Throw this question out in the employee lunchroom and see how many people put down their Baked Lays and go, "Yeah, for real!"

What is up with all the illegal fireworks this year?

See? You're not the only one who has heard the boom in the far distance. Or the near distance.

Everybody has been wondering. The booming aerials have been lighting up neighborhoods since before Thanksgiving. Kalihi, Palolo, Aiea Heights, Mililani. ...

Are people going out and buying them? Aren't we in a recession? No money for food or utilities but hey, let's buy some pyrotechnics and set the neighborhood on fire.

The other alternative is that this is the stuff they've been saving in Uncle's garage since July 4th?

Abunai!

And incredibly brazen. There have been illegal aerial fireworks at Aloha Stadium during the last two UH football games. Somebody was setting them off in the parking lot. They went up so high folks in the stadium could see them.

Of course, the nature of the crime makes it pretty hard to track the perpetrators. They light the fuse and dig. All that's left is a dead canister and black spot where they burned the grass.

A call to Honolulu Police Department spokesperson Michelle Yu confirmed that, yes, police have seen the aerials, too. But no reports or complaints have come in from the public.

At the Honolulu Fire Department, spokesperson Capt. Terry Seelig says there haven't been any calls about illegal fireworks causing fires or injuries, but make no mistake, no one should be blasting off aerials during non-authorized times. Like now.

"Some people will try to make their own explosive devices," Selig said. "The potential for damage is high."

"It's also disrespectful of the larger community," Selig added.

As if to expound on that point, someone posted the following rant (expletives deleted) on Craigslist in early November:

"To the inconsiderate *** with fireworks at 9 on a weeknight in Temple Valley: Now the kids are up and the dogs are barking all because you have problems controlling your selfish impulses.

"You probably have a yard full of roosters, too ...

"Don't know why I'm bothering to post this — anyone as stupid as you probably can't read anyway."

Nothing tragic has happened yet.

After somebody loses a finger or an eye or a house, then public ire will reach the point where folks will start picking up the phone and pointing out the perps.

Too late, but, yeah?

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.