Hawai‘i Fire Department issues firework permit information

Fire Chief Kazuo Todd announced that firework permits will be issued beginning June 27 and ending on July 4 at 8 p.m.

Permits and firecrackers may be purchased at the following locations only:

• TNT Tent @ Safeway Parking Lot 381 E. Makaʻala Street Hilo, HI
• TNT Tent @ Walmart Parking Lot 75-1015 Henry Street Kona, HI

Each permit costs $25 and will enable the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits will be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are nontransferable and non-refundable.

Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

Firecrackers (with a valid permit) and consumer fireworks are allowed to be set off during the approved hours of 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4 only.

Be advised that it is unlawful to buy, sell, possess or set off any aerial luminous device, such as sky lanterns and Hawai‘i lanterns. Any person in possession of an aerial luminous device who would like to dispose of it with amnesty can contact fireworks auditor Kamuela Moraes at 808-938-1253.

Fire Chief Todd reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework(s);
• Throw firework(s) from a vehicle;
• Set off any firework(s):
• At any time not within the time period allowed;
• 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.
• It is illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any firework(s) 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.

The Hawaiʻi Fire Department also asks everyone 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 need be.
• Children playing with fireworks shall be under adult supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
• Fireworks should be set off in a safe area away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles, and flammable materials.
• Dispose of used fireworks properly by soaking in water prior to disposal.

Once again, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department will be conducting a collection of unused and unwanted fireworks following the Fourth of July holiday. Anyone interested in disposing of fireworks should call fireworks auditor Kamuela Moraes of the Fire Prevention Branch at 808-938-1253 for further information regarding the pick-up and drop-off locations. Do not drop off fireworks at local fire stations.

There will be public fireworks displays at:

• Barge located off-shore in Hilo Bay at approximately 8 p.m.
• Barge located off-shore near One’o Bay in Kailua-Kona at approximately 8 p.m.

For more information on the purchasing of fireworks permits, disposal of fireworks, or tips on the safe use of fireworks, call Fireworks Auditor Kamuela Moraes at 808-938-1253.