LIHUE — The Kauai Fire Department is reminding residents that a permit from the fire department is required to purchase and ignite firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
Friday, Dec. 29, is the last day to obtain a permit.
Applications are available at KFD headquarters in the Pi’ikoi building of the Lihue Civic Center, 4444 Rice St., Ste. 315, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
The cost of a permit is $25 and it can be used to purchase up to 5,000 non-aerial individual firecracker units. There is no limit on the number of permits an individual can obtain.
Only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks.
Although the following items are classified as fireworks, no permit is required to purchase them: snakes; sparklers; fountains; cylindrical or cone fountains; whistles; toy smoke devices; wheels and ground spinners; and other similar products.
Fireworks may only be ignited on private property from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
The Kauai Fire Department reminds the public that it’s illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets,sidewalks, beaches, and parks. Removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework is prohibited.
“Although bringing in the New Year is a great time to celebrate with loved ones, we urge the public to remember that above all safety is most important,” said Fire Chief Robert Westerman.
The Poipu Beach Resort Association will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration at Poipu Beach Park starting at 4 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at roughly 8:15 p.m.
Areas of the beach park will be closed to the public, including some pavilions, to accommodate the fireworks display.
