Fourth of July fireworks permits available starting this weekend

Hawaiʻi Fire Department announces that Fourth of July fireworks permits will be issued from June 29 through 8 p.m. July 4.

Permits and fireworks can be purchased only at these locations:

Hilo

• TNT Tent: Safeway parking lot, 381 E. Makaʻala St.
• TNT Tent: Walmart parking lot, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

Keaʻau

• TNT Tent: Greenhouse Specialist parking lot, 16-711 Milo St.

Kona

• TNT Tent: Walmart parking lot, 75-1015 Henry St.

Waimea

• TNT Tent: Bikes Hawaiʻi parking lot, 64-1007 Māmalahoa Highway.

Each permit costs $25. Permits are only issued to those 18 years old and older. They are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Permitholders can purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

Firecrackers (with a valid permit) and consumer fireworks are allowed to be ignited only from 1 to 9 p.m. July 4.

It is unlawful to buy, sell, possess or set off any aerial luminary device such as sky lanterns and Hawaiʻi lanterns.

Anyone in possession of any aerial luminary device — who wants to dispose of it with amnesty — can contact Hawaiʻi Fire Department Fireworks Auditor William Aiona via email at fireprevention@hawaii.gov or by calling 808-932-2911.

It is also illegal to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks.
• Throw fireworks from a vehicle.
• Set off any fireworks:
  • Any time outside the allowed times.
  • 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, as well as in any park or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.
• Offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite or otherwise cause any fireworks to explode, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department also asks everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks.

Officials offered these safety tips:

• Have a water hose connected to a water source or fire extinguisher readily available. Wet down surrounding brush prior to setting off fireworks, if need be.
• 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 ignited in a safe area, away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles and flammable materials.
• Soak used fireworks in water prior to disposal.

Contact Hawaiʻi Fire Department Fireworks Auditor Aiona via email at fireprevention@hawaii.gov or by calling 808-932-2911 for additional information about purchasing fireworks permits or tips for safely using fireworks.