HONOLULU — The Honolulu Fire Department asks residents and visitors to stay safe this holiday season while being considerate of neighbors, obeying the laws and thinking about potential dangers associated with firecrackers.
HFD reminds everyone that a permit must be purchased to ignite firecrackers.
Permits are only available online through the Firecracker E-Permit application system and must be purchased by Dec. 21, according to a news release.
- First, click on the “Application” tab located in the website ribbon.
- Fill in the required information.
- Check the acknowledgment box.
- Click on the “Submit” tab and continue to payment processing.
Pick up your permit at the Satellite City Hall that you selected online. Kapolei and Windward City locations are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ala Moana Center and Pearlridge Center locations are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Permits are nonrefundable. An approved permit does not guarantee that firecrackers will be available since fireworks wholesalers and retailers determine the inventory.
Firecrackers sales in the City and County of Honolulu begin on Dec. 26 and end at midnight on Dec. 31, 2023.
Firecrackers can be ignited on Oahu from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 through 1 a.m. Jan. 1, 2024, a four-hour period.
According to Chapter 132D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, “the use of aerial fireworks is prohibited, unless a display permit is issued by the HFC fire chief.”
Firecracker safety tips
- Use only approved firecrackers from a licensed retail outlet that posts its retail license.
- Always read and follow warnings and instructions by the manufacturer to ensure safe handling and use of firecrackers.
- Never point or throw firecrackers at a person, building or animal.
- Never ignite firecrackers indoors.
- Only ignite firecrackers on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry vegetation and flammable materials.
- Do not string firecrackers on utility poles.
- Keep ladders, poles or tie lines used to raise firecrackers at least 10 feet away from power lines.
- Never ignite firecrackers in metal or glass containers.
- Have a garden hose or bucket of water readily available in case of a fire.
- People under the influence of drugs or alcohol must not handle firecrackers.
- Always wear eye protection when igniting firecrackers.
- Never position any part of the body over firecrackers being ignited.
- Never attempt to reignite malfunctioning firecrackers.
- Store firecrackers in a cool, dry place.
- Never carry them in your pocket.
- Homemade firecrackers are illegal and dangerous; avoid them.
What's unlawful
- To throw ignited firecrackers at a person or animal; from above the first floor of any building; from, at or into a vehicle.
- To ignite firecrackers on public ways, in parks, cane fields or places of worship; on public beaches or in forest or wildlife reserves; in school buildings or on school grounds; within 1,000 feet of hospitals, health and elderly care facilities, and facilities for animal care, including the zoo; within 500 feet from a hotel.
- To offer for sale, sell or give any firecrackers to minors. Honolulu’s firecracker ordinance makes it illegal for minors to use firecrackers on Oahu, even with adult supervision.
- To possess or use aerial fireworks, unless the HFD’s fire chief issues a display permit per Chapter 132D, HRS.
- To transport firecrackers in carry-on or checked luggage, airline cargo or mail.
- To remove or extract pyrotechnic contents.
According to HFD, firecrackers can only be purchased from licensed retailers five days before use and no earlier. Retailers must display licenses in public view at the location for which the license has been issued. Licensed retailers are also prohibited from selling more than 5,000 individual firecrackers per permit.
Visit the HFD website for more holiday safety tips.
