Posted on: Friday, June 28, 2002
4th of July firework celebrations pose threat to tinder-dry fields
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
| Four displays for the public
The Honolulu Fire Department is urging residents to let professionals discharge the fireworks, at four large public displays on Oahu. Turtle Bay Resort will have the first Wednesday with a fireworks display for ticket-holders attending a jazz concert there from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Thursday, there will be free displays open to the general public at: |
Firefighters are girding for grass fires and injuries as Hawai'i prepares for its Fourth of July celebration.
Tinder-dry fields and hot weather conditions have officials worried.
"We are expecting a typical Fourth in terms of fireworks use," Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said yesterday.
But with firecrackers going on sale in stores tomorrow, five days before they can be used legally from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, it is the intervening time that has firefighters worried.
Permits to purchase up to 5,000 firecrackers have been for sale for $25 each at Satellite City Halls on O'ahu, but sales of the actual firecrackers in stores won't begin until tomorrow.
Sales will continue through 9 p.m. Thursday.
Sales of firecrackers seem to be declining because of the $25 permit system which took effect July 15, 2000.
"I know for sure one of the eight importers from last year has backed out, and a couple of the 10 wholesalers who had licenses last year will be doing retail only this year," said Chuck Perry, fireworks inspector for the Honolulu Fire Department. "Some of them think it's too much red tape, and the volume of sales is going down."
Some licensees are shifting away from firecrackers and toward novelty fireworks items not covered by permits, he said.
Reach Walter Wright at wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8054.
