Fireworks go on sale tomorrow, but Hawaii fire officials suggest leaving the pyrotechnics to the professionals. Fire officials urge
caution on the 4thThe dry season will merit extra
Permit requirements
firetrucks to be on duty that dayBy Lisa Asato
lasato@starbulletin.com"Our recommendation is not to even purchase firecrackers or fireworks, but to attend public displays," said Kauai County Fire Chief David Sproat. "The displays have much better fireworks than anyone can buy anyway."
Fire officials agree that people burn fewer fireworks on the Fourth of July compared to New Year's Eve.
But this year's Independence Day comes after the state has weathered four years of drought with two brush fires in Kaneohe and Waianae this past weekend.
"Last Fourth of July was wet. Now we're looking at a dry spell just a week before the Fourth," said Capt. Richard Soo, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman.
"(We're) going to be putting three extra firetrucks on call as a precaution."
Soo said there is also heightened concern for children, who by law are required to have adult supervision while playing with firecrackers.
According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimate, hospital emergency rooms treated about 8,500 people for fireworks-related injuries in 1999. About half were less than 15 years old.
Soo offered these fireworks safety tips:
>> Use only approved fireworks from a licensed retail outlet that has a posted retail permit at its site.
>> Read and follow warnings and instructions listed by the manufacturer for the safe use and handling of fireworks.
>> Ensure that others are out of range before lighting fireworks.
>> Fireworks should be lighted only on a smooth, flat surface away from structures, dry leaves and flammable materials.
>> Have a garden hose or a bucket of water ready in case of fire.
Also, Hawaii's fireworks law now requires people to buy a $25 permit for every 5,000 firecrackers.
This is the first Independence Day that the law would apply.
Neal Arisumi, seasonal buyer in charge of fireworks for Daiei (USA) Inc., said the store typically sells 25 percent fewer fireworks for the Fourth of July than New Year's.
New Year's sales fell about 90 percent after the law took effect, he said, and he did not anticipate a huge demand for Wednesday's holiday.
"We're not going to have any crowd or anything like that," he said. "We're just going to have (fireworks) available."
There is no limit to the number of permits one can buy, and permits are not required for novelty fireworks such as sparklers. Isles require permits
to buy fireworksOnly permit holders can light fireworks on the 4th of July
Star-Bulletin staff
Permit holders may burn fireworks from 1 to 9 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
To buy a permit, you must be 18 years or older and show a picture ID.
On Oahu, permits are issued at satellite city halls during normal hours.
On the Big Island, Kauai and Maui, the permits are available at the following locations.
Big Island:
>> Central Fire Station in Hilo and Kona Service Center. Permits will be on sale at both sites 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until July 3.For more details, call the Hilo office at 961-8549 or the fire inspector in Kona at 327-3546.
Kauai:
>> Permit applications are available at all fire stations at reasonable hours. Permits need to be processed at fire department headquarters and paid for at the Department of Motor Vehicles; both offices are at the Moikeha Building at 4444 Rice St. The offices are selling permits 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to July 3.For more information, call Kauai's Fire Prevention Bureau at 241-6500.
Maui:
>> Kahului, Kihei and Lahaina fire stations, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.>> Wailuku Fire Station, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to July 4, including weekends.
For information, call Maui's Fire Prevention Bureau at 270-7123, or log onto the Maui County Web site at www.co.maui.hi.us/departments/fire/index.html.