The Department of Law Enforcement is hosting an amnesty event for people to drop off unused fireworks with no questions asked on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aloha Stadium. 

What You Need To Know

  • The fireworks amnesty program allows people a safe way to dispose of unused fireworks

  • The Department of Law Enforcement urged people to be aware that storing fireworks at home is dangerous, as they can ignite, start a fire, and injure people

  • DLE also noted that fireworks should not be thrown away with household rubbish, as they could injure refuse workers, contaminate the environment, or create other life-threatening situations

  • “We ask that you put your fireworks in the trunk of your car or bed of your truck and bring them to the stadium. You won’t even have to get out of your car. Just pop the trunk. We’ll grab the fireworks," said DLE Director Jordan Lowe

“Recent events have clearly illustrated just how dangerous illegal fireworks can be,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green in a statement. “Out of respect to those we’ve lost in the Aliamanu incident, I am strongly encouraging everyone to take a pause on fireworks activities, and I am asking everyone with unused fireworks to please bring them to Aloha Stadium this Saturday.”

Over the New Year’s holiday, a fireworks explosion in Oahu’s Aliamanu neighborhood killed four people and seriously injured at least 20 others. Officials said an aerial cake firework, a container shaped like a sheet cake and filled with about 50 aerial fireworks, fell on its side after being lit and the fireworks shot into crates that contained additional fireworks, causing the explosion. A fifth person died during the New Year's holiday in a separate incident after suffering traumatic injuries in a suspected fireworks blast in Kalihi. 

The Honolulu Fire Department said it responded to 30 probable fireworks-related fire calls over a 24-hour period starting on New Year’s Eve at 8 a.m.

DLE urged people in a news release to be aware that storing fireworks at home is dangerous, as they can ignite, start a fire, and injure people. DLE also noted that fireworks should not be thrown away with household rubbish, as they could injure refuse workers, contaminate the environment, or create other life-threatening situations. 

“Our first responders have witnessed the tragic consequences of illegal fireworks use,” said Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao. “To ensure public safety, we can no longer ignore or diminish the serious and deadly dangers associated with illegal fireworks.”

The fireworks amnesty program allows people a safe way to dispose of unused fireworks. 

“Please protect the people you love by letting us take unwanted fireworks off your hands,” said DLE Director Jordan Lowe. “We ask that you put your fireworks in the trunk of your car or bed of your truck and bring them to the stadium. You won’t even have to get out of your car. Just pop the trunk. We’ll grab the fireworks and you’ll be on your way to a safer tomorrow. No questions asked.”

For the amnesty event, enter the lower Halawa parking lot through the lower Salt Lake Boulevard entrance at gate #4.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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