LIHUE — Bryan Kame‘enui said setting off firecrackers for New Year’s is a family tradition.
“My grandparents told us we burn firecrackers for good luck,” Kame‘enui said while shopping for his annual stock of pyrotechnics at the Pacific Fireworks shop that opened Thursday morning at Hokulei Village sghopping center.
“We always burn a string for good luck. We burned everything last year, so this year we need to get everything.”
Erika Kleinfeld operates the firecracker shop. She said Pacific Fireworks dispenses all types of legal fireworks, both those that don’t require a permit as well as firecrackers that are sold only with a permit.
Kauai Fire Department officials reminded people that a permit must be obtained from the fire department in the Pi‘ikoi Building by 4 p.m. Tuesday in order to purchase and ignite firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
Applications are available on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and cost $25 for a permit.
“Some of the newer items include the 5-Minute Safari, the Pyro Engine (it actually moves), Rock n Roll, Eric Rock, and the usual colored sparklers, neon sparklers, and even the confetti poppers,” Kleinfeld said.
The following items are classified as fireworks, and no perwmit is required to purchase them — although the buyer needs to be at least 18 years old: snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels, ground spinners and other similar products.
Fireworks and firecrackers may only be ignited on private property between 9 p.m. Dec. 31 through 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
It is illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets, sidewalks and parks.
Kleinfeld said the opening of the Pacific Fireworks shop coincides with the first day fireworks are legally allowed to go on sale.
“It’s my birthday today,” Kleinfeld said. “Imagine that. I’ve been doing this for the past 19 years. Next year will be my 20th year and I’m doing something big — attend a luau, go see the volcano, or something.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
