'Unique' fireworks plan OK'd
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Bureau
KAILUA — Thwarted in an attempt to ban fireworks from its subdivision, the Olomana Community Association has instead decided to hire two police officers to patrol the area on New Year's Eve.
It is a unique plan, police acknowledged, and one that the association's board says it hopes will cut down on illegal fireworks for health and safety reasons, and create a "responsible fireworks zone."
Concern over years of property damage, injuries and health risks from fireworks on O'ahu have resulted in restrictions, but nothing approaching the ban that about half of Hawai'i's residents say they would like to see.
The Olomana community, on the outskirts of Kailua and with a fairly large number of older residents among its 300-plus households, had said it hoped it could become the first area outside of private communities to ban them.
But poor support from residents killed the proposal in May. Emotions have run high over the issue, and some board members weren't sure the patrol was a good idea when it came up for a vote last month, which was 6 to 3.
"The board was rather reluctant to infringe on people's rights, but you're not infringing on people's rights when they're doing something illegal," said Faith Evans, association board vice president and chairwoman of the Kailua Neighborhood Board.
Mary Moore, president of the association, said some board members were afraid their neighbors would blame them if they got cited or arrested. The issue has resulted in some residents swearing at board members, Moore said.
"But the rest of us think it's important and voted for it," she said, adding that she was concerned about safety. "I don't think a community like this is a place to have them. If it's a controlled professional show, then that's different. The houses are too close and there are too many kids."
The association's board also will begin educating the community in October about illegal fireworks and the proper use of legal fireworks, Evans said. By Dec. 31, everyone should know what is allowed, she said.
In a concession to residents who oppose the patrol, association money will not be used to pay for the officers. Instead, Evans will raise the $800 needed to pay the officers to patrol from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The officers will have the authority to cite residents who violate fireworks laws, and while they will not have arrest powers, can call 911 if the need should arise.
Request for special-duty officers are common and are used for such things as traffic control at construction sites and entertainment events, said Sgt. Randall Gratz, in charge of the police department's special duty section.
Neither Gratz nor anyone in his section could recall a request for patrol during holidays to curb illegal fireworks use, but the assignment has been announced and officers can sign up for it. But Gratz said he's not sure people will want to work that night.
"I know for a lot of officers, they (would) rather stay home, spend the time with family," he said. "It's kind of a crazy night, or could be."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
