LIHUE — Erika Kleinfeld of Ohio is ready for Saturday at the Kukui Grove Center. “We’re going to open at 9:30 a.m.,” Kleinfeld said Thursday at a space located next to the Bread and Deli Connection at the Kukui Grove
LIHUE — Erika Kleinfeld of Ohio is ready for Saturday at the Kukui Grove Center.
“We’re going to open at 9:30 a.m.,” Kleinfeld said Thursday at a space located next to the Bread and Deli Connection at the Kukui Grove Center. “The guys have been working hard so they can have the Christmas off. Now, we’re ready.”
Kleinfeld of Pacific Fireworks said she comes to Hawaii just once a year to dispense fireworks, mindful of the laws regulating the New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics.
The Kauai Fire Department is reminding residents that a permit from the fire department is required to purchase and ignite firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
Thursday, Dec. 31, is the last day to obtain a permit.
“A permit allows one to purchase up to 5,000 firecrackers,” Kleinfeld said. “The cost for a permit is $25 for the non-aerial individual firecrackers.”
The permit can be used to purchase up to 5,000 non-aerial individual firecracker units. There is no limit on the number of permits an individual can obtain.
Applications are available at KFD headquarters in the Piikoi building of the Lihue Civic Center, 4444 Rice St., Ste. 315, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Fireworks may only be ignited on private property from 9 p.m., Dec. 31, to 1 a.m., Jan. 1.
“We urge everyone to exercise caution when igniting fireworks to help prevent fires and avoidable injuries,” said KFD Capt. Daryl Date of the Fire Prevention Bureau. “Follow all instructions that come with fireworks and be sure that children are under adult supervision at all times. Set off fireworks away from dry grass or flammable materials, and keep a water hose and/or fire extinguisher nearby in the event of an unexpected fire.”
The fire department reminds the public that only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks. The department also said it is illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets, sidewalks or parks. Removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks is also prohibited.
The following items are classified as fireworks, but no permit is required to purchase them by persons at least 18 years old: snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar products.
“Although we’ll be following the Kukui Grove Center hours, we urge people to come in early for their selections,” Kleinfeld said. “We have brought in a lot of new items which do not require a permit, and more firecrackers which need the permit, but everything sells quickly. Last year, we sold out, and despite having more stock, anticipate another sold-out year.”
