More O'ahu residents have been opting to buy paperless firecrackers and fireworks novelties, which don't require a city hall-issued permit, over the past several years instead of purchasing traditional firecrackers, a trend that fire officials say doesn't make Independence Day any less dangerous.

The city had issued 122 permits for firecracker purchases as of yesterday. That's 10 fewer permits than last year and 171 fewer than 2004. Permit numbers have been steadily decreasing for years, the city said.

It's likely that paperless firecrackers, as well as spinners, poppers, sparklers and other firework novelties, have become more acceptable, said Eric Kimura, who works in the city's Department of Customer Services.

"The stats really dropped," Kimura said. "People are becoming accustomed to paperless fireworks. When paperless fireworks came out, they were just as loud."

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig guessed that many people decided they would rather spend their money on the actual product instead of a $25 permit. The permit allows purchase of up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. There is no limit to the number of permits a person may buy.

"We still advocate a complete ban on consumer fireworks because of the risks that are inherent in the commodity," Seelig said. "There's still a risk of accidentally hurting someone or starting a fire. We feel that O'ahu has too much potential for harm."

Don Quijote store manager Ed Sawai said firework sales will likely be higher than last year because of the extra day people have to shop.

"Friday, everybody gets off, plus we have the weekend," he said. "So you have two solid days of selling."

Kane'ohe resident and geologist LeAnne Teruya, 45, said she has never bought a permit and spent about $50 in no-permit fireworks for the Fourth of July.

Last year, she and her family watched the public fireworks displays, she said. But after coming to Don Quijote, she decided to have their own celebration.

Ka'a'awa resident and caterer Kelly Carter, 51, said she usually buys about $200 in fireworks for July Fourth. She didn't buy a permit this year and never has.

"The permit is ridiculous," she said. "Nobody has a permit that I know."