kuhio Beach for a few months to allow the City to renovate the Kuhio Beach hula mound where the sunset show is presented.

            Show time remains 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The hula show will be held at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand, and torch lighting will continue nightly along Kalakaua Avenue.

            “We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause the performers and visitors,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. “But the work is necessary and will result in a better setting for this highly popular show.”

            The relocation will allow the City to:

·       Provide improved pedestrian access to the mound, with construction of  two concrete paths, one along the base of the stage and one to the rear of the viewing area.

·       Provide a wear-resistant surface on the hula mound stage itself. Artificial turf will replace the natural turf that was impossible to maintain because of the constant use. A concrete pad will also be installed at the rear of the stage area.

            The contract for the $120,000 City project has been issued to Paradigm Construction. Scheduled completion is Aug. 31.

            The sunset torch lighting and hula show is presented nightly by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikiki Improvement Association and the City and County of Honolulu.

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Contact:

            Bill Brennan, 527-6928

            Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767