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Fireworks
compromise
bill nears OK

A $25 permit would allow
purchase of 5,000 firecrackers

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

After the Fourth of July this year, popping firecrackers will require a permit costing $25, according to a compromise plan moving at the Legislature.

Saying it was the result of three years of work, Sen. Cal Kawamoto, who originally had wanted to simply outlaw firecrackers, said the issue is one of health and safety.

"We agreed to allow the use of nonaerial fireworks for cultural purposes only," said Kawamoto (Waipahu, Pearl City).

Rep. Eric Hamakawa, who has been negotiating the measure for the House, tentatively agreed to the bill, but said he still had some questions regarding the requirement that the new proposal be enforced in all counties.

As drafted, the bill calls on private users to get a $25 permit that would allow the purchase of only 5,000 firecrackers.

Aerials -- such as bottle rockets, Roman candles and large displays -- would be completely banned for private use. The fireworks legislation has been closely watched after millions of dollars in legal and illegal fireworks were exploded during the New Year's celebration.

A coalition of nearly 40 groups was formed to lobby for stricter fireworks controls.

After yesterday's announced compromise, Cynthia Keolanui, with the Hawaii Humane Society, thought portions of the bill would help, but was unsure of the effect of the permitting system.

"We are going to have to study it," she said.

Richard Botti, who represented fireworks retailers and dealers, said the required charge for fireworks would cut down on illegal aerials and should also reduce the total number of fireworks exploded. "This will squeeze the consumer," Botti said.

There would also be strict new penalties for importing fireworks without a permit.

"We've attached significantly higher fees for importers, wholesalers and retailers of special fireworks," Kawamoto said.

Importers will pay $3,000 for a permit, wholesale dealers would pay $2,000 and retailers, $500.

The counties would be required to issue the permits and be allowed to keep the money.

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