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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, December 30, 2005

Dec. 31 forecast is lots of smoke statewide

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A fireworks enthusiast since childhood, Waimanalo resident Kalani Nuuanu shops at a Tiger Corp. stand in Waiakamilo for more to add to his New Year's Eve cache.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Michelle Pantil of 'Ewa Beach wears a mask every New Year’s for her asthma. She says it lets her enjoy watching her family play fireworks.

JOAQUIN SIOPACK | The Honolulu Advertiser

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TIPS FOR THOSE WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS

Drink fluids to loosen mucus and induce coughing. Warm beverages tend to work best.

Make sure air conditioner or air purifier is in working order by changing filters.

Check with a physician and obtain enough medication.

Stay indoors, close windows and doors. Use a paper, gauze or non-toxic dust mask if necessary.

Source: American Lung Association (537-5966).

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FIREWORKS PLAY

Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

Only use legal fireworks purchased from a licensed retail outlet.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

Light fireworks only on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials.

Never relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.

Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.

Source: Honolulu Fire Department (831-7764).

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PET PROTECTION

Resist taking your pet to fireworks displays. Most animals don't enjoy noisy holiday spectacles.

Don't leave your pet in the car. In addition to the danger posed by pet thieves, cars can heat up to a deadly temperature in minutes, even with windows partially opened.

Keep your pet in a safe place indoors. Leave a radio or television on at normal volume to provide pets with some companionship while you're out.

If possible, do not leave pets outside and unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. Animals may panic, escape and get lost.

If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before New Year's Eve for ways to help alleviate fear and anxiety. Do not give your pet tranquilizers without consulting a veterinarian.

Source: Hawaiian Humane Society (946-2187).

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ACQUIRING PERMITS

Cost per permit: $25

O'ahu:

  • Today, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., satellite city halls at Ala Moana Center, Pearlridge Shopping Center, Windward Mall, Hawai'i Kai Corporate Plaza, Fort Street, Keolu Shopping Center, Kapolei Hale, Kapalama City Square, Wai'anae Neighborhood Community Center and 330 North Cane St. in Wahiawa.

  • Tomorrow: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., satellite city halls at Ala Moana Center, Pearlridge Shopping Center, Windward Mall; 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Hawai'i Kai Corporate Plaza.

    Kaua'i: Today until 4 p.m.,

    Mo'ikeha Building at Lihu'e Civic Center.

    Maui: Today, may not be available on Maui. Check with Fire Prevention office at 270-7566. Today until 4 p.m., Moloka'i and Lana'i Parks Departments.

    Big Island: Today until 6 p.m. and tomorrow until 8 p.m., Municipal Building in Hilo; today and tomorrow until 6 p.m., Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea, Liquor Control Conference Room at Hanama Place in Kona.

    Source: Honolulu Fire Department.

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    Brisk fireworks sales, a three-day weekend and good weather could mean an especially loud and smoke-filled New Year's Eve across the state.

    Firecracker sales slowed after a "tremendous" opening day on Monday, but Daiei (USA) Inc. merchandise manager of non-food items Erwin Uyeda expects a sellout.

    "We still have firecrackers but are running out of certain selections," Uyeda said yesterday.

    Paperless firecrackers for which a city permit is not needed have become popular, he said.

    The huge underground market of illegal fireworks in Hawai'i means permit sales are not an accurate gauge of how much activity there will be this year. It could be busier than usual because of the good weather and the long weekend.

    New Year fireworks permit sales on O'ahu hit a five-year high of 12,662 in 2004. As of yesterday, 10,351 permits to purchase firecrackers had been sold, said Dennis Taga, satellite city hall division chief.

    Taga expected sales of the $25 permits to approach last year's total, which generated $316,550 for the city's coffers.

    BREATHING PROBLEMS

    New Year's fireworks play, especially on O'ahu, fills the air with so much particulate pollution that the national America Lung Association has given Hawai'i a "D" grade for air quality leading up to and following the midnight blast.

