PUHI — The Pacific Fireworks pop-up store at the Hokulei Village Shopping Center opened Sunday as a line of customers snaked around the building.
“It was insane,” said Ziba Medeiros, who along with Erika Kleinfeld operates the pop-up adjacent to Uncle’s Shave Ice. “The line of customers wrapped around the building, and the people with permits came in with not just one. Several of them had 10 permits. My hands are all ripped already.”
Adding to Medeiros’ concerns, Kleinfeld came in late.
“I got lei’d,” Kleinfeld said. “It’s my birthday. I’ve been here two weeks already, and only now I get lei’d. I even got a call from Santa (in Paradise), but he never wished me ‘happy birthday.’”
Kleinfeld constantly moved throughout the space, jockeying customers’ orders and re-stocking fast-selling items.
‘I’m going home early tonight,” she said. “It’s my birthday so I plan on getting out of here by 6 p.m. Otherwise, we’ll be here from 9:30 a.m. until 7-ish until Friday, or if we sell out.”
Permits are required for purchases by individuals 18 years and older for firecrackers that are offered in the Duck and Cock brands, and in various configurations, including the popular throw-packs.
Permits can be obtained online only for the first time this year, but payment needs to be done in-person at the county Department of Finance Motor Vehicles Division and Driver License Division at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building,
Individuals seeking permits also have until Dec. 31 to apply online by visiting connect.kauai.gov and clicking the “Fireworks Permit” icon.
Fireworks and firecrackers may only be ignited on private property between 9 p.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
For the sake of clarity, Kleinfeld’s definition for firecrackers are the Duck and Cock brands that require a permit to be purchased. Fireworks applies to everything else, including sparklers, fountains, snakes, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels, ground spinners, lanterns, and novelty characters like the unicorn and Picachu that do not require permits for purchase.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department said it is illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets, sidewalks or parks. Removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks is prohibited, and all aerial luminaries, known as flying lanterns or flying luminaries, are prohibited in the state.
For more information about fire safety, or questions about applying for a permit, call the KFD Fire Prevention Bureau at 808-241-4985.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
