LIHU‘E — As residents brought in the New Year with celebrations around the island, the Kaua‘i Police Department was busy, responding to 51 incidents of alleged fireworks violations. “There were no citations issued for fireworks violation, although we did respond
LIHU‘E — As residents brought in the New Year with celebrations around the island, the Kaua‘i Police Department was busy, responding to 51 incidents of alleged fireworks violations.
“There were no citations issued for fireworks violation, although we did respond to a number of fireworks calls,” Kaua‘i Police Department Lt. Sherwin Perez said.
There were no fires reported by the use of fireworks; county spokeswoman Sarah Blane said there were no financial losses related to fireworks incidents.
A few days before New Year’s Eve the Kaua‘i Fire Department reminded residents that firecrackers could only be ignited from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1 — and only on private property.
But as early as 2 p.m. on Dec. 30, KPD had responded to two fireworks incidents on Uwao Street in Hanapepe. Three hours later, this time on Ono Street in Puhi, KPD responded to another fireworks incident.
Before Dec. 30 was over, KPD responded to at least 14 more fireworks incidents around the island.
On Dec. 31, before 9 p.m. KPD had responded to several fireworks incidents. From 9 p.m. that day until 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, when it was legal to set off fireworks, KPD responded to 26 fireworks incidents.
In order to set off fireworks, residents were required to purchase $25 permits at KFD. The department only offered such permits until Dec. 30. Blane said KFD issued 198 fireworks permits.
County law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 to possess, buy or set off any fireworks. The law also prohibits sales to minors.
If parents or legal guardians knowingly permit a minor to break the law, they should be held accountable, according to the law.
Those who are convicted of illegally selling fireworks could face hefty fines and loosing their license for five years.
In addition, only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits were authorized to ignite aerial fireworks — those gorgeous explosions which lighted the sky celebrating the coming of 2011.
County law prohibits to set off fireworks from moving vehicles. It’s also illegal to set off fireworks on public ways, parks, beaches, schools, places of worship during services, highways, or within 1,000 feet of hospitals, care homes and even animal hospitals.
The fireworks spectacle — and calls to KPD related to fireworks incidents — kept going well past 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
But not all fireworks required a permit. KFD said in the release that some items may be classified as fireworks, but don’t require a permit. Those items include paperless firecrackers, snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar devices.
County law usually permits fireworks only on three occasions a year: New Year’s, Chinese New Year’s and Independence Day celebrations.
Retailers are allowed to start selling fireworks seven days before the holiday, and stop sales at 9 p.m. on the eve of the holiday. Blane said KFD issued 21 licenses to retailers, and one license to a wholesaler.
The law allows exceptions for bona fide religious or ceremonial use of fireworks. Permits for such celebrations must be obtained in writing at KFD.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
