Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Over 2,700
Firecracker
permits issued

A $25 permit is needed
for each lot of 5,000
explosives purchased

Keep fireworks off aircraft
Pets need special care

---

By Gordon Pang
Star-Bulletin

The number of firecracker permits issued for New Year's Eve had climbed to more than 2,700 as of the end of business yesterday.

A new law requires the $25 permits, which allow the holder to buy as many as 5,000 firecrackers.

There is no limit on the number of permits an adult can buy. Retailers are barred from selling packages with more than 5,000 firecrackers.

The permits are available at all nine satellite city halls through tomorrow. Additionally, the Ala Moana, Pearlridge and Windward Mall satellites will issue permits Saturday.

The law applies to firecrackers only, so permits are not required for fireworks such as sparklers or fountains that are commonly found at retail outlets

Fire Capt. Richard Soo said any device that "shoots" sparks higher than 12 feet requires special-use permits and a pyrotechnic license.

Roman candles, jumping jacks and m-80 firecrackers are illegal, Soo said.

Firecrackers, in general, cannot exceed 1.5 inches in length, one-quarter inch in diameter or contain more than 50 milligrams of pyrotechnic composition.

It is also illegal to remove or extract the powder or other pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks device without a permit, Soo said, noting that a person suffered a serious eye injury doing so last year.

---

---

Fireworks
unwelcome on
airplanes

Violators could face
jail time and be fined
up to $250,000

---

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Honolulu Airport security reminds Hawaii residents and visitors during this New Year's weekend that it is illegal to transport fireworks and other hazardous materials aboard passenger aircraft.

Violators could face jail time and fines of up to $250,000.

And yes, airport explosive-detecting devices can recognize the presence of fireworks, said Joe Guyton, airlines security coordinator.

Guyton said airport security technology such as explosive trace detectors and the CTX 5000, which operates similar to a CAT scan to form an image, are being used to check for fireworks and other hazardous material.

The $300,000 detectors were installed in September 1997 and can pick up trace amounts of any material needed to make explosive devices.

The two CTX 5000 computerized systems can locate plastic explosives in cargo luggage. They cost the state $1 million each.

So far, Guyton said, there's been only one recent instance in which someone was caught with a small amount of fireworks in his hand-carried luggage during a routine search.

Still, during this New Year's holiday, security will be especially on the lookout for passengers transporting fireworks to, from or across the state, he said.

"Most certainly, they do transport between here and the outer islands, and from the outer islands to the mainland, because a lot of mainland states have total prohibition against fireworks," Guyton said.

Tweet Coleman, Pacific representative for the Federal Aviation Administration, said there have been no reports from airlines about passengers carrying fireworks aboard aircraft.

---

Pets need special
care during noisy
New Year festivities

---

Star-Bulletin staff

Because of the noise and flash of fireworks during New Year's festivities, many pets become lost or frightened. The Hawaiian Humane Society recommends the following precautions to keep animals safe and secure:

Be sure all your pets are wearing identification. Your veterinarian can give your pet a microchip ID for permanent identification. Have photographs of all pets in case they get lost.

Keep pets indoors in a protected area; a quiet interior room is best. "Outside pets" should be brought into the garage or an enclosed lanai.

If possible, stay with your pets to comfort them, particularly if the animals are excitable.

If you think your pets may need sedatives, call a veterinarian ahead of time. Do not give human tranquilizers to animals.

The humane society, located at 2700 Waialae Avenue in Moiliili, is the official lost-and-found center for all animals on Oahu. If you find a lost animal, call the society at 946-2187, extension 285, or bring the animal to the shelter, which will be open for lost animals 24 hours, including New Year's Day.

If you lose your pet, come to the shelter during visiting hours to look for it and report it lost. Bring a photo of the pet. Visiting hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. The shelter will be closed on New Year's Day for visiting.

Additional information is available at www.hawaiianhumane.org.