Air quality proves that fireworks laws do work

Those who throw up their hands in despair over the fireworks mayhem that Hawai‘i experiences every New Year’s and Fourth of July should take a closer look at the results from this past Dec. 31.

A new permitting system appears to have put a substantial dent in the amount of smoke and air pollution that usually goes along with these events. Air-monitoring stations at six locations found the level of smoke particles in the air to be well below the state’s legal limits in all but one location.

The air in Pearl City was somewhat "dirtier" than the regulations allow, even with the permits.

Still, it was substantial improvement. It indicates that sensible laws, accompanied by the right kind of enforcement, can make a difference.

That must be a lesson for this year’s Legislature. There is no room for ducking because "nothing can be done."

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