Hilo man charged after 12 pounds of illegal aerial fireworks found at his home

A 44-year-old Hilo man faces charges after Big Island police found about 12 pounds of various illegal aerial fireworks at his residence earlier this week.

Shaun Kahaunaele, also known as Shaun Legaspi, is charged with:

• One count of felony firework license or permit required.
• One count of misdemeanor firework license or permit required.

His total bail was set at $23,000. Kahaunaele’s initial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 12 in South Hilo District Court.

He was arrested after personnel with the Hawai‘i Police Department Area 1 Vice Section executed an illegal aerial fireworks search warrant at about 12:50 p.m. Oct. 1 at his home in Hilo.

During the search, police recovered about 12 pounds of various aerial devices, display fireworks and/or articles pyrotechnic, along with fireworks sales sheets, price lists and a leger showing thousands of dollars in illegal fireworks sales.

Additionally, $15,000 in cash thought to be profits from illegal fireworks sales was seized.

A small amount of marijuana concentrate was also found.

Anyone who might have information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Charrise Wakita with the Area I Vice Section at 808-961-2249 or charrise.wakita@hawaiicounty.gov.

The Hawai‘i Police Department reminds residents that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit could face Class C felony charges, punishable by up to 5 years in prison if convicted.