Kaua’i Fire Department officials are urging Kauaians to be careful when using fireworks to ring in the new year next week. Especially around children, adults should be cautious when lighting fireworks of any kind, said Daryl Date, KFD inspector. He
Kaua’i Fire Department officials are urging Kauaians to be careful when using fireworks to ring in the new year next week.
Especially around children, adults should be cautious when lighting fireworks of any kind, said Daryl Date, KFD inspector.
He also suggested that those wishing to purchase firecrackers not wait until the last minute to get permits required for firecrackers only.
As of yesterday, KFD officials had issued fewer than 100 permits, which go for $25 each and are each good for purchase and use of up to 5,000 firecrackers.
Last year, 15 retail licenses and 404 individual permits were issued on Kaua’i.
Securing permits is a two-pronged process, with those 18 and older needing to get permits validated at the KFD administrative office on the second floor of the round building (Lihu’e Civic Center), then going downstairs to the Department of Finance counter to pay for the permits, Date explained.
The KFD office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Date suggests that those coming in to get and pay for permits come well before 4 p.m. to ensure they can complete the whole process before the Department of Finance counters close.
Lots of people wait until the last minute to get their permits, he said.
Validated and paid-for permits must be shown at retail stores and stands to purchase firecrackers.
Permits are not required for fountains, sparklers, and other kinds of fireworks. Aerial fireworks are illegal.
Fireworks may be legally set off from 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, through 1 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1.
Recent wet weather may have diminished the threat of fires being started by fireworks, but that threat still does exist, Date said. Last year, there was one fireworks-related fire on Kaua’i attributed to New Year’s celebrations.
Stores and stands across the island began offering fireworks of all sorts yesterday, both those requiring permits and those not requiring permits. Sales continue through New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31.
