Hannemann backs
fireworks ban

He agrees with the fire chief's call to outlaw
novelty items around the Fourth of July

Mayor Mufi Hannemann says he favors a ban on novelty fireworks on the Fourth of July, supporting the position of Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi.

"It seems to me there's a strong case to be made to ban the novelties," Hannemann said.

Leonardi said earlier this week that he is going to ask state lawmakers next year to ban all fireworks -- including firecrackers -- on Independence Day.

Leonardi said the use of novelty fireworks, which do not require a permit to purchase like firecrackers do, have been on the rise for the Fourth of July, during the height of the summer brush fire season.

Leonardi said the majority of the brush fires during the holiday were fireworks-related.

Hannemann, like Leonardi, pointed to novelty fireworks that were being used in parks, especially at Ala Moana Beach Park.

"There were flagrant violations throughout the park on that day," Hannemann said. "I think what we need to get is the novelties that are just running rampant, and it's just really skirting the spirit of the present law that we have here."

Hannemann did not discount an outright ban, but said the issue should be discussed next legislative session after the New Year's holiday.

When Hannemann was City Council chairman in 1999, he co-introduced a resolution urging the state Legislature to authorize the counties to adopt more stringent fireworks laws, impose a statewide ban on fireworks or ban fireworks on Oahu.

Hannemann said the state also needs to crack down on juveniles setting brush fires, a problem in all counties.

"What's happening now with all these fires occurring in the countryside ... a lot of it has to do with juveniles just wreaking havoc," Hannemann said.

Hannemann said if the state fails to act, then it could be up to the city.

Some City Council members say it might be time for the city to lobby the state to take back control of fireworks. The counties passed their own fireworks laws up to 1995 when the state took away the authority.

"I wouldn't be opposed to it being a home-rule issue or a county issue," said Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz, who also said issues concerning enforcement and public input need to be addressed first.

Councilman Charles Djou, a former state legislator who represents the area including Ala Moana Beach Park and who supports a ban, said that in the past, resistance to an outright ban has come primarily from neighbor island lawmakers.

"If the city can move on our own, I don't see why we shouldn't. I don't want to wait for the Legislature or the neighbor islands," Djou said.