Hilo man arrested for illegally selling fireworks
A 44-year-old Hilo man might be the first Hawaii Island resident to be charged with a felony fireworks offense.
Shaun Kahaunaele, also known as Shaun Legaspi, was arrested at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday after officers from the Hawaii Police Department’s East Hawaii Vice Section executed a search warrant.
According to police, the search turned up about 12 pounds of various aerial devices plus display fireworks, price lists, a ledger showing thousands of dollars in illegal firework sales, and a small amount of marijuana concentrate.
Additionally, $15,000 in cash believed to be profits from illegal firework sales was confiscated for possible forfeiture.
Kahaunaele was charged with a selling fireworks without a license or permit, a Class C felony carrying a potential five-year prison sentence upon conviction, plus possessing fireworks without a license or permit, a misdemeanor.
Acting Lt. Kelly Moniz of the East Hawaii Vice Section said the amount of fireworks in Kahaunaele’s possession was less than the 25 pounds necessary for a felony possession case, but “but the evidence leads us to believe it was distribution, and that’s why he was charged with a felony.”
Moniz said Kahaunaele’s investigation and arrest was strictly an HPD operation and not that of a statewide fireworks task force established last year.
“The search warrant was because of a complaint by neighbors,” Moniz said.
Kahaunaele was released from police custody after posting $23,000 bail. His initial appearance in Hilo District Court is scheduled for Nov. 12.
Asked if any more arrests were expected, Moniz said police “are still working on the investigation.”
The Hawaii Police Department reminds residents that purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or other pyrotechnics without a valid pyrotechnic permit could face Class C felony charges.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact Detective Charrise Wakita at (808) 961-2249 or Charrise.Wakita@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com
