Ban fireworks?
By C. Richard Fassler
Forget it!Ban fireworks? You've got to be kidding! In recent days, the governor, the Star-Bulletin and now a citizens' group has declared they are in favor of such a move. The City Council is debating this possibility and the Legislature soon may be asked to take action.
But think about the insanity of this proposal. We are considering eliminating what is -- in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, island, neighborhood, local/visitor/military mix and income level -- the most popular activity in Hawaii. It is one of the few things in this diverse state that nearly ALL of us like to do. If we were to vote on banning fireworks, it would be overwhelmingly defeated.
I realize that there are negative aspects to burning fireworks that concern everyone. Let's take a closer look at these.
Consider the noise and smoke. Of the 8,760 hours in a year, the intense fireworks burning that draws complaints takes place during two of them -- from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve. That's .0002 percent of the time. Is it too much to ask a few people to be more tolerant when so many others are enjoying themselves?
There is a way for those who dislike fireworks to avoid the smoke and noise: They can go inside and shut their doors and windows. At a time of year when temperatures are generally cool, this is not asking too much.
Granted air pollution was a problem this past New Year's Eve. But this was because of the lack of tradewinds, which was quite unusual for this time of year. Usually, our famous trades blow the smoke away, or make it far more tolerable during the five-hour period when most fireworks burning takes place.
Yes, injuries occur (almost always minor) to a fraction of the fireworks-shooting population. If we ban fireworks and send thousands back to the bars for the traditional drunk-fest, we're talking REAL injuries! And think about this: Far more people are bitten by dogs each year than are injured by fireworks. Should we place a ban on dog-keeping?
Some houses have burned (a tiny percentage), the result of illegal aerial rockets. This can be prevented by stricter regulation of sales.
Now consider the positives. New Year's Eve in Hawaii (because of our fireworks) has become an important visitor event that pours millions of dollars into our state. In a down economy with tourism needing all the help it can get, we should be enhancing and promoting our most popular attractions -- not planning their elimination.
Indeed, as the unofficial "New Year's Eve Fireworks Capital of the World," Hawaii should be laying plans to welcome the new millennium with the largest New Year's fireworks extravaganza ever. Can Las Vegas or New York top that? "Explode into 2000 in Hawaii!" would pack our hotels.
To get us out of our economic doldrums, the state is encouraging residents to spend more. Spending on fireworks has benefitted local businesses -- both mom-n-pop stores and giant discount chains. Ask merchants if they'd like to ban fireworks.
Burning fireworks is a genuine tradition, deeply embedded in our Asian heritage. Eliminating a tradition, especially a highly enjoyable one, is not something any of us should take lightly.
Because burning fireworks takes place in the streets, it may be the only event of the year that provides an opportunity for neighbors to get together. Bringing neighbors together is the cornerstone of our Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program. Ban fireworks in Lower Manoa where I live, and you have will have a lot of disappointed 5-year-olds -- and 70-year-olds.
Of course, we can take steps to improve the situation. We should promote fireworks safety and responsibility. In my 30 years in the islands, I have yet to see a single article in the press or a TV feature devoted to this subject.
In sum, the benefits of fireworks -- tradition, tourism, neighborliness, economy, and fun -- far outweigh the costs.
Let's not let our legislators take away something that most of us feel is one of the best things about living in Hawaii!
C. Richard Fassler is the coordinator of the Lower Manoa
Neighborhood Security Watch Program.