Holiday fireworks incidents cut in half

Advertiser Staff

Fire incidents involving fireworks were cut in half this year — as were fireworks sales.

Capt. Richard Soo, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department, said the city sold only 94 fireworks permits on O'ahu, and firecracker sales continued to be sluggish through the Fourth of July.

"It was very, very slow. People don't burn too much on this holiday, but I think last year some retailers were advertising that this was the last season to stock up on fireworks before the new permit law, so people bought more and stockpiled."

There were 17 fireworks-related incidents, as compared to 37 last year.

There were no injuries.

All of the fireworks-related incidents were brushfires or rubbish set aflame.

"I think people realized the better way to go was to celebrate with novelty items like smoke bombs or whistling bombs, because it does appear that the public purchased more novelty items," said Soo. "But that's good. I think that will make the Legislature happy."

In addition, Soo said the fire department noticed a decrease in the use of illegal aerial fireworks.