There’s just one place to purchase July Fourth firecrackers with a city permit — and the supply will likely fall short of the demand.
Danny Au, owner of Chinatown’s Bo Wah Trading Co. at 1037 Maunakea St. — the sole Oahu retail dealer licensed to sell firecrackers — said Thursday his inventory, which consisted of a few cases of fireworks, is “very limited.”
David Jenkins, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman, said 161 fireworks permits were issued for the Indepen-dence Day holiday before the June 24 deadline. He said the Fire Department has no control over how many of those permits can be honored before they expire. One permit can be used to buy 5,000 firecrackers.
“Individuals who purchased permits are reminded that a firework permit does not guarantee the availability of firecrackers for purchases as firecracker inventories are determined by fireworks wholesalers and retailers,” Jenkins said.
Sale of fireworks began Wednesday and will end at 8 p.m. Monday. Fireworks obtained with a permit may be set off only from 1 to
9 p.m. Monday. All other fireworks are illegal.
Au said he refrained from ordering more fireworks than what he had in stock because “not many people celebrate the Fourth of July, compared to New Year’s.” For the 2016 New Year’s holiday, 30 Oahu retail outlets were licensed to sell firecrackers.
The state Department of Health officials said there were 34 fireworks-related injuries reported statewide during New Year’s Eve celebrations. At least four patients were injured by illegal aerial fireworks.
The use of aerial fireworks is prohibited, unless a display permit is approved by Honolulu’s fire chief.
The Fire Department also noted illegal fireworks-related actions including:
>> Throwing ignited fireworks from above the first floor of any building and from, at, or into a vehicle.
>> Setting off fireworks on public ways, in parks, cane fields or places of worship, public beaches or in forest or wildlife reserves, in school buildings or on school grounds, within 1,000 feet of hospitals, health and senior care facilities, and facilities for animal care, including the zoo and within 500 feet from a hotel.
>> Offering for sale, selling, or giving fireworks to minors. Honolulu’s fireworks ordinance makes it illegal for minors to use firecrackers in Honolulu, even with adult supervision.