Hawai‘i Island police remind public of rules regarding fireworks ahead of New Year’s Eve

With ongoing concerns regarding illegal aerial fireworks, Hawai‘i Island police remind the community about pyrotechnics that are legal to set off for the New Year’s holiday.

Hawaiʻi state law dictates that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit may face Class C felony charges resulting in a five-year term of imprisonment if convicted.

Anyone igniting aerial pyrotechnic displays risks not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially neighbors as well, according to press release from the police department.

The use of fireworks is permitted from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. New Year’s Day.

Residents who want to set off fireworks must pay a permit fee of $25, available from the Hawai‘i Fire Department, which allows an adult to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers.

Common fireworks allowed without a permit include:

• cylindrical fountains
• cone fountains
• wheels
• illuminating torches and colored fire
• dipped sticks
• sparklers
• salutes

Prohibited fireworks include:

• jumping jacks
• flying pigs
• rockets
• helicopters
• satellites
• roman candles
• mines
• shells
• aerial luminary devices, also known as sky lanterns.

It’s illegal to set off fireworks at any time outside the specified time period on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks are also prohibited from being set off in any school building or on any school grounds without authorization from school officials.

Fireworks must be not be ignited within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, church where services are held, zoo, animal hospital or shelter.

Hawai‘i Police Department reminds residents that it’s also illegal to:

• Extract the explosive or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks.
• Throw ignited fireworks at, into, or from a moving vehicle.
• Have anyone under the age of 18 purchase, possess or ignite any fireworks unless they are under the immediate supervision and control of their parents or an authorized adult.