This New Year’s Eve police remind public that aerial fireworks are dangerous and illegal

As New Year’s Eve celebrations get underway, Hawai‘i Island police is reminding the public that setting off aerial fireworks are illegal.

Hawaiʻi state law dictates that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit may face Class C felony charges resulting in a five-year term of imprisonment if convicted.

Anyone igniting aerial pyrotechnic displays risk not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially neighbors as well, police stated in a press release.

Fireworks are permitted from 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. Residents who want to set off fireworks must pay a permit fee of $25, available from the Hawai‘i Fire Department, which allows an adult to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers.

It is illegal to set off fireworks outside of the specified time on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks are also not allowed in any school building or on any school grounds without authorization from school officials.

Pyrotechnics are not allowed within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, church where services are held, zoo, animal hospital or shelter.

Common fireworks allowed without a permit include:

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

Prohibited fireworks include:

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

Hawai‘i Police Department reminds residents that it’s also illegal to extract the explosive or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks and throw ignited fireworks at, into, or from a moving vehicle.

It is also illegal to have anyone under the age of 18 purchase, possess or ignite any fireworks unless they are under the immediate supervision and control of their parents or an authorized adult.