HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Department is warning the public about the dangers of illegal fireworks — and watching them from highway shoulders — ahead of what is expected to be another bright and noisy New Year’s Eve.

What You Need To Know

  • Commercial fireworks can be purchased with a valid permit and can be used between 9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 a.m. on Sunday

  • Last year, HPD responded to approximately 800 fireworks-related calls, issued 32 citations and made one arrest for illegal fireworks, according to Capt. James Slayter

  • Possession of less than 25 pounds of illegal fireworks can result in a fine of between $200 and $2,000; possession of25 pounds of more of illegal fireworks, or distribution of any amount of illegal fireworks, is a class-C felony with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine

  • Depending on the circumstances, people who pull to the shoulder of a road to watch fireworks could be cited or arrested and their vehicles could be towed

Commercial fireworks can be purchased with a valid permit and can be used between 9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 a.m. on Sunday. However, as the night sky attests at the turn of each new year, illegal aerial fireworks still abound in the state.

Last year, HPD responded to approximately 800 fireworks-related calls, issued 32 citations and made one arrest for illegal fireworks, according to Capt. James Slayter. Officers also confiscated more than 875 pounds of illegal fireworks.

Possession of less than 25 pounds of illegal fireworks can result in a fine of between $200 and $2,000. Possession of 25 pounds of more of illegal fireworks, or distribution of any amount of illegal fireworks, is a class-C felony with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Parents can be held liable for allowing minors to use illegal fireworks.

“The big takeaway on fireworks they’re dangerous,” Slayter said. “You could unintentionally cause loss of life or property. You need to be considerate of our neighbors and obviously we want everyone to be safe.”

HPD is encouraging anyone who witnesses the use of illegal fireworks to call 911 and make a report.

Slayter said HPD continues to be proactive in trying to prevent the distribution of illegal fireworks in advance of the holiday. Last year, the department engaged in several operations to intercept illegal fireworks en route to buyers, resulting in several criminal cases.

HPD departments have been making adjustments to allow for maximum staffing on Saturday night, including plainclothes officers on the lookout for illegal firework use.

Slayter said keeping roadways clear and safe will be a particular point of emphasis this year following a dramatic increase last year in people pulling to the side of roads and highways to watch aerial fireworks.

“We have lost the lives of police officers, tow truck drivers, motorists who were stalled on the side of the road or helping one another on the side of the road — it’s very dangerous,” Slayter said. “You have to understand people are probably watching fireworks; they’re not paying attention. And they’re driving, they’re operating tons of machinery at a high rate of speed. You most likely will not survive a crash at that speed if you are a pedestrian on the side of the freeway. I wouldn’t suggest that; that is probably the worst place to take your family to watch fireworks.”Depending on the circumstances, people who pull to the shoulder of a road to watch fireworks could be cited or arrested and their vehicles could be towed.

Slayter was a lieutenant in the HPD’s Traffic Division two years ago and said he personally cited eight to 10 drivers who had pulled over to watch fireworks.

“It wasn’t anywhere near what it was last year,” he said. “Last year was really bad and really dangerous. You had people...not only in the shoulder. They were in the lane of travel.”

Slayter said videos posted to social media showed families with young children at the side of the road, some with tents, tables and chairs.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.