Honolulu police warn against fireworks after spike in calls

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HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police say hundreds of fireworks violations have been reported on Oahu before fireworks are allowed to be discharged for the celebration of New Year’s Day.

HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police say hundreds of fireworks violations have been reported on Oahu before fireworks are allowed to be discharged for the celebration of New Year’s Day.

Police Maj. Allan Nagata said Wednesday the police department had received 216 calls related to fireworks complaints at the end of November. Nagata encouraged the public to report any fireworks violations, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported (https://bit.ly/2gG0KI1 ).

Fireworks are permitted between 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. on January 1.

Police issued 151 citations related to fireworks between Dec. 26, 2015, and Jan. 2, 2016, Nagata said. During that same period, officers made five arrests and confiscated nearly 3,000 pounds of fireworks

Nagata’s announcement comes after firefighters extinguished a blaze that broke out on the roof of a home in Waipio, northwest of Honolulu. Investigators determined last week’s fire was started by an illegal firework, according to KHON-TV.

The Honolulu Fire Department said someone who was inside the home at the time of the fire was able to escape without injury.