Amidst the post-Christmas sales, doors to the Pacific Fireworks shop at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center opened to a line of anxious shoppers yesterday. “I was a little late this morning, and my girls aren’t even here yet,” said fireworks
Amidst the post-Christmas sales, doors to the Pacific Fireworks shop at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center opened to a line of anxious shoppers yesterday.
“I was a little late this morning, and my girls aren’t even here yet,” said fireworks shop manager Erika Kleinfeld.
Shoppers lost little time checking out the offerings of pyrotechnics, both the type requiring a permit as well as an assortment of those that need no paperwork.
According to a press release from the Kaua‘i Fire Department, officials are reminding residents and visitors that a permit from the fire department is required to purchase and set off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
“The maximum amount of firecrackers that can be purchased with one permit is 5,000,” Kleinfeld told one customer. “The largest package of firecrackers here is approximately 5,000 count so you can buy one of these with one permit.”
Hours that firecrackers may be ignited are from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve, to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day. Firecrackers may only be ignited on private property.
Kleinfeld pointed out that one of the new offerings this year is the Duck (brand) throw packs. The package consists of numerous smaller packs of firecrackers which the user ignites and tosses for a mini concert of explosions. This item requires a permit for purchase, she said.
The last day permits will be issued by the fire department is Dec. 31, and applications are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Fire Department headquarters located at the Lihu‘e Civic Center, Mo‘ikeha Building, Suite 295.
A single $25 fireworks permit can be used to purchase up to 5,000 non-aerial individual firecracker units, the release states, but there is no limit on the number of permits an individual can obtain. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be issued a permit.
Only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks, the release states.
Captain David Bukoski of the Fire Prevention Bureau advises everyone to exercise caution when igniting fireworks.
“Basically, I tell people to use common sense,” said Bukoski. “Follow the instructions that come with the fireworks. Adults should supervise youngsters at all times and let safety be their guiding light.”
Kleinfeld said in addition to firecrackers requiring permits, Pacific Fireworks offers a variety of fireworks that require no permit.
Among the permit-free pyrotechnics are paperless firecrackers, snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar products.
Among her new offerings for this year, Kleinfeld said they have the largest legal fountains in the Gatling gun and the Stallion.
Kleinfeld said Pacific Fireworks also boasts having the lowest prices on pyrotechnics with shops on Kaua‘i, the Big Island and O‘ahu. There is no outlet on Maui.
Her best advice for shoppers looking for New Year’s fireworks is to shop early for the best variety.
“We sold out last year, and this year, we have about the same amount of inventory, so as it gets closer to New Year’s, it’s going to get interesting,” she said. “People can also check our Web site at www.pacificfireworks.com so they can see what we have without coming in.”
Pacific Fireworks is located between the Radio Shack and the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery on the mall.
“We’ll be here from 9:30 a.m. when the mall opens until about an hour after the mall closes at 7 p.m.,” Kleinfeld said.
For more information on the firecracker permits, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 241-4985.
