With every New Year comes a renewed focus in life: new goals, new ambitions and a new way of living. What won’t be coming this year, however, is the ability to blow things into oblivion – at least in Honolulu that is.
On Jan. 2, 2011, Honolulu passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of most public fireworks, including fountains, sparklers and aerials. The only type of firework allowed under the bill is firecrackers, with a $25 permit required to obtain them.
According to the state, the ban was issued in order to decrease the amount of fireworks-related injuries, monitor air-quality related health issues and lower the amount of collateral trash sprawled out amongst city streets and gutters.
The ban came after years of deliberation and controversy, and while the law has passed, the debate has yet to end.
Hawai‘i has had a love and hate relationship with fireworks for decades, with many decrying its ostracising, citing ancestral tradition as reason for its importance. Others have been advocating for its ban for a long time, and are elated with the results.
“I believe that the ban is a good thing in terms of safety,” said culinary student Jessie Stantum, “because there have been too many careless accidents in the past involving fireworks.”
The Fourth of July was the first major test for the ban and it proved to be an overwhelming success in the eyes of public safety officials, as only four fireworks-related incidents were reported as opposed to the 27 accidents garnered last year.
Before July 4, the Honolulu Fire Department held a four-week long amnesty program in which citizens could turn in contraband fireworks to fire stations around the island, no questions asked. By the end of the program they had amassed more than 6,000 pounds of explosives, speaking to the state’s predilection for pyrotechnics.
Whether the permit will continue to be enforced remains to be seen, as many will continue to illegally pop fireworks on their own accord. A student, who asked to remain anonymous, said that they will continue to pop fireworks during holidays because it had become a family tradition.
Neighbor islands are unaffected by the ban, but residents there are urged to celebrate New Year’s festivities with caution.
As it stands, firecrackers may only be used on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and the Fourth of July. Other cultural ceremonial events seeking usage need to be approved by the Honolulu Fire Department. The penalty for fireworks violations is a fine of up to $2,000, or imprisonment of up to five years.
The permits may be procured from the Honolulu Fire Department, as well as Satellite City Halls, and enables persons 18 and older to possess up to 5,000 firecrackers. For those younger than 18, it is illegal to pop firecrackers. Those seeking permits must apply for a firecracker permit no less than ten days in advance. For more information, call FPB at 808-723-7162.