CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Yesterday marked the start of fireworks shopping for New Year's Eve. Helen Manuel, left, Kelii Chang and his dad, Gilbert Chang, looked over the selection at Daiei on Kaheka Street.
Permits to buy and sell
holiday fireworks skyrocketNew Year's Eve may be a
busy night for emergency crews
Judging by the number of permits sold on Oahu already and an increase from 2002 of firecrackers coming into the island, this New Year's Eve could be busier for emergency personnel than in years past.
As of Wednesday, 1,446 fireworks permits had been sold to residents on Oahu, compared with 297 by that time in 2002.
The number of permits sold on the neighbor islands was not available yesterday.
Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said he is unsure whether the permit numbers point to an increase overall this season or if "people are trying to get a head start."
Firecrackers went on sale yesterday.
Kane said there are no plans to add extra staff during the height of New Year's celebrations, but that could change as the holiday nears.
New Year's fireworks may only be set off from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday.
A $25 permit, available at any satellite city hall on Oahu and other locations on the neighbor islands, is required for the purchase of any firework. One permit is needed for every 5,000 firecrackers.
Last year, 9,086 permits were issued statewide for New Year's firecrackers, with 6,100 of those purchased on Oahu. In 2001 there were 7,963 permits issued statewide, including 4,401 on Oahu.
"We think the permit requirement has deterred some usage of fireworks," Kane said. "Obviously, it makes it a little more inconvenient for people."
Meanwhile, the number of cases of fireworks imported to the island to ring in the new year has increased from 1,000 a year ago to 3,000 this year. Kane said the number of firecrackers per case is variable.
The number of licenses issued for firecrackers importation, storage and sales on Oahu and the Big Island also increased from last year, according to Fire Department statistics.
There were 129 fireworks licenses issued for New Year's on Oahu, including 102 retail licenses. Last year, 106 licenses were issued islandwide. On the Big Island, the license total increased by two to 39.
Kane said residents should use common sense when handling fireworks: Follow the manufacturer's instructions, and keep flames and firecrackers away from children and out of range of others.
"Young children and fireworks generally don't mix at all," Kane said. "Have a garden hose or bucket of water nearby. And don't hesitate to call 911" if there is an accident.
There were 59 fireworks-related injuries in the state during New Year's festivities last year, according to HFD statistics.
The year before, 85 injuries were reported statewide.
Kane said that every type of firecracker -- and even nonfireworks novelties like sparklers -- has its dangers, and "there's no real one that presents more hazards than others."
In 1999 a 14-year-old Waimanalo girl lost her eye when a bundle of sparklers she had lit exploded in her face, and a 25-year-old Waialua man died of head injuries suffered in an accident involving aerial fireworks.
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Tips to breathe easy
during big bang
Senior citizens, young children and lung disease sufferers are at the highest risk of serious injury if exposed to fireworks smoke, according to the American Lung Association of Hawaii.
The association's "Safe Haven" program offers a free dust respirator mask to those most susceptible to problems because of smoke inhalation.
The masks are available at the association's Honolulu office at 245 N. Kukui St., Suite 100. For more information, call 537-5966, ext. 307.
The "Safe Haven" program also offers low rates at several hotels, including the Aston Pacific Monarch, Aston Coral Reef and the Ohana Reef Lanai on Oahu and the Aston Shores at Waikoloa and Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas on the Kona side of the Big Island.
According to the association, the following precautions on New Year's Eve could decrease potential respiratory problems related to smoke:
>> Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and air conditioner or air purifier on during the heaviest fireworks celebrations.
>> Drink warm fluid to help healthy coughing.
>> Make sure to have all medications available.
>> Wear a paper mask or gauze mask to decrease smoke inhalation unless it interferes with regular breathing.
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Placate pets for a painless
New Year's Eve
The Hawaiian Humane Society recommends the following precautions to keep animals safe from the New Year's fireworks:
>> Make sure pets are wearing identification in case they become lost. If you don't have a tag, write your phone number on the pet's collar. Your vet can give your pet a permanent microchip ID. Keep several photographs of each pet on hand in case they get lost.
>> During fireworks, keep pets indoors. A quiet interior room is best. Put pets that live outside in the garage or on an enclosed lanai.
>> If possible, comfort and reassure pets, particularly if they are excitable.
>> Contact a veterinarian if you think your pet may need sedatives. Do not give human tranquilizers to animals.
The Humane Society, at 2700 Waialae Ave., is the official lost-and-found center for all animals on Oahu.
If you find a lost animal, call 946-2187, ext. 285. Or bring the animal to the shelter, which is open 24 hours a day, including New Year's Day, to receive lost animals and for emergency rescues.
If you lose your pet, come to the shelter during visitor's hours to look for it and report it lost between noon and 8 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, Wednesday and Friday. Bring a photo with you. The shelter will be closed for visiting on New Year's Day.
Additional information is available at www.hawaiianhumane.org.
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Neighbor isles have permits available
Star-Bulletin staff
Fireworks permits will be available on the Big Island at the County Building, Parker Ranch and Kona Service centers. Permits will also be sold at eight Big Island stores, including Kohala's Nakahara Store and Honokaa's Kaneshiro Store.
For more information, call the Big Island's Fire Prevention Bureau at 961-8350 in Hilo or 327-3546 in Kona.
Permits are available on Maui at the Wailuku Fire Prevention Office, which is next to the Wailuku Fire Station.
Residents on Molokai and Lanai can purchase permits at each island's county parks permit office.
On Kauai, fireworks permits are processed at the Kauai Fire Department's headquarters at the Moikeha Building on Rice Street. Permit applications are available at fire departments around the island.
