Residents urged not to buy fireworks

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Save your money and watch the professionals.

That's the advice from fire officials for residents planning to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Fireworks go on sale Friday. A $25 permit will be required to purchase 5,000 pieces of firecrackers. Rather than spending the money, the Honolulu Fire Department is recommending that people watch one of the four free public displays scheduled for July 3 and 4.

"We don't want everybody to get some gloom and doom kind of thing," fire spokes-man Capt. Richard Soo said. "It is a holiday, and it is a holiday that we celebrate. We just want to make it safe."

Fireworks use generally is not as heavy as during the New Year's celebration. But Soo said fire officials are concerned because of a recent dry spell.

This past weekend's brush fires in Kane'ohe and in Wai'anae were examples of what can happen because of the dry conditions, he said.

The permits are available at satellite city halls, but not at fire stations. The private use of fireworks will be allowed only from 1-9 p.m. July 4. Public shows will take place:

• July 3, Aloha Tower, 8:30-9 p.m.
• July 4, Magic Island, 8:30-9 p.m.
• July 4, Popoi'a Island (Kailua), 8 p.m.
• July 4, Schofield Barracks, 7:30-8 p.m.