Senate appends
restrictions
to fireworks bill

The changes limit permits per
household and increase the cost

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By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

The cost of a fireworks permit would double to $50, and there would be other restrictions to fireworks use, under Senate changes to a House bill.

The bill would allow only one permit per household for 5,000 firecrackers.

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It would also mandate a $50 permit to set off sparklers, cones, fountains and other novelty items -- with a limit of $20 worth per household. Currently, there are no restrictions on these items, and they can be bought off the store shelves without a permit.

The changes are the latest sparks in a smoldering debate: The Senate has proposed raising the cost of the $25 permit to $50, while the House proposed slashing it to $10 last month.

The Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee approved the changes to House Bill 899, SD1, yesterday, with all members except Chairman Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu) voting with reservations.

The measure now moves to the Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

"This is definitely a work in progress. There will be a lot of discussion still," said Sen. Willie Espero (D, Ewa Beach), vice chairman of the committee.

Yesterday, the panel heard from Cheves Terai, a follower of Taoism who urged senators to repeal the fireworks permit law because it infringes on religious freedom.

"Your decision to charge a fee in order for me as well as other Chinese and Taoists to burn firecrackers prohibits us, or at least makes it prohibitively expensive for us, to follow our religious beliefs," Terai said.

Richard Botti, president of the Legislative Information Services of Hawaii, also opposed the Senate version of the bill. The current law has worked to reduce the use of firecrackers and aerial fireworks, as well as the smoke and noise that comes with their use, he said.

"In essence, it would cost a consumer $70 to purchase $20 worth of these items, which we consider an economic ban on fireworks," he said.

Kawamoto said fireworks cause problems for the public, no matter who is setting them off. Legislators cannot make laws for certain individuals or one particular culture, Kawamoto said.

"Everybody has to be treated equal," he said.

Kawamoto pushed for a total ban on fireworks and stiffer penalties four years ago, but the House opposed it. The current fireworks permit law was the compromise reached that allows an individual to buy a $25 permit for 5,000 firecrackers. Multiple permits are allowed.

Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi, in written testimony yesterday, supported the Senate version of the bill.

Statistics showed there were 9,929 fireworks permits issued statewide in 2000, with 44 reported fireworks-related injuries. In 2001, 7,963 fireworks permits were issued with 85 reported injuries. In 2002 there were 9,086 permits issued and 59 reported injuries.

Property loss statewide to fireworks was $14,300 in 1999, $360,000 in 2000, $621,400 in 2001 and $1,700 in 2002.