A book by lifelong islander, artist, and hydroplane race aficionado Brian Brenno will launch at 5 a.m. Monday, July 4, at Jensen Point boat launch — the jumping-off time and place for Vashon’s annual hydroplane race, an event that marked Independence Day on the island for almost seven decades.

The book, “4th of July Hydros: Circling Vashon Since 1955,” details the history of this noisy and thrill-packed island event, and includes records of the races, Beachcomber reports, lists of participants, and more than 130 photos of races throughout the years.

Brenno’s family moved into the Quartermaster Drive neighborhood in 1962, where the family’s neighbors Roger Stanley and Warren Bibbins’ 4th of July hydroplane runs around Vashon-Maury Island began in the mid-1950s.

Brenno acknowledges that not all islanders feel the same about the hydro races.

“There are three [ways] Vashon islanders go when it comes to the 4th of July Hydros,” he said, explaining that some people hate the races — a group he said typically includes some newcomers to Vashon and also, the mothers of small babies who are awakened by the loud noise of the race.

Other islanders — usually ones who have lived here for several years and have more of an understanding of island traditions— react to the races by rolling their eyes and saying, “It only happens once a year,” according to Brenno.

However, Brenno said a third group of islanders, in which he is included, love the races and consider the tradition to be part of a multi-generational Vashon experience.

His hope for his new book?

“I hope that people would come away realizing the event is part of Vashon history and the fabric of Vashon heritage,” he said.

Books will be for sale at the hydroplane race at 5 a.m. July 4, at Jensen Point, and are also available at Vashon Bookshop.

Last year’s hydro race was won by second-generation driver Evan Hills, who completed the 43-mile circuit in 37:52 minutes, followed by Jacob Middling, Ben Nelson, Tony Bianchi and Beau Coy.

Coy, who had a live feed video from a camera on his boat, hit a wave near Point Robinson, knocking the camera loose and throwing him into the water. He was able to climb back in and finish the race, but the camera was lost to Puget Sound.