In 'Ewa Beach, residents say, the illegal fireworks kicked in as far back as October and built to a war-zone crescendo by New Year's Eve, resulting in what one person described as "house-shaking explosions," wailing car alarms, crying babies and cowering pets.

Others reported that visibility on H-1 Freeway between the Likelike offramp and the Honolulu Airport off-ramp was so thick that motorists were unable to see more than a car length in front of them.

One Royal Kunia resident said so many illegal aerials were blasting overhead that she wondered how anyone could possibly claim the state is in a recession.

"I am for a total ban on fireworks," said Bryan Delp of 'Ewa Beach. "I am dismayed by the lack of responsibility by adults, the lack of law enforcement and the seemingly lack of care by our government leaders."

Honolulu police yesterday said officers issued 14 fireworks-related citations in the week up to and including New Year's, but that none were for illegal aerial fireworks.

Making a case for an arrest requires a patrol officer to witness the fireworks being lit or tossed, said Maj. Clayton Kau, HPD spokesman.

Police can rely on a witness, but people tend not to turn in their neighbors, added HPD Maj. Frank Fujii.

"The community has to see this as a concern," Fujii said. "They have to be willing to come out."

The 14 citations were for setting off fireworks in prohibited areas such as freeways, parks, beaches and near churches. No arrests were made for illegal aerials.

From Dec. 26 to yesterday, Honolulu police responded to 1,361 fireworks-related calls, the department said. That was down from the 1,566 fireworks-related calls during the same period last year.

In addition, police on Monday arrested two people for selling illegal aerial fireworks at an airport-area warehouse and confiscated 3,000 pounds of fireworks valued at about $60,000.

Even so, residents reported seeing and hearing as many or more illegal aerials than ever.

J.T. Morgan of Makaha is an unabashed holiday fireworks fan. Morgan said New Year's Eve on the Wai'anae Coast was a glorious night to remember.

"The fireworks were just going crazy," Morgan said. "And it was really a show. You wouldn't have believed it. It was one of the greatest fireworks nights in my memory. I saw tons and tons and tons of aerials." He said he considers them things of beauty and excitement.

But Delp said he's had enough.

"I am in favor of any initiative that will ban fireworks and increase enforcement on import, sales, possession and use of fireworks except at licensed professional exhibitions," Delp said.

State Rep. Roy Takumi, D-36th (Pearl City, Momilani, Pacific Palisades), yesterday said he will introduce a bill in the coming legislative session that would ban fireworks on O'ahu. Takumi has seen his previous efforts on this fail. But he feels that this time, the momentum could be shifting.

"Whether you think we should retain the status quo, we should increase penalties, we should increase permitting costs, increase taxes, ban fireworks altogether, whatever the alternative might be — at the very minimum this is an issue that warrants discussion," Takumi said. "Because, clearly, what we have done up until now doesn't work."

Under Takumi's proposal, a fireworks ban would apply to the islands with a population of more than 500,000, excluding all islands other than O'ahu

The Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Fire Department are on record as favoring a ban on fireworks.

"We feel that it's a public safety issue," said fire department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig. "Fireworks have properties that make them dangerous. They are explosive devices. People who don't use them properly take on a great deal of risk in terms of hurting themselves or causing damage to others."