Fireworks on the Fourth is a quiet affair in contrast to noisy New Year’s Eve celebrations in Hawaii. With so few buying firecrackers, only one retailer will be selling them for Independence Day celebrations.
Revelers who obtained firecracker permits by Friday’s deadline can head to the only retailer with a permit: Bo Wah Trading Co., in Chinatown at 1040 Maunakea St. They go on sale from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. July 4.
But with just one retailer, there is no guarantee there will be enough for all permit-holders, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. David Jenkins.
| BY THE NUMBERS
161
City-issued Fourth of July firecracker permits in 2016
17,151
City-issued New Year’s Eve firecracker permits in 2016
Source: Honolulu Fire Department
|
The Honolulu Fire Department is tallying the number of firecracker permits sold for this holiday. Last year the city issued 161 permits for the Fourth of July, compared with 17,151 permits issued for New Year’s Eve.
Permit-holders will be allowed to set off firecrackers from 1 to 9 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
All other fireworks, from aerials to sparklers, are illegal on Oahu.
Those who have not obtained a permit can enjoy the following public fireworks displays on the Fourth:
>> Turtle Bay Resort, 8 p.m.
>> Kailua Beach Park, 8:15 p.m.
>> Magic Island, 8:30 p.m.
>> Ko Olina, 8:30 p.m. The public beach access parking closes at sunset. Street parking at Ko Olina will be prohibited.
>> Schofield Barracks, 8:30 p.m.
>> Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 9:15 p.m. Open to military personnel and their guests only.
Here are a few fireworks safety tips from HFD:
>> Store firecrackers in a cool, dry place.
>> Do not string firecrackers on utility poles.
>> Never attempt to reignite malfunctioning firecrackers.
>> Never ignite firecrackers in metal or glass containers.
>> Have a garden hose or a bucket of water handy in case of a fire.
>> Keep any ladder, pole or tie lines used to set up firecrackers at least 10 feet from power lines.
The law prohibits the following on Oahu:
>> Sale of fireworks to minors
>> Use of fireworks by minors, even with adult supervision
>> Throwing ignited fireworks from above the first floor of any building
>> Throwing ignited fireworks at a person or animal
>> Throwing ignited fireworks from, at or into a vehicle
>> Setting off fireworks on public ways, in parks, cane fields, places of worship, beaches, forest or wildlife reserves, school buildings or on school grounds
>> Setting off fireworks within 1,000 feet of hospitals, health and senior care facilities, animal care facilities, including the zoo; or within 500 feet of a hotel
