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Some shopping Traditionally, the first big string of firecrackers is lit up around 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve at James Castillo's house in Wahiawa.
for a blast
Oahu residents ponder how much
bang they can get when fireworks
permits cost 25 bucksBy Gordon Y. K. Pang
Star-BulletinA new string then goes off every half hour until well into a new year at a house where an estimated $300 goes up in smoke to ring in a new year.
Not this year. "This year, I think only maybe one (at midnight)," Castillo said while surveying fireworks that went on sale today.
With Christmas over, many Oahu residents are now pondering how they will approach a new law that requires them to purchase $25 permits that will let them buy up to 5,000 firecrackers.
Castillo, 20, said the cost of the permits means he won't be popping as many firecrackers this year.
"We'll probably buy more of those because of the permits," Castillo said, pointing to the 15 "ground bloom flower with report" packages in his cart that don't require permits.
Those fireworks cost $1.77, much less than the firecrackers on sale today, which ranged from about $5 to about $23.
While the fireworks aisles at the Pearl City Daiei and Longs were buzzing, it wasn't like the crowds of previous years when stores sometimes had trouble keeping fireworks in stock.
Carolyn Izumigawa of Pearl City picked up one 5,000-count box of Lotus Brand firecrackers at $22.97 with the one permit she had. But surveying the firecracker displays at Daiei, she said she'll probably end up needing to get a second permit.
"Five thousand is really a little bit," Izumigawa said, noting that her family usually sets off two strings at midnight on New Year's.
Izumigawa said she has mixed feelings about the new law. She believes in continuing her family tradition but sympathizes with those who don't like fireworks.
She believes stricter enforcement of previous fireworks laws that ban aerials would ease the situation.
Waikele resident Sheri Fukushima said she doesn't like firecrackers on New Year's. "It's just too smoky."
Still, it's a tradition in the family and her husband got two permits for the big strings that will go up around midnight at her mother's Pearl City home, Fukushima said.
It will be his job to get the firecrackers while she will get the novelty items for the kids, she said.
Fire Capt. Richard Soo said fewer than 500 permits had been issued as of Friday. Soo said the nine satellite city halls, where the permits are available, will be expecting a rush this week.
The permits will be on sale at all nine satellites through Friday -- but will also be available through Saturday only at the Ala Moana, Pearlridge and Windward Mall satellites.
Soo said people should call 831-7764 if they have further questions.