Celebrate safely — and responsibly — with fireworks this Fourth of July

Don’t make the Fourth of July a dud by celebrating irresponsibly. Instead, remember the rules and have a blast while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe — and you out of prison.

Illegal aerial fireworks once again have the Hawai‘i Police Department concerned, so police are reminding the public about fireworks laws.

State statutes dictate that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid permit could face felony charges and the possibility of 5 years in prison, if convicted.

Anyone igniting aerial displays risks not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially the lives of their neighbors.

When/what fireworks are allowed:

• The use of fireworks is permitted from 1 to 9 p.m. on July 4. Residents who want to set off fireworks must pay a permit fee of $25, available from the Hawai‘i Fire Department. The permit allows an adult to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers.

Common fireworks allowed without a permit include:

• Cylindrical fountains.
• Cone fountains.
• Wheels.
• Illuminating torches and colored fire.
• Dipped sticks.
• Sparklers.
• Salutes.

It’s illegal to set off fireworks:

• Any time other the specified period on the Fourth of July.
• In any school building or on any school grounds without authorization from school officials.
• Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, church where services are conducted, zoo, animal hospital or shelter.

Prohibited fireworks include:

• Jumping jacks.
• Flying pigs.
• Rockets.
• Helicopters.
• Satellites.
• Roman candles.
• Mines.
• Shells.
• Aerial luminary devices, also known as sky lanterns.

Police remind residents that it’s also illegal to:

• Extract the explosive or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks.
• Throw ignited fireworks at, into or from a moving vehicle.
• Have anyone younger than 18 years old purchase, possess or ignite fireworks unless they are under the supervision and control of their parents or an authorized adult.

Following the rules reduces the risk of injuries to people and pets alike. Officers will be out on Independence Day enforcing fireworks laws and looking for violators.

Those who violate the laws are subject to a fine of up to $500.