Federal authorities arrest 2 Big Island men in decades-long illegal fireworks case

Two men from East Hawai‘i have been arrested and charged in federal court in connection with what prosecutors describe as a nearly decade-long operation to transport and distribute illegal fireworks on the Big Island.

Charges against Darrel Goo, 52, of Kea‘au, and Cy Tamura, 45, of Hilo, were filed on Dec. 26. Warrants were issued for their arrests, and they were taken into custody on Dec. 29.

No dates have been set for their next court appearance.

The charges include transporting fireworks into Hawai‘i, engaging in the business of transporting, distributing, and storing explosive materials, and possessing explosives in and affecting interstate commerce.

Goo was also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

“This investigation demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who violate federal laws related to the possession, transportation, and distribution of illegal fireworks in Hawaii,” said United States Attorney Ken Sorenson.

According to court documents, investigators allege that from about May 2016 through August 2025, Goo and Tamura conspired to transport, store and distribute illegal fireworks on Hawaii Island. Prosecutors say Goo used a fictitious name and Alaska addresses to conceal his annual fireworks purchases from a mainland supplier and paid for the fireworks using batches of money orders and cash.

Tamura is accused of arranging the shipping of the fireworks from the mainland to Hawai‘i by falsely declaring the shipments as horticultural materials.

Earlier this year, law enforcement agencies conducted an undercover operation to monitor the men’s alleged fireworks purchases, including so-called “overloads,” which are fireworks that resemble consumer-grade products but contain significantly more explosive material.

Authorities said they covertly seized about two shipping containers of fireworks before they were transported to Hawai‘i.

In August, investigators executed search warrants at residences linked to Goo and Tamura in the Hilo area. Officials said they seized thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks stored across multiple locations on the properties, along with cash. At Goo’s residence, authorities also recovered several firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Prosecutors said Goo is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

If convicted, Goo and Tamura each face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count, along with terms of supervised release. Goo faces an additional potential sentence of up to 15 years for the firearms and ammunition charge.

“While we are in the early stages of this particular case, and those charged are presumed innocent, it is our intent to send the clear message that the safety of our local communities remains our number one priority, and those who compromise that safety by violating federal laws related to commercial fireworks will find themselves facing justice in federal court,” Sorenson said.

The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI, with assistance from state law enforcement agencies. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca A. Perlmutter.