LIHU‘E — There goes the boom.
The state Legislature earlier this month approved Senate Bill 821, which would establish a multiagency task force dedicated to combating the widespread sale and use of illegal fireworks across the state.
“While law enforcement efforts to control illegal fireworks in Hawai‘i have had limited results, the Legislature finds that a concerted multi-jurisdictional approach is needed to address the illegal fireworks problem in Hawai‘i,” the bill reads.
Several legislative attempts to curb the use of fireworks have been made in recent years. However, none have succeeded, as the dazzling — albeit illegal — shows of light and sound have persisted across the islands.
Despite the pervasiveness of fireworks across Hawai‘i, the state has some of the strictest fireworks laws across the United States.
Kaua‘i residents are only legally allowed to set off fireworks and firecrackers between limited hours on July 4 and Dec. 31. Additionally, only licensed pyrotechnicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks, and even purchasing firecrackers requires a separate permit.
Pinwheels and ground spinners, fountains, sparklers, snakes, whistles, toy smoke devices and other similar products, however, do not require a permit for purchase.
The Legislature cites brush fires, structural fires and deaths as reasoning for the creation of the task force. Legislators and law enforcement also note that the loud explosions can be a nuisance to nonconsenting neighbors.
“The frustrating aspect of illegal fireworks use is that violators know how disturbing and unwanted their illegal activity is,” the Kaua‘i Police Department told The Garden Island in late December 2022. “Despite knowing the negative impact their actions have on pets and people with mental health challenges, they continue to only think of themselves.”
With fireworks reaching as loud as 150 to 175 decibels — louder than a jet engine from 100 feet away — the explosions often cause severe anxiety in pets and trigger post-traumatic stress disorder in humans.
“This task force will help people with pets, people with PTSD, and especially our kupuna,” said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D-District 17), who introduced the bill. “Not to mention, it will reduce bodily harm inflicted on people setting off pyrotechnics.”
In Honolulu, emergency services responded to at least a dozen calls for fireworks-related injuries during 2023 New Year’s celebrations, with at least six individuals in serious condition and a 29-year-old man in critical condition after suffering facial injuries from a firework.
And on New Year’s Eve 2020, a 34-year-old Kapa‘a man died after a firework malfunctioned and exploded in his hand, according to a Kaua‘i Police Department investigation.
If passed, the Illegal Fireworks Task Force would be established July 1 as part of the state’s new Department of Law Enforcement, and would be repealed on June 30, 2025 unless renewed by the Legislature.
SB 821 now heads to Gov. Josh Green’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law.
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Jackson Healy, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-4966 or jhealy@thegardenisland.com.
