Posted on: Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Olomana citizens reject fireworks ban

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Bureau

KAILUA — The Olomana community held back last night from a complete ban on fireworks in its subdivision and agreed, instead, to have a "responsible fireworks zone."

People testifying before last night's vote raised concerns about Big Brother clamping down on people's lives if a proposed ban were adopted. About 50 people attended the meeting and only one person opposed the responsible fireworks option.

Others had said there wouldn't be a problem if people were more considerate of their neighbors. A ban was about caring for neighbors, said Lisa Bail.

"What it's asking people to do is respect their neighbors," Bail said.

Optimism about implementing a ban already had begun to fade before the Olomana Community Association's scheduled vote last night. A survey of residents elicited only a meager response.

In February the association floated the idea of a voluntary ban on firecrackers, citing health and safety. The recent survey of the 330 households in the community asked residents to state their preference on the proposed ban and other topics. Only 13 percent of the households responded. Some 42 surveys were returned, said Mary Moore, president of the association. Thirty supported a fireworks-free zone, 10 did not support it, one didn't care and one didn't answer the question. Moore said phone calls she has taken on the issue favored a ban 8-2. Nevertheless she said the board still had no clear mandate.

"Those in favor of the ban will have to persuade people to go easy on the fireworks," Ralph Conway said prior to the meeting.