Fireworks: Permits, rules, regs
The sale of firecrackers and other fireworks in Hawaii County began Tuesday and ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The Hawaii Fire Department announced that permits for firecrackers are available for purchase at the following locations:
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— KTA Puainako in Hilo, KTA Kona in the Kona Coast Shopping Center, and KTA Waimea;
— Pacific Fireworks at 74-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 155, in Kailua-Kona;
— J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown;
— Kimura General Store, 27-289 Mill Rd., Papaikou;
— Phantom Fireworks tents located at 325 E. Makaala St. Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St. in Hilo, and at 74-5511 Luhia St. in Kailua-Kona;
TNT Fireworks tents at 381 E. Makaala St. in Hilo, 16-711 Milo St. in Keaau, 45-3327 Kou St. in Honokaa, and 75-1015 Henry St. in Kailua-Kona.
No permits will be sold this year in the Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court.
Permits for firecrackers also are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday at the Fire Administration Office located at the Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501. Call (808) 932-2911 to set up an appointment.
In Kona, permits are available at the Kona Fire Prevention Office, located at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg E, second floor, today and Friday by appointment only. Call (808) 323-4760 to set up an appointment.
Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 firecrackers.
Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to those 18 or older and are nontransferable and nonrefundable.
Permits are not required to purchase novelties and paperless firecrackers.
Fireworks regulations
Setting off fireworks for New Year celebrations is allowed between 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits shall be visibly displayed at the site where firecrackers are being ignited.
It is illegal for anyone to remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework or throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle.
It also is illegal to set off any fireworks: at any time not within the specified periods; within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter, or church when services are held; on any school property without authorization; on any public highway, alley, street, sidewalk or park.
Setting off aerial luminary devices — commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawaii Lanterns — or any other aerial devices — such as bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells — also is illegal.
The Hawaii Fire Department humbly asks everyone to please kokua in helping the department prevent fires and avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year.
For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, the use of fireworks, or the fireworks amnesty program, please call the Fire Prevention Branch at 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).
