Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Spectacles of fireworks require permits but not notice

Question: On Aug. 4 there was a huge "explosion" at 9 p.m. in the Kahala area. It turned out to be a fireworks display. I checked online for information but could not find any clue as to its sponsorship. Is it possible for the public to be informed of fireworks in residential areas so that we can secure our animals? Where do we call to get action or information?

Answer: Right now, there's no place to call or Web site to check to find out, in general, when a fireworks display is scheduled, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

HFD issues fireworks permits for Oahu, except for those on federal property.

The one regularly scheduled display we know of is Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa's long-standing Aloha Friday King's Jubilee & Fireworks show on Fridays.

According to the hotel's Web site, the display begins at 8 p.m. Friday, April to September, and 7:30 p.m. Friday, October to March.

The Aug. 4 approved fireworks display was conducted by a licensed pyrotechnics operator for a private event at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, said HFD spokesman Terry Seelig.

He said the sponsor of a commercial fireworks display usually puts out a public notice through advertising. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a case in point.

Other than that, "Generally, public notification is not made for approved, private fireworks displays," he said.

The exceptions are during special holidays, such as the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve.

Prior to the public celebrations on those days, HFD issues advisories to the news media describing where and when fireworks displays will be held, Seelig said.

HFD's dispatch center also is notified in case they receive reports of explosions.

Since you mentioned seeing the display in a residential area, we asked what restrictions there are for setting off the displays.

Seelig said residential areas are not considered good venues for fireworks displays, because they are usually too small to meet the requirements for a "suitable safe distance" and a fallout zone.

"In general, a fireworks display is approved if there is a suitable safe distance between the firing area and spectators," he said.

"The fireworks display area must also contain a fallout zone to safely catch falling fireworks debris."

Mahalo

To Gloria, who inadvertently took my set of keys during security checks at the Obama rally on Friday, Aug. 8, at Keehi Lagoon Park, then kindly turned them in to Servco Lexus. When I discovered that my keys were missing, I called Servco Lexus, hoping they might be contacted as an intermediary to reunite the keys with their owner. Servco Lexus called me when the person who mistakenly took the keys contacted them. I am very appreciative of all those who assisted me in retrieving these keys. It would have cost me about $500 to replace two of the keys, and their return relieved me of a lot of worry. It adds to my convictions that people want to do the right thing, if they know what to do. -- Darryl Summers