Fireworks sales
expected to be
stronger this year

Retailers are stocking more in
anticipation of a higher demand

BOOM!

Get used to it. Oahu residents might see more sparkle flickering at night for the New Year celebration, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

"We expect to have a little bit more (fireworks) than last year," said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.

STAR-BULLETIN / 2000 Stay safe on New Year's The Honolulu Fire Department provided the following safety tips for the New Year celebration: » Read and follow all warnings and instructions listed by the manufacturer on how to use and handle the firework. » Use only approved fireworks from a licensed retail outlet that has posted its retail permit at its sales site. » Make sure other people are out of harm's way before lighting fireworks. » Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials. » Do not set off fireworks in metal or glass containers. » Keep a garden hose, bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby. » Do not give fireworks or sparklers to young children. Sparklers burn at temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. » Older children should use fireworks only under the direct supervision of an adult. » Consider watching one of the public fireworks displays on New Year's Eve. » Check your smoke detectors if they need new batteries or need to be replaced. Fireworks injuries A total of 72 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms across the state between Dec. 30, 2003, and Jan. 2. The breakdown from this past New Year's celebration: » Oahu: 50 injuries » Big Island: 7 injuries » Maui County: 12 injuries (10 on Maui and 2 on Molokai) » Kauai: 3 injuries » More than two-thirds of the injured were males. » Most of the injuries were burns to the hands and fingers. Injuries to the eyes, head and face were also common. » In 2000-2001 there were 66 fireworks-related injuries during the New Year period, 80 injuries in 2001-2002 and 59 injuries in 2002-2003. Source: Department of Health's Injury Prevention and Control Program

Erwin Uyeda, head buyer for Daiei, said his store ordered more firecrackers for this year's celebration.

"We forecasted a stronger demand this year based on last year," said Uyeda, who declined to reveal how many cases of firecrackers were ordered. "Last year's sales were successful."

Other retail stores throughout the island also are gearing up for fireworks sales that begin this Sunday.

The number of licenses issued to fireworks importers in Oahu rose to 137, compared with 129 last year, and 111 retail outlets obtained licenses to sell fireworks, compared with 102 last year.

The number of licenses for storage facilities dropped to 12 from 15, Tejada said.

But fire officials still do not know the total number of cases of firecrackers that will be imported, he said.

Fireworks are allowed to be set off only between 9 p.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. New Year's Day.

Tom Ching, manager of the Grocery Outlet on Dillingham Boulevard, said 1,000 cases of fireworks were ordered, a 20 percent increase compared with last year.

"Firework sales were insane last year," Ching said. Grocery Outlet was one of the few stores that still had fireworks available in the last few days leading up to the holiday.

City officials noted more isle residents got a jump start on obtaining their fireworks permits instead of waiting until the last minute.

So far, a total of 3,018 permits have been sold this year, said Dennis Taga, satellite city hall division chief. "Compared to last year at this time, there were only about 599 permits (sold)," Taga said.

Permits cost each $25 and are available at any satellite city hall. A permit is needed for every 5,000 firecrackers. Residents can purchase as many permits as desired.

Satellite city halls will be closed today and on New Year's Eve.

A total of 8,828 permits were sold last year, compared with 6,102 permits in 2002, Taga said.

The increase last year was due to people becoming more familiar with the permit system. Last year's permit sales would have been higher, but vendors started running out of fireworks, Taga said.

With the New Year's celebration approaching, Tejada reminded residents to be vigilant.

He recommended that residents check the smoke alarms in their homes and have an escape plan should a fire occur.

"Seventeen fire-related deaths this year ... It shows you can never be too careful," Tejada said.