Fire department expecting a quieter eve
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
With fireworks-related emergencies declining along with sales of firecrackers, the fire department has decided not to deploy extra fire engines on New Year's Eve.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
"The city will be protected, but we are not going to put out extra apparatus this year," said HFD Capt. Richard Soo.
A Kane'ohe man leaves a store at McCully Street and Kapi'olani Boulevard with fireworks he purchased. The sale of firecrackers has declined under the permit system.
"Usually we put out three relief trucks and staff them with 12 overtime personnel," he said.
"The reduced number of incidents in the past two years is attributed to declining sales of firecrackers under the new permit system, and an apparent decline in use of illegal aerial fireworks," Soo said.
Adults may purchase firecrackers until 9 p.m. tomorrow, but only by buying a $25 permit for every 5,000 firecrackers they buy from retailers. That's more than firecrackers cost.
The city last New Year's sold 4,401 permits — 32 percent fewer than the 6,427 permits sold in 2000.
As of Friday, 1,183 permits had been sold, but satellite city halls have asked three fire inspectors to help in an expected permit "crunch" today and tomorrow, Soo said.
Many remember the days when firecrackers were cheaper and more plentiful.
"No way I'm going to pay $2.59 for a Mighty Dragon Fountain," said Julie Silva of Kalihi, as she examined the wares at Long's Ala Moana, which no longer sells firecrackers.
But Silva said her family will still greet the New Year with a bang.
"I'm just getting some things for the kids, but our cousins will be bringing firecrackers," Silva said.
Reach Walter Wright at wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8054.
