Bombs bursting in the air over Maui in this July 2017 photo. Maui News file photo

Fourth of July fireworks, food and face painting in historic Lahaina town will have to wait until next year.

The daylong July Fourth fireworks celebration that usually attracts up to 20,000 people is not doable this year under COVID-19 health and safety protocols, organizers said.

“It will not be feasible considering that the largest crowds outdoors allowed is like 100 people,” Lahaina Town Action Committee President Sne Patel said Tuesday afternoon. “Keeping the guidelines set out by the county, as well as the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, we’re not going to be moving forward with the July celebration as normally planned.”

Current, Maui County guidelines allow outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people with modifications, and preferably 10 separate groups of 10 people to ensure proper social distancing.

The event organizer, the nonprofit Lahaina Town Action Committee, tried to create a smaller Independence Day celebration but decided to cancel everything after running into logistical and financial challenges. A typical Lahaina town July Fourth celebration includes live music, face painters, stilt walkers, street closures for a parade and food vendors, as well as the iconic 15-minute fireworks show from a barge off Front Street.

“It’s a huge bummer,” Patel said, adding that the group still plans on lining Front Street with traditional flags to commemorate the Fourth of July. Surrounding businesses are encouraged to decorate, too.

In addition to the county and state limitations, the slow volume of traffic in Lahaina town with the tourism industry virtually shut down due to the pandemic has affected businesses’ “ability to give” and support the event, he said. Many businesses in town haven’t reopened and the ones that have aren’t bringing in the same revenue.

LAC targeted raising $50,000 for the Fourth of July festivities last year. This year would have been the 20th year of fireworks off Front Street.

Funds already allocated for the Fourth of July celebration may be used to support the community in another way, Patel said. This could include organizing smaller events to “enhance Front Street or allow people to social distance and assist with businesses to reopen faster,” he said.

One idea proposed to the county was to shut down Front Street to vehicle traffic after 5 p.m. to attract more foot traffic and shoppers, while maintaining social distancing. Restaurants also could make outdoor seating available.

This idea was proposed as an alternative to the usual Independence Day event but still turned out to be not logistically feasible at this time, he said. LAC continues to brainstorm ways to “keep the spirit alive” in Lahaina.

“We’re working closely with the county and with other businesses to see how we, ourselves as an organization, can adapt to this,” he said. “I know that people have reached out in the community and are really bummed that the event isn’t happening, but health and safety obviously has to come first.”

* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com.