HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii Fire Department announced fireworks permits are available starting Dec. 26 through midnight on Dec. 31 at the following locations:
- KTA Puainako, 50 E. Puainako St., Hilo
- KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona
- KTA Waimea, 65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela
- Pacific Fireworks, 74-5629 Kuakini Hwy. Suite 155, Kailua-Kona
- J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy., Kurtistown
- Kimura General Store, 27-289 Mill Rd., Papaikou, Hilo
- Phantom Fireworks Tent, 74-5511 Luhia St., Kailua-Kona
- Phantom Fireworks Tent, 325 E. Makaala St., Hilo
- Phantom Fireworks Tent, 111 E. Puainako St., Hilo
- TNT Tent, 381 E. Makaala St., Hilo
- TNT Tent, 75-1015 Henry St., Kailua-Kona
- TNT Tent, 45-3327 Kou St., Honokaa
- TNT Tent, 16-711 Milo St., Keaau
Note that this year, permits will not be sold at Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court.
Permits are also available at the following sites by appointment only:
- Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 26-29. Call 808-932-2911 for an appointment.
- Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. E, second floor, Dec. 26-29. Call 808-323-4760 for an appointment.
According to the HFD, individuals can purchase multiple permits at $25 each; each permit allows the purchase of 5,000 firecrackers. Permits are limited to those 18 years and older and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Permits are not required to purchase novelties and paperless firecrackers.
Fireworks for the New Year celebration are only allowed from 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits must be visibly displayed onsite.
Hawaii County officials created a public service announcement urging residents to celebrate responsibly as the island continues to face drought conditions.
HFD reminds the public that the following are illegal:
• Removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework
• Throwing fireworks from, at or into any vehicle
• Offering fireworks for sale, to sell or giving them to minors or for minors to possess, purchase, sell, or ignite any fireworks without adult supervision
• Setting off aerial luminary devices commonly known as sky lanterns or Hawaii lanterns, or other aerial devices such as bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells
• Setting off fireworks:
- Outside of the 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 1 a.m. New Year’s Day period
- Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter, or church when services are being held
- On school property without authorization from the respective school official
- On public areas such as highways, alleys, streets, sidewalks and parks
In addition, HFD asks residents for their kokua to prevent fires and injuries:
- Use extreme caution when setting off fireworks and supervise keiki playing with fireworks
- Ignite fireworks away from dry grass or flammable materials
- Light a single firework at a time and back up to a safe distance after igniting one
- Never ignite fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Never place any part of the body over fireworks when lighting the fuse; never hold a lit firework or throw it at someone
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited
- Be mindful of lighting fireworks during moderate to high winds that could quickly spread a brush fire
- Completely extinguish fireworks before disposing of them
- Have a water hose or container of water quickly accessible and make sure the hose can reach all areas; HFD suggests even spraying down grassy areas before and after igniting fireworks
- Prevent eye injuries by wearing protective eyewear
- If injured, call 911 immediately
The public can call the Fire Prevention Branch at 808-932-2911 (Hilo) or 808-323-4760 (Kona) for information on purchasing permits, using fireworks or the Fireworks Amnesty program.