Fourth of July Firework Permits Available June 29

Firework permits for the upcoming Independence Day holiday on July 4, 2019, will be available beginning Saturday, June 29, according to the Hawai‘i Fire Department (HFD). Permits will be issued until Thursday, July 4, at 8 p.m.

Permits will cost $25 each and allow for the purchase of up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Buyers must be 18 years or older to purchase a permit. The following locations will have permits available for purchase:

• Phantom Fireworks Tent Hilo, Walmart Center Hilo
• Phantom Fireworks Tent Kona, Kona Commons Shopping Center Parking Lot
• Fire Administration Hilo, County Building, 25 Aupuni Street (Monday, July 1, through Wednesday July 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Fire Administration Kona, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway,
• Building E, 2nd floor Monday (Monday, July 1, through Wednesday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

With a valid permit, setting off firecrackers and consumer fireworks will be allowed during the approved hours of 1 to 9 p.m. on July 4 only. Permits will not be required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

HFD reminds the public that it is unlawful to buy, sell, possess, or set off any aerial luminary device such as sky lanterns and Hawai‘i lanterns. Any person in possession of an aerial luminary device who would like to dispose of it without penalty can contact HFD at (808) 932-2911.

The public is also advised that it is illegal to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework;
• Throw fireworks from a vehicle;
• Set off any firework:

-outside the allotted time period;
-within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or
animal hospital;
-in or on any school building or property;
-on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park, or within
1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held (including Hilo
Bayfront and Liliuokalani Park).

It is also illegal to offer for sale, sell, or give any firework to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any firework, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.

HFD also asks the public to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks:

• Have a water hose connected to a water source or a fire extinguisher readily available. Wet down surrounding brush prior to setting off fireworks if needed;
• Children playing with fireworks should be under adult supervision at all times. Even the smallest fireworks can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries;
• Fireworks should be set off in a safe area away from dry grasses, buildings, vehicles and flammable materials;
• Dispose of used firework properly by soaking in water prior to disposal.

HFD will be conducting a collection of unused and unwanted fireworks following the 4th of July holiday. Call (808) 932-2911 for information on pick-up and drop-off locations.

Public firework displays will be held at the following times and locations:

• Hilo Bay at 8 p.m.
• Kona Bay at 8 p.m.
• Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa at 8 p.m.