O'ahu getting ready for a big New Year's bang

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Light Kona winds and a surge in the sale of firecrackers and permits could add up to a smoky New Year's Eve.

Lisha Fraticelli watches Desiree Echalas pull a box of 5,000 firecrackers for customers at Specialty Holiday Season's booth at Waimalu Shopping Center. A $25 city permit is needed to buy 5,000 firecrackers. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Despite a three-fold increase in the number of firecrackers imported to Hawai'i, retailers yesterday afternoon said most of their shelves were empty.

Gary Tang, assistant manager of the Daiei store on Kaheka, said while novelty items such as sparklers and pop-pops remained well stocked, firecrackers were sold out by Saturday, the second day of sales, even though the store brought in extra cases that day.

A $25 city permit is needed to purchase 5,000 firecrackers, but there is no limit to the number of permits each person can buy. By law, fireworks can be set off between 9 tonight and 1 a.m. tomorrow.

Many stores sold out

Stephanie Higa, general merchandise supervisor for Foodland stores, said most of her 29 locations were out of firecrackers by yesterday afternoon. "People are paying $25 for permits and nobody has any (firecrackers)," Higa said.

According to Dennis Taga, supervisor of the 10 satellite city halls that sell permits, 8,334 permits have been sold as of yesterday evening, compared with 5,246 on Dec. 30 last year. Permits can still be purchased today.

But Taga said toward the end of the day yesterday, he instructed his staff to tell buyers that they would have to hunt to find firecracker vendors.

Last year, a last-minute dash for firecracker permits exhausted supplies at stores and left many people holding only expensive pieces of paper. Taga said the Honolulu Fire Department was allowing people who were unable to buy firecrackers last year to re-use their permits this year.

Whether the air will be filled with lingering smoke remains to be seen.

Hans Rosendal, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said showers are expected tonight, but light winds out of the southeast will allow smoke to stall over Honolulu, which is bad news for the more than 115,000 people in the state afflicted with asthma.

Dr. Jeffrey Kam, an asthma and allergy specialist with Straub Clinic and Hospital, said he passed out more than 2,000 filter masks last Saturday at Ala Moana Center.

"People with respiratory problems may suffer increased breathing difficulty when exposed to the irritant effects of firework smoke," Kam said.

Fireworks smoke contains a cocktail of chemicals, some of them toxic. The major ingredients, sulfur and carbon, are mixed with color-creating compounds like barium, lithium, and strontium, none of which are easy on the lungs.

The American Lung Association Hawai'i chapter recognizes the problem and is offering free filter masks, similar to the ones used by painters, at its 245 North Kukui Street location until 8 p.m. tonight.

"It's sort of like seeing a freight train coming," said Douglas Yee, past American Lung Association president and a current volunteer. "We have this problem that every year the city disappears under a cloud of smoke."

Attorney general's warning

Law enforcement officials cautioned the public about the hazards of tampering with fireworks, both legal and illegal. During a press conference at U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo's office, 30-year-old Daniel Lista, who lost his hand in a fireworks accident, urged children and their parents not to tamper with fireworks.

"This is the result I have to live with for the rest of my life," said Lista, a Waipahu resident.

Lista lost his hand in 2001 when a homemade explosive device he was fastening out of sparklers prematurely detonated.

Almost 150 people have been injured by fireworks related incidents in Hawai'i over the past two years.

"Any form of fireworks, no matter how small, is still a dangerous explosive device," Kubo said.

Deputy Police Chief Paul Putzulu said anyone found in possession of more than 25 pounds of illegal fireworks can be arrested and charged with a felony carrying a maximum five years in prison. He said a full complement of officers will be patrolling New Year's Eve and the department will respond to any calls of illegal firework use.

He said it is also illegal to modify fireworks, because doing so creates an explosive device.

Putzulu said arresting someone for illegal firework requires an officer to witness someone lighting the fuse on a banned firework.

City prosecutor Peter Carlisle said his office rarely prosecutes people for the use of illegal fireworks because getting the evidence into court is very difficult.

"That's not to say we won't do our best to get serious consequences," Carlisle said. "But it's difficult to acquire the proof."

According to the bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, 9,000 people were injured by fireworks nationwide in 2002, half of whom were children under the age of 15. In addition to the injuries, four people were killed in fireworks-related accidents last year.

"If you plan to use fireworks, please do so safely," Carlisle said. "Any mistake might last the rest of your life."

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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Precautions for a safe, happy New Year's Eve Fire Safety tips The Honolulu Fire Department suggests: • Use only approved fireworks from licensed retail outlets. • Always read and follow warnings and instructions. • Ensure that other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. • Fireworks should only be lit on smooth, flat surfaces away from buildings, dry vegetation and flammable materials. • Never set off fireworks in metal or glass containers. • Have a garden hose or a bucket of water ready in the event of a fire. • Children should only use fireworks under the direct supervision of an adult. Even sparklers can be dangerous to small children. • Leave the fireworks to professionals and consider watching a public display Health tips If heavy smoke from fireworks is in your area, the American Lung Association suggests these extra precautions, especially if you suffer from a chronic breathing problem such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema: • Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. • Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus and help you cough. Warm beverages tend to work best. • Stay indoors, close windows and doors, and use an air-conditioner or air purifier with a good filter, if possible. • If you have medications, put them in a convenient place. It is important to continue taking your medication. Medications you need for an acute episode should be readily available. If you don't have any medication but feel that you might need them, call your physician ahead of time. Make sure you have clear instructions from your physician as to what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens. • Avoid people who have colds or other lung infections. • Assume that your lung condition may deteriorate during periods of heavy smoke. Contact your physician as soon as any problem develops. Do not allow a respiratory condition to linger, especially if there is a high concentration of smoke. • Also, masks are available at the American Lung Association of Hawaii's office for free. They can be picked up at 245 North Kukui Street, Ste. 100. For more information, call 537-5966.

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Sources: City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Fire Department