Fireworks permits now available so you can light up your New Year’s Eve party

Fireworks permits are available for purchase starting today from several vendors around the Big Island who want to help light up your New Year’s Eve celebration and ring in 2026 with a bang.

The approved — but not limited to — sites are:

• KTA Pūʻainakō, 50 E. Pūʻainakō St., Hilo.
• KTA Waimea, 65-1158 Māmalahoa Highway, Waimea.
• J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Highway, Kurtistown.
• Kimura General Store, 27-289 Mill Road, Pāpaʻikou.
• Phantom Fireworks Tent (HPM), 74-5511 Luhia St., Kailua-Kona.
• Phantom Fireworks Tent (Foodland-Keaʻau), 16-586 Old Volcano Road.
• Phantom Fireworks Tent (Prince Kūhiō Plaza), 111 E. Pūʻainakō St., Hilo.
• TNT Tent (Safeway-Hilo), 381 E. Makaʻala St., Hilo.
• TNT Tent (Walmart-Hilo), 325 Makaʻala St., Hilo.
• TNT Tent, 45-3327 Koʻu St., Honokaʻa.
• TNT Tent, 64-1007 Māmalahoa Highway, Waimea.
• Pacific Fireworks, 74-5629 Kuakini Highway, Suite 155, Kailua-Kona.

Each permit costs $25 and entitles the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are allowed.

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase permits, which are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers. Fireworks sales end at midnight New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.

Firing off New Year’s fireworks is only allowed between 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2026. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site where they will be fired and during firing.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department reminds the public that it is illegal to set off any fireworks:

• At any time outside the specified time period.
• Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter or church when services are underway.
• On any school property without authorization from the said school official.
• On any public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk or park.

Officials remind the public it also is illegal to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework.
• Throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle.
• Offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.
• Set off any aerial luminary devices — commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawaiʻi Lanterns — or any other aerial devices such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department asks everyone to please kōkua to help prevent fires and avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year.

You can help by:

• Using extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children playing with fireworks should always be under an adult’s close supervision. Even the smallest firework can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.
• Firing fireworks off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
• Lighting fireworks one at a time. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never using fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Never placing any part of your body directly over or under a firework when lighting the fuse. Never hold a lighted firework in your hand or aim it at another person.
• Never trying to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.
• Being mindful of lighting fireworks during moderate to high winds that could contribute to spreading a brush fire rapidly.
• Being sure fireworks are completely extinguished before disposing of them.
• Having a fire extinguisher and/or water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure the water hose can reach all areas of where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house.
• Wetting down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off fireworks. Doing it before will also let you know the capability of your water source.
• Wearing protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries.

Get medical attention immediately if you or anyone else is injured. Call 9-1-1.

Call Hawai‘i Fire Department Fire Prevention Branch at 808-932-2911 in Hilo or 808-323-4760 in Kona for additional information about purchasing fireworks permits and use of fireworks.