Firework sales kicked off yesterday, bringing the island pinwheels and tanks, party poppers and poisonous spiders, crackling strobe pots and Waikiki lights. Strings of Cock Brand firecrackers lay coiled in boxes at the Pacific Fireworks shop in Kukui Grove. “Tradition
Firework sales kicked off yesterday, bringing the island pinwheels and tanks, party poppers and poisonous spiders, crackling strobe pots and Waikiki lights.
Strings of Cock Brand firecrackers lay coiled in boxes at the Pacific Fireworks shop in Kukui Grove.
“Tradition is you hang these on each corner of your house and it wards off evil spirits,” said Erica Kleinfeld, who sets up the shop annually for the New Year’s selling season.
Lawa‘i resident Ric Ochoco lined the shop’s counter with packages of Maui Mayhem, American Freedom Fountains and Super Novas.
“I spend like Christmas for the New Year,” he said.
His purchases include everything from fountains that spit colorful sparks to permit-requiring firecrackers that boom in the night.
A $25 firecracker permit authorizes the purchase of 5,000 explosive pieces, many of which can come on one coil.
Permits can be initiated at the fire department’s Lihu‘e headquarters and paid for at the treasury office in the Lihu‘e Civic Center.
The fireworks can only be sold on Kaua‘i during a six-day build-up to New Year’s Eve.
The short selling season attracts temporary shops like Pacific Fireworks to Kaua‘i.
It also lures big box stores, as well as department stores like Sears, which this year for the first time cordoned off an area for the devices.
“It’s a four- to five-day push,” said Troy Yach, general manager of Sears in Kukui Grove. “The company thought it was an opportunity to create sales.”
It’s unlikely some shops will still have stock at closing time on New Year’s Eve.
“Usually we’re sold out before that,” said Pacific Firework’s Kleinfeld, who travels every year to Kaua‘i from Ohio. “I don’t take anything back.”
Tips for Safe Handling
Do not let keiki hold or light fireworks.
Read instructions and warnings.
Be sure people are out of range of fireworks.
Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface.
Keep fireworks away from flammable materials.
Do not re-ignite duds.
Fill a bucket of water for emergencies.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hawai‘i State Department of Health
