Firecracker sales begin on Oahu as officials try to stem the tide of illegal fireworks

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Thursday was the day after Christmas – which also meant it was the first day people on Oahu line up to start the new year with a bang.

Last year, the Honolulu Fire Department sold nearly 14,000 fireworks permits at $25 each.

On Thursday, Pacific Fireworks opened a pop-up store at Kapalama Shopping Center, where each pass is good for 5,000 firecrackers.

“Sales are up,” Pacific Fireworks owner Dino Alexakaos said. “I think pass sales are up for the year, but today was pretty good.”

“First of all, just firecrackers,” said Kalihi resident Kerry Ugale, who described himself as his family’s “fireworks guy” and buys firecrackers every year.

“I’ve got eight passes, so I’m just trying to touch it,” he said.

MORE: Are you ready to ring in the new year with some firecrackers? Here’s how to get a permit

But only firecrackers are allowed on Oahu. Everything else has been illegal for the last 14 years.

Two months ago, some members of the local council tried to overturn the ban, but the mayor refused it.

“People come looking for smoke bombs and Morning Glory — and then I tell them they’re not legal,” Alexakaos said. “No one knows. It’s just weird.”

“Like sparklers, earth flowers, all kinds of things, fountains,” Ugale said. “I feel like since they took that stuff, everybody’s resorted to the big stuff that you hear now.”

These big things include illegal aerials that make up the amazing pyrotechnic displays in almost every neighborhood on Oahu.

“It’s very difficult for us to watch one firework at a time everywhere,” said Honolulu Police Department Major Randy Platt.

To make an arrest, Honolulu police must witness a violation or have a witness who is willing to come forward.

“It’s a challenge. If you see illegal antennas going down, call 911. We will service the call as manpower allows,” Platt said. “We expect it to be busy on New Year’s Eve, especially. But again, we’ll do what we can.”

The state Department of Law Enforcement is trying to help, seizing more than 187,000 pounds of fireworks in the past year.

“They’ve actually acquired new technology,” said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who chaired an illegal fireworks task force.

“They actually scan quite a bit of incoming cargo, and as time goes on and technologies improve, they’ll be able to seize even more.”

A new state law this year gives police and firefighters more inspection powers. And Dela Cruz says people can leave anonymous tips about The Safer Watch app or by calling 808-517-2182.

However, some say the real solution is to let people have glitter and fountains again.

“Maybe if they bring them back, maybe that will minimize it so they keep all those big things for ‘the day’ and take out all the little things,” Ugale said.

On Oahu, legal fireworks can be lit between 9:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day.