The number of New Year's fireworks permits sold on O'ahu continues to decline, according to statistics released today by the Honolulu Fire Department.

Only 6,200 fireworks permits had been issued as of the close of business yesterday, though sales continued today. Yesterday's total was nearly 26 percent less than the 8,335 permits issued by Dec. 29, 2007 (when Dec. 30 was a Sunday and no permit sales were made).

In previous years, there were 10,960 permits sold as of Dec. 30, 2006; 13,525 permits sold as of the same date in 2005; 12,525 permits sold as of Dec. 30, 2004; and 8,334 as of the same date in 2003.

Fire officials said they do not know why there has been a decline in permit sales.

Each $25 permit allows a person to purchase up to 5,000 firecrackers. Multiple permits may be purchased.

Permits are required for people to set off firecrackers. None are needed for legal "novelty" fireworks such as sparklers and small fountains.