Fireworks permits began being issued Saturday for the upcoming Fourth of July celebration, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department.
Pinky’s store in Papaikou, the only remaining store to sell the firecrackers covered by the permits, will sell the permits for $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits will be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Setting off the fireworks is allowed only between the hours of 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on July 4. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use on July 4, at the time of the firing.
Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers. Fireworks sales will end at 8 p.m. on July 4.
The ban of consumer fireworks on Oahu does not affect Hawaii County. Firecrackers with a valid permit and consumer fireworks are allowed to be set off during the approved hours of 1-9 p.m. on July 4 only.
Please be advised that it is unlawful to buy, sell, possess, or set off any aerial luminary device such as sky lanterns and Hawaii lanterns.
Any person in possession of any aerial luminary device, who would like to dispose of it with amnesty, can contact the fire department at (808) 932-2912.
It is illegal for anyone to:
• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks;
• throw fireworks from a vehicle;
• set off any fireworks at 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.
• offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.
The fire department asks everyone to help prevent fires and injuries by:
• having 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 fireworks properly by soaking in water prior to disposal.
The Fire Department will collect unused and unwanted fireworks following July 4 on July 10. Anyone interested in disposing of fireworks should call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (808) 932-2912 for more info.
