The Hawaii Fire Department announces that fireworks permits will be available for purchase beginning Dec. 26 for the upcoming New Year’s celebration.
Permits will be available at the following sites and times:
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 26-31 at Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court in Waimea
• From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 27-30 at the Fire Administration Office located at the Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, in Hilo
• Kona Fire Prevention Office, located at the West Hawaii Civic Center Bldg. E, second floor by appointment only between Dec. 27-30. Call (808) 323-4760 to set up an appointment.
Fireworks permits will be sold at the following vending outlets:
• KTA Super Stores locations at 50 E. Puainako St. in Hilo and Kona Coast Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona
• Pacific Fireworks, 74-5629 Kuakini Highway, Suite 155, in Kailua-Kona
• J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Highway, in Kurtistown
• BJ Alan Tent locations at 74-5454 Makala Boulevard, in Kailua-Kona; and 325 E. Maka’ala and 111 E. Puainako St. in Hilo
• TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaala St.
Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Fireworks sales will begin on Dec. 26 and end at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Permits are not required for the purchasing of novelties and paperless firecrackers.
Setting off fireworks for the New Year celebrations is allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits shall be visibly displayed at the site of use during the time of the firing.
The Hawaii Fire Department would like to remind the public that it is illegal for anyone to:
• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework;
• Throw fireworks from, at, or into any vehicle;
• Set off any fireworks:
– At any time not within the specified time periods;
– Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter, or church when services are held.
– On any school property without authorization from the said school official;
– On any Public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park.
• Offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult;
• Set off any aerial luminary devices, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawaii Lanterns, or other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, skyrockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars, or shells.
For more information on the purchasing of fireworks permits or the use of fireworks, call the Fire
Prevention Bureau at (808) 932-2911 in Hilo or (808) 323-4760 in Kona.