Posted on: Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Demand up for firecrackers
| • | Buying fireworks |
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
While one major retailer has sold out of firecrackers, there's no need for consumers to panic as other vendors say they have ample supplies.
Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Vendors have brought to O'ahu 6,761 cases of firecrackers this year, more than twice as many as last year, said Capt. Emmit Kane, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.
To buy firecrackers you must first buy a $25 permit from the city. Novelty fireworks, such as fountains and sparklers, don't require a permit.
Sales of novelty fireworks far outnumber firecracker sales and there's no indication any stores are running out of them. Vendors ordered 68,522 cases of novelty fireworks this year, just slightly less than the 71,327 ordered last year.
Daiei ran short of firecrackers despite increasing its order, said Mel Yogi, Daiei general merchandise buyer.
"We ran short last year, so we boosted up the order somewhat," Yogi said. "We thought we had at least a four-day supply, but it lasted a little over two days."
Pacific Fireworks on Ke'eaumoku reported a brisk business yesterday.
"This was a mad rush," said manager Woody Barboza. "I've never seen a rush like this."
"We grew up with it, so it's kind of a tradition," Ebesu said.
Thomas Esperanza, who sells fireworks at stands in Waimalu Shopping Center and Kalihi Shopping Center, said sales were up from last year. He predicted he would sell out before New Year's Eve.
Last year, retailers reported importing three times as much fireworks as in 2002, and most sold out.
Sales of fireworks permits have surged this year and are expected to top last year's total.
As of the end of Monday, the city had issued 8,623 permits, said Dennis Taga, chief of the satellite city halls, where the permits are sold. That's just about 200 shy of last year's total of 8,828, he said.
One $25 permit allows you to buy 5,000 firecrackers.
"Yesterday was extremely busy, but today has tapered off," Taga said. "We expect a steady flow through Thursday."
Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 535-2470.
Daiei stores on O'ahu ran out of firecrackers yesterday. But several Foodland stores reported having a comfortable supply, and Pacific Fireworks on Ke'eaumoku Street brought in more boxes of firecrackers to help meet demand.
Woody Barboza sold out all his firecrackers yesterday morning and had to restock supplies.
Kaimuki resident Travis Ebesu, 42, was among Barboza's customers yesterday. Armed with two permits, he bought about $120 worth of firecrackers.
Travis Ebesu, right, bought about $120 worth of fireworks yesterday at Pacific Fireworks. Earlier, another customer spent $1,300.
| BUYING FIREWORKS
• Permits to buy firecrackers can be purchased for $25 during normal business hours at any satellite city hall (which are closed Friday due to the New Year's holiday). • One permit allows the holder to buy up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permits may be purchased. • The permit fee is nonrefundable even if retailers run out of firecrackers. • You don't need a permit to buy novelty fireworks, such as sparklers and fountains. • Sales of fireworks are permitted through 1 a.m. Jan. 1. • Fireworks can be used only from 9 p.m. New Year's Eve to 1 a.m. on New Year's Day. Source: Honolulu City and County |
