CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Michael Soriano, Jonathan Rodrigues and Jeffrey Soriano browsed through the novelty fireworks yesterday at Grocery Outlet in Kalihi. Store owners say sales appear to be slower from the same time last year. CLICK FOR LARGE
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Careful with those crackers, HFD says
Fire officials blame fireworks for four fires as they prepare for New Year's Eve revels
FIREWORKS probably caused a 2-acre brushfire in Makaha yesterday, according to fire officials, who are urging the public to be careful tonight during New Year's celebrations.
Five fire companies extinguished the blaze behind Makaha Elementary School about 4:50 p.m., a little more than two hours after it broke out, said Capt. Terry Seelig. There were no injuries and homes were not threatened, he said.
Besides the Makaha fire, Seelig said, there were three other small fires yesterday that may have been caused by fireworks.
"The numbers are going to grow fast," he said. "They always do."
As thousands of people get ready to light up pyrotechnics on streets and in front of their homes to welcome 2007, the Honolulu Fire Department is preparing to handle a spike in fires and other incidents.
The department will enlist the help of an additional 16 workers today and use three extra tankers -- each carrying between 1,500 and 2,500 gallons of water -- until 8 a.m. tomorrow.
During the 2005-06 New Year's Eve, the HFD responded to 193 incidents, up from 133 on the same day the year before. Incidents include not only fires, but also calls from the public about possible fire violations.
Parents should also be aware of a broader arson law that makes them responsible for the damage from fires caused by their children, even if accidentally set by fireworks.
Meanwhile, revelers yesterday were hitting shops to pack up on explosive stuff, from fluorescent flares and fountains to so-called "titanium-powered crackers."
Cheryl Brash of Kaneohe picked almost $300 worth of sparklers and other noisy novelties from a TNT tent sale on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Kona Iki street.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mae Respicio sorted through a pile of fireworks permits yesterday at Grocery Outlet in Kalihi. Respicio and her husband, Albert, own and operate the discount supermarket, which doubled its order of firecrackers after selling out early last year. Respicio estimated approximately 2,000 permits were handed in at their store. CLICK FOR LARGE
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"It's a family thing, a tradition. We've been growing up with it," the 40-year-old said before stuffing the goods in her pickup truck. "It's not a waste of money. I like my kids to have fun."
Store owners, however, say sales appear to be slower compared to the same time last year, attributing the decline to more retailers selling fireworks and an influx of imported items. Also, the 9,232 firecracker permits sold by the city are more than 1,000 short of last year's count, according to figures released last week.
"There's not a lot of people, but there's a steady flow coming in," said Donald Dowd, a disc jockey with the nonprofit Musical Youth of Hawaii, who was working as a cashier at the Kapiolani tent and estimated customers to be spending between $50 to $500.
Dowd said about 30 percent of all fireworks proceeds will go to his group, which gives free classes to high school students on how to spin records and mix music. He said fireworks prices could be reduced tonight if there are some leftover right before the tent closes at 10 p.m.
"We are trying to move as much as we can," Dowd said.
At Grocery Outlet in Kalihi, owner Albert Respicio, who sold all his fireworks last year, said he might need to return four of 25 loads of assorted novelties he ordered.
"It's not too much. I'm still pretty happy with it," Respicio said as customers scanned the colorful fireworks in his store.
Among them was Jerald Nakasone, 56, a Realtor who was making a last-minute trip to complete his personal display.
"I'm just looking to add to the arsenal," said the Manoa resident, who has so far spent about $75 in fireworks to celebrate the turning of the year with his family. "It's a tradition, plus, I have my own business, so it's kind of for good luck."
FIREWORKS LAWS
Fireworks can be set off legally from 9 p.m. tonight until 1 a.m. tomorrow. It is unlawful to:
» Remove pyrotechnic contents from fireworks.
» Throw any ignited fireworks from a moving vehicle.
» Set off fireworks in the vicinity of health care facilities and facilities for animals.
» Set off fireworks by schools.
» Set off fireworks on public ways, or in parks, cane fields or places of worship.
» Set off, ignite, discharge or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks within 500 feet of any hotel without a permit.
» Offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors and for any minor to possess, purchase or set off, ignite or otherwise cause fireworks to explode. (The exception is that parents or guardians may allow a minor to use fireworks while under immediate supervision and control of an adult.)
Source: Honolulu Fire Department
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