LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i fireworks store owner Erika Kleinfeld said last week that she is anticipating a brisk sale of fireworks and firecrackers for New Year’s celebrations this year. “Honolulu passed its fireworks ordinance which takes effect Jan. 2,” Kleinfeld said.
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i fireworks store owner Erika Kleinfeld said last week that she is anticipating a brisk sale of fireworks and firecrackers for New Year’s celebrations this year.
“Honolulu passed its fireworks ordinance which takes effect Jan. 2,” Kleinfeld said. “Kaua‘i and the other islands haven’t had to deal with this yet, but I think people will be doing a lot of fireworks in anticipation of the O‘ahu law.”
The O‘ahu ban, which was signed into law Oct. 5, goes into effect Jan. 2, giving residents there one last celebration with pyrotechics.
Fountains, sparklers, and other novelty fireworks will be banned under this law, but consumers purchasing a $25 permit will be allowed to use firecrackers during special event occasions such as New Year’s Eve.
Violators of this law face penalties ranging from a fine of $200 to $2,000, and/or up to one year in jail. Additionally, property used in violation of the fireworks law is subject to forfeiture.
Kleinfeld opened the Pacific Fireworks concession Sunday morning at Kukui Grove Center. The store will remain open through New Year’s Eve or until she sells out.
“I just people to know that if they plan to do fireworks, they need to shop early and not wait until the last minute,” Kleinfeld said. “Last year, we sold out and there were disappointed shoppers.”
Kleinfeld said Pacific Fireworks, which as been doing business on Kaua‘i for 10 years, will follow the mall hours of 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., but she usually is there an additional 30 minutes or so after the mall closes.
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes allow fireworks between 9 p.m., Dec. 31, and 1 a.m., Jan. 1, according to online sources.
Permits for firecrackers need to be obtained before purchasing firecrackers, Kleinfeld said.
“The last day for permits to be purchased is Thursday, by 4 p.m.,” she said. “Shoppers must be 18 years or older and need to apply at the Kaua‘i Fire Department Prevention Bureau. Once that has been done, they need to pay for the permit at the Treasury office.”
Each permit allows up to 5,000 individual pieces of non-aerial fireworks; people can get more than one permit.
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 132D states that it is illegal to extract powder, or take the contents out of any fireworks, throw or ignite any fireworks from, at, or into a vehicle, at a person or animal, or from above the first floor of any building.
Celebrants are also prohibited from setting off or exploding pyrotechnics outside of the specified time, within 1,000 feet of a hospital, convalescent home, licensed elderly care home, zoo, animal shelfter, licensed animal hospital, in any school building, school grounds, or school yard.
They may also not set off fireworks on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or other public way, public park or beach.
Visit www.honolulupd.org/community/fireworksinfo for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
