LIHU‘E —On the heels of Christmas celebrations, cash registers are ringing with sales of fireworks.
Pacific Fireworks, a veteran of nine years of retailing pyrotechnics on Kaua‘i, opened its doors Saturday morning at the Kukui Grove Center across from the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery, said Erika Kleinfeld.
Kleinfeld said they need to finish sales by 9 p.m. Thursday night, but said traditionally, they’ve always sold out before the time they need to close.
Permits are required to set off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, states a county press release from the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
“You need to be 18 years old with a picture identification in order to get the permit,” Kleinfeld said.
Cost of the permit which allows the user to purchase up to 5,000 non-aerial individual firecracker units is $25. There is no limit on the number of permits an individual can obtain to buy firecrackers, the release states.
Items classified as fireworks but do not require a permit for purchase include paperless firecrackers, snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels, ground spinners and other similar devices.
Applications are available weekdays from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. at KFD headquarters, 3083 Akahi Street, on the ground floor of the Hale Pumehana Building.
Firecrackers may be ignited from 9 p.m. Thursday until 1 a.m. Friday, and may only be done on private property.
Kleinfeld said Pacific Fireworks has both types of fireworks and has more inventory than last year because almost everything in the store is “buy 2, get 1 free.”
“Firecrackers are going really fast this year,” Kleinfeld said.
One of the new items she brought in this year is an expanded Duck brand lineup which includes paperless firecrackers in both long and short strings.
“These feature a spinner which emits various colors and climaxes with a report,” Kleinfeld said. “Duck brand has been one of the more reliable manufacturers with almost all the crackers popping.”
The setting off of firecrackers to bring in the New Year stems from the Chinese culture. The Chinese New Year is the most significant festival for the Chinese as it is that time of the year when all family members get together to have a gala, states the 123Chinese New Year Web site.
Fireworks on the New Year in China have a deep significance as it shares an unshakable bond with the deep-rooted Chinese traditions and culture.
Many opinions abound regarding the important of Chinese New Year firecrackers, a practice readily accepted by the people when the Chinese arrived in Hawai‘i. One popular belief is the noise will wake up the dragon which will fly across the sky to bring spring rains for the crops. Being a country where the majority of the people rely on agriculture, timely arrival of showers is important in China.
Another belief is the exploding noise of the firecrackers will scare away all evil spirits and misfortune, thus preventing them from coming into the new year, states the online source.
People suffering from respiratory ailments need to be aware of the current hazy conditions that are expected to continue through New Year’s Eve, according to the National Weather Service.
A weak front is expected to bring an increase in cloud cover and showers Tuesday night and Wednesday before dissipating.
Additionally, residents with pets are cautioned to mind their animals during the time firecrackers are set off.
Pacific Fireworks will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through New Year’s Eve. On Thursday, they’ll open at 9 a.m. and stay open until they’re sold out.
For more information on firecracker use and permits, call the Kaua‘i Fire Prevention Bureau at 241-4982, or 241-4980.