    The smokey conditions present a threat to people with breathing problems like Clara Ito, 58, of lower Maunlani Heights and Michelle Pantil, 34, of 'Ewa Beach.

    "I feel fear because I know my lung is being taken away each year," said Ito, who uses an oxygen container to breathe. "It's the worse time of year for me, breathingwise. Even with the oxygen, I smell it."

    Ito will sit in her living room with all the windows closed but leaves the front door slightly open for her dogs to look outside. When she begins to smell the smoke, Ito will go into an air-conditioned room to sit out the fireworks.

    "It's no fun," Ito said, "but it's OK. I understand. I only worry about aerials."

    Smoke from fireworks triggered Pantil's first asthma attack 15 years ago. Since then, she takes medication and wears a surgical mask to watch her husband and two children play fireworks.

    "We grew up with it so I don't dread it; I look forward to it," Pantil said. "With the medication and precautions, I can enjoy it."

    The good news is light trade winds are expected tomorrow, said lead forecaster Bob Farrell of the National Weather Service. "If there's no breeze, the smoke is going to hang," Farrell said.

    DRY CONDITIONS

    Farrell cautioned homeowners on O'ahu to make sure there's no dry brush around their homes. "We haven't had rain for three weeks and everything is dry so they should be very careful," Farrell said.

    Regarding dry conditions, Kaua'i firefighters reported yesterday that they have responded to 15 brushfires this month, compared to no brushfires reported in December 2004.

    Pulmonologist Dr. Stuart Sugihara advised that people with breathing problems should contact their doctors for an emergency plan and most important, have a supply of medicine available. "It's a different situation this year because it's a long weekend," Sugihara said.

    Last New Year's Eve, city Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to 26 calls for breathing problems between 3:37 a.m. and 10:56 p.m. as compared to 18 responses, all for breathing difficulties, the year before.

    Donnie Gates, assistant chief of operations for Honolulu EMS, said the breathing problems cannot be identified as fireworks-related but said the times of the reports indicate that fireworks played a big role.

    He noted EMS response to traffic accidents and assaults is also high during the New Year's Eve and after-midnight period. "The way things are now, it's out of hand," said Gates, a 40-year EMS veteran who favors a fireworks ban.

    The state, meanwhile, reported yesterday that fireworks-related injuries statewide doubled last year during the 2004-05 New Year's holiday compared to the year before. Emergency facilities treated 115 people and 89 percent were for burns, most of them from "flowers" and sparklers, which can burn at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Half of the people treated were children 13 and younger. The state said that as the number of permits issued increases, the reported injuries increase along with them.

    CARE FOR PETS

    Animal care is also an important consideration during heavy fireworks play.

    Dr. Allen Takayama of 'Aina Haina Pet Hospital Inc. said residents should keep outdoor pets in the house, bathroom, garage or in a quiet area, possibly in a traveling case if one is available. Younger animals, three months or younger, should be kept in the house. Tranquilizers require prescriptions, he said.

    Jacque LeBlanc of the Hawaiian Humane Society suggests that pets wear identification or a microchip tag with current information. More than 100 runaways were turned into the Humane Society between Dec. 20 of last year and Jan. 2, 2005. A runaway pet with proper ID can be held for nine days but one without ID will be put up for adoption within 48 hours, said LeBlanc.

    Lt. Scott English of the Maui Fire Prevention office said the department may halt permit sales today because the inventory of firecrackers on the Valley Island is already maxed out because of the closure of Ooka Supermarket in Wailuku over the summer.

    "Ooka Supermarket accounted for 50 to 60 percent of firecracker sales," English said.

    A factor in the Big Island drop is that permits are being sold this year by the Fire Department whereas they could be purchased in previous years — 2,552 (2000), 2,655 (2001), 2,158 (2002) and 2,792 (2003) — through vendors.

    Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.